Questions
Questions

PS*3200*W02 Ch09 Quiz_Army on March

Single choice

Story on Duke Xiang of Song (宋襄公): In the Battle of Hongshui (泓水) against the much stronger and fully prepared enemy, Xiang’s troops were defeated thoroughly and he himself was badly hurt and died in the following year (637 BC). Earlier, his brother had advised him to attack when the soldiers of the Chu State were crossing the river. Xiang announced his benevolence and righteousness, insisting on waiting until the enemy completely crossed the river. “We are not Duke Xiang of Song,” Chinese leader Mao Zedong commented in his On Protracted War (No.83), “and have no use of his asinine ethics” (我们不是宋襄公,不要那种蠢猪式的仁义道德). Which principle of Sun Tzu for river warfare did Duke Xiang violate leading to the catastrophe for his kingdom?

Options
A.Meet the invader near a river which he has to cross. (meaning Attack them at the water’s edge)
B.It will be best to let half the army get across, and then deliver your attack.
C.Advance to meet an invading force in mid-stream when it crosses a river in its onward march.
D.Allow all of invading force to cross, then strike
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Step-by-Step Analysis
The question asks which Sun Tzu principle for river warfare Duke Xiang of Song violated, leading to disaster in the Battle of Hongshui. We'll inspect each option in turn and connect it to sun tzu's river-crossing wisdom. Option 1: 'Meet the invader near a river which he has to cross. (meaning Attack them at the water’s edge)' This advice corresponds to choosing a favorable, decisive point where the enemy is vulnerable during crossing. In this case, Xiang did not attack at the water’s edge; he delayed and waited for the Chu forces to cross completely.......Login to view full explanation

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