For them to perceive the advantage of defeating the enemy, they must also have their rewards. Now, in order to kill the enemy, our men must be roused to anger. One cartload of the enemy’s provisions is equivalent to twenty of one’s own, and likewise a single picul2 of his provender is equivalent to twenty from one’s own store. With this loss of substance and exhaustion of strength, the homes of the people will he stripped bare, and their incomes dissipated at the same time government expenses for broken chariots, worn-out horses, breastplates and helmets, bows and arrows, spears and shields, protective mantlets, draught oxen and heavy wagons, will amount to almost half its total revenue.Ī wise general makes a point of foraging on the enemy. When their substance is drained away, they will be afflicted by heavy exactions. On the other hand, the proximity of an army causes prices to go up and high prices cause people’s substance to be drained away.
Contributing to maintain an army at a distance causes the people to be impoverished. Poverty of the state exchequer causes an army to be maintained by contributions from a distance. Thus the army will have food enough for its needs. The value of time-that is, being a little ahead of your opponent-has counted for more than either numerical superiority or the nicest calculations with regard to commissariat.īring war material with you from home, but forage on the enemy. Once war is declared, he will not waste precious time in waiting for reinforcements, nor will he turn his army back for fresh supplies, but crosses the enemy’s frontier without delay. The skillful general does not raise a second levy, neither are his supply wagons loaded more than twice.