shiji-kb

Use when implementing comprehensive reforms to strengthen a state's governance and external position. Combines internal reforms (legal codification, agriculture/weaving promotion, military readiness) with external horizontal alliance strategy (连衡) from Shang Yang's model.

Use when building a coalition to encircle and weaken a superior adversary through indirect means. Based on Feng Tong's advice to Goujian: conceal intentions, ally with enemy's rivals (Qi, Chu, Jin), flatter the enemy into arrogance, and strike when they are overextended on multiple fronts.

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 responding to territorial demands from a powerful adversary or deciding how to deploy contested resources. Redirects resources that would be conceded to the aggressor toward the aggressor's enemies instead, building counter-alliances that deter future demands and strengthen negotiating position.

Use when analyzing historical power transitions through targeted action, such as Prince Guang's (King Helu) removal of King Liao. Covers legitimacy claims, agent recruitment, timing, operational security, and consolidation.

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 deciding whether to provide famine aid to a rival state. Balances humanitarian and strategic interests by consulting multiple advisors, weighing long-term diplomatic reputation against short-term military opportunity. Based on Qin's aid to Jin.

Use when prioritizing between competing strategic targets or evaluating conquest options. Weighs prestigious targets (symbolic resources like the nine tripods) against practical targets (territorial expansion) using feasibility, consequence, net benefit, and reputation criteria.

Use when strategic factors favor action but divination or omens suggest failure. Applies Taigong's counsel at the Battle of Muye: assess enemy vulnerability and cause justice independently of superstitious signs to avoid paralysis.

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 evaluating locations for settlement, refuge, or strategic positioning. Covers geographic advantages, political landscape assessment, population disposition analysis, and long-term power projection, with decision rules to reject sites near rising powers and favor those with alienated populations.

Use when evaluating whether to wage war against nomadic or mobile enemies. Applies cost-benefit analysis using distance, terrain, force degradation, and the crossbow metaphor (彊弩之极) to recommend diplomacy or engagement.

Use when official channels block necessary military action to save an ally. Plans unauthorized intervention by leveraging debts, securing command assets, and executing swift action despite formal obstacles.

Use when responding to urgent warnings about missed opportunities or overcoming complacency. Applies Taigong's innkeeper lesson: 时难得而易失 (timing is hard to gain and easy to lose) — act immediately through the night if necessary.

Use when commanding a large army against a determined enemy or planning patient siege warfare. Based on Wang Jian's (王翦) conquest of Chu with 600,000 troops — refusing battle, maintaining troop welfare through recreation and shared conditions, then striking when the enemy withdraws.

Use when writing persuasive petitions to reverse policy decisions. Based on Li Si's 谏逐客书, combines historical precedent, analogical reasoning (reductio ad absurdum), cost-benefit analysis, and principle appeals.

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 overwhelming opposition and deciding between fighting, retreating, or surrendering. Provides a decision matrix based on force balance, time pressure, and strategic value, with implementation steps for each option.

Use when balancing honor-based commitments against tactical military advantage. Applies Duke Wen's three-stage retreat (三舍) framework: recalling past agreements, assessing current position, weighing long-term reputation versus immediate gains, and documenting decision rationale.

Use when establishing military readiness through strict discipline and constant vigilance. Enforces formal formations, night watches, detailed records, and rigid standards to prevent surprise attacks and maintain combat preparedness.