Use when defending a small force surrounded by superior numbers. Employs circular formation, ammunition conservation, targeted strikes on enemy commanders, and aggressive sorties to maintain morale until relief arrives.
Use when captured by enemy forces and seeking to escape. Involves feigning death or injury, observing guards and resources, then seizing a sudden opportunity to commandeer a horse and flee to friendly territory.
Use when commanding infantry-heavy forces against cavalry on flat terrain. Prioritizes speed over siege warfare, bypasses fortified cities, and seizes strategic objectives (armories like Luoyang武库, granaries like Ao) to neutralize cavalry advantages.
Use when regaining authority over those who wronged you. Demonstrates magnanimity through measured threats, acceptance of contrition, and strategic forgiveness to convert former enemies into loyal supporters.
Use when navigating a hostile banquet, diplomatic ambush, or dangerous political gathering. Guides escape from the Hongmen Banquet (鸿门宴) scenario using alliances, deference, and covert withdrawal.
Use when establishing social order through ritual principles (礼治) or regulating desires to prevent chaos. Implements the three-step framework: cultivate the self, establish distinctions (贵贱有等), and balance restraint with satisfaction.
Use when persuading a superior to reverse hostility toward an ally. Combines emotional appeal, intermediary strategy, and evidence of loyalty to reframe grievances and restore relations.
Use when competing against more established figures for leadership positions. Advances career through strategic yielding—publicly advocating for the rival while securing an alternative position of equal authority (e.g., Chancellor vs. Grand Commandant).
Use when facing public criticism or accusations in a political or organizational context. Guides officials to preserve reputation through humble acknowledgment, symbolic authority surrender, and strategic resignation offers rather than retaliation.
Use when assessing foreign state stability, predicting political upheaval, or advising allies on self-preservation. Follows Ji Zha's diplomatic mission model across Qi, Zheng, Wei, and Jin to evaluate leadership and identify safe havens.
Use when a powerful subordinate has shown disloyalty but direct confrontation is too costly. Based on Emperor Wen's handling of Wu Wang, employs symbolic honors, face-saving exits, and indirect acknowledgment of grievances to reduce tensions.
Use when submitting appeals or petitions to imperial authority on behalf of someone facing punishment. Covers concealing intentions, secret departure, formal petition drafting, direct audience requests, and presenting mitigating arguments.
Use when mobilizing troops, establishing military authority, or enforcing battlefield discipline. Covers the ritualized oath procedure with 黄钺 and 白旄 symbols, troop assembly, consequence announcements, and campaign execution.
Use when deciding whether to honor agreements made under duress or coercion. Applies Duke Huan of Qi's model: fulfilling coerced promises to build long-term diplomatic credibility rather than seeking short-term revenge (愈一小快耳).
Use when performing pulse examination (脉诊) to determine organ pathology and prognosis. Covers the three positions (寸关尺), three depths of pressure (浮中沉), eight pulse qualities, and seasonal correlation as practiced by Bian Que and Cang Gong.
Use when performing a comprehensive Traditional Chinese Medicine diagnosis. Applies the 四诊 framework (望诊 observation, 闻诊 listening/smelling, 问诊 inquiry, 切诊 pulse) to achieve pattern differentiation (辨证) and treatment planning.
Use when screening patients before committing treatment resources. Applies Bian Que's 六不治 framework to identify six incurable conditions (arrogance, greed, poor self-care, yin-yang chaos, extreme weakness, trust in shamans over physicians).
Use when transitioning power from a regent to a young ruler coming of age. Follows Zhou Gong's model: south-facing authority during regency, formal return of power at maturity, and north-facing minister position post-transition.
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 advising a powerful figure to change course or retire gracefully. Systematically presents cautionary and positive historical examples to illustrate the wisdom of timely withdrawal before success reverses.
Use when facing a superior mobile enemy force, especially nomadic cavalry like the Xiongnu. Builds long-term deception through feigned cowardice, resource stockpiling, and a devastating ambush when the enemy grows overconfident.
Use when extracting a VIP from hostile territory under surveillance. Covers disguise preparation, cover stories, timing extraction with legitimate travel, and the facilitator's willingness to accept consequences.
Use when your homeland faces an existential threat despite personal grievances with its leadership. Guides the decision to set aside conflicts, mobilize resources, and reconcile with former adversaries for collective survival.
