to use clever political or diplomatic tactics to unite or divide different groups; to maneuver among various political factions

to maneuver through political or diplomatic means; originally referred to the strategies of political lobbyists during the Warring States period. Also written [[纵横捭阖|縱橫捭闔|zong4 heng2 bai3 he2]]

(literary) to open and close; specifically refers to the tactical use of political maneuvering to divide or unite people; often used in the context of diplomacy or power politics

the Baihe Ce, originally the title of the first chapter of the Guiguzi (the Warring States classic on persuasion and statecraft); by extension used as a name for the entire work