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Dispersing and Assembling

Disciplines > Warfare > The Six Secret Teachings > 6.1 Dispersing and Assembling

Teaching set  | Observed lessons | Discussion | See also

Teaching set

Canine Secret Teachings 6.1 (51)

Observed lessons

• When regiments arrive from different directions to a battle, give them an exact time to arrive.
• Reward those who arrive on time. Punish those who arrive late.

Discussion

Timing the arrival of troops at a battlefield can be significant. When all arrive at once, this creates overwhelm. When some arrive later, this creates confusion. When others arrive much later, this can be the devastating final blow that crushes the remaining enemy. Fighting is tiring, both physically and emotionally. When new troops arrive, they are fresh and can make a big difference.

This effect can be seen in team sports, when a substitution is made and a fresh player enters the field. Done well, this can turn the tide of a game. Likewise in business, the timing of your actions can have different effects on competitors, and should be designed for the best result.

See also

Rewarding Troops

Sawyer, R.D. (1993). The Seven Military Classics of Ancient China, Basic Books