Name: Strategic Alliance Encirclement
Author: baojie

Strategic Alliance Encirclement Strategy

Overview

A diplomatic-military procedure for building a coalition to encircle and weaken a superior adversary, based on Feng Tong's advice to Goujian.

Assess enemy position - Identify if enemy is engaged on multiple fronts or has made enemies
Conceal intentions - Hide your true strength and ambitions (like a hunting bird hiding its form)
Identify enemy's adversaries - Find states/groups that have grievances against your enemy
Build separate alliances - Ally with Qi, befriend Chu, attach to Jin (your enemy's rivals)
Flatter the enemy - Send generous gifts to make them arrogant and complacent
Wait for overextension - Let enemy become overconfident and engage in costly wars
Coordinate attack timing - Strike when enemy is weakened by fighting others

A diplomatic-military procedure for building a coalition to encircle and weaken a superior adversary, based on Feng Tong's advice to Goujian.

Assess enemy position - Identify if enemy is engaged on multiple fronts or has made enemies
Conceal intentions - Hide your true strength and ambitions (like a hunting bird hiding its form)
Identify enemy's adversaries - Find states/groups that have grievances against your enemy
Build separate alliances - Ally with Qi, befriend Chu, attach to Jin (your enemy's rivals)
Flatter the enemy - Send generous gifts to make them arrogant and complacent
Wait for overextension - Let enemy become overconfident and engage in costly wars
Coordinate attack timing - Strike when enemy is weakened by fighting others