War Kings - Sun Tzu Art of War Chp 9 - Deploying the Army 行军篇

(Deploying the Army) discusses on the events one has to be aware of when camping at war. When travelling out to war, one must have complete understanding towards one’s surroundings so as to be able to make informed decisions, this is especially so in the four following conditions: Valleys, Rivers, Swamp and Flat Land. Sun Tzu spoke of studying movements of one’s enemy in order to predict their situation and possible actions when encountering them at camp, which is 〈兵非貴益多也，惟無武進，足以并力、料敵、取人而已〉。If one underestimates one’s enemy, and not understands them, defeat is certain 〈夫惟無慮而易敵者，必擒于人〉。

辭卑而備者，進也 ﹔辭強而進驅者，退也

In , Sun Tzu mentioned that if one’s enemy is fully prepared but in words, depicts his situation as relatively weak, then it would mean that he is about to strike. In contrast, when one’s enemy seems ready to attack and in speech ferocious, then it would mean that he is about to retreat.

War Kings - Sun Tzu Art of War Chp 8 - Nine Transformation

(Nine Transformations) explains that not only must a General be observant towards one’s surroundings, but also inwards of one’s own psychology. For instance 〈杂于利而务可信也，杂于害而患可解也〉aptly advises a General on thinking positively as well on the building up of confidence so as to ensure that one is prepared even in the face of a difficult situation.

圮地无舍，衢地交和，绝地勿留，为地则谋，死地则战〉

Sun Tzu believes that a place untraveled must not be camped. At intersections between countries must one communicate with one’s neighbours. Where traffic is arduous must not one stop. In face of danger from all around, must one escape from using stratagem. In situations where there is only a dead end, must one fight unreservedly for one’s survival. Not only did Sun Tzu mention about the transformation changes of geography, but also on the transformation of strategies that one needs to change accordingly to different situations.