shiji-kb

Use when assessing whether to enter peace talks or risk signaling weakness. Evaluates adversary incentives, ally perceptions, and negotiation leverage to determine if peace overtures will succeed or backfire.

Use when analyzing feudal power structures or ranking noble titles. Classifies ranks using the Zhou dynasty five-tier system (公侯伯子男) and determines appropriate land grants based on merit, lineage, and strategic need.

Use when evaluating candidates for government positions or assessing character suitability. Applies Li Ke's five-lens framework: 居视其所亲, 富视其所与, 达视其所举, 穷视其所不为, 贫视其所不取 to reveal values, generosity, judgment, principles, and integrity.

Use when evaluating whether a political contender can seize power successfully. Applies the five-difficulty framework: 有宠无人, 有人无主, 有主无谋, 有谋而无民, 有民而无德. Compares against Duke Huan of Qi and Duke Wen of Jin as successful benchmarks.

Use when adjudicating criminal cases or determining punishments under the five-tier system. Applies graduated verification from 五刑 to 五罚 to 五过, with doubt-based amnesty protocols and fine schedules for 3,000 categorized crimes.

Use when establishing concentric administrative zones or assigning graduated obligations by distance from a capital. Structures five zones (五服) from 甸服 to 荒服, each with specific tribute and governance requirements.

Use when managing tribute obligations or enforcing compliance across distance-based zones. Structures five concentric zones (五服制度) from daily offerings to lifetime homage, with escalation protocols for non-compliance.

Use when managing large-scale water control projects, river dredging, or land drainage. Follows Yu the Great's methodology for surveying terrain, selecting transportation, developing waterways, reclaiming flooded land, and coordinating regional labor.

Use when organizing a multi-party coalition against a dominant threat. Covers envoy dispatch, resource gifting, securing key partners first, establishing coordination structures, and cementing alliances through marriage or exchange in Warring States diplomatic tradition.

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 building moral authority through personal austerity as a high official. Covers wearing simple cloth (布被), eating unpolished rice (脱粟之饭), distributing wealth to retainers, and gracefully handling accusations of false modesty.

Use when choosing between transformative and adaptive governance for a new territory. Compares Bo Qin's 3-year reform approach in Lu with Taigong's 5-month adaptive method in Qi, guided by the principle: 政不简不易，民不近.

Use when governing newly acquired territories or managing diverse populations. Applies Taigong's (Jiang Ziya) four-step method: adapt to local customs (因其俗), simplify rituals (简其礼), develop commerce (通商工之业), and leverage resources (便鱼盐之利).

Use when establishing governance principles linking national prosperity to leadership frugality. Applies the maxim '治国之道富民为始' (governing begins with enriching the people) through leadership example and consumption standards by rank.

Use when implementing comprehensive state reforms or transforming governance systems. Follows Shang Yang's model — mutual responsibility (什伍), family structure reform, merit-based ranks replacing hereditary privilege, and standardized weights, measures, and legal codes.

Use when transitioning from conquest to stabilization or diagnosing dynastic failure. Applies the principle that 取与守不同术也 (taking and keeping power require different methods), shifting from military force (诈力) to benevolence and adaptability (顺权).

Use when designing governance systems that ensure fair access to justice across all social levels. Covers territorial tours, open-air administration, and prompt dispute resolution following the model of rulers who personally judged cases under trees.

Use when hosting guests, managing dependents, or building loyalty through hospitality. Provides equal treatment regardless of status, records personal details via a scribe behind a screen, sends follow-up gifts to guests' families, and resolves perceived slights through transparent demonstration.

Use when studying Han-Xiongnu peace diplomacy. Covers the Heqin (和亲) system of marriage alliances, annual silk and grain tribute, border market establishment, and territorial boundary protocols along the Great Wall.

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.