Cryptocurrency Exchange - "The Art of War" Detailed Explanation - Terrain Chapter

Sun Tzu said:

There are six types of terrain: accessible, hanging, supporting, narrow, dangerous, and distant. Terrain that allows movement for both sides is called accessible; when fighting on such terrain, it is advantageous to occupy high ground and supply routes first, which is very beneficial. Terrain that is difficult to retreat from is called hanging; fighting on hanging terrain, if the enemy is unprepared, a sudden attack can lead to victory; if the enemy is prepared and cannot be defeated upon engagement, and retreat is difficult, then it is very unfavorable. When the conditions for attack are unfavorable, and both sides are at a disadvantage, this is called supporting terrain; on supporting terrain, even if the enemy offers slight advantages, I should not attack but first withdraw, then counterattack when the enemy commits half of their forces, which can lead to victory. Narrow terrain, such as between two mountains or in a valley, requires occupying the pass first and deploying troops to wait for the enemy; if the enemy occupies the pass first and holds the position, avoid attacking; if the enemy only partially occupies the pass without fully blocking the formation, then an attack is possible. On dangerous terrain, if I occupy it first, I must choose high ground to wait for the enemy; if the enemy occupies dangerous terrain first, withdraw the troops and do not attack upward. In distant terrain, where the terrain is equal and challenging to challenge, fighting is disadvantageous. These six types of terrain are principles of utilizing the land; a commander must understand and carefully study these principles.

In military affairs, there are six situations: running, fleeing, trapping, collapsing, disorder, and retreating north; these are not caused by natural disasters or terrain but are due to the fault of the commander. When the terrain is equal and a single attack can defeat ten, it is called running. When soldiers are strong but officers are weak, it is called fleeing. When officers are strong but soldiers are weak, it results in poor combat effectiveness, called trapping. When a general is angry and disobedient, and encounters the enemy, fights impulsively, and the commander does not understand their capabilities, leading to collapse, it is called collapsing. When a commander is incompetent and cannot strictly discipline the troops, and training and doctrine are unclear, with tense and chaotic relations among officers and soldiers, and disorderly formations, it is called disorder. When a commander cannot assess the enemy situation, fights with a small force against the main enemy, and weakly attacks a stronger force without elite vanguard, it is called retreating north. These six situations are the principles of defeat; a commander must understand and carefully analyze them.

Terrain is an aid in warfare. Judging the enemy situation, devising strategies for victory, and examining the terrain’s proximity, danger, and ease are the responsibilities of the supreme commander. Those who understand these factors and command accordingly will surely win; those who do not understand them will surely lose. From the perspective of warfare, victory is inevitable: if the ruler commands not to fight, the commander can still choose to fight; if circumstances make victory impossible, even if the ruler insists on fighting, it can be avoided. In short, attack without seeking fame, retreat without avoiding blame, and only protect the people; what benefits the ruler and aligns with the nation’s treasure is the true path of warfare.