war

"Even the greatest of empires are conquered inch, by inch. Attempt not a frontal assault, which will undoubtedly be turned away, if not out of shock, then of principle.

Borrow instead from the ancient Greeks the idea of the Trojan Horse, where with an innocuous and even welcomed gesture, you get troops behind the enemy's line of defense.

Advance steadily deeper into enemy territory, avoiding the cities most strongly defended. Establish a presence in lightly defended cities. These shall be your beachheads and your safe havens. Retreat to these cities when the expeditionary force encounters stiff resistance.

Any ground gained shall be garrisoned and used as forward bases for further attacks. Never cede these lands;any resistance thrown against you by the enemy will now be weak, half-hearted and ineffectual.

When all land surrounding the fortified cities have been successfully conquered, it will be time, then, to convene the main assault."