# Sonshi/The Nine Terrains

XI. THE NINE TERRAINS.
Son the Master said:—
In respect to the conduct of war there are:—
Distracting ground; disturbing ground; ground of contention; intersecting ground; path-ridden ground; deeply involved ground; difficult ground; enclosed ground; death ground.
At all times, when the prince fights in his own territory it is called distracting
That ground a short way inside the enemy’s border is called disturbing ground.
Ground giving advantage to whichever side is in possession, is called ground of contention.
Ground to which either side has access, is called intersecting ground.
The intersection of three provinces from which three peoples can be controlled, is called path-ridden ground.
The interior of the enemy’s country with fortified towns in rear, is called deeply involved ground.
Mountain and forest; precipices; ravines; marsh and swamp; all places where passage is hard, is called difficult ground
A narrow entrance and winding outlet, where a ​small number can oppose a large force, is called enclosed ground.
That ground where delay means disaster, is called death ground.
Wherefore, do not fight on distracting ground; do not linger on disturbing ground.
If the enemy be in possession of disputed ground, do not attack.
In intersecting ground, do not interrupt the high- ways.
At the crossing of highways cultivate intercourse.
When deeply involved, levy and store up the enemy’s property.
Quickly depart from difficult ground.
Enclosed ground requires a careful plan of operations.
On death ground, fight.
The skilful fighters of old were at pains to disconnect the enemy’s front and rear ; to prevent cooperation between small and large forces of the enemy; to prevent mutual help between his officers and men; and to spread mistrust between the soldiers and those in authority.
scatter the enemy, and prevent him from concentrating. If there be a chance of victory move; if there be no chance of success stand fast.
If I were asked how a powerful and united force of the enemy should be met, I would say: lay hands on such of the enemy’s possessions as will confound his plans. ​In the conduct of war, before all, strike quickly before the enemy is ready; and attack his unpreparedness from an unexpected quarter.
The way to fight in foreign lands. When in the heart of the enemy’s country the soldiers minds are united in the presence of danger, their hosts cannot defeat them. Plunder fertile plains, then the army’s provisions are sufficient ; be careful of the health of the soldiers; do not tire them uselessly; keep courage; store up strength; plan well and secretly; if there be no refuge the soldiers will not fly from death.
If there be no alternative but death, the soldiers exert themselves to the utmost.
In desperate places, soldiers lose the sense of fear.
If there be no place of refuge, there will be no wavering.
If deeply involved in the enemy’s country, there is unity.
If it be unavoidable, the soldiers will fight their hardest.
Even without warnings they are vigilant; they comply without insistence ; without restrictions they are tractable; without explicit instructions they will trust the general and obey him.
Prohibit the discussion of signs and omens, and remove the soldiers’ doubts; then to the moment of death they will be undistracted.
Our soldiers are poor, not because they hate money; they court danger, not ‘because they dislike long life.
When the order for attack is given, the collars of ​those who are sitting with bowed heads may be wet with tears; tears may roll down the cheeks of those reclining; but these men when in a desperate place, will fight with the courage of Sho Kwai.
Soldiers should be used like the snakes on Mt. Tosan; which, if you hit on the head, the tail will strike you; if you hit the tail, the head will strike you; if you strike its middle, head and tail will strike you together.
Should any one ask me whether men can be made to move like these snakes, I say, yes. The men of Go and Etsu hate each other; but if they cross a river in a boat and a storm overtake them, they help each other like the two hands.
The horses may be tied, and the chariot wheels sunk in the mud ; but that does not prevent flight.
Universal courage, and unity of the soldiers, depend on good management.
To get the best results from both weak and strong depends upon the nature of the situation.
Under such conditions, it is quite natural that the skilful should lead his men where he will, as it were by the hand.
The qualities of a good general are, calmness and justice ; and from these spring inscrutability and good government. The general keeps his officers and men in ignorance of his plans, and informs no one of any changes or fresh departures. By changing his camps, and taking devious and unexpected routes, his plans cannot be guessed. ​As one taking away the ladder from under those mounted upon the roof, so acts the general when his men are assembled to fight.
When far involved in a hostile country, he cuts off his paths of retreat; thus the men have nothing left but to fight. He burns his boats, and breaks his cooking pots, and drives the army hither and thither like a flock of sheep, knowing not whither they go.
Therefore the general should assemble the armies, and place them in a desperate position.
The different natures of the nine grounds; the suiting of the means to the occasion; the hearts of men; these are things which must be studied.
When deep in the interior of a hostile country, there is cohesion; if only on the borders, there is distraction.
Wherefore on distracting ground, concentrate the soldiers thoughts.
On disturbing ground, keep in close order.
In disputed ground, try to take the enemy in rear.
In intersecting ground, use caution as regards de- fences.
In path ridden ground, cultivate intercourse.
In deeply involved, ground, be careful of supplies.
In difficult ground, hurry away.
In enclosed ground, reject an opening offered by the enemy.
On death ground, make it plain that without fighting there is no chance of survival.
Wherefore if the soldiers are surrounded, their ​hearts are in the defence. When compelled there- to, they fight with energy.
When in a position of great danger they are easily led.
He who knows not the ambitions of other rulers, cannot make profitable alliances with them.
He who knows not mountain and forest; cliffs; ravines; lakes and marshes; cannot conduct an army.
He who uses not guides, cannot draw advantage from the locality.
He who has not a complete knowledge of the Nine Grounds, cannot rise superior to neighbouring rulers.
An able ruler, when attacking an important state, can prevent the enemy from concentrating his forces.
If he exercise his influence, other states cannot join against him.
He does not struggle for the favour of other states.
He does not give support to them (with a view to subsequent benefits). He has confidence in himself, and awes the enemy with his influence.
Therefore he easily takes the fortress, or reduces the country to subjection.
In the bestowal of rewards, or in his orders, he is not bound by ancient rule.
He manages his forces as though they were one man.
Orders should not reveal the plan of the leader; nor should the soldiers be informed of any accompanying risks.
If the forces be plunged into danger, there is ​survival; from death ground there is retrieval; for the force in danger, gains victory and defeats the enemy.
Discover the enemy’s precise intentions by yielding tactics. When discovered, then, with one stroke, the general may be killed, even though he be one hundred leagues distant.
When war is declared, close the barriers; destroy passports; prevent the passage of the enemy’s spies; conduct the business of the Government with vigilance.
Take advantage of the enemy’s unreadiness; quickly invade his country; and try to seize the places which he most values.
Shape your plans according to rule, and the circum- stances of the enemy.
At first behave with the discretion of a maiden; then, when the enemy gives an opening, dart in like a rabbit.
The enemy cannot defend himself.