1. The Chinese Strategies:The Chinese Strategies:
Some SamplesSome Samples

2. DDECEIVINGECEIVING THETHE HHEAVENSEAVENS TOTO
CCROSSROSS THETHE SSEAEA
 It is a literal translation of the strategy.It is a literal translation of the strategy.
 It means to create a false impression toIt means to create a false impression to
distract the target and so achieve one'sdistract the target and so achieve one's
goal without his knowledge.goal without his knowledge.
 This strategy works on the assumption thatThis strategy works on the assumption that
people take extra precautions when facedpeople take extra precautions when faced
with new or difficult situations, but tend towith new or difficult situations, but tend to
let their guards down in more familiarlet their guards down in more familiar
situations.situations.

3. BBESEIGINGESEIGING WWEI TOEI TO SSAVEAVE ZZHAOHAO
 Instead of attacking a cohort of strongInstead of attacking a cohort of strong
enemies, one should try to diffuse theenemies, one should try to diffuse the
concentration and to attack each enemyconcentration and to attack each enemy
separately.separately.
 Instead of head – on attack, one shouldInstead of head – on attack, one should
wait for the best opportunity when thewait for the best opportunity when the
enemy is at his weakest point to launch anenemy is at his weakest point to launch an
ambush.ambush.

4. KKILLINGILLING WITHWITH AA BBORROWEDORROWED KKNIFENIFE
 This strategy works on the premise thatThis strategy works on the premise that
while the enemy has clarified its stand, thewhile 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 enticeIn this situation, the best way is to entice
the alliance to destroy the enemy on one’sthe alliance to destroy the enemy on one’s
behalf.behalf.
 This is an adaptation of logic in Yi Jing’sThis 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”

5. CCONSERVINGONSERVING EENERGYNERGY WWHILEHILE THETHE
EENEMYNEMY TTIRESIRES HHIMSELFIMSELF OUTOUT
 One does not need to always make aOne 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 ofSometimes, 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 enemyto delay and exhaust the enemy
and strengthen one’s position.and strengthen one’s position.

6. LLOOTINGOOTING AA HHOUSEOUSE ONON FFIREIRE
 When the enemy is in a big crisis, that isWhen 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 conquerThis will enable the strong to conquer
the weak.the weak.

7. MMAKINGAKING AA FFEINTEINT TO THETO THE EEASTAST
BUTBUT HHITTINGITTING OOUTUT IN THEIN THE WWESTEST
 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 ablelike 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 andNeither will he able to cope with sudden and
unexpected changes in circumstances, thisunexpected changes in circumstances, this
is the confusion.is the confusion.
 A good strategist defeats the enemy byA good strategist defeats the enemy by
taking advantage of him when he has losttaking advantage of him when he has lost
control.control.

8. CCREATINGREATING SSOMETHINGOMETHING OUTOUT OFOF
NNOTHINGOTHING
 The strategy advocates using a falseThe 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 theIf one can use false fronts to conceal the
truth, the enemy will have atruth, the enemy will have a
misconception about a situation. That ismisconception about a situation. That is
the time to launch an attack.the time to launch an attack.

9. SSECRETECRET EESCAPE THROUGHSCAPE THROUGH CCHENHEN
CCANGANG
 The gist of this strategy is to hit the enemy at the pointThe 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’sIn battle, one should pretend to expose one’s
movement, then launch a surprise attack at themovement, then launch a surprise attack at the
enemy’s weakest point, when he is ill-prepared toenemy’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 theand if possible, turn around to make ambush the
enemy from the back in what appears to be a head-onenemy from the back in what appears to be a head-on
battle.battle.
 Thus he will able to penetrate all situations like theThus he will able to penetrate all situations like the

10. OOBSERVINGBSERVING THETHE FFIRE FROM THEIRE FROM THE
OOTHERTHER SSIDEIDE OF THEOF THE RRIVERIVER
 When there are disorder and internal strugglesWhen there are disorder and internal struggles
amongst the enemy’s forces, one should wait tillamongst 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’sArguments 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 andThis 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 theThe whole concept can be summarised by the
phrasephrase “PLEASED”“PLEASED”

11. A DA DAGGERAGGER SSHEATHEDHEATHED IN AIN A
SSMILEMILE
 One should win the trust of one’s enemy so asOne should win the trust of one’s enemy so as
to disarm him while preparing to launch anto disarm him while preparing to launch an
ambush.ambush.
 The enemy must not be alerted to the changesThe enemy must not be alerted to the changes
that have taken and the ambush must only bethat 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 MAYWEAK (or soft) ON THE OUTSIDE MAY
ACTUALLY BE STRONG (or hard) ON THEACTUALLY BE STRONG (or hard) ON THE
INSIDE.”INSIDE.”

12. TTHEHE PPLUMLUM DDIESIES ININ PPLACELACE OFOF
THETHE PPEACHEACH
 Where losses are inevitable, one should beWhere 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 theIn 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 toIt may be necessary to sacrifice a few battles to
achieve the ultimate objective of winning theachieve the ultimate objective of winning the
warwar

13. SSTEALINGTEALING AA GGOATOAT AALONGLONG THETHE
WWAYAY
 No matter how small a hole may be, oneNo 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, oneNo 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’sOne 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 byThis is similar to the analogy that by
gathering crumbs of bread, one can still get agathering crumbs of bread, one can still get a
full meal.full meal.

14. HHITTINGITTING THETHE GGRASSRASS TOTO SSTARTLETARTLE
THETHE SSNAKENAKE
 An attempt should be made to clarifyAn attempt should be made to clarify
suspicious circumstances before makingsuspicious circumstances before making
the next move.the next move.
 To repeatedly probe and investigate aTo repeatedly probe and investigate a
suspicious matter is the best way tosuspicious matter is the best way to
discover the enemy’s plot.discover the enemy’s plot.
 This is in accordance with meaningThis is in accordance with meaning
“REPEAT”“REPEAT”

15. BBORROWINGORROWING AA CCORPSEORPSE TOTO
RRESURRECTESURRECT AA SSOULOUL
 A person that is of use may be more difficult to takeA person that is of use may be more difficult to take
advantage of.advantage of.
 A less useful (or weaker) person may request ourA less useful (or weaker) person may request our
assistance.assistance.
 When I am able to use the weak one to myWhen I am able to use the weak one to my
advantage, I am giving him my strength at hisadvantage, I am giving him my strength at his
request.request.
 This phrase says the theory which says that a childThis phrase says the theory which says that a child
is week and ignorant and needs the assistance of ais week and ignorant and needs the assistance of a
teacher to become strong.teacher to become strong.

16. LURING A TIGER FROM ITSLURING A TIGER FROM ITS
LAIR IN THE MOUNTAINLAIR IN THE MOUNTAIN
 Trap the enemy when the naturalTrap the enemy when the natural
elements are to his disadvantage.elements are to his disadvantage.
 Then create false impressions to lureThen 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 ofIt is far better to lure the enemy out of
his comfort and destroy him.his comfort and destroy him.

17. RRELEASINGELEASING THETHE EENEMYNEMY TOTO
RRECAPTUREECAPTURE HHIMIM
 It is not advisable to drive the enemy into a corner as he mayIt 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 mayThe 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 whileIt 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 fightingThe enemy will soon be exhausted and will lose his fighting
spirit.spirit.
 The best time to capture him is when he fallen withoutThe 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 heartsMore 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

18. TTOSSINGOSSING OOUTUT AA BBRICKRICK TOTO GGETET
AA JJADEADE
 Use a decoy to entice theUse a decoy to entice the
enemy, get him muddled and heenemy, get him muddled and he
will fall into the trap.will fall into the trap.

19. DDISBANDISBAND THETHE BBANDITSANDITS BYBY
CCAPTURINGAPTURING TTHEIRHEIR LLEADEREADER
 If the enemy’s power-base isIf the enemy’s power-base is
destroyed in an attack and its leader isdestroyed in an attack and its leader is
capture, the whole organisation willcapture, the whole organisation will
break down.break down.
 Just like a dragon from the seaJust like a dragon from the sea
wanting to stage a war on land, it willwanting to stage a war on land, it will
face severe difficulties.face severe difficulties.

20. PPULLINGULLING OOUTUT THETHE FFIREWOODIREWOOD
FROMFROM BBENEATHENEATH THETHE CCAULDRONAULDRON
 When faced with a strong opponent,When faced with a strong opponent,
direct confrontation may not bedirect confrontation may not be
advisable.advisable.
 It may be better to use tactics to destroyIt may be better to use tactics to destroy
his morale.his morale.
 This is in accordance with – the weakThis is in accordance with – the weak
can conquer the strong.can conquer the strong.

21. CCATCHINGATCHING AA FFISH INISH IN TTROUBLEDROUBLED
WWATERATER
 The literal meaning of the strategy is to takeThe literal meaning of the strategy is to take
advantage of the “troubled” or muddy situationadvantage of the “troubled” or muddy situation
in which the fish is unable to see clearly andin which the fish is unable to see clearly and
has restricted movement.has restricted movement.
 If the water is clear, putting one’s hand inIf the water is clear, putting one’s hand in
would frighten the fish away.would frighten the fish away.
 Conversely, the muddy situation also providesConversely, the muddy situation also provides
opportunities for more than one predator toopportunities for more than one predator to
exploit the situation without being detected.exploit the situation without being detected.

22. ……
 When the enemy is in a state ofWhen the enemy is in a state of
confusion, one should take advantageconfusion, one should take advantage
and gain control when he is week andand gain control when he is week and
without proper direction.without proper direction.
 The best way to control the enemy is toThe best way to control the enemy is to
let nature take its course, as all menlet nature take its course, as all men
have to eat and rest.have to eat and rest.

23. MMAKINGAKING ANAN UUNNOTICEDNNOTICED EESCAPESCAPE
LIKELIKE AA GGOLDENOLDEN CICADACICADA
SSHEDDINGHEDDING ITSITS SSKINKIN
 By preserving the original formation ofBy 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 theone will not arouse the suspicion of the
allies.allies.
 The enemy will not be roused to actionThe enemy will not be roused to action
 In actual fact, one is secretly divertingIn actual fact, one is secretly diverting
his main strength to attack the enemyhis main strength to attack the enemy
from another direction.from another direction.

24. SSHUTTINGHUTTING THETHE DDOORSOORS TOTO CCATCHATCH
THETHE TTHIEFHIEF
 The best way to destroy a week enemyThe 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 butIt 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 theand make one vulnerable to the
enemy’s ambush.enemy’s ambush.

25. BBEFRIENDEFRIEND THETHE FFARAR ANDAND AATTACKTTACK
THETHE NNEAREAR
 Sometimes, because of geographicalSometimes, because of geographical
constraints, it is more beneficial to attack aconstraints, 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 temporaryIf the situation permits form a temporary
alliance with a distant enemy to destroy thealliance with a distant enemy to destroy the
enemy.enemy.
 Uses this analogy: though flames burn upwardUses this analogy: though flames burn upward
and water flows downward, one can still forgeand water flows downward, one can still forge
an alliance between them despite their differentan alliance between them despite their different
aims.aims.

26. BBORROWORROW AA PPASSAGEASSAGE TOTO AATTACKTTACK
GGUOUO
 A smaller state situated between theA smaller state situated between the
enemy and oneself should be givenenemy and oneself should be given
immediate support if the enemy threatensimmediate support if the enemy threatens
to control.to control.
 In this way, one will earn the trust of theIn this way, one will earn the trust of the
smaller state and may eventually exertsmaller state and may eventually exert
one’s influence over the latter.one’s influence over the latter.
 Mere words without action will not win theMere words without action will not win the
trust of a small force in a precarioustrust of a small force in a precarious

27. RREPLACEEPLACE SSUPERIORUPERIOR BBEAMSEAMS ANDAND
PPILLARSILLARS WITHWITH IINFERIORNFERIOR OONESNES
 Pillars and beams are importantPillars and beams are important
structures in a building.structures in a building.
 The quality of the pillars and beamsThe quality of the pillars and beams
determine the stability of the building.determine the stability of the building.
 The arrangement of an army troop hasThe arrangement of an army troop has
parallel significance .parallel significance .