Stratagem 35: Interlocking Stratagems (连环计)

Core Definition

核心释义

Use a chain of interconnected strategies. Each move sets up the next, creating an inescapable sequence.

将多兵众，不可以敌。使其自累，以杀其势。

Historical Origin

历史典故

The Classic Story

The Battle of Red Cliffs was won through a chain of strategies: Pang Tong suggested chaining Cao Cao's ships together (for stability), Huang Gai's fire attack was planned for the chained fleet, and the southeastern wind was awaited for the fire to spread. Each step enabled the next.

赤壁之战通过一系列连锁策略取胜：庞统建议将曹军战船用铁链相连（求稳），黄盖的火攻计划针对连环战船，再等东南风助长火势。环环相扣，步步为营。

Modern Applications

现代应用

◆Designing multi-phase business strategies where each phase enables the next
◆Building sequential product launches that create momentum for a larger disruption
◆Creating interconnected contracts that make partial compliance impossible
◆Developing multi-round negotiation strategies with escalating pressure points

Supplementary Case Studies

补充案例分析

Battle of Red Cliffs (208 AD)

The allied victory at Red Cliffs used interlocking stratagems: Pang Tong suggested chaining Cao Cao's ships (for stability), Huang Gai's fire attack targeted the chained fleet, and the southeast wind was waited for to spread fire. Each step enabled the next.

赤壁联军的胜利使用了连环计：庞统建议将曹军战船锁链相连（求稳），黄盖的火攻针对连环船，再等东南风助长火势。环环相扣，步步为营。

Amazon Flywheel Effect

Amazon's strategy is a chain of interlocking moves: lower prices → more customers → more sellers → more selection → better experience → more customers → lower costs → lower prices. Each element enables the next in an unstoppable cycle.

亚马逊的战略是一系列连锁举措：更低价格→更多客户→更多卖家→更多选择→更好体验→更多客户→更低成本→更低价格。每个元素推动下一个，形成不可阻挡的循环。