The Chinese Strategies: The Chinese Strategies: Some SamplesSome Samples

DDECEIVINGECEIVING THETHE H HEAVENSEAVENS TOTO CCROSSROSS THETHE S SEAEA

It is a literal translation of the strategy. It is a literal translation of the strategy.

It means to create a false impression to It means to create a false impression to

distract the target and so achieve one's distract the target and so achieve one's

goal without his knowledge. goal without his knowledge.

This strategy works on the assumption that This strategy works on the assumption that

people take extra precautions when faced people take extra precautions when faced

with new or difficult situations, but tend to with new or difficult situations, but tend to

let their guards down in more familiar let their guards down in more familiar

situations. situations.

BBESEIGING ESEIGING WWEI TOEI TO S SAVEAVE Z ZHAOHAO

Instead of attacking a cohort of strong Instead of attacking a cohort of strong

enemies, one should try to diffuse the enemies, one should try to diffuse the

concentration and to attack each enemy concentration and to attack each enemy

separately.separately.

Instead of head – on attack, one should Instead of head – on attack, one should

wait for the best opportunity when the wait for the best opportunity when the

enemy is at his weakest point to launch an enemy is at his weakest point to launch an

ambush.ambush.

KKILLINGILLING WITHWITH AA B BORROWEDORROWED K KNIFENIFE

This strategy works on the premise that This strategy works on the premise that

while the enemy has clarified its stand, the while the enemy has clarified its stand, the

position of the alliance is still equivocal.position of the alliance is still equivocal.

In this situation, the best way is to entice the In this situation, the best way is to entice the

alliance to destroy the enemy on one’s alliance to destroy the enemy on one’s

behalf.behalf.

This is an adaptation of logic in Yi Jing’s This is an adaptation of logic in Yi Jing’s

“Harm Theory” – “ Harm the bottom to “Harm Theory” – “ Harm the bottom to

benefit the top”benefit the top”

CCONSERVINGONSERVING E ENERGYNERGY W WHILEHILE THE THE

EENEMYNEMY T TIRESIRES H HIMSELFIMSELF OUTOUT

One does not need to always make a One does not need to always make a

direct attack to subdue the enemy.direct attack to subdue the enemy.

Sometimes, one can use the theory of Sometimes, one can use the theory of

“using the mild (or weak) to control the “using the mild (or weak) to control the

strong” strong” to delay and exhaust the enemy to delay and exhaust the enemy

and strengthen one’s position.and strengthen one’s position.

LLOOTINGOOTING AA H HOUSEOUSE ONON F FIREIRE

When the enemy is in a big crisis, that is When the enemy is in a big crisis, that is

the time to destroy him. the time to destroy him.

This will enable the strong to conquer This will enable the strong to conquer

the weak.the weak.

MMAKINGAKING AA F FEINTEINT TO THETO THE E EASTAST BUTBUT H HITTINGITTING O OUTUT IN THEIN THE W WESTEST

When the enemy is in a state of confusion, When the enemy is in a state of confusion,

like grass growing wild, he will not be able like grass growing wild, he will not be able

to clearly assess a situation. to clearly assess a situation.

Neither will he able to cope with sudden and Neither will he able to cope with sudden and

unexpected changes in circumstances, this unexpected changes in circumstances, this

is the confusion.is the confusion.

A good strategist defeats the enemy by A good strategist defeats the enemy by

taking advantage of him when he has lost taking advantage of him when he has lost

control.control.

CCREATINGREATING S SOMETHINGOMETHING OUTOUT OFOF NNOTHINGOTHING

The strategy advocates using a false The strategy advocates using a false

front, not to deceive the enemy totally, front, not to deceive the enemy totally,

but to make what is false seems real.but to make what is false seems real.

If one can use false fronts to conceal the If one can use false fronts to conceal the

truth, the enemy will have a truth, the enemy will have a

misconception about a situation. That is misconception about a situation. That is

the time to launch an attack.the time to launch an attack.

SSECRETECRET E ESCAPE THROUGHSCAPE THROUGH C CHENHEN CCANGANG

The gist of this strategy is to hit the enemy at the point The gist of this strategy is to hit the enemy at the point

where he is least prepared, that is, his back.where he is least prepared, that is, his back.

In battle, one should pretend to expose one’s In battle, one should pretend to expose one’s

movement, then launch a surprise attack at the movement, then launch a surprise attack at the

enemy’s weakest point, when he is ill-prepared to enemy’s weakest point, when he is ill-prepared to

defend himself.defend himself.

Which advocate that one should be alert in warfare, Which advocate that one should be alert in warfare,

and if possible, turn around to make ambush the and if possible, turn around to make ambush the

enemy from the back in what appears to be a head-on enemy from the back in what appears to be a head-on

battle.battle.

Thus he will able to penetrate all situations like the Thus he will able to penetrate all situations like the

wind wind

OOBSERVINGBSERVING THETHE F FIRE FROM THEIRE FROM THE OOTHER THER SSIDEIDE OF THEOF THE R RIVERIVER

When there are disorder and internal struggles When there are disorder and internal struggles

amongst the enemy’s forces, one should wait till amongst the enemy’s forces, one should wait till

the enemy’s situation turn bad before attacking.the enemy’s situation turn bad before attacking.

Arguments and unhappiness in the enemy’s Arguments and unhappiness in the enemy’s

camp, weaken the enemy’s strength.camp, weaken the enemy’s strength.

This is when one should seize the opportunity and This is when one should seize the opportunity and

reap the benefits with minimal effort. reap the benefits with minimal effort.

The whole concept can be summarised by the The whole concept can be summarised by the

phrase phrase “PLEASED” “PLEASED”

A DA DAGGERAGGER S SHEATHEDHEATHED IN AIN A SSMILEMILE

One should win the trust of one’s enemy so as One should win the trust of one’s enemy so as

to disarm him while preparing to launch an to disarm him while preparing to launch an

ambush.ambush.

The enemy must not be alerted to the changes The enemy must not be alerted to the changes

that have taken and the ambush must only be that have taken and the ambush must only be

made when one is well prepared. made when one is well prepared.

This fulfils the saying, This fulfils the saying, “WHAT APPEARS TO BE “WHAT APPEARS TO BE

WEAK (or soft) ON THE OUTSIDE MAY WEAK (or soft) ON THE OUTSIDE MAY

ACTUALLY BE STRONG (or hard) ON THE ACTUALLY BE STRONG (or hard) ON THE

INSIDE.”INSIDE.”

TTHEHE P PLUMLUM D DIESIES ININ P PLACELACE OF OF

THETHE P PEACHEACH

Where losses are inevitable, one should be Where losses are inevitable, one should be

willing to make sacrifices to gain victory.willing to make sacrifices to gain victory.

In warfare to strategy is applied when the In warfare to strategy is applied when the

enemy has the upper hand. enemy has the upper hand.

To turn the tables around and achieve victory, To turn the tables around and achieve victory,

one needs to make sacrifices.one needs to make sacrifices.

It may be necessary to sacrifice a few battles It may be necessary to sacrifice a few battles

to achieve the ultimate objective of winning the to achieve the ultimate objective of winning the

warwar

SSTEALINGTEALING A A GGOATOAT A ALONGLONG THETHE WWAYAY

No matter how small a hole may be, one No matter how small a hole may be, one

should use it to one’s advantage.should use it to one’s advantage.

No matter how small the advantage is, one No matter how small the advantage is, one

should obtain it for his benefit.should obtain it for his benefit.

One should take advantage of the enemy’s One should take advantage of the enemy’s

small weaknesses for one’s small gain.small weaknesses for one’s small gain.

This is similar to the analogy that by This is similar to the analogy that by

gathering crumbs of bread, one can still get a gathering crumbs of bread, one can still get a

full meal.full meal.

HHITTINGITTING THETHE G GRASSRASS TO TO SSTARTLETARTLE THETHE S SNAKENAKE

An attempt should be made to clarify An attempt should be made to clarify

suspicious circumstances before making suspicious circumstances before making

the next move.the next move.

To repeatedly probe and investigate a To repeatedly probe and investigate a

suspicious matter is the best way to suspicious matter is the best way to

discover the enemy’s plot.discover the enemy’s plot.

This is in accordance with meaning This is in accordance with meaning

“REPEAT”“REPEAT”

BBORROWINGORROWING AA C CORPSEORPSE TOTO RRESURRECTESURRECT AA S SOULOUL

A person that is of use may be more difficult to take A person that is of use may be more difficult to take

advantage of.advantage of.

A less useful (or weaker) person may request our A less useful (or weaker) person may request our

assistance.assistance.

When I am able to use the weak one to my When I am able to use the weak one to my

advantage, I am giving him my strength at his advantage, I am giving him my strength at his

request.request.

This phrase says the theory which says that a child This phrase says the theory which says that a child

is week and ignorant and needs the assistance of a is week and ignorant and needs the assistance of a

teacher to become strong.teacher to become strong.

LURING A TIGER FROM ITS LURING A TIGER FROM ITS LAIR IN THE MOUNTAINLAIR IN THE MOUNTAIN

Trap the enemy when the natural Trap the enemy when the natural

elements are to his disadvantage.elements are to his disadvantage.

Then create false impressions to lure Then create false impressions to lure

him out.him out.

A direct attack may prove dangerous.A direct attack may prove dangerous.

It is far better to lure the enemy out of It is far better to lure the enemy out of

his comfort and destroy him.his comfort and destroy him.

RRELEASINGELEASING THE THE EENEMYNEMY TO TO

RRECAPTUREECAPTURE H HIM IM It is not advisable to drive the enemy into a corner as he may It is not advisable to drive the enemy into a corner as he may

retaliate. retaliate.

The objective is not to destroy him completely as there may The objective is not to destroy him completely as there may

be good reason to keep him alive.be good reason to keep him alive.

It is better to let the enemy escape and tire himself out while It is better to let the enemy escape and tire himself out while

pursuing closely behind.pursuing closely behind.

The enemy will soon be exhausted and will lose his fighting The enemy will soon be exhausted and will lose his fighting

spirit.spirit.

The best time to capture him is when he fallen without The best time to capture him is when he fallen without

bloodshed.bloodshed.

In war, sheer physical dominance does not ensure victory. In war, sheer physical dominance does not ensure victory.

More important is the need to win the enemy’s hearts More important is the need to win the enemy’s hearts

In this way, one can secure total surrender and loyaltyIn this way, one can secure total surrender and loyalty

TTOSSINGOSSING O OUTUT AA B BRICKRICK TOTO G GETET AA J JADEADE

Use a decoy to entice the Use a decoy to entice the enemy, get him muddled and he enemy, get him muddled and he will fall into the trap. will fall into the trap.

DDISBANDISBAND THETHE B BANDITSANDITS BYBY CCAPTURINGAPTURING T THEIRHEIR L LEADEREADER

If the enemy’s power-base is If the enemy’s power-base is

destroyed in an attack and its leader is destroyed in an attack and its leader is

capture, the whole organisation will capture, the whole organisation will

break down.break down.

Just like a dragon from the sea Just like a dragon from the sea

wanting to stage a war on land, it will wanting to stage a war on land, it will

face severe difficulties.face severe difficulties.

PPULLINGULLING O OUTUT THE THE FFIREWOODIREWOOD FROM FROM BBENEATHENEATH THETHE C CAULDRONAULDRON

When faced with a strong opponent, When faced with a strong opponent,

direct confrontation may not be direct confrontation may not be

advisable.advisable.

It may be better to use tactics to destroy It may be better to use tactics to destroy

his morale.his morale.

This is in accordance with – the weak This is in accordance with – the weak

can conquer the strong. can conquer the strong.

CCATCHINGATCHING AA F FISH IN ISH IN TTROUBLEDROUBLED WWATERATER

The literal meaning of the strategy is to take The literal meaning of the strategy is to take

advantage of the “troubled” or muddy situation advantage of the “troubled” or muddy situation

in which the fish is unable to see clearly and in which the fish is unable to see clearly and

has restricted movement. has restricted movement.

If the water is clear, putting one’s hand in If the water is clear, putting one’s hand in

would frighten the fish away.would frighten the fish away.

Conversely, the muddy situation also provides Conversely, the muddy situation also provides

opportunities for more than one predator to opportunities for more than one predator to

exploit the situation without being detected.exploit the situation without being detected.

……

When the enemy is in a state of When the enemy is in a state of

confusion, one should take advantage confusion, one should take advantage

and gain control when he is week and and gain control when he is week and

without proper direction.without proper direction.

The best way to control the enemy is to The best way to control the enemy is to

let nature take its course, as all men let nature take its course, as all men

have to eat and rest.have to eat and rest.

MMAKINGAKING ANAN U UNNOTICEDNNOTICED E ESCAPESCAPE LIKELIKE AA G GOLDENOLDEN CICADA CICADA

SSHEDDINGHEDDING ITS ITS S SKINKIN

By preserving the original formation of By preserving the original formation of

an army and the strength of its force, an army and the strength of its force,

one will not arouse the suspicion of the one will not arouse the suspicion of the

allies.allies.

The enemy will not be roused to action The enemy will not be roused to action

In actual fact, one is secretly diverting In actual fact, one is secretly diverting

his main strength to attack the enemy his main strength to attack the enemy

from another direction.from another direction.

SSHUTTINGHUTTING THETHE D DOORSOORS TO TO CCATCHATCH THETHE T THIEFHIEF

The best way to destroy a week enemy The best way to destroy a week enemy

is to first have him surrounded.is to first have him surrounded.

It is not advisable to pursue a weak but It is not advisable to pursue a weak but

agile enemy.agile enemy.

This will only exhaust one’s strength, This will only exhaust one’s strength,

and make one vulnerable to the and make one vulnerable to the

enemy’s ambush.enemy’s ambush.

BBEFRIENDEFRIEND THETHE F FARAR ANDAND A ATTACK TTACK

THETHE N NEAREAR

Sometimes, because of geographical Sometimes, because of geographical

constraints, it is more beneficial to attack a constraints, it is more beneficial to attack a

nearby enemy than to attack another far away.nearby enemy than to attack another far away.

If the situation permits form a temporary If the situation permits form a temporary

alliance with a distant enemy to destroy the alliance with a distant enemy to destroy the

enemy.enemy.

Uses this analogy: though flames burn upward Uses this analogy: though flames burn upward

and water flows downward, one can still forge and water flows downward, one can still forge

an alliance between them despite their different an alliance between them despite their different

aims.aims.

BBORROWORROW AA P PASSAGEASSAGE TO TO AATTACKTTACK GGUOUO

A smaller state situated between the enemy A smaller state situated between the enemy

and oneself should be given immediate and oneself should be given immediate

support if the enemy threatens to control.support if the enemy threatens to control.

In this way, one will earn the trust of the In this way, one will earn the trust of the

smaller state and may eventually exert one’s smaller state and may eventually exert one’s

influence over the latter.influence over the latter.

Mere words without action will not win the trust Mere words without action will not win the trust

of a small force in a precarious situation.of a small force in a precarious situation.

RREPLACEEPLACE S SUPERIORUPERIOR B BEAMSEAMS AND AND

PPILLARSILLARS WITHWITH I INFERIORNFERIOR O ONESNES

Pillars and beams are important Pillars and beams are important

structures in a building.structures in a building.

The quality of the pillars and beams The quality of the pillars and beams

determine the stability of the building.determine the stability of the building.

The arrangement of an army troop has The arrangement of an army troop has

parallel significance .parallel significance .