Hexagram 7 · Line 5
The Army — 五九
Shi · Wu Jiu
The Line
Game is in the field. It is favorable to catch it. No blame. Let the eldest lead the army. The younger carries corpses; there perseverance brings misfortune.
Interpretation
The game is in the field, that is, it has abandoned its haunt, the forest, and broken into the fields in devastation. This points to an incursion by the enemy. In this case energetic combat and punishment are entirely justified. But the fight must be conducted by the rules. It must not become a wild confusion in which each defends themself on their own. That, despite the greatest perseverance and bravery, would lead to misfortune. Rather the army must be led by an experienced leader. War must be waged as war. The multitude must not simply slay whatever falls into their hands; otherwise one suffers a defeat, and despite all perseverance misfortune threatens.