奇正

The principle of heaven and earth: what reaches its extreme reverses; what is full declines — [lacuna] demonstrates this. Alternating prosperity and decline — the four seasons demonstrate this. Winning some and losing some — the Five Phases demonstrate this. Living and dying — all things demonstrate this. Having capability and lacking capability — all living beings demonstrate this. Having surplus in some areas and deficit in others — this is strategic disposition. Therefore among all things that have form, there is none that cannot be named. Among all things that have names, there is none that cannot be overcome. Therefore the sage uses the victory inherent in all things to overcome all things, and so his victories are inexhaustible.

Warfare is the contest of forms overcoming forms. No form exists that cannot be overcome, yet no one knows the exact form by which it will be overcome. The transformations of form overcoming form are as inexhaustible as heaven and earth themselves. Even using all the bamboo of Chu and Yue to write them down would not suffice. All forms are overcome by that which defeats them specifically. To use a single form to overcome ten thousand forms is impossible. The means of controlling form is one; the means of achieving victory cannot be one. Therefore the skilled warrior, seeing the enemy's strengths, knows his weaknesses; seeing the enemy's deficiencies, knows where he has surplus. Seeing victory is like seeing the sun and moon. Deploying victory is like using water to overcome fire.

Using form to respond to form — this is the orthodox. Being formless yet controlling form — this is the unorthodox. The unorthodox and orthodox are inexhaustible — this comes from division. Divide using odd numbers, control using the Five Phases, fight using [lacuna]. Once the division is determined, form emerges. Once form is determined, names emerge. What is identical is insufficient for mutual victory; therefore what is different constitutes the unorthodox. Thus stillness is the unorthodox of movement. Rest is the unorthodox of exhaustion. Satiation is the unorthodox of hunger. Order is the unorthodox of chaos. Numbers are the unorthodox of scarcity. What has been launched is the orthodox; what has not yet been launched is the unorthodox. When the unorthodox is launched and the enemy cannot respond, then victory is achieved. One who has surplus unorthodox resources achieves overwhelming victory. Therefore when one joint is in pain, a hundred joints cannot function — they are one body. When the front is defeated and the rear cannot be used — they are one form.

Therefore in battle momentum: in large formations, [lacuna] are severed. In small formations, [lacuna] are dissolved. The rear must not ride upon the front; the front must not [confuse] the rear. Those advancing must have a path out; those retreating must have a path in. When rewards have not been given and punishments not applied, yet the people obey commands — it is because the commands are within the people's capacity to perform. When rewards are generous and punishments severe, yet the people do not obey commands — it is because the commands are beyond the people's capacity to perform. To make the people advance into death against their own interest, never turning back — even Meng Ben would find this difficult. To demand this of ordinary people is like trying to make water flow uphill.

Therefore in battle momentum: reinforce those who are winning, replace those who are losing, rest those who are weary, feed those who are hungry. Thus the people see [the enemy] but do not see death; they tread upon naked blades without turning their heels. Therefore when flowing water follows its natural course, it floats stones and breaks boats. When employing the people according to their nature, orders flow like water.