Quan Tao: War Cavalry

King Wu asked Grand Duke Jiang: "What are the methods of cavalry warfare?"

Grand Duke replied: "Cavalry warfare offers ten opportunities for victory and nine disastrous terrains."

King Wu asked: "What are the ten opportunities for victory?"

Grand Duke replied:

1. When the enemy has just arrived and their formation is unstable, strike their vanguard with cavalry and attack both flanks—they will surely collapse.

2. When the enemy’s formation is solid and orderly, harass their flanks with swift cavalry, charging like wind and thunder, changing banners and uniforms repeatedly to sow confusion until dusk.

3. When the enemy’s ranks are weak and morale low, press their front and rear while assaulting their left and right flanks—they will panic.

4. When the enemy retreats to camp at dusk, strike their flanks, raid their rear, and block their camp gates to prevent regrouping.

5. When the enemy lacks defensible terrain, penetrate deep to sever their supply lines—they will starve.

6. When the enemy is on open ground, coordinate cavalry with chariots to overwhelm them.

7. When the enemy flees in disarray, attack from all sides to capture their commanders.

8. When the enemy retreats chaotically at nightfall, organize cavalry into squads (10 men), platoons (100 men), and chariot units (5–10 vehicles) with banners and crossbows to strike flanks and cut off retreats—their leaders will be captured.

"These are the Ten Opportunities for Victory in cavalry warfare."

King Wu asked: "What are the nine disastrous terrains?"

Grand Duke replied:

1. Defeat Ground (败地): Failing to break the enemy’s formation, only to be ambushed by their chariots and cavalry in the rear.

2. Encircled Ground (围地): Pursuing a retreating enemy over treacherous terrain, only to be trapped by flanking ambushes and severed supply lines.

3. Death Ground (死地): Advancing into terrain with no retreat, like a natural pit or sunken gorge.

4. Submerged Ground (没地): Narrow paths forward and winding retreat routes, allowing weaker enemies to dominate.

5. Exhaustion Ground (竭地): Dense forests and ravines that hinder movement.

6. Perilous Ground (艰地): Fighting between rivers, with enemies holding mountain passes and waterways.

7. Stranded Ground (困地): Enemy cuts off your supplies, leaving no path for retreat.

8. Marsh Ground (患地): Swamps and mud that cripple mobility.

9. Ambush Ground (陷地): Deceptive flat terrain hiding ditches and slopes, inviting enemy strikes during advance or retreat.

"These nine terrains are fatal to cavalry. Wise generals avoid them; foolish ones perish here."