Those who are apt at war are not influenced by emotion. Those who have composed an impeccable tactical plan have no reason to fear their enemy. Those who are wise consolidate their victory beforehand through impeccable planning. On the other hand, fools wage battle without planning, and make decisions in the heat of battle.

Winners proceed the path without veering, but losers try to take the shortcut and get lost in the process. Fools take the opposite path.

An army functions at its best when commanders stand proud and soldiers man their respective stations. This is like casting rounded stones down an inclined plank--there are no edges to stop the flow. Such an army could defeat all in its path with invincable strength. Thus is the basis of all tactics.

The Secret of Military Instruction

When facing those apt in offense, the opponent does not know how to defend. Likewise, when facing those apt in defense, the opponent does not know how to attack. This is because those who are apt in offense do not rely on weapons, and those who are apt in defense do not rely on their fortifications. Thus, building high walls and deep moats does not equal an impenetrable defense. Likewise, wearing sturdy armor and wielding sharp weapons doesn't make an army strong.

What to do when an enemy has strong defenses?
Attack where they are lest protected.

What to do when an enemy dissolves their camp and starts marching?
Ambush them when least expected.

What to do when you and your enemy both start marching?
Choose an appropriate terrain and establish your formations.

What to do when you have started marching while your enemy remains silent?
Attack from both sides of the enemy.

What to do if your enemy is composed of many different factions?
First, attack their main force.

When one does not know the terrain, and does not have the correct timing, preparing for battle only leads to misallocation of troops.

The Good and Bad of Military Tactics

Military tactics could be separated into three different levels of execution.

1. The Best Application of Military Tactics--Prevent problems before it occurs, and resolve conlicts before it starts. Read the minds of your enemy and plan ahead of them. Even if there are strict rules within your military, act in advance to make sure none will break the military law. This is the best application of military tactics.

2. Moderate Application of Military Tactics--Set up your ranks agains your enemies and charge your cavalry. Then unleash your crossbows at your enemy and slowly approach your enemy. Fear will breed within the minds of your enemy, leading them to confusion. This is the moderate application of military tactics.

3. The Worst Application of Military Tactics--The leader sharges into the midst of the enemy and gets rained on with arrows, and is blinded by shirt term goals. Many soldiers die, freind and foe, but victory is not clear on both sides. This is clearly the worst application of military tactics.

The Military Leader

There are many different types of military leaders.

Those who could see the darkness within others and detect danger beforehand while managing his own soldiers adequately--such a man can be a leader of ten men.

Those who perform their duty from dawn until dusk while remaining courteous in speech--such a man can be a leader of a hundred men.

Those who have a distaste for trickery but are resourceful, and are brave and enthusiastic in battle--such a man can be a leader of a thousand men.

Those who are respectable in appearance, holding a warrior's spirit while having an understanding of the hardships of his men--such a man can be a leader of ten-thousand men.

Those who recruit men of skill while himself improving upon his skills, while being trustworthy and wide in perspective, unyielding to the temptations present within the confounded world of warfare--such a man can be a leader of a hundred-thousand men.

Those who shed lovingkindness to his subjects and defeats surrounding nations through trust and moral goodness, and is versed in astrology, geography, and human affairs while garnering respect from all citizens--such a man can be a leader of all under heaven.

The Fifteen Testaments of Military Leaders

The source of all defeat comes from underestimating your enemy. Thus, military leaders must keep the following fifteen testaments within their mind.