The Chain Stratagem literally means the continuous use of multiple stratagems to trap the enemy in a series of snares. Originating from Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Wang Yun used Diaochan to sow discord between Dong Zhuo and Lü Bu: he first promised Diaochan to Lü Bu, then presented her to Dong Zhuo, and finally used Lü Bu to eliminate Dong Zhuo. The stratagems were linked one after another, interlocking like a chain. This stratagem emphasizes the continuity and systematic nature of scheming: if one plan fails, another is devised, or several plans are carried out in parallel, leaving the opponent unable to defend effectively. It is mostly used in highly competitive situations, such as business negotiations, military confrontations, and political struggles. In cultural context, it reflects the idea of "strategy above all" in traditional Chinese wisdom. Its emotional tone is relatively neutral, often carrying a derogatory sense when referring to the use of sinister plots to harm others, but it can also neutrally describe clever, continuous tactics.
📝 Example
1. He first spread false information, then bribed an insider, and finally shifted the blame onto someone else—he employed this chain of stratagems with consummate skill. (Refers to the successive use of multiple stratagems, each linked to the next.)
2. In the business war, our opponent used a chain of stratagems—first cutting prices to seize market share, then cutting off the supply of raw materials, and finally acquiring equity—catching us completely off guard. (Refers to a series of coordinated stratagems.)