Sayfa 182 / 266

When Wang Chien heard that they were engaged in these athletic

pursuits, he knew that their spirits had been strung up to the

required pitch and that they were now ready for fighting. By this

time the Ch'u army, after repeating their challenge again and

again, had marched away eastwards in disgust. The Ch'in general

immediately broke up his camp and followed them, and in the

battle that ensued they were routed with great slaughter. Shortly

afterwards, the whole of Ch'u was conquered by Ch'in, and the

king Fu-ch'u led into captivity.]

Keep your army continually on the move,

[In order that the enemy may never know exactly where you are. It

has struck me, however, that the true reading might be "link your

army together."]

and devise unfathomable plans.

23. Throw your soldiers into positions whence there is no escape,

and they will prefer death to flight. If they will face death,

there is nothing they may not achieve.