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armies which must be not attacked,

[More correctly, perhaps, "there are times when an army must not

be attacked." Ch'en Hao says: "When you see your way to obtain a

rival advantage, but are powerless to inflict a real defeat,

refrain from attacking, for fear of overtaxing your men's

strength."]

towns which must not be besieged,

[Cf. III. § 4 Ts'ao Kung gives an interesting illustration from

his own experience. When invading the territory of Hsu-chou, he

ignored the city of Hua-pi, which lay directly in his path, and

pressed on into the heart of the country. This excellent strategy

was rewarded by the subsequent capture of no fewer than fourteen

important district cities. Chang Yu says: "No town should be

attacked which, if taken, cannot be held, or if left alone, will

not cause any trouble." Hsun Ying, when urged to attack Pi-yang,

replied: "The city is small and well-fortified; even if I succeed

intaking it, it will be no great feat of arms; whereas if I fail,

I shall make myself a laughing-stock." In the seventeenth

century, sieges still formed a large proportion of war. It was

Turenne who directed attention to the importance of marches,

countermarches and manoeuvers. He said: "It is a great mistake to

waste men in taking a town when the same expenditure of soldiers

will gain a province." [1] ]