Morning.StarOn Stratagem, Sun Tzu wrote that the best strategy was to take the enemy whole and intact; to shatter and destroy him leaves you no victory. So, it is better to capture an entire army, an entire regiment, detachment or company than slaughter it.
Yeah. I've taken a County Council, a District Council, two Parish Councils, Social Services, National Health Service, local Law Enforcement and a gnarly population of townsfolk who thought I was going to hack them. Or something.
Hence, absolute victory in all battles is not excellence, supreme excellence consists of breaking the enemy without fighting.
Several world records, a slew of awards and distinctions, outstanding performance and a sense of humour trumps bullshit every time. The enemy is careless and bloated...
Thus the highest form of generalship is to balk the enemy's plans
Every time XD
Next is to prevent the junction of the enemy's forces
Divide and Conquer. Bait and Switch. They never knew what hit them until it was too late.
After this is to attack the enemy in the field
Hey Igor did you like #Bite My Shiny Metal Trash and #Light Relief . Some of my lesser-known but favourite pieces.
And the worst policy is to beseige a walled city
Not much I can do about an Ivory Tower I have to say.
Therefore a skillful leader knows to subdue enemy troops without fighting, captures cities without siege, overthrows kingdoms without lengthy and expensive operations in the field;
There are 5 essentials for victory
He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight
He will win who knows how to handle both superior and inferior forces.
He will win whose army is animated by the same spirit throughout all its ranks.
He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared.
He will win who has military capacity and is not interfered with by the sovereign.
Well, one thing I did discover today, after calling the department attempting to defraud me, is this. The regulations were changed two years ago so that everybody contributes to Council Tax irrespectively which reduces the burden on those who pay.
This is fair enough I suppose, and it is regulation, so they are within their rights to chase me.
So, I've set up instalments to repay this small debt even though that same department owes me a *lot* more. Compromise is victory when one is losing... ;-)
It was an interesting discussion all the same, and the guy I spoke to inadvertently confirmed the regulations re rent and didnt lie to me about them. This is a win; internally they now recognise that the game is up.
Hence the saying:
If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.
If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat.
If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.
They have never known me very well it has to be said. :-D
Sun Tzu also said
Never engage an enemy more powerful than yourself. If you must engage an enemy more powerful, engage him on your own terms.
Wise words indeed, still true over two thousand years later, dealing with an administration.
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Rescheduled on Hench's return due to sickness.
Stalling for time while collusion occurs. I think I had better now see if I can get an independent witness, something is afoot...
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Out of court, but still, bring along a good lawyer with you. They are trying to control the damage. Their damage, a.k.a. a just compensation for you, and probably a justice for unknown other victims, who weren't as resourceful as you, if it all goes public. However, it is up to you how far will you go.
Also, find out or asses how desperate they could become (what are the worst losses they personally, individually might suffer). I know it is not my country, but a civilized land ... Still, watch your back.
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You sir will also make a good First Minister in my New World Council. ;-)
I wish I could get a lawyer. Or failing that one of you smart guys :-D As it stands I'm going to be alone, but on my territory and facing a man who just (cheekily) apologised for his previous underhanded tactics and admitted to the Ruse.
Yeah, they are pretty desperate. I'm glad they have chosen an opponent I have parried with many times and have grudging respect for, because they know whats at stake, and I'm not sure a lawyer would be much use actually. Unless I intended to like I said, bust their sorry asses in court anyway.
I'm undecided, fame, power, money vs Bea's future and my freedom. I am definitely going to test his boundaries and not agree to anything. These are preliminary talks and he knows it, plus he has to negotiate with the council to reacquire my money; he doesnt have it, he only tried to hide it. And they may require considerable pressure...
The same pressure I'd require to bust them all...
So, this is as you say somewhat critical. I'll keep you posted. Cheers dude. ;-)
BTW, Civilised? Methinks you may have encountered propaganda. XD
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Key words, Out Of Court..... You have them and they know it.....
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Yes indeed. Hench, the second - I'm going to call him agent - who was placed to tidy up the mess caused by the first one trying to coerce Bea into care has been given the short straw by his superiors to negotiate with me.
He isnt a member of their Amputee Club, so, obviously alarmed by its over-subscription lately, they have decided to send him in, with his handler, to broker a deal whereby I get my money back, Bea gets appropriate care for the duration, and I dont break our social care system, lacking the power to change it at present.
I dont feel sorry for em at all, District fucked up, panicked and called County, and they sent in the social arm to separate me and Bea and resolve it quietly and cheaply. Bea had other ideas, and I've always done right by her, so that didnt fly. Anyone with any sense would have come clean or at least 'discovered' the money and gave me a grand or two to shut me up but no. No, instead they lied to me about the regs and made me pay, and told everyone else to lie about the regs as well, those they could get to via the agent ^^ and they thought they'd get away with it too by the looks. 5 years it took, digging and annoying officials to get at the worm of the apple; why were they doing this after everything I'd done.
Well in the end they pulled the trick I knew was coming, evict me for non-payment of money I already paid - that five weeks overlap in tenancies highlighted the regs, and boom, the whole lot came tumbling down.
Do I have a friend in the council? I owe you one if I do, couldnt have done it without you.
And you Doc, have been a rock through all of it. Couldnt have done it with you either, indeed all my friends on and offline.
Tomorrow is Judgement Day, at long last. :-)
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