1. Where local interests fight among themselves on their own territory,
is called a ground of dissolution.
Let there be no battle on a ground of dissolution.

2. When you enter others' land but not deeply this is called light ground.
Let there be no stopping on light ground.

3. Land that would be advantageous to you if you got it
and to opponents if they got it
is called ground of contention.
Let there be no attack on a ground of contention.

4. Land where you and others can come and go
is called a trafficked ground.
Let there be no cutting off on trafficked ground.

5. Land that is surrounded on three sides by competitors
and would give the first to get it, access to all the people on the continent
is called intersecting ground.
On intersecting ground form communications.

6. When you enter deeply into others' land, past many cities and towns
this is called heavy ground.
On heavy ground plunder.

7. When you traverse mountain forests, steep defiles or any route difficult to travel
this is called bad ground.
On bad ground keep going.

8. When the way in is narrow and the way out is circuitous
so a small enemy force can strike you, even though your numbers are greater
this is called surrounded ground.
On surrounded ground make plans.

9. When you will survive if you fight quickly
and perish if you do not
this is called dying ground.
On dying ground fight.