Kautilya's Arthashastra 9.3.7

9.3.7

purastāllābhe senāpatiṃ kumāraṃ vā daṇḍacāriṇaṃ kurvīta //

When one under the protection of another has come to such a condition (i.e., slight annoyance in the rear and considerable profit in the front), then one should endeavour so as to cause to the rear enemy the loss and impoverishment of his servants and friends; and in order to fetch the profit in the front, one should also employ the commander of the army or the heir-apparent to lead the army.