PREPARATIONS FOR WAR – BOOK 3
PART 3
Taking what he needs from local peasants and merchants to replenish his troops, the warlord does not involve himself with commerce when he is in the midst of battle. He makes sure to leave some for the local people, knowing there is always the possibility that he will see them in a time of retreat. However, if the people deny assistance they should be destroyed. Peasants can be replaced: troops are not that easy to find. Although you may have adequate supplies in the rear, it takes some of those very supplies to deliver the remainder to the troops in the field.
Care must be taken not to humiliate the enemy troops more than is required for quick victory. The more humiliation you place on the enemy, the more vengeance he will crave, and the more intense his actions will be. If you intend to subjugate the enemy, do so within the constraints of intelligent planning for the future. There will be ramifications regardless of the manner in which you operate. Understand this before you make your final decision to overrun a country. If you see no value to the enemy in any way or fashion, then you should totally destroy every remnant of his culture. However, this is generally not wise because there is always something of value to be gained from other cultures. Change brings about change, though this is not always good.
Reward the warriors who have served with distinction to the maximum extent you can. Do not skimp on the rewards you place before them, and make sure to do so within the view of the other troops. Do not reward those who have done a halfhearted job, regardless of how fervent their halfheartedness was. Levy swift punishment to those who have created difficulty in your process of victory. Do that in front of the troops as well.
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