The Thirty-six Strategies Of Ancient China

Chapter 1: Winning Strategies

• Strategy 1 - Deceive the sky to cross the ocean.
  • Moving about in the darkness and shadows, occupying isolated places, or hiding behind screens will only attract suspicious attention. To lower an enemy's guard you must act in the open hiding your true intentions under the guise of common every day activities.
• Strategy 2 - Surround Wei to rescue Zhao.
  • When the enemy is too strong to attack directly, then attack something he holds dear. Know that in all things he cannot be superior. Somewhere there is a gap in the armour, a weakness that can be attacked instead.
  • In other words, you may try to attack the relatives or dear ones of the enemy to weaken him psychologically.
• Strategy 3 - Borrow one's hand to kill. (Kill with a borrowed knife.)
  • Attack using the strength of another (because of lack of strength or do not want to use own strength). Trick an ally into attacking him, bribe an official to turn traitor, or use the enemy's own strength against him.
• Strategy 4 - Make your enemy tire himself out while conserving energy.
  • It is an advantage to choose the time and place for battle. In this way you know when and where the battle will take place, while your enemy does not. Encourage your enemy to expend his energy in futile quests while you conserve your strength. When he is exhausted and confused, you attack with energy and purpose.
• Strategy 5 - Use the opportunity of fire to rob others. (Loot a burning house.)
  • When a country is beset by internal conflicts, when disease and famine ravage the population, when corruption and crime are rampant, then it will be unable to deal with an outside threat. This is the time to attack.
• Strategy 6 - Feign an attack in the east and attack in the west.
  • In any battle the element of surprise can provide an overwhelming advantage. Even when face to face with an enemy, surprise can still be employed by attacking where he least expects it. To do this you must create an expectation in the enemy's mind through the use of a feint.