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[Ts'ao Kung sums up very well: "Emerge from the void [q.d. like

"a bolt from the blue"], strike at vulnerable points, shun places

that are defended, attack in unexpected quarters."]

7. You can be sure of succeeding in your attacks if you only

attack places which are undefended.

[Wang Hsi explains "undefended places" as "weak points; that is

to say, where the general is lacking in capacity, or the soldiers

in spirit; where the walls are not strong enough, or the

precautions not strict enough; where relief comes too late, or

provisions are too scanty, or the defenders are variance amongst

themselves."]

You can ensure the safety of your defence if you only hold

positions that cannot be attacked.