Strategic Studies: Three Kingdoms II

Page 32 (Verso)

This move is the

The Han Referring to the historical precedent of Liu Bang, the founder of the Han Dynasty, during his struggle against Xiang Yu were positioned between Xingyang and Chenggao. At that time, neither Liu Bang nor Xiang Yu was willing to be the first to retreat, as they believed that retreating first would cause their momentum to fail.

You Addressing Cao Cao, with a force that is but one-tenth of the enemy's multitude, have drawn a line in the dirt and defended it. You have choked the enemy's throat A metaphor for holding a narrow, vital strategic pass so that he has been unable to advance for half a year already. When their true situation is revealed and their momentum is exhausted, there will surely be a change. This is the time to employ unorthodox tactics original: "奇" (qi). In Chinese military theory, this refers to surprise or indirect maneuvers that break a stalemate; this opportunity must not be lost.

[Cao] Cao then strengthened his walls and held his ground. [Yuan] Shao transported several thousand wagons of grain to Guandu; [Cao] Cao attacked and burned them. In the tenth month, [Yuan] Shao again dispatched an army to transport grain, ordering Chunyu Qiong and others to lead the troops and escort the supplies.

Ju Shou A prominent strategist under Yuan Shao known for his cautious and long-term planning advised [Yuan] Shao, saying: "You should establish a separate flanking army on the outer perimeter to intercept [Cao Cao's forces] and prevent them from crossing over to raid us."

Xu You Another advisor to Yuan Shao; he would eventually defect to Cao Cao after his advice was ignored said: "Cao Cao has committed his entire army to resist us here; the defenses at Xuchang The capital city and Cao Cao’s base of operations are surely empty and weak. If we dispatch a separate light force to march by starlight Meaning a rapid, overnight forced march and launch a surprise attack, Xuchang can be captured. Once Xuchang is taken, we can welcome the Son of Heaven The Emperor, whom Cao Cao was currently shielding/controlling and use his authority to punish Cao Cao; [Cao] Cao will then be as good as captured. Even if his main army does not immediately collapse, we can force him to scramble between his front and his rear Creating a pincer effect that forces the enemy to exhaust themselves by rushing between two points of attack."
highest.