VI.
EMPTINESS AND STRENGTH.
Son the Master said:—
To be the first in the field, and there to await the enemy, is to husband strength.
To be late, and hurrying to advance to meet the foe, is exhausting.
The good fighter contrives to make the enemy approach; he does not allow himself to be beguiled by the enemy.
By offering an apparent advantage, he induces the enemy to take up a position that will cause his defeat; he plants obstructions to dissuade him from acting in such a way as to threaten his own dispositions.
If the enemy be at rest in comfortable quarters, harass him; if he be living in plenty, cut off his supplies; if sitting composedly awaiting attack, cause him to move.
This may be done by appearing in seemingly impossible quarters, and assaulting at unexpected points.
If we go where the enemy is not, we may go 1000 leagues without exhaustion.
If we attack those positions which the enemy has not defended, we invariably take them: but on the defence we must be strong, even where we are not likely to be attacked.
Against those skilful in attack, the enemy does not
