Take out the leading argument or asset of someone; "steal someone's thunder". This is the very essence of indirect approach: instead of attacking enemy's fighting forces, the attacks are directed against his ability to wage war.
第二十計 混水摸魚
muddling the water to catch the fish; fishing in troubled waters
▌原文
乘其陰亂,利其弱而無主。隨,以向晦入宴息。
▌英文注釋
Create confusion and use this confusion to further your own goals.
第二十一計 金蟬脫殼
slipping away by casting off a cloak; getting away like the cicada sloughing its skin
▌原文
存其形,完其勢;友不疑,敵不動。巽而止蠱。
▌英文注釋
Mask yourself. Either leave one's distinctive traits behind, thus becoming inconspicuous, or masquerade as something or someone else.
This strategy is mainly used to escape from enemy of superior strength.
第二十二計 關門捉賊
catching the thief by closing / blocking his escape route
▌原文
小敵困之。剝,不利有攸往。
▌英文注釋
To capture your enemy, or more generally in fighting wars, to deliver the final blow to your enemy, you must plan prudently if you want to succeed. Do not rush into action. Before you "move in for the kill", first cut off your enemy's escape routes, and cut off any routes through which outside help can reach them.
第二十三計 遠交近攻
befriending the distant enemy while attacking a nearby enemy
▌原文
形禁勢格,利從近取,害以遠隔。上火下澤。
▌英文注釋
It is known that nations that border each other become enemies while nations separated by distance and obstacles make better allies.
When you are the strongest in one field, your greatest threat is from the second strongest in your field, not the strongest from another field.
第二十四計 假途伐虢
attacking the enemy by passing through a common neighbor
▌原文
兩大之間,敵脅以從,我假以勢。困,有言不信。
▌英文注釋
Borrow the resources of an ally to attack a common enemy. Once the enemy is defeated, use those resources to turn on the ally that lent you them in the first place.