Orderly Troops

When an army goes forth on campaign, it wins on the basis of overall orderliness and cohesion. If rewards and punishments are not fair and clear, if laws and orders cannot inspire trust, if troops cannot stop when the gongs are struck and cannot advance when the drums are beaten, then even with a million troops, no actual combat power can be formed. What is meant by an “orderly force” is this: when stationed, it is well ordered; when moving, it has a commanding presence; when advancing, it cannot be blocked; when retreating, the enemy cannot close in on it; front and rear can support each other; left and right can obey the signals of the banners; and the troops are not placed in danger. Such an army can be kept united and cannot be divided; it can be used continuously and cannot be worn down. Modern Application:The previous chapter, “Assessing the Momentum for Attack,” dealt with the conditions under which one may initiate action against an opponent; this chapter turns its gaze back to oneself and asks a more basic question: before initiating any action, has the......