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21. Though according to my estimate the soldiers of Yueh exceed

our own in number, that shall advantage them nothing in the

matter of victory. I say then that victory can be achieved.

[Alas for these brave words! The long feud between the two states

ended in 473 B.C. with the total defeat of Wu by Kou Chien and

its incorporation in Yueh. This was doubtless long after Sun

Tzŭ's death. With his present assertion compare IV. § 4. Chang Yu

is the only one to point out the seeming discrepancy, which he

thus goes on to explain: "In the chapter on Tactical Dispositions

it is said, 'One may know how to conquer without being able to do

it,' whereas here we have the statement that 'victory' can be

achieved.' The explanation is, that in the former chapter, where

the offensive and defensive are under discussion, it is said that

if the enemy is fully prepared, one cannot make certain of

beating him. But the present passage refers particularly to the

soldiers of Yueh who, according to Sun Tzŭ's calculations, will

be kept in ignorance of the time and place of the impending

struggle. That is why he says here that victory can be

achieved."]