Those who can grasp heaven and earth and yet travel freely are called "Huanming" (returning to names). But those who do not return to names possess a clarity of illumination that cannot illuminate themselves. They undergo transformation independently from beginning to end, following their abilities in sequence, standing alone in the universe without boundaries; they are called Huangtian Di (Emperor Heaven-Earth). The brightness that floats and suspends above heaven and earth, entrusting fate while separating it, is called "shi" (time). Passage through separation is called "dao" (the Way). Connecting all things, leading heaven and earth together, merging limbs with the same root, this is named "yuzhou" (universe). Knowing yu (space), therefore nothing is excluded; knowing zhou (time), therefore nothing is lacking. Knowing virtue, therefore nothing is not at peace; knowing dao, therefore nothing is unheeded; knowing things, therefore nothing is otherwise. Those who know one but do not know the Dao are thus still unable to reach within. In the past, those who traveled without knowing where they were going and yet sought something would inevitably become confused. Those who searched for an image of what they did not know would certainly fail to obtain it. Therefore, people are inevitably obscured by what they cannot see, separated by what they have not heard, blocked by what they cannot open, bent by what they cannot do, and controlled by what they cannot overcome. The common people of the world are trapped in these five limitations without understanding them. They perceive something unseen yet assume it has form; thus it is said: "There are armies without soldiers, and funerals without mourning attire." People's disregard for life and death arises from this cause; people's indifference to safety and danger also arises from this cause. When flies and horseflies fall into a thousand-foot deep ravine, they begin to soar and thus complete their forms; but when oxen or horses fall there, they shatter and become formless. From this we see that the large finds it inconvenient, and the heavy suffers deep wounds. Soldiers cross death to gain life, ascend danger to attain safety; therefore, words must be true and the Dao must be appropriate.

Therefore, a single mosquito bite on tender skin can keep one awake until dawn; half a grain of bran entering the eye renders all directions in disorder. What is meant by being obscured, does it necessarily require an obstruction from heavy curtains or concealment behind thin veils! Zhou Ping not seeing something is called "bi" (obscured). Therefore, when the eyes are diseased they cannot see, and when the ears are afflicted they cannot hear. Because of ignorance, knowledge and ability, along with what is heard and seen, all come to an end together. Because of separation, one's duties and actions, as well as one's capacity for effort, all conclude together. Because of obstruction, fourfold initiatives above remain uncontinued and thus vanish. the Dao must have a response before it arrives; affairs must possess virtue before they can be accomplished. Virtue knows the accomplishments of affairs and what is gained from them, and only then does one say "I am able to accomplish it." Accomplishment arises without action; attainment comes without seeking. Carefully examine how this Dao could be so. Being lost in going forward while observing, now we know that it has not yet been achieved. Those who set up markers and look ahead do not become confused; those who follow the law in cutting do not doubt—thus, words have a basis to hope for them. To look forward without markers and to cut without law—does this belong to the category of confusion? What is meant by confusion, it is not the absence of the brightness of sun and moon, the order of the four seasons, or the movement of stars. Rather, it arises from acting contrary to these principles—thus comes confusion. When confused, one looks more intently yet becomes even more disordered; one insists but changes direction easily. Armies have tokens, and the Dao has verification. Preparations must be made in advance, plans must be decided early. Beneath, take advantage of terrain; govern according to the Five Elements: wood on the left, metal on the right, fire in front, water behind, with earth at center. Arrange military formations so that soldiers do not lose their proper roles. When these five measures are properly established, no endeavor will fail. When the constellation Zhaoyao is above, those below prepare accordingly. Take patterns from heaven; seek images according to the four seasons: use the Azure Dragon in spring, the Vermilion Bird in summer, the White Tiger in autumn, and the Black Tortoise in winter. When heaven and earth are already understood, what thing cannot be governed? The dwelling of principles is called "Di" (Earth); the form taken by spirits is called "Tian" (Heaven). Knowing Heaven enables one to accomplish four results at once, and thus achieve singular success—birds ride the wind, follow the currents, fly freely, and descend gracefully. Therefore, those of old who were skilled in investigation did not do so to seek advantage, but to clarify principles. Those of old who were skillful in warfare did not fight to seek victory, but to understand the nature of winning. Have you not seen those who remain hidden? If one were to suppose that they know it, those who claim to know will be proven wrong; if already known, then it is indeed known. As for those who do not know, even with a teacher explaining, they still remain unaware. How sad! Alas! Those who are obscured, separated, and blocked—before they have been defeated, they collapse; before they die, they are captured. To deploy troops and seize a state is the excellence of martial virtue; to take a state without action is the splendor of literary virtue. Soldiers may grow stronger, but people do not increase in culture; one who lacks love for both is few and cannot be adequately discussed. The ear can hear harmonious sounds but cannot create them; the eye can see different forms but cannot produce them; the mouth can speak of spirits and clarity but cannot become spirit or clarity itself. Therefore, those who followed the teachings of past kings called upon their teachers to dispel ignorance, release constraints and resolve sharp issues, penetrate darkness and bring clarity, and thus attain understanding. Hence they could speak appropriately, plan for dangers, cross boundaries and surpass customs, transcend conventions and ranks, reveal strategies that surpassed ordinary people, seek excellence beyond the common, and overcome challenges ahead while clarifying those behind. They grasped the essentials of the world without omission, distanced themselves from the systems of enemy states, mastered the ways of victory in battle and conquest, responded to things endlessly, governed myriad matters with one principle yet did not unify them all, gave rise to various kinds, illuminated where names shone, explored transformations of virtue and talent, reached the ultimate source of silence and defense—this was called a transmission without fixed form, established within an unbounded realm. Those who internally cannot thoroughly understand the nature of affairs will externally be unable to fulfill their achievements in military endeavors. Those who wage war must consider Heaven, humanity, and Earth. Military power reaches its peak in people; people reach their peak in the Earth; the Earth reaches its peak in Heaven. Heaven has supremacy, Earth has stability, and people have accomplishment. Therefore, those skilled in using troops exercise caution: relying on Heaven for victory, on Earth for stability, and on people for achievement. When a king understands clearly, what plan cannot be conceived? What is meant by Heaven is not that it has victory without verification, nor is it merely because of the long influence of the sun that all things submit and obey. Heaven produces things without being an object itself; its origin lies in yin and yang. The four seasons bring growth, harvest, storage, and rest without losing their order—this is the authority of sound (yin). When this sound exists beyond transmission, it becomes the excellence of achievement. Therefore, those who study and practice military affairs must precede the authority of Heaven; arrange according to the Five Elements, wage war through the Five Tones. Place the palatal (gong) and horn-like (jiao) tones on the left, hold the commercial (shang) and feather-like (yu) tones on the right; let the sheng tone follow the ruler. Thus, even with an army of ordinary people without preparation, they can overwhelm the enemy as if drowning them in water. Therefore, they can move freely through hidden passages and decisive points, acting alone with metal without connection, severing the principles of the Way, disrupting the patterns of Heaven, violating the harmony of sound—this is called going against the nature of things. When Heaven's order is not upheld, the consequence is dryness and misfortune. To avoid disorder and rebellion, one must carefully attend to the excellence of Heaven. When the excellence of Heaven is lost, the three armies have no substance. What thing exists without excellence yet possessing reality? Those who are constantly sage, broadly knowledgeable of ancient and modern times, and return to one day—these are what heaven and earth await and close in on. Therefore, the authority of Heaven is divine and subtle; the Five Tones are techniques for military affairs. Yiyan said: "Manifesting through blessings or misfortunes, it is as if matching a token and its seal." All affairs originate in deliberation, are accomplished through diligence, and are lost due to sudden alarm.