XI.
THE NINE TERRAINS.
Son the Master said:—
In respect to the conduct of war there are:—
Distracting ground; disturbing ground; ground of contention; intersecting ground; path-ridden ground; deeply involved ground; difficult ground; enclosed ground; death ground.
At all times, when the prince fights in his own territory it is called distracting[1]
That ground a short way inside the enemy’s border is called disturbing ground.
Ground giving advantage to whichever side is in possession, is called ground of contention.
Ground to which either side has access, is called intersecting ground.
The intersection of three provinces from which three peoples can be controlled, is called path-ridden ground.
The interior of the enemy’s country with fortified towns in rear, is called deeply involved ground.
Mountain and forest; precipices; ravines; marsh and swamp; all places where passage is hard, is called difficult ground
A narrow entrance and winding outlet, where a
- ↑ This and the following are so called because the men are continually thinking of, and slipping back to their homes. ground.
