Change the enemy’s formation frequently, dislocate its main force and deal the blow when it tends towards defeat. Stop the wheel.

Battle formations are a common feature in early military history of China. A typical formation has a central axle (heavenly beam)extending from the front to the rear and a horizontal axle(earthly pillar)connecting the left and right flanks. The two axles, formed by the best combatants, serve to maintain the structure of the formation. When assaulted, a formation will not yield until its axles become dislocated. Therefore the attacker should employ a shock force to break into the enemy’s formation and displace its axles. He can also use tricks to throw the enemy’s formation into disorder before launching a frontal attack. The strategy also points to a general principle: throw the enemy into confusion before engaging it in battle. For this purpose, one can find out and strike at the vital part of the enemy’s formation.