Shih / The Army
above: K'un The Receptive, Earth
below: K'an The Abysmal, Water
The fifth [six], divided, shows birds in the fields, which it will be advantageous to seize (and destroy). In that case there will be no error. If the oldest son leads the host, and younger men (idly occupy offices assigned to them), however firm and correct he may be, there will be evil.
In line 5 we seem to have an intimation of the important truth that only defensive war, or war waged by the rightful authority to put down rebellion and lawlessness, is right. 'The birds in the fields' symbolize parties attacking for plunder. The fifth line symbolizes the chief authority, - the king, who is weak, or humble, and in the center, and cedes the use of all his power to the general symbolized by line 2. The subject of 2 is 'the oldest son'. Those of 3 and 4 are supposed to be 'the younger brother and son', that is, the younger men, who would cause evil if admitted to share the command.