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Chapter 2 · Enemy-Dealing Stratagems

隔岸觀火

Gé àn guān huǒ

Watch the Fire Across the River

General Bao acting out Watch the Fire Across the River
General Bao demonstrates 隔岸觀火 — Watch the Fire Across the River.
隔岸觀火 separated · shore · watch · fire

When your enemies are busy destroying each other, don't interrupt. Pull up a chair.

今 Today

Two competitors lock into a vicious price war and a public feud. You say nothing and hold your pricing, letting them shred each other's margins and reputations while you look like the calm grown-up.

反 When it backfires

Fires cross rivers. Watch too long and the blaze — a collapsing market, a fleeing customer base — reaches your own bank before you thought to move.