Cryptocurrency Exchange - Detailed Explanation of "The Art of War" - Nine Grounds Chapter

Sun Tzu said:

In warfare, the terrain can be classified into nine types: dispersed ground, facile ground, contentious ground, intersecting ground, crossing ground, heavy ground, encircled ground, besieged ground, and deadly ground. The states’ lords fight within their own territory, which is called dispersed ground. When entering the enemy’s territory not deeply, it is called facile ground. When both sides gain advantage, it is called contentious ground. When both sides can come and go freely, it is called intersecting ground. When multiple states’ borders meet, the one who first gains support from the populace has crossing ground. When entering deep into the enemy’s territory, passing through many cities and towns, it is heavy ground. Difficult terrain such as forests, treacherous passes, marshes, and swamps are called crossing ground. Narrow roads for advancing and winding paths for retreating, where a small force can defeat a larger one, are encircled ground. Rapid combat that ensures survival is called deadly ground; delaying leads to destruction. Therefore, avoid fighting on dispersed ground, do not linger on facile ground, do not attack recklessly on contentious ground, do not break formation on intersecting ground, secure alliances on crossing ground, seize supplies on heavy ground, pass quickly through crossing ground, plan carefully when trapped in encircled ground, and fight to the death on deadly ground.

The ancient masters of warfare could make the enemy’s front and rear unconnected, the multitude and the few unable to rely on each other, the noble and the humble unable to aid each other, the superior and inferior unable to coordinate, soldiers dispersing without gathering, armies unaligned in formation. When advantageous, they act swiftly; when not, they cease. I ask: “If the enemy is numerous and well-organized, how should we approach?” The answer: “First seize what they cherish and refuse to abandon, then they will listen.” Speed is paramount in warfare—strike before the enemy can respond, attack along unexpected routes, and strike where they are unprepared.

In offensive campaigns against an enemy state, the principles are: the deeper you go into enemy territory, the more stable the army’s morale; in fertile fields, seize grain and supplies, ensuring the army’s sustenance; carefully nurture and avoid fatigue, strengthen morale, gather energy and strength, and plan strategies that are unpredictable. Lead soldiers into dead ends without escape, and even in death, they will not retreat. When soldiers are deeply entrenched and unafraid, with no way out, they will fight to the death. Therefore, if soldiers are in dispersed ground, do not engage; on facile ground, do not linger; on contentious ground, do not attack rashly; on intersecting ground, do not break formation; on crossing ground, secure alliances; on heavy ground, replenish supplies; in crossing terrain, pass swiftly; in encircled ground, block the gaps; in deadly ground, fight to the end. When surrounded, resist; when forced into a corner, fight desperately; when in deep peril, obey orders.

Those who do not understand the strategies of the lords cannot anticipate their plans; those unfamiliar with terrain such as forests, treacherous passes, and marshes cannot lead armies effectively; without guides, one cannot gain the advantage of terrain. If any of these aspects are neglected, one cannot be considered a true hegemon’s army. The armies of kings and overlords, when attacking great nations, cannot gather their forces quickly; 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