Wubei Zhi (Vol. 5)

Once the troops have lost their authority original: "權威" (quanwei); referring here to the prestige and legal power of command, once it is given away, it cannot be easily recovered. Withdrawing the army and disbanding the troops is the threshold of survival or destruction.
Rank is the means by which one weakens them; the state is the means by which one seizes from them.

Therefore, weakening them through rank and seizing from them through the state is called the Strategy of the Hegemon bazhe (霸者): a ruler who governs through power, pragmatism, and strategic maneuvers rather than through pure moral virtue. Thus, when a hegemon constructs his discourse on control, the preservation of the Altars of Soil and Grain original: "社稷" (sheji); a traditional term for the State, representing the most sacred altars to the gods of the earth and agriculture and the netting of heroes constitute the power of the Middle Strategy. Therefore, the master of such power keeps it secret. The master of secret power and influence keeps it hidden and does not leak it.

The Lower Strategy

Now, he who can support the world in its time of peril will occupy the world’s position of security. He who can remove the world's sorrows will enjoy the world’s happiness. He who can save the world from disaster will obtain the world’s blessings. Therefore, when a ruler's bounty reaches the people, the worthy xianren (賢人): men of talent and high character will flock to him. When his bounty reaches even the insects, the sages shengren (聖人): perfected beings who embody the highest wisdom and virtue will flock to him. Where the worthy flock, the state will be strong. Where the sages flock, the Six Directions original: "六合" (liuhe); referring to the four cardinal directions plus up and down—a term for the entire universe or the known world will all seek a common goal.