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[Repeated from VII. § 1, where it is certainly more in place. It

may have been interpolated here merely in order to supply a

beginning to the chapter.]

2. When in difficult country, do not encamp. In country where

high roads intersect, join hands with your allies. Do not linger

in dangerously isolated positions.

[The last situation is not one of the Nine Situations as given in

the beginning of chap. XI, but occurs later on (ibid. § 43.

q.v.). Chang Yu defines this situation as being situated across

the frontier, in hostile territory. Li Ch'uan says it is "country

in which there are no springs or wells, flocks or herds,

vegetables or firewood;" Chia Lin, "one of gorges, chasms and

precipices, without a road by which to advance."]

In hemmed-in situations, you must resort to stratagem. In a

desperate position, you must fight.

3. There are roads which must not be followed,

["Especially those leading through narrow defiles," says Li

Ch'uan, "where an ambush is to be feared."]