Stick #79: Attacked Front and Rear (Unfavorable)
腹背受敌势危急，内外交困心要齐。先安内患后御外，分而治之可解围。
Plain reading
Enemies press from before and behind — trouble inside and out together. Settle inner trouble first, then face what comes from outside; divide and conquer to break the siege.
Interpretation
This is an unfavorable lot titled "Attacked Front and Rear." Trapped inside and out — settle within before defending without. "Settle inner trouble first, then outward; divide to break siege" forbids fighting both lines at once; order brings release.
Situation notes
- Career: If team conflict meets outside pressure, mend team first, then outward.
- Relationships: If couple quarrel and outside noise intrudes, talk as two first, then answer outside.
- Wealth: If inner debt unsettled and outer expense hits, clear inner debt first.
Common misread
Auspicious tiers (such as Unfavorable) are tone, not a verdict. Name one action you control before redrawing.
Advice
List "inner trouble" and "outer trouble"; spend seventy percent of effort on inner first — when inner is stable, face outer. Do not war on two fronts together.
From the Zuo Tradition: at the Battle of Yanling, Jin first steadied itself then faced outward — divide and conquer breaks encirclement.
Related sticks
- Stick #78: Wolves Ahead, Tigers Behind — neighboring lot for tone contrast
- Stick #80: Troubles Within and Without — neighboring lot for tone contrast
Editorial note: entertainment and cultural reference. Source last revised: 2026-09-14. See Methodology and fortune stick guide.