11 The Nine Situations 九地
Terrains, Situations, Implications
Main ideas:
- Adapting to, and leveraging terrain 九地之变，屈伸之利，人情之理
- Nine situations and their implications 散, 轻, 争, 交, 衢, 重, 圮, 围, 死
- The army’s solidarity and resolve under pressure 陷之死地然后生
- Qualities of a commander 静以幽，正以治
- Surprise in war 始如处女，后如脱兔
Chapter eleven discusses terrain and their implications in greater details. One encounters many different terrain and situations (九地) in battle. These influence and change one’s behaviours (变) as she seeks to maximize advantages and minimize risks. One needs to be flexible, restricting (屈) and extending (伸) herself as the situation demands. As leader of an army, one seeks also to understand human nature(人情之理) — how soldiers behave under different situations — and leverage, manipulate that to her benefit.
There are nine 九 types of grounds 地 with different implications. 地 could refer to the literal features of the physical battleground, or metaphorically, the situation that one lands herself in. These have critical implications on one’s forces, and decide one’s focal activities when in these situations.
散 means to scatter 分散 or disperse 离散 and refers to grounds (flat and lacking in dominating features) or situations (such as fighting on one’s own territory) where one’s forces are prone to losing their will and deserting their positions. When fighting on one’s own territory, the soldier’s are close to home and their loved ones, which distracts them from the fight, dampens their morale and erodes their will to overcome the enemy. Chapter two also proposed bringing the fight into enemy’s territory to minimize disruptions to one’s own, and at to subsist at the expense of the enemy’s resources. One should hence avoid fighting in her own territory (无战). When in such battlegrounds or situations, one attemps to galvanise her soldiers’ will to fight (一其志) and bring them out of their perceived comfort. She can disrupt the enemy’s subsistence by destroying food sources. Behind a strong defence, one can await the enemy who struggles with subsistence to reveal her weakness before launching an offensive. Alternatively, one can lay an ambush to trap her enemy in a dangerous ground.
轻 refers to the ease 轻便 of which one’s forces that just penetrated enemy territory could return to the safety of their own. This similarly distracts one’s forces from battle. One should hence avoid stopping 无止 and press forward, deeper into enemy territory, to the effect of galvanising one’s forces based on their instinct to survive. In such grounds, one keeps her forces close (使之属) to facilitate command and control for quick movements and mutual support when under attack. The objective is to penetrate deeper and avoid committing to battle under the enemy’s enticement to stall one’s penetration. Hence, one steers clear from open roads, dominating features, and the enemy’s strongholds.
争 is contentious ground where the first to occupy it can reap the advantage of overcoming a larger force using a smaller force. If this has already been occupied by the enemy, one avoids attacking it (无攻) as it will be difficult to overcome. Instead, one seeks to bypass the enemy’s position and threaten the key positions at the next defense layer (趋其后). This entices the enemy to abandon the contentious ground in aid of her inner defense positions, which opens her to one’s ambush or attack in more vulnerable positions.
交 is ground accessible to both one’s forces and her enemy’s forces. These are large, connected axes or water bodies, on which armies can easily travel on, and where battles can take place. The nature of their connectedness makes them indefensible. One seeks to maintain maximum command and control (无绝), strengthen her defenses, and remain alert (谨其守) against enemy infiltration and attacks.
衢 is the intersection of key axes and state boundaries which exert strong influences on other adjacent forces. One seeks to occupy these grounds first and ally herself (合交) with the adjacent forces against the enemy. The main objective here is to strengthen ties with these adjacent forces (固其结).
重 is the situation where one has penetrated deep into enemy territory where return is difficult and supply trains are constrained. One therefore subsists on enemy’s resources, through pillage (掠). The army, now without hope of returning home, have a stronger will to overcome the enemy. The main focus is subsistence (继其食).
圮 is ground which is soft and difficult to manoeuvre in, or encamp. One should quickly pass (行, 进其涂) through these grounds to avoid being trapped on them. If trapped on such grounds, one can secure her main force by engaging the enemy using an advanced force at a distance, or split her forces to escape and rendezvous at a later point.
围 is territory which has a narrow access (隘)and circuitous exit (迂), vulnerable to enemy’s attacks. Even with superior numbers, one cannot project her forces effectively on her enemy, who can leverage the ground to overcome her forces using smaller forces. One resorts to strategem (谋) under such situations. One first galvanises her own forces by sealing all exit points (塞其阙, where 阙 refers to 缺, or opening), driving them to desperation in the face of death. One then lowers the enemy’s guard by showing apparent disarray before forcing a way through the enemy’s defenses.
死 refers to grounds which lack subsistence conditions and where one is threatened at the same time by the enemy. In such situations, one is forced to engage the enemy (战) or face destruction. Similarly, one galvanises her forces to increase her chance of survival (示之以不活).
The leader is responsible for galvanising her forces in battle to the effect that they fight as a singular force (率然). To do so, soldiers have to abandon all distractions, including monetary possessions (余财), perceived security, and temporary ease (余命), that affect their will to overcome the enemy. Bringing one’s army deep into enemy territory, or into perceived situations where retreat is impossible and no safe exit passages exist (陷之死地然后生) strengthens their will.
An effective leader contemplates her strategy with a calm mind and stays silent (静) on her intentions so as to keep her plans secret and unfathomable (幽). She instills discipline and fairness (正) to maintain order and respect for her command (治).
At the start of war, one seeks to be quiet and coy like a virgin (始如处女) to lower her enemy’s guard. When battle progresses however, one seeks to seize upon opportunities quickly, like a hare (后如脱兔).
孙子曰：用兵之法，
有散地，有轻地，有争地，
有交地，有衢地，有重地，
有圮地，有围地，有死地。
1. Sun Tzu said: The art of war recognizes nine varieties of ground:
(1) Dispersive ground; (2) facile ground; (3) contentious ground;
(4) open ground; (5) ground of intersecting highways; (6) serious ground;
(7) difficult ground; (8) hemmed-in ground; (9) desperate ground.诸侯自战其地，为散地。
入人之地不深者，为轻地。
我得则利，彼得亦利者，为争地。
我可以往，彼可以来者，为交地。
诸侯之地三属，先至而得天下之众者，为衢地。
入人之地深，背城邑多者，为重地。
行山林、险阻、沮泽，凡难行之道者，为圮地。
所由入者隘，所从归者迂，彼寡可以击吾之众者，为围地。
疾战则存，不疾战则亡者，为死地。
When a chieftain is fighting in his own territory, it is dispersive ground.
When he has penetrated into hostile territory, but to no great distance, it is facile ground.
Ground the possession of which imports great advantage to either side, is contentious ground.
Ground on which each side has liberty of movement is open ground.
Ground which forms the key to three contiguous states, so that he who occupies it first has most of the Empire at his command, is a ground of intersecting highways.
When an army has penetrated into the heart of a hostile country, leaving a number of fortified cities in its rear, it is serious ground.
Mountain forests, rugged steeps, marshes and fens — all country that is hard to traverse: this is difficult ground.
Ground which is reached through narrow gorges, and from which we can only retire by tortuous paths, so that a small number of the enemy would suffice to crush a large body of our men: this is hemmed in ground.
Ground on which we can only be saved from destruction by fighting without delay, is desperate ground.是故散地则无战，
轻地则无止，
争地则无攻，
交地则无绝，
衢地则合交，
重地则掠，
圮地则行，
围地则谋，
死地则战。
On dispersive ground, therefore, fight not.
On facile ground, halt not.
On contentious ground, attack not.
On open ground, do not try to block the enemy’s way.
On the ground of intersecting highways, join hands with your allies.
On serious ground, gather in plunder.
In difficult ground, keep steadily on the march.
On hemmed-in ground, resort to stratagem.
On desperate ground, fight.所谓古之善用兵者，
能使敌人前后不相及，
众寡不相恃，
贵贱不相救，
上下不相收，
卒离而不集，兵合而不齐。
合于利而动，不合于利而止。
Those who were called skillful leaders of old
knew how to drive a wedge between the enemy’s front and rear;
to prevent co-operation between his large and small divisions;
to hinder the good troops from rescuing the bad,
the officers from rallying their men.
When the enemy’s men were united, they managed to keep them in disorder.
When it was to their advantage, they made a forward move;
when otherwise, they stopped still.敢问：“敌众整而将来，待之若何？”
曰：“先夺其所爱，则听矣。”
If asked how to cope with a great host of the enemy in orderly array and on the point of marching to the attack,
I should say: “Begin by seizing something which your opponent holds dear; then he will be amenable to your will.”兵之情主速，
乘人之不及，
由不虞之道，
攻其所不戒也。
Rapidity is the essence of war:
take advantage of the enemy’s unreadiness,
make your way by unexpected routes,
and attack unguarded spots.凡为客之道：
深入则专，主人不克；
掠于饶野，三军足食；
谨养而勿劳，并气积力，运兵计谋，为不可测。
The following are the principles to be observed by an invading force:
The further you penetrate into a country, the greater will be the solidarity of your troops, and thus the defenders will not prevail against you.
Make forays in fertile country in order to supply your army with food.
Carefully study the well-being of your men, and do not overtax them. Concentrate your energy and hoard your strength. Keep your army continually on the move, and devise unfathomable plans.投之无所往，死且不北，
死焉不得，士人尽力。
兵士甚陷则不惧，无所往则固。
深入则拘，不得已则斗。
Throw your soldiers into positions whence there is no escape, and they will prefer death to flight.
If they will face death, there is nothing they may not achieve. Officers and men alike will put forth their uttermost strength.
Soldiers when in desperate straits lose the sense of fear. If there is no place of refuge, they will stand firm.
If they are in hostile country, they will show a stubborn front. If there is no help for it, they will fight hard.是故其兵不修而戒，
不求而得，
不约而亲，
不令而信，
禁祥去疑，至死无所之。
Thus, without waiting to be marshaled, the soldiers will be constantly on the qui vive;
without waiting to be asked, they will do your will;
without restrictions, they will be faithful;
without giving orders, they can be trusted.
Prohibit the taking of omens, and do away with superstitious doubts. Then, until death itself comes, no calamity need be feared.吾士无余财，非恶货也；
无余命，非恶寿也。
If our soldiers are not overburdened with money, it is not because they have a distaste for riches;
if their lives are not unduly long, it is not because they are disinclined to longevity.令发之日，士卒坐者涕沾襟。偃卧者涕交颐。
投之无所往者，诸、刿之勇也。
On the day they are ordered out to battle, your soldiers may weep, those sitting up bedewing their garments, and those lying down letting the tears run down their cheeks. But let them once be brought to bay, and they will display the courage of a Chu or a Kuei.故善用兵者，譬如率然；
率然者，常山之蛇也。
击其首则尾至，
击其尾则首至，
击其中则首尾俱至。
The skillful tactician may be likened to the shuai-jan.
Now the shuai-jan is a snake that is found in the ChUng mountains.
Strike at its head, and you will be attacked by its tail;
strike at its tail, and you will be attacked by its head;
strike at its middle, and you will be attacked by head and tail both.敢问：“兵可使如率然乎？”
曰：“可。夫吴人与越人相恶也, 当其同舟而济, 遇风, 其相救也如左右手。”
Asked if an army can be made to imitate the shuai-jan,
I should answer, Yes. For the men of Wu and the men of Yueh are enemies; yet if they are crossing a river in the same boat and are caught by a storm, they will come to each other’s assistance just as the left hand helps the right.是故方马埋轮，未足恃也；
齐勇若一，政之道也；
刚柔皆得，地之理也。
故善用兵者，携手若使一人，不得已也。
Hence it is not enough to put one’s trust in the tethering of horses, and the burying of chariot wheels in the ground
The principle on which to manage an army is to set up one standard of courage which all must reach.
How to make the best of both strong and weak — that is a question involving the proper use of ground.
Thus the skillful general conducts his army just as though he were leading a single man, willy-nilly, by the hand.将军之事：
静以幽，
正以治。
It is the business of a general
to be quiet and thus ensure secrecy;
upright and just, and thus maintain order.能愚士卒之耳目，使之无知。
易其事，革其谋，使人无识；
易其居，迂其途，使人不得虑。
帅与之期，如登高而去其梯；
He must be able to mystify his officers and men by false reports and appearances, and thus keep them in total ignorance.
By altering his arrangements and changing his plans, he keeps the enemy without definite knowledge.
By shifting his camp and taking circuitous routes, he prevents the enemy from anticipating his purpose.
At the critical moment, the leader of an army acts like one who has climbed up a height and then kicks away the ladder behind him.帅与之深入诸侯之地，而发其机，
焚舟破釜，若驱群羊，
驱而往，驱而来，莫知所之。
聚三军之众，投之于险，此谓将军之事也。
He carries his men deep into hostile territory before he shows his hand.
He burns his boats and breaks his cooking-pots; like a shepherd driving a flock of sheep,
he drives his men this way and that, and nothing knows whither he is going.
To muster his host and bring it into danger: — this may be termed the business of the general.九地之变，
屈伸之利，
人情之理，
不可不察。
The different measures suited to the nine varieties of ground;
the expediency of aggressive or defensive tactics;
and the fundamental laws of human nature:
these are things that must most certainly be studied.凡为客之道：
深则专，
浅则散。
When invading hostile territory, the general principle is,
that penetrating deeply brings cohesion;
penetrating but a short way means dispersion.去国越境而师者，绝地也；
四达者，衢地也；
入深者，重地也；
入浅者，轻地也；
背固前隘者，围地也；
无所往者，死地也。
When you leave your own country behind, and take your army across neighborhood territory, you find yourself on critical ground.
When there are means of communication on all four sides, the ground is one of intersecting highways.
When you penetrate deeply into a country, it is serious ground.
When you penetrate but a little way, it is facile ground.
When you have the enemy’s strongholds on your rear, and narrow passes in front, it is hemmed-in ground.
When there is no place of refuge at all, it is desperate ground.是故散地，吾将一其志；
轻地，吾将使之属；
争地，吾将趋其后；
交地，吾将谨其守；
衢地，吾将固其结；
重地，吾将继其食；
圮地，吾将进其涂；
围地，吾将塞其阙；
死地，吾将示之以不活。
Therefore, on dispersive ground, I would inspire my men with unity of purpose.
On facile ground, I would see that there is close connection between all parts of my army.
On contentious ground, I would hurry up my rear.
On open ground, I would keep a vigilant eye on my defenses.
On ground of intersecting highways, I would consolidate my alliances.
On serious ground, I would try to ensure a continuous stream of supplies.
On difficult ground, I would keep pushing on along the road.
On hemmed-in ground, I would block any way of retreat.
On desperate ground, I would proclaim to my soldiers the hopelessness of saving their lives.故兵之情，
围则御，
不得已则斗，
过则从。
For it is the soldier’s disposition to
offer an obstinate resistance when surrounded,
to fight hard when he cannot help himself,
and to obey promptly when he has fallen into danger.是故不知诸侯之谋者，不能预交；
不知山林、险阻、沮泽之形者，不能行军；
不用乡导者，不能得地利。
四五者，不知一，非霸王之兵也。
We cannot enter into alliance with neighboring princes until we are acquainted with their designs.
We are not fit to lead an army on the march unless we are familiar with the face of the country — its mountains and forests, its pitfalls and precipices, its marshes and swamps.
We shall be unable to turn natural advantages to account unless we make use of local guides.
To be ignored of any one of the following four or five principles does not befit a warlike prince.夫霸王之兵，
伐大国，则其众不得聚；
威加于敌，则其交不得合。
When a warlike prince attacks a powerful state,
his generalship shows itself in preventing the concentration of the enemy’s forces.
He overawes his opponents, and their allies are prevented from joining against him.是故不争天下之交，
不养天下之权，
信己之私，
威加于敌，
故其城可拔，其国可隳。
Hence he does not strive to ally himself with all and sundry,
nor does he foster the power of other states.
He carries out his own secret designs,
keeping his antagonists in awe.
Thus he is able to capture their cities and overthrow their kingdoms.施无法之赏，
悬无政之令，
犯三军之众，若使一人。
Bestow rewards without regard to rule,
issue orders without regard to previous arrangements;
and you will be able to handle a whole army as though you had to do with but a single man.犯之以事，勿告以言；
犯之以利，勿告以害。
Confront your soldiers with the deed itself; never let them know your design.
When the outlook is bright, bring it before their eyes; but tell them nothing when the situation is gloomy.投之亡地然后存，
陷之死地然后生。
Place your army in deadly peril, and it will survive;
plunge it into desperate straits, and it will come off in safety.夫众陷于害，
然后能为胜败。
For it is precisely when a force has fallen into harm’s way
that is capable of striking a blow for victory.故为兵之事，
在于顺详敌之意，
并敌一向，
千里杀将，
此谓巧能成事者也。
Success in warfare is gained by
carefully accommodating ourselves to the enemy’s purpose.
By persistently hanging on the enemy’s flank,
we shall succeed in the long run in killing the commander-in-chief.
This is called ability to accomplish a thing by sheer cunning.是故政举之日，
夷关折符，无通其使；
厉于廊庙之上，以诛其事。
On the day that you take up your command,
block the frontier passes, destroy the official tallies, and stop the passage of all emissaries.
Be stern in the council-chamber, so that you may control the situation.敌人开阖，必亟入之。
先其所爱，微与之期。
践墨随敌，以决战事。
If the enemy leaves a door open, you must rush in.
Forestall your opponent by seizing what he holds dear, and subtly contrive to time his arrival on the ground.
Walk in the path defined by rule, and accommodate yourself to the enemy until you can fight a decisive battle.是故始如处女，敌人开户，
后如脱兔，敌不及拒。
At first, then, exhibit the coyness of a maiden, until the enemy gives you an opening;
afterwards emulate the rapidity of a running hare, and it will be too late for the enemy to oppose you.Translation by Lionel Giles
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