Страница 220 из 266

What says the Military Classic-'Swoop down on the market-place

and drive the men off to fight.' [This passage does not occur in

the present text of Sun Tzŭ.] If I had not placed my troops in a

position where they were obliged to fight for their lives, but

had allowed each man to follow his own discretion, there would

have been a general debandade, and it would have been impossible

to do anything with them." The officers admitted the force of his

argument, and said: "These are higher tactics than we should have

been capable of." [See Ch'ien Han Shu, ch. 34, ff. 4, 5.] ]

59. For it is precisely when a force has fallen into harm's way

that is capable of striking a blow for victory.

[Danger has a bracing effect.]

60. Success in warfare is gained by carefully accommodating

ourselves to the enemy's purpose.