[Every man hastening to his proper place under his own regimental banner.]
and the soldiers fall into rank, it means that the critical moment has come.
- When some are seen advancing and some retreating, it is a lure.
- When the soldiers stand leaning on their spears, they are faint from want of food.
- If those who are sent to draw water begin by drinking themselves, the army is suffering from thirst.
[As Tu Mu remarks: "One may know the condition of a whole army from the behavior of a single man."]
- If the enemy sees an advantage to be gained and makes no effort to secure it, the soldiers are exhausted.
- If birds gather on any spot, it is unoccupied.
[A useful fact to bear in mind when, for instance, as Ch’en Hao says, the enemy has secretly abandoned his camp.]
Clamour by night betokens nervousness.
- If there is disturbance in the camp, the general’s authority is weak. If the banners and flags are shifted about, sedition is afoot. If the officers are angry, it means that the men are weary.
[Tu Mu understands the sentence differently: "If all the officers of an army are angry with their general, it means that they are broken with fatigue" owing to the exertions which he has demanded from them.]
- When an army feeds its horses with grain and kills its cattle for food,