The commentators, as well as the subsequent text, make it clear
that this is the real meaning of 軍爭. Thus, Li Ch‘üan says that 爭
means 趨利 “marching rapidly to seize an advantage”; Wang Hsi
says: 爭者爭利得利則勝 “‘Striving’ means striving for an advantage;
this being obtained, victory will follow;” and Chang Yü:
兩軍相對而爭利也 “The two armies face to face, and each striving to
obtain a tactical advantage over the other.” According to the
latter commentator, then, the situation is analogous to that of
two wrestlers manœuvring for a “hold,” before coming to actual
grips. In any case, we must beware of translating 爭 by the word
“fighting” or “battle,” as if it were equivalent to 戰. Capt.
Calthrop falls into this mistake.