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39. 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 none knows whither he is going.

[Tu Mu says: "The army is only cognizant of orders to advance or

retreat; it is ignorant of the ulterior ends of attacking and

conquering."]

40. To muster his host and bring it into danger:-this may be

termed the business of the general.

[Sun Tzŭ means that after mobilization there should be no delay

in aiming a blow at the enemy's heart. Note how he returns again

and again to this point. Among the warring states of ancient

China, desertion was no doubt a much more present fear and

serious evil than it is in the armies of today.]

41. The different measures suited to the nine varieties of

ground;

[Chang Yu says: "One must not be hide-bound in interpreting the

rules for the nine varieties of ground."]