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Incendiary Warfare

Disciplines > Warfare > The Six Secret Teachings > 4.11 Incendiary Warfare

Teaching set  | Observed lessons | Discussion | See also

Teaching set

Tiger Secret Teachings 4.11 (41)

Observed lessons

• When in dry country, beware of the enemy setting fires to harm you.
• Watch carefully for fires. Smoke should warn you. Be aware of wind direction.
• Fight fire with fire. Carefully burn areas that the enemy fire will cross to halt their movement.

Discussion

Just smoke can be harmful to you, let alone the flames. It is surprising how quickly smoke will choke people and sting the eyes.

Of course you can use fire as well, though beware that a fire once started can be very difficult to extinguish.

In modern terms, a 'fire' can be used as a metaphor for any crisis. When you create a crisis, it may affect you and your competitors differently. If they are less able to cope with it, then you may ultimately benefit, even though it causes you problems in the shorter term.

See also

Watch the Fires Burning Across the River, Parts 12.5-12: Five Developments

Sawyer, R.D. (1993). The Seven Military Classics of Ancient China, Basic Books