Wang　Ping　replied；　〃Though　they　might　not　dare　to　e；　we　should　set　our　camp　at　this　meeting　of　many　roads。〃

So　Wang　Ping　ordered　his　soldiers　to　fell　trees　and　build　a　strong　stockade　as　for　a　permanent　stay。

But　Ma　Su　had　a　different　idea。

〃What　sort　of　a　place　is　a　road　to　make　a　camp　in？　Here　is　a　hill　standing　solitary　and　well　wooded。　It　is　a　heaven…created　point　of　vantage；　and　we　will　camp　on　it。〃

〃You　are　wrong；　Counselor；〃　replied　Wang　Ping。　〃If　we　camp　on　the　road　and　build　a　strong　wall；　the　enemy　cannot　possibly　get　past。　If　we　abandon　this　for　the　hill；　and　the　troops　of　Wei　e　in　force；　we　shall　be　surrounded；　and　how　then　be　safe？〃

〃You　look　at　the　thing　like　a　child；〃　said　Ma　Su；　laughing。　〃The　rules　of　war　say　that　when　one　looks　down　from　a　superior　position；　one　can　overe　the　enemy　as　easily　as　cleaving　bamboo。　If　they　e；　I　will　see　to　it　that　not　a　breastplate　ever　goes　back　again。〃

〃I　have　followed　our　mander…in…Chief　in　many　campaigns；　and　always　has　he　explained　in　details　about　the　topography　and　given　out　well…thought　orders。　Now　I　have　studied　this　hill　carefully；　and　it　is　a　critical　spot。　If　we　camp　thereon　and　the　enemy　cut　off　our　water　supply；　we　shall　have　a　mutiny。〃

〃No　such　thing！〃　said　Ma　Su。　〃Sun　Zi　says　that　victory　lies　in　desperate　positions。　If　they　cut　off　our　water；　will　not　our　soldiers　be　desperate　and　fight　to　the　death？　Then　everyone　of　them　will　be　worth　a　hundred。　I　have　studied　the　books；　and　the　Prime　Minister　has　always　asked　my　advice。　Why　do　you　presume　to　oppose　me？〃

〃If　you　are　determined　to　camp　on　the　hill；　then　give　me　part　of　the　force　to　camp　there　on　the　west　so　that　I　can　support　you　in　case　the　enemy　e。〃

But　Ma　Su　refused。　Just　then　a　lot　of　t