You use the same feint twice. Having reacted to the first and often the second feint as well, the enemy will be hesitant to react to a third feint. Therefore the third feint is the actual attack catching your enemy with his guard down.
第八計 暗渡陳倉
advancing secretly by an unknown path
▌原文
示之以動,利其靜而有主,“益動而巽”。
▌英文注釋
Deceive the enemy with an obvious approach that will take a very long time, while surprising him by taking a shortcut and sneak up to him. As the enemy concentrates on the decoy, he will miss you sneaking up to him.
第九計 隔岸觀火
watching a fire from the other side of the river
▌原文
陽乖序亂,陰以待逆。暴戾恣睢,其勢自斃。順以動豫,豫順以動。
▌英文注釋
Delay entering the field of battle until all the other players have become exhausted fighting amongst themselves. Then go in at full strength and pick up the pieces.
第十計 笑里藏刀
covering the dagger with a smile
▌原文
信而安之,陰以圖之。備而后動,勿使有變。剛中柔外也。
▌英文注釋
Charm and ingratiate yourself with your enemy. When you have gained his trust, move against him in secret.
第十一計 李代桃僵
palming off substitute for the real thing
▌原文
勢必有損,損陰以益陽。
▌英文注釋
There are circumstances in which you must sacrifice short-term objectives in order to gain the long-term goal. This is the scapegoat strategy whereby someone else suffers the consequences so that the rest do not.
第十二計 順手牽羊
picking up something in passing
▌原文
微隙在所必乘,微利在所必得。少陰,少陽。
▌英文注釋
While carrying out your plans be flexible enough to take advantage of any opportunity that presents itself, however small, and avail yourself of any profit, however slight.