The Thirty Six Ji (36 Strategies)

		Strategems when in a superior position
		Stratagems  for  confrontation
		Stratagems  for  attack
		Stratagems  for  confused  situations
		Stratagems  for  gaining  ground
		Stratagems  for  desperate  situations

I. 勝  戰  計 Stratagems  when  in  a  superior  position

Fool the Emperor to Cross the Sea

This Ji has often been mis-translated as fool the sky, or fool heaven to cross the sea. However, the literal meaning is to fool the Emperor. In ancient China, the emperor was regarded as the “Son of Heaven”.

Fooling the emperor to cross the sea simple means to hide your true intentions. Don’t hide your activity, because then you will be suspect. Instead, hide your true activities behind a feint.

Besiege Wei to Rescue Zhao

If your opponent is to strong to attack directly, attack him at a weak point. Those weak points could be things, people or places which they care about.

It’s important to keep in mind that every human, no matter how invincible they may seem has points of vulnerability.

Kill with a Borrowed Sword

If you can’t successfully attack an enemy, use someone else to attack him.

For example – Trick one of his allies into attacking him. Create traitors within his midst, or use his own strength against him.

Await the Exhausted Enemy at Your Ease

Don’t allow your opponent to chose the time or the place for a confrontation.

You should choose both the space and time for engaging your opponent. Force him to use his energy on wasted efforts while conserving your own energy.

When he’s exhausted and confused attack with power and purpose.

Loot a Burning House

When your opponent is dealing with internal conflict, attack.

Clamor in the East, Attack in the West

Attack where your opponent least expects it. Create false expectations in your opponents mind by using feints.

II. 敵  戰  計 Stratagems  for  confrontation

Create Something From Nothing

In fighting, use the same feint twice. Your opponent will be afraid to react to the third similar feint. However, the third feint is the actual attack.

Openly Repair The Walkway, Secretly March to Chencang

Attack your opponent with two converging forces. The first attack should be direct and obvious. The second attack is sneaky and unexpected, causing him to divide his forces at the last minute.

Observe the Fire on the Opposite Shore

Avoid going into battle until all the players are exhausted from fighting each other. Go in with full strength and pick up the pieces.

Hide Your Dagger Behind a Smile

Gain your enemies trust while secretly moving against him.

Sacrifice the Plum Tree In Place of the Peach

Sacrifice short term objectives in the interest of obtaining long term goals.

Beat The Grass To Startle The Snake

If you can’t see your enemies plan run a short, direct attack. His reaction will show his strategy.

III. 攻  戰  計 Stratagems  for  attack

Borrow a Corpse to Raise the Spirit

Revive something from the past and give it a new purpose or new meaning. These could include:

• old institutions
• old technology
• old methods

Lure the Tiger Down the Mountain

Don’t attack a well entrenched opponent. Lure him from his stronghold and seperate him from the source of his strength.

To Catch Something, First Let It Go

A cornered opponent will always fight more desperately. Make him believe he still has a chance for freedom and in the end when his morale is low he will surrender more easily.

Toss Out A Brick To Attract Jade

Create an illusion of opportunity.

To Catch the Bandits First Capture Their Leader

In order to capture, weaken or destroy an opponents forces, focus on attacking their leader.

Steal The Firewood From Under the Pot

Undermine your opponents foundation. Attack the source of his power.

IV. 混  戰  計 Stratagems  for  confused  situations

Trouble The Water To Catch The Fish

Create confusion to weaken your opponents perception and judgement. Do something unusual, strange or unexpected. A distracted enemy is more vulnerable.

Shed Your Skin Like the Golden Cicada

If you are in danger of defeat, create an illusion. Move your forces away behind the facade.

Shut the Door to Catch the Thief

Capture your enemy quickly if possible. If they flee, don’t pursue.

Befriend a Distant Enemy to Attack One Nearby

Bordering nations often become enemies while distant nations make for good allies.

Borrow the Road to Conquer Guo

Borrow the resources of an ally to defeat an opponent. Once your opponent is defeated, turn the resources back against the ally.

Replace The Beams With Rotten Timbers

Force your opponent to react differently than he was trained to.

V. 併  戰  計 Stratagems  for  gaining  ground

Point At The Mulberry But Curse The Locust Tree

Discipline, control or warn people who you can’t directly confront using allegory and inuendo. If you don’t name names they can’t respond without revealing themselves publicly.

Feign Madness But Keep Your Balance

Create confusion about your intentions and motivations. Make your opponent underestimate your ability. When he drops his guard, attack.

Lure Your Enemy Onto the Roof, Then Take Away the Ladder

Use bait and tricks to lure your enemy onto dangerous ground. Cut off his lines of communications and means of escape. Your opponent must fight both you and the dangerous ground.

Tie Silk Blossoms to the Dead Tree

Make something of no value seem valuable. Make something of no threat seem dangerous. Make something of no use seem useful.

Exchange the Role of Guest for that of Host

Infiltrate your opponents camp using cooperation, surrender and peace treaties. Discover his weakness and attack the source of his strength.

The Strategy of Beautiful Women

Send beautiful women to your opponent to weaken his will and create discord and jealousy in his camp.

VI. 敗  戰  計 Stratagems  for  desperate  situations

The Strategy of Open City Gates

If you know you are going to lose stop preparing to fight and act casually in the hopes that you can trick your enemy into believing you have more power or are more prepared than you actually are.

The Strategy of Sowing Discord

Destroy your opponents ability to fight by creating dischord with his allies, advisors, family, commanders, soldiers, and people. While he’s repairing these relationships attack.

The Strategy of Injuring Yourself

Pretend to be injured to make your opponent drop his guard. Pretend a mutual enemy injured you to get close to him.

The Tactic of Combining Tactics

Combine tactics as necessary.

If All Else Fails Retreat