Use when commanding an inferior force that needs maximum motivation against a superior enemy. Applies Han Xin's 井陉之战 tactic: position troops in death ground (陷之死地而后生) with hidden cavalry to capture the enemy camp.
Use when planning to gain close access to a heavily guarded target through diplomatic channels. Based on Jing Ke's approach to the Qin King, covers intelligence gathering, asset acquisition, intermediary cultivation, and access execution.
Use when resolving disputed succession with multiple claimants or absent heirs. Provides priority ordering (太子, eldest legitimate son, talented son, brother), a resolution process with ministerial council, external power assessment, and rival neutralization protocols.
Use when studying Han-Xiongnu peace diplomacy. Covers the Heqin (和亲) system of marriage alliances, annual silk and grain tribute, border market establishment, and territorial boundary protocols along the Great Wall.
Use when selecting an heir among multiple candidates with equal legitimacy. Employs a ritual involving a hidden jade bi (璧) to determine divine selection while maintaining fairness. Based on King Gong of Chu's method of testing his five sons through concealed ritual objects.
Use when maintaining long-term motivation after humiliation or defeat. Based on Goujian's 'tasting gall' (卧薪尝胆) practice: physical reminders, daily verbal affirmations of past shame, personal austerity, and sharing hardships with the people to build loyalty for eventual recovery.
Use when planning rapid cavalry raids deep into enemy territory. Based on Huo Qubing's campaigns: select elite riders, travel light (约轻赍), live off enemy resources (取食於敌), strike symbolic targets like 狼居胥山, and return before enemy concentrates.
Use when evaluating military achievements for reward conferral. Systematically compiles kill counts (斩首), captures (捕虏), and territory gained to determine appropriate titles (侯), fief increases, and punishments for failures.
Use when sowing discord between enemy commanders and their trusted advisors or conducting disinformation campaigns. Deploys substantial resources to spread defection rumors, stages differential envoy treatment, and exploits resulting trust breakdowns to degrade enemy decision-making.
Use when besieging a fortified enemy or planning encirclement warfare. Based on Bai Qi's victory at Changping (长平) — feign retreat to draw the enemy out, deploy hidden forces to cut retreat routes, sever supply lines, and wait 40+ days for starvation-driven collapse.
Use when implementing classical Chinese governance (循吏之道). Emphasizes minimal intervention, leading by example, indirect influence (raise gate barriers to raise cart heights), and conflict-of-interest rules prohibiting officials from competing with commoners.
Use when evaluating whether a military action inadvertently strengthens rivals or when analyzing second-order strategic consequences. Based on Hu Yan's advice against attacking Pu — assessing whether success helps your enemies more than yourself and recommending alternatives when it does.
Use when defending a besieged city with limited forces against a superior enemy. Combines divine legitimacy, psychological manipulation, feigned weakness, and surprise attack (e.g., Tian Dan's fire cattle) to shatter enemy morale.
Use when seeking to replace a capable enemy commander with an inferior one through disinformation. Based on Qin's strategy at Changping to replace Lian Po (廉颇) with Zhao Kuo (赵括) by exploiting the enemy ruler's impatience with defensive tactics.
Use when requesting assistance from a powerful party at negligible cost to them. Based on Su Dai's (苏代) candlelight metaphor — framing the request as sharing excess that costs nothing ('your candlelight has surplus; share it and lose nothing') to maximize willingness to help.
Use when forming military coalitions against a dominant adversary or recruiting allies for multi-front warfare. Analyzes enemy grievances to identify partners like 九江王黥布, 彭越, and 韩信, then coordinates simultaneous pressure to prevent force concentration.
Use when recruiting talented individuals from rival states through discreet negotiation. Based on Duke Mu's recruitment of Baili Xi, guides target identification, concealment of intentions, low-value exchange tactics, and capability assessment.
Use when planning an imperial inspection tour (巡游) to demonstrate authority and inspect territories. Covers route planning, Feng and Shan sacrifices at Mount Tai, stele erection, local scholar consultation, and governance issue resolution.
Use when transitioning from conquest to stabilization or diagnosing dynastic failure. Applies the principle that 取与守不同术也 (taking and keeping power require different methods), shifting from military force (诈力) to benevolence and adaptability (顺权).
Use when recruiting team members or building an organization for unpredictable environments. Based on Mengchang Jun's (孟尝君) acceptance of unconventional talents — including 'dog thieves' and 'rooster imitators' — who proved invaluable when conventional skills failed in crisis.
