Long Tao: Jūn Shì (Military Configuration)

King Wu asked tai gong:"What are the principles of offensive warfare?" tai gong replied: "The momentum of battle is shaped by the enemy’s actions; tactical shifts arise from confrontations on the field; the interplay of unorthodox and orthodox tactics flows from the commander’s boundless wisdom and deliberation. Thus, the most critical secrets must never be divulged, and strategies must never be spoken aloud. The heart guards what the tongue cannot utter; deployments remain veiled, never exposed. To vanish swiftly and reappear suddenly, to act decisively without constraint—these are the principles of warfare. If the enemy learns of our mobilization, they will devise countermeasures; if they detect our movements, they will plot against us; if they grasp our intent, we fall into peril; if they discern our patterns, we face disaster. Therefore, the skilled commander triumphs before the army is deployed, averts crises before they arise, and secures victory without visible struggle. The highest art is to subdue the enemy without battle. Those who win through bloody close......