11.45

Chapter: The Nine Situations

11.45

Translation:

When you have the enemy’s strongholds on your rear, and narrow passes in front, it is hemmed-in ground. When there is no place of refuge at all, it is desperate ground.

Commentary

‘Hemmed in’ ground was previously described as ‘Ground which is reached through narrow gorges, and from which we can only retire by tortuous paths’. Enemy strongholds behind this makes it more difficult.

On ‘Desperate ground’ you have to fight, now.