THE ART OF WAR by S.T. | Chapter 7 : Maneuvering

Summary: The second statement Sun Tzu makes at the beginning of this chapter is, "Nothing is more difficult than the art of maneuver." He expands on this by saying the trick is to make what looks like a convoluted and aimless course into one that is actually direct and focused. He draws a distinction between "direct" and "indirect" approaches designed to simultaneously confuse the enemy and demonstrate the ability in the lower ranks to obey complex and changing commands. Sun Tzu does caution, however, that there are "both advantage[s] and danger" in using this tactic, so it is one only the experienced and seasoned general should attempt. Tu Mu addresses the art of maneuvering, claiming an army should only split up when absolutely necessary. It is better to make sure all the troops arrive at the battlefield more or less in good condition and at the same time, well ahead of the arrival of the opposing army. This works better if the enemy must rush, which exhausts the troops and supplies along the way. If an army has a long march, those who are strongest and most lightly equipped will arrive first, while the weaker soldiers carrying heavier baggage will straggle behind, leaving themselves open to ambush. Tu Mu cautions that this should be done only "when there is no alternative and you must contend for an advantageous position." The entire army gathered together well before the enemy arrives is considered an "advantageous position." Setting off on an extended forced march with all troops—both strong and weak—and all the equipment, could mean that critical sections of the army are not prepared to face the enemy when they arrive on the battlefield. The longer an army encamps to wait for the arrival of the enemy, the longer the enemy has to strategically size up and evaluate the assembled opposing forces. Sun Tzu cites The Book of Military Administration to explain the use of banners, gongs, flags, and drums to signal troop movements on the field based on the time of day or night. Tu Mu's commentary describes how effective castrametation—how a military encampment is laid out in orderly sections—provides protection from nightly attacks. Tu Mu adds that a cluster of smaller encampments surrounding the commander's headquarters can signal an approaching enemy incursion using torches. This is not just for signaling but also to illuminate the entire camp so the defenders know the location of the enemy. The discussion then turns to control of the factors introduced in Chapter 1, as they pertain to the relationship between a commanding general and his army. The successful strategy is one that can divide the host of an enemy army from its "head" by controlling the factors of moral, mental, physical, and changing circumstances. The questions Ho Yen-hsi poses point out that all the things that weaken an opposing commander's confidence and ability to plan must be avoided. The chapter ends with an explanation of how to "bait" a surrounded enemy with a carefully controlled escape route. In one example, Tu Yu describes how the enemy simply ran down the escape route without looking, and offered no resistance. Had they been forced to fight "to the death," many in the surrounding army would have also been killed or wounded. By treating the enemy like a cornered wild animal, a wise commander positions it for control rather than destruction. #art #war #victory #suntzu #meditation #books #learning #teacher #history #king #emotional #motivation #inspiration #leadership #leader #speech #ambition #tactics #wisdom #reading #life #death #planing #moral #heaven #earth #commander #discipline #method #general #stoicism #military #army #warriors #legend #howto #influencer #maneuver #tactics #troops #fight #fighting