How Hegemon Wins-Sun Zi

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How Hegemon Wins by Sun Zi

English: If one fails to understand and exploit even one of the nine types of ground, one cannot claim to be the supreme commander of an all-conquering army. When a supreme commander attacks a large state, he ensures that it is impossible for the enemy to assemble all his forces against him. He will overpower his enemy convincingly and overawe the other states so much that none of the allies of the enemy would dare unite against him. Thus, he does not have to contend with securing alliances with other states. He does not have to foster or cultivate its power over other states. Rather, he relies on his supreme ability to overpower the enemy to achieve his own agenda and goals. Thus he is able to conquer cities and overthrow the states in his enemies.

Modern: 这几方面，如果有一方面考虑不到，就不能算是霸王之兵。霸王之兵，攻击大国，就会使敌方召集不到民众；威加于敌国，就能使敌国不能缔结外交。所以不必去争取于天下诸侯交结，也不必去培植自己在天下的势力，只要伸展自己的力量，施加威严于敌国，就可以拔取敌人城池，毁灭敌国国都。

Original: 四五者，一不知，非霸王之兵也。夫霸王之兵，伐大国，则其众不得聚；威加于敌，则其交不得合。是故不争天下之交，不养天下之权，信己之私，威加于敌，故其城可拔，其国可隳。

Business Application:

From: Sun Zi Art of War Chapter 11