Cryptocurrency Exchange - Detailed Explanation of "The Art of War" - The Planning Chapter

Sun Tzu said:

War is a matter of vital importance to the State; the province of life and death; the road to survival or ruin. It is indispensable to examine it carefully.

Therefore, by analyzing five fundamental factors and comparing their conditions, we can determine victory or defeat: 1. The Way (Dao), 2. Heaven, 3. Earth, 4. The Commander, 5. Law. The Way refers to uniting the people’s will with that of the ruler, so they are willing to die for the cause and not hesitate. Heaven encompasses the yin and yang, cold and heat, seasons and climate. Earth includes distance, danger and ease, broadness and narrowness, life and death. The Commander embodies wisdom, trustworthiness, benevolence, courage, and discipline. Law pertains to military regulations, organization, and logistics. All these five aspects must be understood by the commander. Those who understand them will win; those who do not will lose. By comparing these factors and analyzing their conditions, we ask: Who has the Way? Who has capable generals? Who controls Heaven and Earth? Are laws and regulations enforced? Is the army strong? Are the soldiers well-trained? Are rewards and punishments clear? From this, I can determine victory or defeat. If the commander listens to my advice and applies it, victory is assured; if not, defeat is inevitable, and he should withdraw.

Listening to the advantages and deploying troops accordingly creates a favorable situation to support external strategies. The situation (势) is formed by leveraging advantages to exert control. War is a craft of deception. Therefore, show incapability when you are capable, appear inactive when you are ready, simulate attack at a distance when close, and pretend to be near when far. Use small gains to lure the enemy, create chaos to seize opportunities, prepare thoroughly when strong, avoid their sharp points, disturb their momentum, humble the arrogant, exhaust the complacent, divide the friendly, and attack when the enemy is unprepared or unsuspecting. These are the secrets of victory in warfare and cannot be revealed in advance.

Those who win before battle have made many calculations; those who lose have made few. More calculations lead to victory; fewer lead to defeat. How much more so when there are no calculations at all! From this, victory and defeat become clear.

**$GUN **