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[Tu Mu defines the ground as ground "to be contended for." Ts'ao

Kung says: "ground on which the few and the weak can defeat the

many and the strong," such as "the neck of a pass," instanced by

Li Ch'uan. Thus, Thermopylae was of this classification because

the possession of it, even for a few days only, meant holding the

entire invading army in check and thus gaining invaluable time.

Cf. Wu Tzŭ, ch. V. ad init.: "For those who have to fight in the

ratio of one to ten, there is nothing better than a narrow pass."

When Lu Kuang was returning from his triumphant expedition to

Turkestan in 385 A.D., and had got as far as I-ho, laden with

spoils, Liang Hsi, administrator of Liang-chou, taking advantage

of the death of Fu Chien, King of Ch'in, plotted against him and

was for barring his way into the province. Yang Han, governor of

Kao-ch'ang, counseled him, saying: "Lu Kuang is fresh from his

victories in the west, and his soldiers are vigorous and

mettlesome.