地葆

Sun Bin said: In all matters of terrain, the sunny side (yang) is the exterior and the shady side (yin) is the interior. Straight paths are the main framework; branching paths are the secondary network. Master the framework and network, and your formations will not be confused. Straight routes are where life flourishes; branching routes are half-deadly. In all battlefields, the sun is the vital essence. When the eight winds arrive, you must not forget this. Crossing water, facing hills head-on, going against the current, occupying killing ground, and advancing toward dense forest — these are all equally disadvantageous; none of these five will lead to victory. Mountains to the south of your formation are living mountains. Mountains to the east of your formation are dead mountains. Water flowing east is living water. Water flowing north is dead water. Water that does not flow is dead water.

The hierarchy of five terrains: mountains surpass hills, hills surpass mounds, mounds surpass open ridges, open ridges surpass wooded flatland. The hierarchy of five grasses: hedge, thorns, stiff brush, cogon grass, and sedge. The hierarchy of five soils: green overcomes yellow, yellow overcomes black, black overcomes red, red overcomes white, white overcomes green. The five terrain defeats: ravines, rivers, marshes, and salt flats. The five killing terrains: Heaven's Well, Heaven's Enclosure, Heaven's Net, Heaven's Cleft, and Heaven's Trap. The five tomb-terrains are killing grounds — do not camp there, do not [lacuna]. In spring do not descend; in autumn do not ascend. Whether marching or in formation, never advance with the right flank exposed. Circle right, never circle left.