◇ Just read — no move neededCannons on opposite wings
When Red plays the central cannon, Black usually answers on the same wing (顺炮) — but he can cross to the OPPOSITE wing instead: 炮2平5, the opposite-direction cannon (列手炮). Both centre files blaze, the armies storm down opposite wings, and whoever develops faster wins the race. Red's plan: straight chariots and quick horses pressing the horse–cannon wing; Black's plan: counter-development and pawn releases to blunt the attack.