ABSTRACT
This chapter provides Sun Pin's discussion of the crux of military affairs with King Wei and T'ien Chi, the king's famous commanding general. They pose a total of sixteen theoretical battlefield situations for which Sun Pin suggests appropriate tactical principles. Sun Pin wisely employed formations that retained an empty middle ground designed for this purpose. Sun Pin apparently suggests that the defenders can wait for the invaders to determine a "route to life," an escape route, attacking when they have turned their attention toward retreating and are neither focused nor prepared for combat. When in difficulty or outnumbered, deploying in such strategic terrain was still the most advisable course, as Sun Pin suggests. Sun Pin is cautioning against being hasty and trying to force a precipitous conclusion. Although Sun-tzu strongly warned against the dangers of protracted warfare, he equally condemned foolhardy actions.
