The general, unable to control his irritation, will launch his men to the assault like swarming ants, 227 with the result that one-third of his men are slain, while the town still remains untaken. Such are the disastrous effects of a siege. 228

Therefore the skilful leader subdues the enemy’s troops without any fighting; he captures their cities without laying siege to them; he overthrows their kingdom without lengthy operations in the field. 229

With his forces intact he will dispute the mastery of the Empire, and thus, without losing a man, his triumph will be complete. 230 This is the method of attacking by stratagem.