“The skillful tactician may be likened to the shuai-jan. Now the shuai-jan is a snake that is found in the Ch'ang mountains. Strike at its head, and you will be attacked by its tail; strike at its tail, and you will be attacked by its head; strike at its mi”

Simplified Meaning:

This quote is comparing a good military planner to a special kind of snake called the shuai-jan, which lives in the Ch'ang mountains. The snake is unique because no matter which part of its body you try to hit, it can always defend itself. If you try to hit the head, its tail will strike back, and if you try to hit the tail, its head will strike. This means the snake is very good at protecting itself from any attack. Think of it like playing a game of chess with someone who is very experienced. No matter what move you make, they always have a counter-move ready. They are so skilled that you find it almost impossible to get ahead of them. The same idea applies to a skillful tactician or leader—they are always ready for any situation and know how to handle different kinds of threats or problems. To put this into everyday life, imagine you are very good at managing your time. Even if you have many tasks to do and people are trying to distract you, you know how to stay focused and finish your work. Just like the snake, you can handle any disruption effectively. This quote teaches us that being prepared and adaptable, just like the snake or the good chess player, helps you stay strong and successful in any situation. This way, you are always ready to face challenges with confidence.