A general always has two tactical instruments. The normal, direct cheng force; and the extraordinary, indirect chi force. Both are totally reciprocal. Their effects being always mutually reproductive. Cheng being fixed and chi being encircling. These are the forces of distraction and decision; and such can be compared to two inter-locking tight rings. Who can tell where one ends and the other begins? Their possible permutations are infinite. Cheng can be transformed into chi and vice versa. Their possible permutations are also infinite. Cheng maybe transformed into chi and chi into cheng. Chi being always unexpected, strange, and unorthodox; and cheng being more obvious. So a wise general always engages with cheng, but in the end, wins exclusively with the chi force.

It's the old musty boat smell again. The older man gnaws on some chicken.

" yeah, Dude. No more sex fantasies until this is over, OK? "
The younger man sipped some juice from a bottle rather absent-mindedly.
" yeah, OK. I just wish.."
" keep your commitments to the buddhas, Dude.
The younger man looked up.
" I know, I know. I will never split my allegiances. When I travel, I give offerings to the locals, but I keep my commitments to the Buddhas.

A pause.

You know, what we need is a manual for war in the invisible realms.."
" It's coming, Bingo. What do you think we have in our hands? "

An even longer pause ensues.

EEEEEEE
EEEEEEE
EEEEEEE....

There is darkness just before the dawn. Passing now, through Nazareth's dusty afternoons.

EEEEEEE
EEEEEEE
EEEEEEE....

There is a lightness now in the air. But the older man is troubled." Dude, did we have to kill him? It would have been better to convert this guy. I don't like the feel of this, Bingo. I don't think there was enough realization in this exercise, Bongo head. "

The young man remains silent.

A wise general has no personal interest ever. He neither seeks fame when advancing, nor is really concerned with avoiding punishment while withdrawing. He follows the enemy in order to decide the battle. First he is as shy as a maiden, but when there is an opening the wise general must be as swift as any hare. Doing so will topple the enemy. Secret operations are essential. Upon them the army relies on its every move; and the fates of many an empire thus now hinge in the balance.

I went to visit a huge pig across the road from the house. The young girl that bore a striking resemblance to my beloved accompanied me and I found to my surprise that I seemed to rather enjoy the company. This young lady volunteered her thoughts to me about her emotional disposition towards life in general. She described herself as a volcano getting ready to explode. It seems that the young lady harbored feelings of resentment towards her absent father who rarely ever came to visit her. I tried my best to comfort the poor girl, but frankly I was at a complete loss about what to do in regards to the difficult matter. Fortunately, before the subject began to drag on too long, my young lady friend began talking about the character of pigs and their many curious ways. Perhaps, due to an earlier inquiry of mine, I was told in no uncertain terms that it was almost impossible to know what was on a pig's mind, but that it was very easy for them to know what was on a human's. I found this insight rather curious and tucked it into the back of my mind for further contemplation. Jim was now gone.