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'How did you know what was going to happen?' they asked. P'ei

Hsing-chien replied: 'From this time forward be content to obey

orders without asking unnecessary questions.' From this it may be

seen," Chang Yu continues, "that high and sunny places are

advantageous not only for fighting, but also because they are

immune from disastrous floods."]

11. If the enemy has occupied them before you, do not follow him,

but retreat and try to entice him away.

[The turning point of Li Shih-min's campaign in 621 A.D. against

the two rebels, Tou Chien-te, King of Hsia, and Wang Shih-ch'ung,

Prince of Cheng, was his seizure of the heights of Wu-lao, in

spite of which Tou Chien-te persisted in his attempt to relieve

his ally in Lo-yang, was defeated and taken prisoner. See Chiu

T'ang Shu, ch. 2, fol. 5 verso, and also ch. 54.]

12. If you are situated at a great distance from the enemy, and

the strength of the two armies is equal, it is not easy to

provoke a battle,