It is imperative to contest all factions for complete victory, so the army is not garrisoned and the profit can be total. This is the law of strategic siege.

Hence the saying: The enlightened ruler lays his plans well ahead; the good general cultivates his resources.

Thus the skilful general conducts his army just as though he were leading a single man, willy-nilly, by the hand.

All war is based on deception.

If you know both yourself and your enemy, you can win a hundred battles without a single loss.

Bestow rewards without respect to customary practice; publish orders without respect to precedent. Thus you may employ the entire army as you would one man.

The ultimate in disposing one's troops is to be without ascertainable shape. Then the most penetrating spies cannot pry in nor can the wise lay plans against you.