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doing a hundred li in order to wrest an advantage, the leaders of

all your three divisions will fall into the hands of the enemy.

8. The stronger men will be in front, the jaded ones will fall

behind, and on this plan only one-tenth of your army will reach

its destination.

[The moral is, as Ts'ao Kung and others point out: Don't march a

hundred li to gain a tactical advantage, either with or without

impedimenta. Manoeuvers of this description should be confined to

short distances. Stonewall Jackson said: "The hardships of forced

marches are often more painful than the dangers of battle." He

did not often call upon his troops for extraordinary exertions.

It was only when he intended a surprise, or when a rapid retreat

was imperative, that he sacrificed everything for speed. [1] ]

9. If you march fifty li in order to outmanoeuver the enemy, you

will lose the leader of your first division, and only half your

force will reach the goal.