| | The ruler establishes martial virtue to awe the four quarters, thus ensuring peace for ten thousand people. Martial virtue is characterized by tranquility; it does not manifest itself through military campaigns. Gentle virtue spreads widely, and the Rong and Yi peoples accept its mandate—this is the general who unifies the army. A mandate must not be dishonored, a commander must not be lost; this is a great trust of the state and cannot easily be entrusted to another person. Use benevolence to win their hearts. Comfort them in their illnesses and hardships, so that all may be won over. Use righteousness to inspire them. Demonstrate generosity, so as to encourage and motivate them. Use propriety to instruct them. Clarify their discipline, so as to bring order. Use trustworthiness to carry it out. Assess their distances, so that they will surely act. Use rewards to encourage them. Hang up ranks and rewards, so that they may yearn for achievement. Use punishment to enforce discipline. Impose the awe of axes and halberds, so that they fear crime. Practicing these six principles is called being advantageous. The use of all six together ensures success; lacking any one leads to failure. Therefore, when the Jin general was about to lead an army, Zi Fan said "We do not yet know trustworthiness"—this is an example. Thus, soldiers will give their whole hearts, exert all their strength, and devote their lives. When soldiers obey instruction, the army gains advantage. Therefore, when attacking they will conquer, and when defending they will be secure—this is the way of military preparedness. Martial strength may be prepared but not used; it cannot be used without being prepared. The "Shi Jing" says: "Stalwart warriors, the shield and wall of marquises and dukes." Possessing martial talent makes one capable of defense.
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