ABSTRACT
In warfare, if the enemy is numerous while you are few and they explosively come forth to surround you, you must investigate your respective numerical strengths and dispositions as substantial or vacuous. You cannot recklessly sneak away along an easy route for fear that the tail of their army may strike you. You should deploy into an outwardly oriented circular formation and endure the enemy's encirclement. Even if there is some gap, you should plug it in order to solidify the hearts of your officers and troops. If you fervently attack outward in all four directions, you will certainly gain an advantage. A tactical principle from the Ssu-ma Fa states: "If the enemy is numerous, then deploy outward toward their masses and withstand them."
