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[Chang Yu quotes his favourite Wei Liao Tzŭ (ch. 3): "If one man

were to run amok with a sword in the market-place, and everybody

else tried to get our of his way, I should not allow that this

man alone had courage and that all the rest were contemptible

cowards. The truth is, that a desperado and a man who sets some

value on his life do not meet on even terms."]

Officers and men alike will put forth their uttermost strength.

[Chang Yu says: "If they are in an awkward place together, they

will surely exert their united strength to get out of it."]

24. Soldiers when in desperate straits lose the sense of fear. If

there is no place of refuge, they will stand firm. If they are in

the heart of a hostile country, they will show a stubborn front.

If there is no help for it, they will fight hard.

25. Thus, without waiting to be marshalled, the soldiers will be

constantly on the qui vive; without waiting to be asked, they

will do your will;

[Literally, "without asking, you will get."]