Placing Troops in the Foreign Territory-Sun Zi

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Placing Troops in the Foreign Territory by Sun Zi

English: Place your troops in positions where they cannot escape and they will fight fearlessly unto death with no thought of fleeing. This is because when they are not afraid to die, the officers and men will give their utmost for battle. When the troops are trapped in dangerous and treacherous situations, they will lose their sense of fear. When they have nowhere to flee, they will be firm and resilient in their fighting spirit. When they have penetrated deep into hostile territory, they will be extra cautious in action. When there is no other choice left, they will fight fearlessly. Thus such an army requires no instruction to be vigilant and alert to combat. The troops require no asking to do what is expected of them. No discipline is needed to gain their close rapport and support. No other orders are needed to obtain their trust and reliance. Such an army forbids superstitious practices and casts away doubts and rumours thus enabling it to confront death without any fear.

Modern: 把军队投之于无路可走的境地，士卒就会宁可战死也不会败退，而既然宁死不退，就会竭尽全力。军队陷于危险的境地就会无所畏惧，而无路可走，军心就会稳固。如敌境越深就会越拘束，迫不得已就会奋战到底。所以不用训练也会戒备，不用强求也能做到，不用约束也会亲附，不用命令也会遵守，禁绝占卜，祛除疑虑，即使战死也不会逃跑。

Original: 投之无所往，死且不北，死焉不得，士人尽力。兵士甚陷则不惧，无所往则固，入深则拘，不得已则斗。是故其兵不修而戒，不求而得，不约而亲，不令而信，禁祥去疑，至死无所之。

Business Application:

From: Sun Zi Art of War Chapter 11