Apparent confusion is a product of good order; apparent cowardice, of courage; apparent weakness, of strength.
Hence the saying: One may know how to conquer without being able to do it.
Opportunities multiply as they are seized.
Victory is the main object in war.
The difficulty of tactical maneuvering consists in turning the devious into the direct, and misfortune into gain.
To persuade your enemy to (retreat) before the fight is to defeat them even before the battle begins. An enemy made ally is no longer an enemy.