The skilful leader is steadfast in the “Way”; upholds the Law, and thereby controls the issue.
Touching the laws of war, it is said: first, the rule; second, the measure; third, the tables; fourth, the scales; fifth, the foretelling of victory.
For the rule is the survey of land; the measure tells the amount of that land’s produce; the tables its population; from the scales their weight or quality is made known; and then can we calculate victory or defeat.
The army that conquers as against the army destined to defeat, is as a beam against a feather in the scales. The attack of conquering forces is as the outburst of long-pent-up waters into sunken valleys.
Such are the orders of battle.
[V]
THE SPIRIT OF THE TROOPS
Sun the Master said:—
The control of large numbers is possible, and like unto that of small numbers, if we subdivide them.