| 1 | The process of overcoming a difficulty is usually not as direct and smooth as one would wish. | |
| 2 | The process of breaking an "encirclement and suppression" campaign is usually circuitous and not as direct as one would wish. | |
| 3 | Events have their twists and turns and do not follow a straight line, and war is no exception; Only formalists are unable to comprehend this truth. |