三十六计
36 Military Strategies
第十九计 釜底抽薪
不敌其力，而消其势，兑下乾上之象。
Strategy Nineteen Remove Firewood from Under the Caldron
Avoid a contest of strength with the enemy but seek to weaken its position in accordance with the image of Dui underneath Qian.
第二十计 混水摸鱼
乘其阴乱，利其弱而无主。随，以向晦入宴息。
Strategy Twenty Muddle the Water to Seize Fish
Take advantage of the enemy’s internecine fight and make use of its weakness and lack of judgement. Sui: At nightfall, return home to rest.
第二十一计 金蝉脱壳
存其形，完其势；友不疑，敌不动。巽而止蛊。
Strategy Twenty-One The Cicada Sloughs Its Skin
Maintain the original shape and play out the original pose, so that the ally does not doubt and the enemy does not move. Submission and stillness lead to decay.
第二十二计 关门捉贼
小敌困之。剥，不利有攸往。
Strategy Twenty-Two Bold the Door to Seize the Thief
Force the small enemy into a quagmire. Bo: It is not favorable to set forth. [It is disadvantageous to pursue a weak, tottering enemy for long distance. ]
第二十三计 远交近攻
形禁势格，利从近取，害以远隔。上火下泽。
Strategy Twenty-Three Befriend Distant States While Attacking Nearby States
When circumscribed in situation and restricted in disposition, seek profit from nearby and keep peril at a distance. Fire above the lake.
第二十四计 假道伐虢
两大之间，敌胁以从，我假以势。困，有言不信。
Strategy Twenty-Four Attack Guo by a Borrowed Path
A small state is sandwiched between two great powers. If one of them attempts to bring it to submission, the other will be able to take control under the pretext of aiding it. Kun: When one utters words, one is not believed.
第二十五计 偷梁换柱
频更其阵，抽其劲旅，待其自败，而后乘之。曳其轮也。
Strategy Twenty-Five Steal the Beams and Change the Pillars
Change the enemy’s formation frequently, dislocate its main force and deal the blow when it tends toward defeat. Stop the wheel.
第二十六计 指桑骂槐
大凌小者，警以诱之。刚中而应，行险而顺。
Strategy Twenty-Six Point at the Mulberry and Abuse the Locust
The strong may use punishment to lead the weak into submission. Proper severity obtains response; risky action meets no obstruction.
第二十七计 假痴不癫
宁伪作不知不为，不伪作假知妄为。静不露机，云雷屯也。
Strategy Twenty-Seven Feign Folly Instead of Madness
Feign ignorance and make no more rather than feign knowledge and make rash moves. Stay motionless and hide one’s intention. Clouds and thunder symbolize Tun.
第二十八计 上屋抽梯
假之以便，唆之使前，断其援应，陷之死地。遇毒，位不当也。
Strategy Twenty-Eight Climb up the Roof and Remove the Ladder
Provide the army with an apparent chance, entice it to advance, cut it off from coordination or reinforcement, and place it in an impasse. One gets poisoned at an improper position.
第二十九计 树上开花
借局布势，力小势大。鸿渐于陆，其羽可以为仪也。
Strategy Twenty-Nine Flowers Bloom in the Tree
Exploit external forces to create favorable conditions, so that a small army acquires great energy. The wild goose gradually approaches the cloudy paths. Its feathers can be used in ritual decoration.
第三十计 反客为主
乘隙插足，扼其主机，渐之进也。
Strategy Thirty Reverse the Positions of Host and Guest
Take the opportunity to put in your foot and seize the heart of the enemy. Proceed step by step.
第三十一计 美人计
兵强者，攻其将；将智者，伐其情。将弱兵颓，其势自萎。利用御寇，顺相保也。
Strategy Thirty-One Beauty Trap
If the enemy forces are strong, try to subdue their general; if the general is wise, try to crush his willpower. When the general becomes infirm and the soldiers listless, their combat power will dwindle. It is of benefit to resist an invasion; security can be attained by internal unity.
第三十二计 空城计
虚者虚之，疑中生疑。刚柔之际，奇而复奇。
Strategy Thirty-Two Empty-City Scheme
Bear a weak appearance when in a weak position to create doubts in the already doubtful enemy. Used by the weak against the strong, it works wonders of the most wondrous kind.
第三十三计 反间计
疑中之疑。比之自内，不自失也。
Strategy Thirty-Three Turn the Enemy’s Agents Against Him
Lead the enemy into his own trap. Union from within; one will not lose oneself.
第三十四计 苦肉计
人不自害，受害必真。假真真假，间以得行。童蒙之吉，顺以巽也。
Strategy Thirty-Four Self-torture Scheme
Man does not inflict injury on himself, and a person’s injury proves him a victim. Espionage can be conducted when the enemy takes a false injury to be genuine. The callow youth submits. Good fortune.
第三十五计 连环计
将多兵众，不可以敌，使其自累，以杀其势。在师中吉，承天宠也。
Strategy Thirty-Five Interlaced Stratagems
Do not engage an enemy that has many generals and numerous soldiers. Weaken its position by making its troops interlaced. The general secures his rule in the army: Good fortune, with the blessing of Heaven.
第三十六计 走为上
全师避敌。左次无咎，未失常也。
Strategy Thirty-Six Running Away as the Best Choice
Evade the enemy to preserve the troops. The army retreats: No blame. It does not violate the normal practice of war.
（编辑：李梦婕）