Train The Troops

Duke Wu asked, "What is the foremost consideration in advancing troops?" Wu Qi replied, "Firstly, one must understand the Four Easinesses, Two Heavinesses, and One Trustworthiness." Duke Wu inquired further, "What do you mean by that?" Wu Qi said, "It means that the terrain should be convenient for horses to gallop, horses should be well-suited for driving chariots, chariots should be easy to carry troops, and troops should be adept at fighting. Understanding the difficulty and easiness of the terrain is conducive to horses galloping. Feeding horses at the right time allows them to drive chariots well. Keeping the axle well-lubricated makes the chariot easy to carry people. Sharp weapons and sturdy armor enable troops to fight effectively. By this, I mean that advancing incurs heavy penalties for poverty, and retreating incurs severe punishment. And by One Trustworthiness, I mean that rewards and punishments must be carried out without fail. By truly achieving these, one has grasped the main conditions for victory." Duke Wu asked, "What enables the army to win......