The accompanying warriors must be treated well, so that, while the enemy is beaten, our side increases in strength.
Now the object of war is victory; not lengthy operations, even skilfully conducted.
The good general is the lord of the people’s lives, the guardian of the country’s welfare.
[III]
THE ATTACK BY STRATAGEM
Sun the Master said:—
Now by the laws of war, better than defeating a country by fire and the sword, is to take it without strife.
Better to capture the enemy’s army intact than to overcome it after fierce resistance.
Better to capture the “Lu,”[3] the “Tsu” or the “Wu” whole, than to destroy them in battle.