11. The Nine Situations

3

When he has penetrated into hostile territory, but to no great distance, it is facile ground.

Li Ch`uan and Ho Shih say "because of the facility for retreating," and the other commentators give similar explanations. Tu Mu remarks: "When your army has crossed the border, you should burn your boats and bridges, in order to make it clear to everybody that you have no hankering after home."