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6. Ground which forms the key to three contiguous states,

[Ts'au Kung defines this as: "Our country adjoining the enemy's

and a third country conterminous with both." Meng Shih instances

the small principality of Cheng, which was bounded on the

north-east by Ch'i, on the west by Chin, and on the south by

Ch'u.]

so that he who occupies it first has most of the Empire at his

command,

[The belligerent who holds this dominating position can constrain

most of them to become his allies.]

is ground of intersecting highways.

7. When an army has penetrated into the heart of a hostile

country, leaving a number of fortified cities in its rear, it is

serious ground.

[Wang Hsi explains the name by saying that "when an army has

reached such a point, its situation is serious."]

8. Mountain forests,

[Or simply "forests."]

rugged steeps, marshes and fens-all country that is hard to

traverse: this is difficult ground.