ABSTRACT
See XI. § § 10, 14. Chang Yii has an important note here, which must be given in full. "From tB :Jdl • -it ," he says, "down to this point, the Nine Variations are presented to us. The reason why only five are given is that the subject is treated en precis ( .. ;It -};;. Pf. -&). So in chap. XI, where he discusses the variations of tactics corresponding to the Nine Grounds, Sun Tzti mentions only six variations; there again we have an abridgment. [I cannot understand what Chang Yo. means by this statement. He can only be referring to §§ 11-14 or §§ 46-50 of chap. XI; but in both places all the nine grounds are discussed. Perhaps he is confusing these with the Six :11k ~ of chap. X.] All kinds of ground have corresponding military positions, and also a variation of tactics suitable to each (JL *II! iff "iff ~). In chap. XI, what we find enumerated first [§§ 2-10] are the situations; afterwards [§§ 11-14] the corresponding tactics. Now, how can we tell that the :JL ~ "Nine Variations" are simply the 1L :Jdl Z ~ "variations of tactics cQrresponding to the Nine Grounds"? It is said further on [§ 5] that 'the general who does not understand the nine variations of tactics may be well acquainted with the features of the country, yet he will not be able to turn his knowledge to practical account.' Again, in chap. XI [§ 41] we read: 'The different measures adapted to the nine varieties of ground ( :JL :Jdl Z ~) and the expediency of aggressive or defensive tactics must be carefully examined.' From a consideration of these passages the meaning is made clear. When later on the nine grounds are enumerated, Sun Tzti recurs to these nine -variations. He wishes here to speak of the Five Advantages [see infra, § 6], so he begins by setting forth the Nine Variations. These are inseparably connected in practice, and therefore they are dealt with together." The weak point of this argument is the suggestion that 3i" "five things" can stand as a -};;. .. ' that is, an
abstract or abridgment, of nine, when those that are omitted are not less important than those. that appear, and when one of the latter is not included amongst the nine at all.
