The Thirty-Six Stratagems: One Move Leads to Another

The Thirty-Six Stratagems, also known as the Thirty-Six Strategies, refers to thirty-six military strategies from ancient China. The phrase originated during the Northern and Southern Dynasties, while the book was compiled during the Ming and Qing dynasties. It is a military text drawn from ancient Chinese military thought and extensive experience in conflict. According to the original book's preface, its thirty-six stratagems are divided into six sets of six: Stratagems for Winning Battles, Stratagems for Confronting the Enemy, Stratagems for Attacking, Stratagems for Confused Situations, Stratagems for Combined Forces, and Stratagems for Retreating. The first three sets are used when in a position of strength, while the last three are used when at a disadvantage. Each set contains six stratagems, making thirty-six in all.

Stratagems for Winning Battles, Stratagems for Confronting the Enemy, Stratagems for Attacking