The chapter under Elite Forces talk about selecting only the best for your vanguard. The goal is to match your opponent one-for-one and take down their team.
Liu BoWen’s 100 Tactics states: ‘Whenever engaging in combat with an enemy, you must select courageous generals and fierce troops, forming them into an advance front. This will strengthen their resolve and supress the enemy.’
There is a similar chapter in the Art of War: ‘An army that lacks a properly selected vanguard is termed ‘routed’.’
Of course, as their employer, you would know your staff’s strengths well. But a Qi Men Dun Jia chart can offer a way to validate your choice. This is a way to assess, that given a particular situation, whom would be the most suitable person to lead your vanguard.
In Qi Men Warcraft, the Three Nobles – Yi (乙), Bing (丙), and Ding (丁) – represent the three types of skillsets required in warfare:
* Yi (乙) is the Strategist
* Bing (丙) represents your power base, your Network and Allies
* Ding (丁) represents your Manager and Executive
In any given situation, the qualities for each of the above, is assessed by examining the various components in the residing palace.
In the hypothetical example given below, the Manager (represented by Ding) would be the better choice. The Strategist (represented by the Yi) is sitting with the Fear Door, not a very good sign while the Allies (represented by the Bing), is hidden behind the Delusion Door.

Unless you happen to be a student of Qi Men Dun Jia, deciphering a chart like this would probably be difficult. For that reason, if I can help you in any way to unravel the mysteries of a Qi Men chart, please feel free to drop me a line here.
The sample chart I have given was taken from a free resource by Dato’ Joey Yap. You can find the evolving hour charts for free here. Dato’ Joey has made it a little easier for unexperienced users to unscramble a Qi Men chart by colour-coding his version. Red is good, and black is… not so good.
The choice, however, depends very much on the outcome that you want. All’s fair in business and war. If your strategy depends on some wily, cunning or even a little bit under-handed tactics, then choosing a solution palace with black components may not be such a bad idea after all. The chart is neutral. It’s best use is dependent on the person taking action.
Permission Statement: The Qi Men Dun Jia Chart referred in this web article is copyrighted material belonging to, and is used with permission from Dato Joey Yap and Joey Yap Research Group Sdn. Bhd. For more information on services and courses offered by Dato Joey Yap and the Joey Yap Research Group Sdn. Bhd., please visit www.joeyyap.com