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[The train of thought, as said by Li Ch'uan, appears to be this:

Secure against a combination of his enemies, "he can afford to

reject entangling alliances and simply pursue his own secret

designs, his prestige enable him to dispense with external

friendships."]

Thus he is able to capture their cities and overthrow their

kingdoms.

[This paragraph, though written many years before the Ch'in State

became a serious menace, is not a bad summary of the policy by

which the famous Six Chancellors gradually paved the way for her

final triumph under Shih Huang Ti. Chang Yu, following up his

previous note, thinks that Sun Tzŭ is condemning this attitude of

cold-blooded selfishness and haughty isolation.]

56. Bestow rewards without regard to rule,

[Wu Tzŭ (ch. 3) less wisely says: "Let advance be richly rewarded

and retreat be heavily punished."]

issue orders

[Literally, "hang" or post up."]

without regard to previous arrangements;