Shih / The Army
above: K'un The Receptive, Earth
below: K'an The Abysmal, Water
Six in the fifth place means:
There is game in the field.
It furthers one to catch it.
Without blame.
Let the eldest lead the army.
The younger transports corpses;
Then perseverance brings misfortune.
Game is in the field--it has left its usual haunts in the forest and is
devastating the fields. This points to an enemy invasion. Energetic
combat and punishment are here thoroughly justified, but they must not
degenerate into a wild melee in which everyone fends for himself.
Despite the greatest degree of perseverance and bravery, this would
lead to misfortune. The army must be directed by an experienced leader.
It is a matter of waging war, not of permitting the mob to slaughter
all who fall into their hands; if they do, defeat will be the result,
and despite all perseverance there is danger of misfortune.