Page:The book of war, the military classic of the Far East (IA bookofwarmilitar00caltiala).pdf/102

98 disperse; close or extend when the signal is given.

"All these changes must be learnt, and the weapons distributed. This is the business of the general.”

Wu the Master said:

“In the teaching of war, spears are given to the short; bows and catapults to the tall; banners and standards to the strong; the bell and drum to the bold; fodder and provisions to the feeble; the arrangement of the plan to the wise. Men of the same district should be united; and groups and squads should help each other. At one beat of the drum the ranks are put in order; at two beats of the drum, formation will be made; at three beats of the drum, food will be issued; at four beats of the drum, the men will prepare to march; at five beats of the drum, ranks will be formed; when the drums beat together, then the standards will be raised.”

And Lord Wen asked and said:

“What is the way of marching and halting an army?”