THE36STRATEGIESOFANCIENTCHINA

Strategy1
FooltheEmperortoCrosstheSea

Movingaboutinthedarknessandshadows,occupyingisolatedplaces,orhidingbehindscreenswillonly
attractsuspiciousattention.Toloweranenemy'sguardyoumustactintheopenhidingyourtrue
intentionsundertheguiseofcommoneverydayactivities.

JapaneseFolkTale

ThereoncelivedaSamuraiwhowasplaguedbyalargeandcleverratwhohadtherunofthehouse.
ThisannoyedtheSamuraitonoendsohewenttothevillagetobuyacat.Astreetvendorsoldhimacat
thathesaidwouldcatchtheratandindeedthecatlookedtrimandfit.Buttheratwasevenquicker
thanthecatandafteraweekwithnosuccesstheSamuraireturnedthecat.Thistimethevendorpulled
outalargeandgrizzledcatandguaranteedthatnoratcouldescapethismastermouser.Theratknew
enoughtostayclearofthistoughalleycat,butwhenthecatslept,theratranabout.Halfthedaythe
ratwouldhide,buttheotherhalfheagainhadtherunoftheplace.TheSamuraibroughtthecatbackto
thevendorwhoshookhisheadindespairsayinghehadgiventheSamuraihisbestcatandtherewas
nothingmorehecoulddo.Returninghomewithhismoney,theSamuraihappeneduponamonkand
soughthisadvice.AfterhearingtheSamurai'sstorythemonkofferedhimtheservicesofthecatthat
livedinthetemple.Thecatwasoldandfatandhescarcelyseemedtonoticewhenhewascarriedaway
bythedoubtfulSamurai.Fortwoweeksthecatdidlittlemorethansleepalldayandnight.TheSamurai
wantedtogivethecatbacktothetemplebutthemonkinsistedhekeephimawhilelongerassuring
himtherat'sdayswereclosetoanend.Theratbecameaccustomedtothepresenceofthelazyoldcat
andwassoonuptohisoldtrickseven,onoccasion,brazenlydancingaroundtheoldcatasheslept.
Thenoneday,astheratwentabouthisbusinesswithoutanyconcern,hepassedclosebythecatwho
swiftlystruckouthispawandpinnedtherattothefloor.Theratdiedinstantly.

Strategy2
BesiegeWeitoRescueZhao

Whentheenemyistoostrongtoattackdirectly,thenattacksomethingheholdsdear.Knowthatinall
thingshecannotbesuperior.Somewherethereisagapinthearmour,aweaknessthatcanbeattacked
instead.

WarringStatesEraChina

Thisstrategyderivesitsnamefromafamousincidentthatoccurredin354BC.Atthistimeoneof
China'smostrenownedstrategists,SunBin(AdescendentoftheeventhenfamousSunZi)wasan
advisortothekingofQi.SunhadearlierbeenatthecourtofWeibutanotherminister,PangJuan,
becamejealousofSun'scleverness.ThroughcourtintrigueshehadSunframedasaspy,sentencedto
mutilation,andimprisoned.SunescapedandfledtoQi.SeveralyearslaterthekingofWeiappointed
thesamePangJuanascommanderofthearmyandsenthimtoattackthecapitalofZhao.Thekingof
ZhaoimmediatelyappealedtoQiforhelp.ThekingofQiconsultedhisadvisorswhoallspokeinfavour
ofrushingtoaidtheirally,onlySunBinrecommendedagainstattacking.Sunadvised:"Tointervene
betweentwowarringarmiesisliketryingtodivertatidalwaybystandinginitspath.Itwouldbebetter
towaituntilbotharmieshavewornthemselvesout."Thekingagreedtowait.

ThesiegeofZhaohadlastedmorethanayearwhenSunBindecidedthetimewasripetocometo
Zhao'said.ThekingofQiappointedprinceTianJiasgeneralandSunasmilitaryadvisor.TianJiwanted
toattacktheWeiforcesdirectlytoliftthesiegeofZhao,butagainSunadvisedagainstdirect
interventionsaying:"SincemostofWei'stroopsareoutofthecountryengagedinthesiege,theirown
defencemustbeweak.ByattackingthecapitalofWei,wewillforcetheWeiarmytoreturntodefend
theirowncapitaltherebyliftingthesiegeofZhaowhiledestroyingtheWeiforcesinturn."TianJiagreed
totheplananddividedhisarmyintotwoparts,onetoattackthecapitalofWei,andtheotherto
prepareanambushalongtheroutetothecapital.

WhentheWeigeneralPangJuanheardthatthecapitalwasbeingattacked,herushedhisarmybackto
defendthecapital.Weakenedandexhaustedfromtheyearlongsiegeandtheforcedmarch,theWei
troopswerecompletelycaughtbysurpriseintheambushandsufferedheavylosses.Chaowasthus
rescuedwhilePangJuanbarelyescapedbacktoWeitorecouphislosses.SunPinwouldlaterdefeathis
nemesisPangJuanusinganotherclassicstrategy.

Strategy3
KillwithaBorrowedSword

Whenyoudonothavethemeanstoattackyourenemydirectly,thenattackusingthestrengthof
another.Trickanallyintoattackinghim,bribeanofficialtoturntraitor,orusetheenemy'sown
strengthagainsthim.

WarringStatesEraChina

ChangTuodefectedfromWesternZhouandwenttoEasternZhouwhereherevealedallofWestern
Zhou'sstatesecrets.EasternZhourejoicedwhileWesternZhouwasfurious.MinisterFengChusaidto
thekingofWesternZhou:"Icanassassinatethatmanifyourhighnesswillgivemethirtycattiesof
gold."ThekingconsentedandthenextdayFengChusentanagenttotheEasternZhoucourtbearing
thegoldandaletteraddressedtoChangTuo.Theletterread:`ThisistoremindChangTuothatyou
mustcompleteyourmissionassoonaspossibleforthelongerthedelaythemorelikelyyouwillbe
foundout.'Beforethefirstagentdeparted,FengChuthensentanotheragenttotheEasternZhou
borderguardsinformingthemthataspywouldbecrossingtheborderthatnight.Whenthesecond
agentarrivedattheborderhewasstoppedandsearched.Theborderguardsfoundthegoldandthe
lettertoChangTuoandturnedthemovertotheZhoucourtofficials.ShortlyafterwardsChangTuowas
executed

Strategy4
AwaittheExhaustedEnemyatYourEase

Itisanadvantagetochoosethetimeandplaceforbattle.Inthiswayyouknowwhenandwherethe
battlewilltakeplace,whileyourenemydoesnot.Encourageyourenemytoexpendhisenergyinfutile
questswhileyouconserveyourstrength.Whenheisexhaustedandconfused,youattackwithenergy
andpurpose.

ChineseFolkTale

TheemperorXuanofZhoulovedtogambleoncockfightsandkeptastableofspeciallybredfighting
roosters.Althoughtheywerestrongandfiercetheywouldneverthelessloseagainsttheroosterstrained
byJiXingZe.TheemperorthereforehiredJitotrainhisroosters.

Tendayshadpassedwhentheemperorwenttothestablestoaskiftheywerereadytofight.

"No."saidJi,"Theyarefartoofierceandproudoftheirstrength.Theyrushtoattackeventheslightest
noise."

Afteranothertendayspassedtheemperorreturnedtoenquireagain.

"Notyet.Theyarestillhaughtyandjumpateverythingthatmoves."

Afteranothertendaystheemperoragainaskedthequestion.

"No,stillnotyet.Althoughtheynolongerrushtoattack,theystillraisetheirhacklesandstarefiercelyat
theslightestprovocation."

Afteryetanothertendaystheemperoragainaskediftheroosterswereready.

"Yes,theyarenearlyready.Althoughsomestillcrowfromtimetotime,noneeverchangetheir
countenance.Fromadistancetheyappearassteadyisiftheyweremadeofwood.Beforethem,their
untrainedopponentswouldnotdareaccepttheirchallengeandcouldonlyturnbackandrun."

Strategy5
LootaBurningHouse

Whenacountryisbesetbyinternalconflicts,whendiseaseandfamineravagethepopulation,when
corruptionandcrimearerampant,thenitwillbeunabletodealwithanoutsidethreat.Thisisthetime
toattack.

WarringStatesEraChina

QiandHanwereallieswhenChangYiattackedHanwiththecombinedforcesofQinandWei.Hanasked
Qiforassistance.ThekingofQisaid:"HanisourallyandsinceQinhasattackedherwemustgotoher
rescue."ButhisministerTianchenSudisagreedsaying:"Yourmajesty'splanningisfaulty.Youshould
merelyagreetoassistHanbuttakenoactionthere.However,inthekingdomofYan,theirkinghas
recentlyresignedthethronetohisdespisedprimeminister.Thishasenragedboththenoblehousesand
thecommonpeoplecausingturmoilatcourt.NowifQinattacksHan,ChuandChaowillsurelycometo
heraidandthiswillbeasgoodasheavenbestowingYanuponus."

ThekingapprovedandpromisedtheHanenvoyassistancebeforesendinghimbacktoHanbelievinghe
hadQi'sbacking.WhenQinattackedHan,ChuandChaointervenedasexpected.Whileallthemajor
kingdomswerethusengagedinthebattleforHan,QiquicklyandquietlyattackedYan.Withinthirty
daysYanwascaptured.

Strategy6
ClamorintheEast,AttackintheWest

Inanybattletheelementofsurprisecanprovideanoverwhelmingadvantage.Evenwhenfacetoface
withanenemy,surprisecanstillbeemployedbyattackingwhereheleastexpectsit.Todothisyou
mustcreateanexpectationintheenemy'smindthroughtheuseofafeint.

SongDynastyChina

Oncetherewasanofficialwhowastransferredtothecapital.Thefrontpartoftheinnwherehestayed
wasateahouse,andacrossthestreetwasashopthatsoldexpensivedyedsilks.Wheneverhehad
nothingtodo,hewouldsitatatablewatchingthepeopleandactivityonthestreet.Onedayhenoticed
withsurprisethatseveralsuspiciouslookingcharacterswerewalkingbackandforthobservingthesilk
shopwithgreatinterest.Oneofthemcameuptohistableandwhispered:"We'reintherobbery
businessandwe'reheretostealthosefinesilks.SinceyounoticedusIcametoaskyounottomention
it."

"Thathasnothingtodowithme,"theofficialreplied."WhyshouldIsayanythingaboutit?"

Thefellowthankedhimandlefthim.Theofficialthoughttohimself:'thesilkshophasitswaresopenly
displayedonabusystreet.Inbroaddaylight,withathousandeyeswatching,iftheyhavetheskillto
stealthosesilks,thentheymustbesmartthievesindeed.'Sohewatchedcarefullytoseehowthey
wouldmanageit.Butwhathesawwasonlythesamepeoplewalkingbackandforthinfrontofthesilk
shop.Sometimestheygatheredontheleft,sometimesontheright.Theofficialsatwatchinguntilafter
sunsetwheneveryonehadgoneandtheshophadclosed."Thosefools."saidtheofficialtohimself.
"Theywereputtingoneoveronme."Whenhereturnedtohisroomtoordersomefood,hediscovered
thatallhisbelongingsweregone.

 Strategy7
CreateSomethingFromNothing

Youusethesamefeinttwice.Havingreactedtothefirstandoftenthesecondfeintaswell,theenemy
willbehesitanttoreacttoathirdfeint.Thereforethethirdfeintistheactualattackcatchingyour
enemywithhisguarddown.

TangDynastyChina

DuringtheAnLushanrebellionin756ADtheTanggeneralChangShunwasundersiegebytheforcesof
generalLinghuChao.Outnumberedtwentytoone,thedefendingTangforcessoonranoutofarrows.To
remedythisgeneralChangorderedhismentomakestrawdummiesandtodresstheminblack
uniforms.Thatnightthedummieswereloweredoverthecitywallsbyropes,accompaniedtothebeat
ofwardrumsandgongs.GeneralLinghuthoughttheenemywaslaunchingasurprisenightoffensive
andorderedhisarcherstoshowerthefiguresdescendingthewallswitharrows.Oncethedummies
whereriddledwitharrowstheTangsoldierspulledthembackupthewallsandthusrestoredtheir
supplyofarrows.

ThenextdaygeneralLinghurealizedhehadbeentrickedandattackedthewallsinrevengeforbeing
humiliated.ThatnighttheTangagainloweredthedummiesbutGeneralLinghuorderedhismento
ignorethembelievingitwasthesametricktogetmorearrows.WhengeneralChangsawthatnoone
wasfiringatthestrawdummies,heorderedthatfivehundredofhisbesttroopsbeloweredinstead.
Theymadealightningraidontheencampedsoldierswhowerecaughtcompletelybysurprise.Thesiege
wasliftedandgeneralLinghu'sarmyfledthefield.

Strategy8
OpenlyRepairTheWalkway,SecretlyMarchtoChencang

Attacktheenemywithtwoconvergentforces.Thefirstisthedirectattack,onethatisobviousandfor
whichtheenemyprepareshisdefense.Thesecondistheindirect,theattacksinister,thattheenemy
doesnotexpectandwhichcauseshimtodividehisforcesatthelastminuteleadingtoconfusionand
disaster.

MuromachiPeriodJapan

In1560oneofJapan'sgreatestwarlords,OdaNobunaga,thenstillaminorcommander,marchedhis
forceof2,000mentostoptheincursionofarivalwarlordImagawaYoshimoto.EventhoughNobunaga
wasoutnumberedtwelvetoonehesetouthummingatune.Nobunaga'sscoutsreportedthatImagawa
wasrestinghistroopsatavillagethatwasnestlednearanarrowgorgethatNobunagaknewwouldbe
idealforasurpriseattack.

ThescoutsfurtherreportedthatImagawa'stroopswerecelebratingandviewingtheheadstakenina
previousbattle.Nobunagadevisedthefollowingploy.Hemadecampsomedistanceawayfromthe
village.Heplacednumerousflagsandhadstrawdummiesmadetogivetheimpressionthatalargehost
hadarrived.Imagawa'sforcesthusexpectedanattacktocomefromthedirectiontheenemycamp.
MeanwhileNobunaga'stroopssecretlymadeaforcedmarchinawidecircleinordertocomeupfrom
behindtheImagawaencampment.WeatherfavoredNobunaga'sschemeforlateinthedaytherewasa
heavydownpour.Takingadvantageofthefoulweather,Nobunaga'stroopslaunchedasuddenattack
fromtherear.SounexpectedwasthisattackthatImagawaafirstthoughtthatabrawlhadbrokenout
amonghisowntroops.OnlywhenhesawtwoenemySamuraichargingtowardshimdidherealizehe
wasunderattack.TherealizationcametoolateandImagawawasbeheadedandhistroopsscattered.
ThebattlelastedonlyafewminutesbutitmadeOdaNobunaga'sreputationandhequicklyrousein
poweruntilhebecameoneofJapan'sgreatestwarlords.

Strategy9
ObservetheFireontheOppositeShore

Delayenteringthefieldofbattleuntilalltheotherplayershavebecomeexhaustedfightingamongst
themselves.Thengoinfullstrengthandpickupthepieces.

HojoRegencyJapan

In1583thegreatgeneralToyotomiHideyoshiwaspositioninghisforcesagainstAkechiMitsuhidein
whatwouldbethebattleofYamazaki.Shortlyafterthebattlehadengaged,TsetsuiJunkeian,anallyof
Mitsuhidearrivedonthescene.ImpressedbythesuperiorforcesofHideyoshi,herefusedtoattackbut
insteadorderedhismentolineupinbattleformationonahillabovetheHoragatogepasswherehe
couldwatchthebattlebeforedecidingwhichgeneraltosidewith.SeeingHideyoshigainingthe
advantagehebetrayedhisallyandsenthistroopsovertoHideyoshi'sside.Thisincidentwasnever
forgottenandhenceforththeJapaneseequivalentof`Watchingthefire...'isknownas`TowaitatHora
gatoge.'

Strategy10
HideYourDaggerBehindaSmile

Charmandingratiateyourselftoyourenemy.Whenyouhavegainedhistrust,youmoveagainsthimin
secret.

WarringStatesEraChina

ThekingofWeisentabeautifulcourtesantothekingofChuwhotookgreatdelightinthenewgirl.His
queen,ZhengXiu,knowinghowfondthekingwasofhisnewwoman,treatedthenewcomerasasister
supplyingherwithgiftsandtreasuresandwhateversheneeded.Thekinghearingofthissummonedhis
queenandsaid:Awomanservesamanwithherbeautyandthusjealousyisapartofherverynature.
Yetyou,knowinghowmuchthenewwomanpleasesme,havetreatedhermorekindlythanIhave
myself.Theseactionsarethoseofachildtoherparentsoraministertohisruler,howunexpecteditis
tofindthisinaqueentoherhusband."Thequeenthusknewthatherhusbanddidnotsuspectherof
jealousy.Whenshenextmetwiththenewgirlthequeentoldher:"Hismajestyismuchtakenwithyour
beautybuthedislikestheshapeofyournose.Whennextyouservehimbesuretocoveritwithyour
hand."Gratefulfortheadvice,whenshenextservedthekingthisiswhatshedid.

Thenextdaythekingaskedhisqueen:"Thenewwomancovershernosewhensheiswithme.Doyou
knowwhy?"

"Iknow."repliedthequeen.

"Wellthennomatterhowunpleasantyoumusttellmethereason."

"Itseemsshedoesnotlikethewayyourmajestysmells."

"Theshrew!"criedtheking.

Inaragethekingorderedthattheunfortunategirl'snosebecutoff.

Strategy11
SacrificethePlumTreeInPlaceofthePeach

Therearecircumstancesinwhichyoumustsacrificeshorttermobjectivesinordertogainthelongterm
goal.Thisisthescapegoatstrategywherebysomeoneelsesufferstheconsequencessothattherestdo
not.

ThreeKingdomsPeriodChina

OnoneofhiscampaignsCaoCaowasrunningshortoffood.Heaskedhissupplysergeantwhathecould
do.Thesergeantsuggestedreducingtherationsbysecretlyusingasmallercuptoparcelouttherice.
CaoCaopraisedthesergeantandgavehisconsenttousethesmallermeasuringcup.Afterafewdays
thesoldiersbegantocomplainandaccusedtheircommanderofcheatingthem.CaoCaoagaincalledin
thesupplysergeantandtoldhimthesituation.

"IwilldoanythingIcantohelpbutwhatwouldyouhavemedo?"askedthesergeant.

"I'mafraidIamgoinghavetoborrowyourhead."repliedCaoCaoandhehadthesergeantdecapitated
andhisheadstuckonatallpolewithabannerthatread"Caughtcheatingonsuppliesbyusingasmaller
measuringcup."

 Strategy12
SeizetheOpportunityToLeadaSheepAway

Whilecarryingoutyourplansbeflexibleenoughtotakeadvantageofanyopportunitythatpresents
itself,howeversmall,andavailyourselfofanyprofit,howeverslight.

YuanDynastyChina

DuringthefinaldaysoftheYuandynasty,rebellionhadbrokenoutthroughouttheempire.Initially
therewereseveralcontendersvyingtobethefirsttofoundanewdynastyontheimminentfallofthe
houseofYuan,butthefieldwasnarrowedtotwo;ChuYuanChangandChenYifu.Thetwoarmiesmet
atPoyangLakewhereanavalengagementwastotakeplace.GeneralChenhadtheadvantageofboth
troopsandships.Hisshipswerelargeandsturdyandhehadthemlinedupsidetosideacrosstheentire
expanseofthelake.Hefurthermorehadtheshipsjoinedtogetherwithironchainssoastocreatean
impenetrablebarrier.GeneralChusenthisshipstoattackbuttheyweredefeatedhavingfailedtobreak
throughthecordon.FortunatelyforChuthenextdayaviolentnorthwestgalebegantoblow.Since
Chen'sflotillawassituateddownwind,Chutookadvantageofthesituationtolaunchfireboatsagainst
thebarrier.SoonChen'stroopswereinafrenzytosavetheirshipsfromboththerisingstormandthe
fire,whichwasfannedintoablazingfiercenessbythewind.Takingadvantageofthepanicand
confusionthatensued,ChulaunchedhisownfleetintotheattackandtheycompletelydefeatedChen's
forces.AnarrowthroughhiseyekilledGeneralChenwhilegeneralChubecamethefounderoftheMing
Dynasty.

Strategy13
BeatTheGrassToStartleTheSnake

Whenyoucannotdetecttheopponent'splanslaunchadirect,butbrief,attackandobserveyour
opponentreactions.Hisbehaviorwillrevealhisstrategy.

QinDynasty

ThenotoriouseunuchZhaoGaoiscreditedwithhelpingtobringdownthehouseofQinendingChinas
firstandshortestimperialdynasty.AfterthefirstemperordiedheconspiredwiththechiefministerLiSi
todisposeofthelegitimateheirtothethroneandinstallaweakandcorruptpuppetemperorHuhei.
(SeeChapter14)Havingestablishedhisinfluenceovertheyoungemperor,ZhaoGaowasnervous
aboutpossibleoppositionfromtheotherministersofstate.Sohedevisedatesttoseewhichones
wouldbefaithfultohim.Onedayhebroughtastagintothecourtandpresentedittotheemperor
explainingthatitwasahorse.

"Youremistaken,PrimeMinister,saidtheemperor,Youvecalledastagahorse.

ZhaoGaoturnedtotheotherministerspresentandaskedthemwhetheritwasahorseorstag.Some
keptsilent,othersinanattempttoingratiatethemselveswiththetruepowerbehindthethroneagreed
itwasahorse,andstillotherssaiditwasastag.TheemperorwasunderZhaoGaoscontroltosucha
degreethathebelievedhewasgoinginsaneandthatthestagreallywasahorse.Meanwhile,oneof
ZhaoGaosspieswasrecordingtheanswersgivenbyeachoftheministers.Afterwards,ZhaoGao
secretlyframedchargesagainstallthosewhohadsaiditwasastagandhadthemexecuted.

Strategy14
BorrowaCorpsetoRaisetheSpirit

Takeaninstitution,atechnology,oramethodthathasbeenforgottenordiscardedandappropriateit
foryourownpurpose.Revivesomethingfromthepastbygivingitanewpurposeortoreinterpretand
bringtolifeoldideas,customs,andtraditions.

HanDynastyChina

WhentheemperorHuididiedin188BCheleftnoheir.Hismother,theempressLu,boughtachild
severalyearsbeforehisdeathandhadherdaughterinlawpretendthatitwasherown.Tocoverher
trackstheempresshadtheboy'snaturalmotherexecuted.Aftertheemperor'sdeath,theempresshad
thisboyinstalledonthethronewithherselfasregent.However,withintwoyearstheboy,afterlearning
thathistruemotherhadbeenexecuted,washeardtosay:"WhenIbecomeemperorIwillknowwhatto
do."Whentheempress'sspiesreportedthewordsspokenbytheyoungemperorshehadhim
murderedandanotherpuppetsetinhisplace.Theempressruledaprosperousempireforeightyears
throughthesixsuccessivechildemperorsthatsheinstalledonthethronebeforedyingofamysterious
illness.Rumorsaidherdeathwastheresultofacursefromoneofherlatehusband'sconcubines,who
washorriblymutilatedandtorturedaccordingtotheempress'spreciseinstructions.TheempressLuis
rememberedinChinesehistoryasoneofthreenotorious`dragonladies'whohadseizedtheimperial
throne.

Strategy15
LuretheTigerDowntheMountain

Neverdirectlyattackawellentrenchedopponent.Insteadlurehimawayfromhisstrongholdand
separatehimfromhissourceofstrength.

ThreeKingdomsPeriodChina

Intheyear199,SunCehadconsolidatedhisnewlyconqueredterritoriesinthesouthandhisnextgoal
wastheprosperousareaofLujiangtothenorth.However,Lujianghadaprofessionalarmyandwaswell
defended.Inadditionitalsohadtheadvantageofterrain,beingaccessibleonlythroughacoupleof
easilydefendedpasses.SunCe'sadvisorscautionedagainstmovingdirectlyagainstsuchawell
entrenchedandpowerfulstatesotheydevisedanotherscheme.SunCesentanemissaryladenwith
giftsandalettertothekingofLujiang,LiuXun.TheletterpraisedtheKing'smilitaryskillsandbegged
forhisassistance.SunCewrote:"ForyearsthestateofShangliaohasinvadedmyterritoryunhindered
andcarriedawaybooty,yetwearetooweaktolauncharetaliatoryraid.IfYourMajestywouldattack
Shangliaowewouldgiveassistanceandyoucouldannexthestateforyourself."Flatteredandcovetous
ofincreasinghisdomains,ThekingofLujiangdisregardedtheadviceofhiscounselorsandattackedthe
stateofShangliao.Severalweekslater,whilethekingofLujiangwasbusylayingsiegetoShangliao's
capital,SunCeattackedthealmostundefendedLujiangandeasilyseizedthecapital.Withoutthe
expectedsupportfromSunCe,ThekingofLujiangfailedtotakethecapitalofShangliaoandhereturned
onlytofindhisowncapitalalreadyinenemyhands.SunCenowhadtheadvantageoftheLujiang
terrainandtheformerkingcoulddonothingbutfleewithhisarmy.

Strategy16
ToCatchSomething,FirstLetItGo

Corneredpreywilloftenmountafinaldesperateattack.Topreventthisyoulettheenemybelievehe
stillhasachanceforfreedom.Hiswilltofightisthusdampenedbyhisdesiretoescape.Wheninthe
endthefreedomisprovenafalsehoodtheenemy'smoralewillbedefeatedandhewillsurrender
withoutafight.

SixDynastiesPeriodChina

DuringtheSouthernSongperiod,generalTanDaoJilaunchedanattackagainstthenorthonbehalfof
theemperor.Throughoutthecampaignheseizedcitiesanddestroyedfortifications,takingmorethan
fourthousandprisoners.Hisadvisorssuggestedthatheshouldexecutethemallanderectavictory
moundwiththedead.TanDaoJireplied:"Atthistimewehaveattackedtheguiltyandconsoledthe
people.Thearmyofatruekingtakestheuprightasitsposition,sowhyisitnecessarytoslaythe
people?"Hereleasedalltheprisonersandsentthembacktotheirhomes.Theseformerprisonerstold
theirkinsmenoftheircaptureandreleaseandofthefairtreatmenttheyreceivedatthehandsof
generalTan.Thereuponthebarbariansdwellingintheregionwereelated,andwherevergeneralTan,
wentagreatmanycameforwardtogivetheirallegiancetotheemperor.

Strategy17
TossOutABrickToAttractJade

Prepareatrapthenlureyourenemyintothetrapbyusingbait.Inwarthebaitistheillusionofan
opportunityforgain.Inlifethebaitistheillusionofwealth,power,andsex.

WarringStatesEraChina

TheearlofZhiwaspreparingtoattackLesserWei.Toprepareforhisattackhepresentedthekingof
WeiwithfourhundredmustangsandabeautifulwhitejadeBi.Thekingwasoverjoyedandhisministers
allofferedtheircongratulations,butoneminister,NanwenCilookeddistressed.Thekingseeinghis
demeanorasked:"Thegreatstateisverypleasedwithus!Whythendoyoulooktroubled?"The
ministerreplied:"Onemustalwaysexaminethoroughlyarewardgivenfornomeritanddeference
shownwherenoforcehasbeenapplied.FourhundredmustangsandawhitejadeBiconstitutethekind
ofgiftasmallstatemightgivewhenservingagreatone.Butinthiscasethelargerstatemakesthegift.
Yourmajestyshouldponderthis."Asaprecaution,thekingofWeitoldhiscommanderoftheborder
guardswhathisministerhadcautionedandorderedhistroopstobeonfullalert.Shortlythereafter,as
theministerintimated,theearlofZhiarrivedattheborderattheheadofalargearmy.Butwhenthe
earlsawtheborderguardspostedatfullstrength,heretiredsaying:"Alas,thereareworthymeninWei,
fortheyhaveanticipatedmyplans."

Strategy18
ToCatchtheBanditsFirstCaptureTheirLeader

Iftheenemy'sarmyisstrongbutisalliedtothecommanderonlybymoneyorthreatsthen,takeaimat
theleader.Ifthecommanderfallstherestofthearmywilldisperseorcomeovertoyourside.If,
however,theyarealliedtotheleaderthroughloyaltythenbeware,thearmycancontinuetofighton
afterhisdeathoutofvengeance.

SpringandAutumnPeriodChina

In756BCtherebelcommanderYinZiqiledanarmytolaysiegeagainstthestrategiccityofSuiyang.The
defendingcommander,ZhangXun,noticedthatYinZiqioversawthesiegefromwelloutsidetherange
ofthecity'sarchers.Hebelievedthatifhecouldtakeouttheleadertherebel'smoralewouldsinkand
hewouldbeabletolaunchacounterattack.Hedevisedaplanwithhisbestarchers.Thenexttimethe
rebelsassailedthewalltheyweretoshootbackusingthebranchesoftrees.WhenYinZiqiheardthat
thedefenderswerereducedtoshootingwithbrancheshefeltcertainthecitywasreadytobetaken.
Beforethenextassaulthemovedinclosertobetteroverseethefinalvictory.Ridingatophishorsehe
unknowinglycamewithinrangeofthearcherswhohadsavedtheirarrowsforjustsuchamoment.One
arrowhitYinZiqiinthelefteyekillinghiminstantly.Thespectacleoftheircommander'sdeathinfront
ofalmosttheentirerebelarmyservedtodemoralizethemtosuchanextentthattheydispersedthe
field.

Strategy19
StealTheFirewoodFromUnderthePot

Whenfacedwithanenemytoopowerfultoengagedirectlyyoumustfirstweakenhimbyundermining
hisfoundationandattackinghissourceofpower.


LegendaryEraJapan

Japan'sancientheroYamatoTakeruwasoneoftheeightychildrenofemperorKeiko.Onedayhewas
senttokillanotoriousoutlawwhowassuchanexpertswordsmanthatallwhohadgotteninhisway
werekilled.YamatoTakerudidnotintendtoduelwiththebanditandpretendedtobeignorantofthe
man'sreputationinordertobefriendhim.Theybecamesuchgoodfriendsthattheyevenwent
swimmingtogetheronaregularbasis.WhenYamatoTakeruwasassuredthebanditharboredno
suspicionshewasreadytoact.Onedaywhentheywentswimminghebroughtwithhimawooden
swordthathehidinhistravelkit.Theywereinthehabitofracingeachotheraroundasmallislandbut
thistimewhiletheywereracingTakeruletthebandittaketheleadand,oncehewasoutofsightbehind
theisland,Takeruswambacktoshoreandquicklyreplacedthebandit'sswordwiththewoodenone.
AftertheyhadgottendressedTakeruturnedtothebanditandrevealedhistruepurpose.Thebandit
immediatelywentforhissword,butthewoodenswordhadbecomewedgedinthescabbard.Whilehe
wasstrugglingtodrawthewoodensword,Takerutookthebandit'sheadoffinasinglestroke.

Strategy20
TroubleTheWaterToCatchTheFish

Beforeengagingyourenemy'sforcescreateconfusiontoweakenhisperceptionandjudgment.Do
somethingunusual,strange,andunexpectedasthiswillarousetheenemy'ssuspicionanddisrupthis
thinking.Adistractedenemyisthusmorevulnerable.

SpringandAutumnPeriodChina

In632BCthearmiesofJinandChufacedeachotheratChengbubeforethebattleofthesamename.
ChusentanenvoytoJinrequestingtofightachariotduelthenextdaytowhichtheJinruler,DukeWen,
agreed.InthemorningDukeWenclimbedtothetopofanobservationtowerandlookingdownonhis
camp'spreparationssaid:AYoungandoldconductthemselvesaccordingtoritual.Theyarefitforuse!"
Hethenorderedhistroopstocutdowntreestobeusedaspartofanunorthodoxtactic.Whilethe
chariotduelwasunderwayDukeWenlaunchedasuddencavalryattackagainsttheChurightwing
causingittocollapsein.Atthesametimeastherightwasbeingpushedintothemainbody,theJin
troopsinthecenterraisedtheretreatpennantsandbeganpullingback.AstheJintroopsretreatedthey
draggedbehindthemthetreestheyhadcutdownearlierthatmorning.Thisraisedsuchadustcloud
thattheChucommandersthoughttheJinwerefleeinginpanicandeagerlygavechase.Whenthemain
bodyoftheChuarmywasenvelopedinthecloudofdusttheywereunabletoseethattheJinforceshad
splitintotwodivisionsandhadturnedaround.TheJinattackedinaclassicalpincermovementonboth
oftheChuflanks.TheresultwasaresoundingdefeatafterwhichtheChugeneralwasorderedto
commitsuicide.DukeWenhadtakenadvantageofthedistractionprovidedbythechariotduelto
launchbothasurpriseattack,andaretreat,manipulatingtheChuforcesintoatrap.

Strategy21
ShedYourSkinLiketheGoldenCicada

Whenyouareindangerofbeingdefeated,andyouronlychanceistoescapeandregroup,thencreate
anillusion.Whiletheenemy'sattentionisfocusedonthisartifice,secretlyremoveyourmenleaving
behindonlythefacadeofyourpresence.

ThreeKingdomsPeriodChina

ThewarlordCaoCaoofWei,waspursuingthefleeingarmyandpopulationofShuledbytheheroesof
thePeachGrove,LiuPeiandChangFei.TheretreatingcolumncameupontheChangpanbridgeoverthe
Weiriverwiththeenemyarmyonlyhoursbehind.Ontheoppositesideoftherivertherewasheavy
forest.ChangFeiturnedtohisgeneralLiuPeiandsaid:"Thisbridgeistheonlycrossingpointformiles
andprovidesuswithanadvantage.YoutakethearmyandpeopleacrosswhileIholdofftheWeiarmy
togiveyouasmuchofaleadaspossible."AftertheShuarmyhadcrossedover,ChangFeisenthissmall
groupofcavalrymenacrossthebridgeintotheforestwheretheytiedbranchestotheirhorsestailsand
rodearoundincircles.ChangFeiremainedsittingonhischargerinthemiddleofthebridge.Whenthe
pursuingarmyofWeicameuponthesightofChangFeialoneonthebridgetheystopped.CaoCao
noticedthehugedustcloudinthedistancebehindthewoodsandsuspectedatrap.ChangFeiroared
outachallengetotheWeiarmybutCaoCao,nowconvincedthiswasaruse,turnedhismenaroundto
retreat.ChangFeiseeingtheWeiarmyturnaboutspurredhischargertowardstheWeiasthoughto
attackthemsinglehandedly.ThissounnervedtheWeiforcesthattheymadeamadscrambletoescape
theareaconvincedatrapwasclosingaroundthem.ThistrickboughtLuiPeiandChangFeienoughtime
toescapewiththeirmenandregroupatChianling.

Strategy22
ShuttheDoortoCatchtheThief

Ifyouhavethechancetocompletelycapturetheenemythenyoushoulddosotherebybringingthe
battleorwartoaquickandlastingconclusion.Toallowyourenemytoescapeplantstheseedsfor
futureconflict.Butiftheysucceedinescaping,bewaryofgivingchase.

WarringStatesEraChina

In449BCthestateofWuhadinvadedthestateofYueandcarriedoffitsdukeGuoJianholdinghim
prisonerforthreeyearsbeforereleasinghimbacktohiskingdom.WhenhereturnedGuoJianplanned
hisrevenge.Forsevenyearsheruledwithbenevolenceandgenerositymakingareputationasawise
andvirtuousruleruntilhefelthisloyalsubjectswerepreparedtoundergoanyhardshipforhim.He
accordinglyassembledhisforcesandattackedWugainingadecisivevictory.(SeeChapter5)Thekingof
Wuhadtofleebutitwouldonlybeamatteroftimebeforehewascaught.HesentambassadorstoGuo
Jianbeggingformercy.TheyremindedhimofhowWu,thoughshehadhimfirmlyinhergrasp,had
releasedhimtoreturntohisstate.ThekingofWunowaskedtobegrantedthesamefavor.GuoJian
wascontemplatinggrantingthisappealwhenhisprimeministerFanLiintervenedandsaid:"When
heavengavethedukeofWuthegrandopportunityforgainingpowerhedidnottakeadvantageofit
andsoheisafugitivetoday.Shouldyoufailtoacceptwhatfortunehasnowgivenyou,youmaybe
drivenfromyourstate,andthenalltheyearsofhardshipsyouhavebournwillhavebeenenduredin
vain."Thedukewasswayedbytheargumentandsenttheambassadorbackwiththemessagethathe
wouldnotgrantanymercy.WhenthekingofWureceivedthemessagehegaveupallhopeand
committedsuicide.

Strategy23
BefriendaDistantEnemytoAttackOneNearby

Itisknownthatnationsthatbordereachotherbecomeenemieswhilenationsseparatedbydistance
andobstaclesmakebetterallies.Whenyouarethestrongestinonefield,yourgreatestthreatisfrom
thesecondstrongestinyourfield,notthestrongestfromanotherfield.

HanDynastyChina

In110ADtheprovinceofHonanhadsufferedthroughdroughtsandfloods,theharvestswerepoorand
thepeoplestarving.Thecorruptgovernmentonlymademattersworseandsoonthewholeprovince
wasinchaos.Thenumerousbandsofbanditsandrobbersthatroamedthecountrysidepillagingand
terrorizingthepopulationthwartedanyhopeofbringinginoutsiderelief.Aprovincialofficialbythe
nameofYuHuwasappointedfullpowerstotrytorestoresomeordertotheprovince.Whenhearrived
atthedistrictcapitalheissuedanoticethathewasgoingtoorganizedamilitaryforceandthathewas
lookingforrecruits.Firsthepromisedapardonforpastcrimesandimmunityforanyonewhojoinedup.
Thenheannouncedthathewaslookingformenforthreeclassesoftroops.Thefirstclassoftroops
weretoconsistofmenwhohadcommittedrobberyandmurder.Theywouldbethecommandersand
receivethehighestsalaries.Thesecondclasswouldconsistofmenwhohadcommittedmerethievery.
Theywouldreceivethenexthighestsalaries.Thethirdclasswouldconsistofmenwhohadjoinedthe
robberbandssimplybecausetheywerelazyandwishedtoavoidreallabor.Theywouldbepaidthe
lowestsalaries.WithinacoupleofweeksYuHuhadoverthreehundrednewrecruits.Whentheyhad
beenissueduniformsandweaponshehadthemparadedbeforehimandaddressedthemasfollows:
"Yourpastdeedsarenowforgivenandyouarefreefromprosecution.Butyoumuststillatoneforthe
crimesyouhavecommittedagainstsociety.Todothisyoumustnowgooutandhuntdownallyourpast
colleagueswhohavenotansweredmycall."Thistheydidandwithinayearthefraternityofbanditswas
extinctandthecountrysidemadesafe.

 Strategy24
BorrowtheRoadtoConquerGuo

Borrowtheresourcesofanallytoattackacommonenemy.Oncetheenemyisdefeated,usethose
resourcestoturnontheallythatlentyoutheminthefirstplace.

SpringandAutumnPeriodChina

ThesmallstatesofYuandGuoborderedthelargerstateofJin.DukeXianofJindesiredtoconquerboth
states.Thisdesirewasnotunknowntothetwosmallerstatesandbothhadtakenstepstodefendtheir
borderswithJin.Theduke'sgeneral,XunXi,suggestedtheymakearoundaboutattackatGuothrough
thestateofYutocatchthembysurprise.GeneralXunsuggestedthatsincethedukeofYuwasagreedy
manhecouldbebribedwithgiftsofjadeandhorsesinexchangeforsafepassagethroughhisterritory.
DukeXianobjectedtotheideaofgivingawaysomuchtreasureandasked:"WhatifthedukeofYu
acceptsourgiftsbutrefusesuspassage?"butgeneralXunreplied:"Ifhedoesn'tintendtoletus
through,thenhewouldn'tacceptthem,butifhedoesacceptthegifts,andhedoesletusthrough,then
itwillonlymeanthatthetreasureisstoredtemporarilyinhisstorehouseratherthanours."

WhenthebribewassenttothedukeofYuoneofhisministers,GongZiqi,cautionedagainstaccepting
themsaying:"YuistoGuo,likelipsaretoteeth.Ourancestorshadasaying;`Ifthelipsaregone,the
teethwillbeexposedtocold'.ThatGuoisabletoexistdependsonYuwhileYu'sabilitytosurvivehinges
onGuo.IfwemakewayforJin,thenthedaywillseeGuoperishinthemorningtobefollowedbyYuin
theevening.WhyshouldweeverletJinpass?"ThedukeofYu,however,refusedtolistentothisadvice.
JinwasgivensafepassageandsucceededinconqueringGuo.Ontheirwaybacktheystoppedto
conqueredYu.AftertakingtheYucapitalandrecoveringthetreasure,generalXunreturnedthejade
andhorsestotheduke.DukeXianwaspleasedandsaidingoodhumor"Thejadeisuntouchedbutthe
horsesseemtohavegainedsomemoreteeth!"

Strategy25
ReplaceTheBeamsWithRottenTimbers

Disrupttheenemy'sformations,interferewiththeirmethodsofoperations,changetherulesinwhich
theyareusedtofollowing,gocontrarytotheirstandardtraining.Inthiswayyouremovethesupporting
pillar,thecommonlinkthatmakesagroupofmenaneffectivefightingforce.

SixDynastiesPeriodChina

In383emperorFuJianofQin,personallyledanadvanceguardof5,000horsestoattacktheJingeneral
XieShi.DiscoveringthattheJinforcesweregreaterthanheanticipated,theemperorhadhisarmyform
defensivepositionsalongthebankoftheriver.TheJinarmieslikewiseencampedontheoppositeside.
Neithersidewishedtocrossfirstsinceitwaswellknownthatanarmyismostvulnerablewhencrossing
ariver.GeneralShisentanenvoyacrosstheriverwithamessagethatread:"Mylord,yourarmyhas
entereddeeplyintoourterritory,andindeployingyourranksyouhavecrowdedupontheriver.Thisis
theplanforalengthystalemate.Doyoureallywanttofight?Ifyouwillorderyourmentowithdrawtoa
safedistanceandallowustocrosswecanthenfightitoutandsettlethematterquickly."

Theemperoragreedtotherequest.Whenhisadvisorsobjected,emperorFuJiantoldthemthathe
plannedtoturnhisarmyaboutandattacktheJinafterhalftheirtroopshadcrossed.ButgeneralXie
anticipatedtheemperor'streacheryandsentscoutsdisguisedasimperialtroopstoinfiltratetheQin
ranks.Whentheemperororderedhisarmytopullback,thedisguisedJintroopsbegantoincitepanicby
spreadingtherumorthatQinwaswithdrawingindefeatandthatJinwasinhotpursuit.Theretreat
quicklyturnedintoaroutastheQintroopsbrokeformationtoescape.Theemperorandhisgenerals
racedfranticallyafterthefleeingsoldierswithwhipsinhandtostopthem,buttonoavail.TheJinarmy
quicklycrossedtheriverandpursuedtheQinforcesinflictingenormouscasualties.Theemperorwas
woundedandnarrowlyescaped.Hewascapturedandstrangledafewweekslater.

Strategy26
PointAtTheMulberryButCurseTheLocustTree

Todiscipline,control,orwarnotherswhosestatusorpositionexcludesthemfromdirectconfrontation;
useanalogyandinnuendo.Withoutdirectlynamingnames,thoseaccusedcannotretaliatewithout
revealingtheircomplicity.

HanDynastyChina

AfterGaozuhadbecomeEmperorheinvestedmanyofhisfollowers.Onedaywhilehewasstrolling
alongthebalconyofhispalacehenoticedseveralministersmillingaboutbelowspeakinginhushed
tones."Whataretheytalkingabout?"heaskedhisadvisorChangLiang."Yourmajestydoesnotknow?
Theyareplottingarevolt."

"Butpeacehasbeenrestoredtotheempire.Whyshouldtheybeplanningarevolt?"

"Whenyourmajestyrosefromamongthecommonpeople,itwasthroughthesementhatyouseized
controloftheempire.YouhavebecometheSonofHeaven,butthosewhomyouhaveinvestedhaveall
beenclosefriendsfromtheolddays.Nowtheseyoungerofficersofyourarmy,reckoningupthemerits
theyhavewon,believethatthereisnotsufficientlandinthewholeempiretoinvestthemall.Sosome
ofthemfeartheywillnotreceivetheirjustallotment.Thereforetheyplotrebellion."

"WhatshouldIdo?"askedtheEmperor

"Amongallyourfollowerswhomdoyoudislikethemost?"

"YongChiandIareancientenemies,"repliedtheEmperor.
"YoumusthurryandinvestYongChibeforeanyoneelse,andmakeknownwhatyouhavedonetoyour
otherfollowers.WhentheyseeYongChihasbeeninvested,theywillallfeelassuredoftheirown
rewards."saidChiang

TheemperoragreedandheldafeasthonoringYongChiwithlandsandtitles.Whentheotherministers
leftthebanquettheysaidtoeachotherhappily,"IfevenYongChicanbecomeamarquis,therestofus
havenothingtoworryabout!"

Strategy27
FeignMadnessButKeepYourBalance

Hidebehindthemaskofafool,adrunk,oramadmantocreateconfusionaboutyourintentionsand
motivations.Lureyouropponentintounderestimatingyourabilityuntil,overconfident,hedropshis
guard.Thenyoumayattack.

SuiDynastyChina

DuringthefinalyearsofEmperorYangoftheSuiDynastythereappearedaballadthatforetoldthefall
ofthehouseofSuiandtheascentofamannamedLiasemperor.Theballadbecameimmensely
popularamongthedisaffectedsubjectsofEmperorYang'sinfamousrule.Theemperor,being
superstitiousandbelievingintheprophecyhimself,beganacampaigntosearchoutandexecute
anyoneofimportancewiththesurnameLi.Hehadnumerousministersandofficialsalongwiththeir
entirefamiliesputtothesword.Aminorofficialwhosenamewas,LiYuan,wasservingas
superintendentintheprovinceswhenhewassummonedtothecourt.LiYuandelayedappearingin
courtbyclaimingpoorhealth.LiYuanhadaniecewhowasapalacemaidandonedaytheemperor
askedherwhereheruncleLihasbeen.Theladyrepliedthatherunclewasill.Theemperorsaid:"I
wonderifheiscourtingdeath?"WhenLiYuanheardthishewascertainthatifheobeyedthesummons
tocourthewouldneverreturn.Thereuponhefeignedmadnessandpretendedtobecomean
incorrigibledrunk.WhentheimperialspiesreportedLi'sbehaviortheemperorthoughtthatamadmen
couldneverfulfilltheprophesyandwasnolongersuspiciousofLi.Surprisingly,twoyearslatertheSui
emperorplacedLiinchargeofafieldarmytodefendtheempireagainstbarbarianincursions.Lifought
bravely,wontherespectofhistroops,marchedonthecapital,andwentontofoundtheillustriousTang
dynastythusfulfillingtheprophecy.

Strategy28
LureYourEnemyOntotheRoof,ThenTakeAwaytheLadder

Withbaitsanddeceptionslureyourenemyintotreacherousterrain.Thencutoffhislinesof
communicationandavenueofescape.Tosavehimselfhemustfightbothyourownforcesandthe
elementsofnature.
HanDynastyChina

AfterdefeatingtherebelkingdomofWei,thefamousHangeneralHanXinwassenttoquelltheother
twokingdomsthathadrevolted,QiandChu.GeneralHansetouttowardsQibutChusentitsgeneral
LongChuwithaforceoftwohundredthousandmentointerceptHan'sinvasionofQi.Thetwoarmies
metonoppositesidesoftheWeiriver.GeneralHanorderedhismentofillovertenthousandsandbags
andcarrythemuprivertodamtheflowofwater.ThenextmorningGeneralHanledhisarmyacrossthe
loweredriverandattackedChu,butafterashortengagementpretendeddefeatandfledbackacross
theriver.GeneralLongannounced,"SeeIalwaysknewHanXinwasacoward!"andheledhisarmy
acrosstheriverinpursuit.Throughaprearrangedsignal,GeneralHanhadhismenbreakthedamand
freethepentupwaters.OnlyhalfoftheChuarmywasacrosstheriverwhenthefloodcutthearmyin
halfdrowningthosecaughtmidstream.GeneralHanthenwheeledaroundhisretreatingforcesand
attackedtheadvanceguardofChukillingitsgeneralLongChu.Theremainingtroopspanickedandfled
inalldirectionsbutwerecapturedbythepursuingHansoldiers.

Strategy29
TieSilkBlossomstotheDeadTree

Tyingsilkblossomsonadeadtreegivestheillusionthatthetreeishealthy.Throughtheuseofartifice
anddisguisemakesomethingofnovalueappearvaluable;ofnothreatappeardangerous;ofnouse,
useful.

ThreeKingdomsPeriodChina

DuringthefinalyearsoftheThreeKingdoms,SumaYanusurpedthethroneofWei,madehimselfking,
andchangedthenameofthekingdomfromWeitoJin.NewsofthisreachedtheneighboringkingofWu
whoknewthathiskingdomwouldbethenextlikelytargetoftheambitiousSuma.Heworriedsomuch
thathediedseveraldayslater.SunHaotheninheritedthethroneofWuandimmediatelytookto
pleasureandviceneglectingstateaffairs.OverthenextfewyearsthenewkingofWugrewincreasingly
paranoidandhaddozensofhisadvisorsandcommandersandtheirentirefamiliesexecutedonthe
slightestsuspicionandasaresulthewaswidelyreviled.HearingthatthepeopleofWudespisedtheir
king,SumaorderedanavalattackledbycommanderWangChun.ThekingofWuhadnoideaofwhatto
doagainsttheimpendingnavalattack.Heconvenedwhatremainedofhiscouncilandoneadvisor
recommendedstringingabamboobarrieracrosstherivertopreventthefleetfromreachingtheWu
capitalofJianYeh.Thekingagreedandheavybamboocordsweremadeandstrungjustbelowthe
surface.WhenCommanderWangheardaboutthebarrierhelaughed.Heorderedhismentobuildhuge
raftsfromtimbersonwhichwereerectedstrawdummiesdressedinarmorandholdingweapons.The
dummiesweresoakedinoilandatripmechanismwasattachedthatwouldignitethedummieswhen
theraftsstruckthebarrier.Theraftsburnedthroughthebambooandcontinuedondownstreamtothe
Wucapital.ThespectacleofafleetofraftsfullofburningmensofrightenedtheWutroopsthatthey
fledinterror.SumacapturedWuandwentontofoundtheshortlivedJindynasty.

 Strategy30
ExchangetheRoleofGuestforthatofHost

Defeattheenemyfromwithinbyinfiltratingtheenemy'scampundertheguiseofcooperation,
surrender,orpeacetreaties.Inthiswayyoucandiscoverhisweaknessandthen,whentheenemy's
guardisrelaxed,strikedirectlyatthesourceofhisstrength.

JapaneseFolkTale

InfeudalJapantherelivedavenerableKendomasterwhodecidedtotesthisthreehighestranking
students.Hebroughtthemonebyonetoanoldtempleinthenearbymountainswherehetoldeach
studentthefollowing:"Youhavestudiedwithmemanyyears,nowletsseeifmyteachinghasbeenin
vain.Therewithinthetempleawaitsyourtest,passandyouwillhavegraduated."

WithinthedimlylittempletheMasterhadhiddenfourSamuraiarmedwithclubsandinstructionsto
jumpanyonewhoenteredthetemple.Thefirststudententeredthetempleandbeforehiseyescould
adjusttothelight,wassurprisedandbeatenbytheSamurai."Iamsorry,youhavefailed."Saidthe
master.

Thesecondstudententeredthetempleandsensedtheattackers.Hewasabletodeftlyevadetheir
attackanddefeatthem.Thestudentcameoutofthetempletriumphant,butagainthemastersaid,"I
amsorry,youhavefailed'

Finallythethirdstudentwasbroughttothetempleandtoldaboutthetest.Thestudentreplied,"But
venerablemaster,protocoldictatesthatwhenenteringatemplethemastermustalwaysprecedethe
student,soifyouplease,Ishallfollowyouin."Towhichthemasterreplied,"Yourascal,youhave
learnedallIcanteachyou."

Strategy31
TheStrategyofBeautifulWomen

Sendyourenemybeautifulwomentocausediscordwithinhiscamp.Thisstrategycanworkonthree
levels.First,therulerbecomessoenamoredwiththebeautythatheneglectshisdutiesandallowshis
vigilancetowane.Second,othermalesatcourtwillbegintodisplayaggressivebehaviorthatinflames
minordifferenceshinderingcooperationanddestroyingmorale.Third,otherfemalesatcourt,
motivatedbyjealousyandenvy,begintoplotintriguesfurtherexasperatingthesituation.

HanDynastyChina

In199BCtheHanemperor,GaozupersonallyledhisarmyagainsttheinvadingXiongnu.Theemperor,
however,wasnomatchagainstthecunningtribesmenandhewasledintoatrapandsufferedserious
casualties.(Seechapter15)HeandhisremainingforcesretreatedtothecityofPingchengforrefugebut
weresurroundedbysome300,000horsemen.Theretheemperorremainedsurroundedforsevendays
withnopossibilityofbringingineitherprovisionsorreinforcements.Theemperorthoughtherewas
nothinglefttodobutsurrenderwhenhisadvisor,ChenPing,cameupwithanotherstrategy.Chenhada
paintingmadeofabeautifulChineseprincessthathesecretlydeliveredtothewifeoftheXiongnu
commander.Alongwiththepaintinghesentamessagethatread:`MyEmperorintendstosurrenderto
yourhusbandandsotowinhisfavorheissendinghimapresentofoneofChina'sfamousbeautiesto
behisconcubine.'WhentheXiongnucommander'swifesawthepaintingandreadthenoteshewas
madwithjealousy.Fearingthatsuchabeautifulrivalwouldstealherhusband'saffections,she
persuadedherhusbandtoliftthesiegeandreturnhome.Thenextmorningwhentheemperorawoke
hediscoveredtheXiongnuhadleftandhewasabletoreturnsafelytohiscapital.

Strategy32
TheStrategyofOpenCityGates

Whentheenemyissuperiorinnumbersandyoursituationissuchthatyouexpecttobeoverrunatany
moment,thendropallpretenceofmilitarypreparednessandactcasually.Unlesstheenemyhasan
accuratedescriptionofyoursituationthisunusualbehaviorwillarousesuspicions.Withluckhewillbe
dissuadedfromattacking.

ThreeKingdomsPeriodChina

In234BC,KongMingthefamousstrategistofShu,launchedanattackagainstthestateofWeiby
sendinganadvanceforcetoscoutfortheenemy.LeadingthearmyofWeiwasSumaIwhoalsosentan
advanceforceoffiftythousandtroops.ThetwovanguardsmetandengagedinbattlebuttheWeiforces
weresuperiorandwontheday.ThedefeatedShuvanguardracedbacktothemainbodyofKongMing's
armywhosetroops,seeingthelookoffearinthefacesoftheircomrades,thoughtthattheenemywas
uponthemandfledinpanic.KongMingandafewbodyguardsfledtothecityofYangpingwiththeWei
armyinhotpursuit.Vastlyoutnumberedandunabletoeitherretreatorsustainasiege,KongMing
playedalastresortstrategythatmadehimfamousthroughoutChina.Heremovedalltheguardsand
battleflagsfromthewallsandhadallfourofthecitygatesflungopen.WhenSumaIapproachedthe
cityhecouldseeonlyafewoldmennonchalantlysweepingthegroundswithinthegates.KongMing
wasseensittinginoneofthetowerssmilingandplayinghislute.SumaIremarkedtohisadvisors:"That
manseemstobetoohappyformycomfort.Doubtlesshehassomedeeplaidschemeinmindtobring
usalltodisaster."Astheystoodspellbound,thestrainsofKongMing'slutereachedtheirearsandthis
onlyheightenedtheirsenseofforeboding.Suchpeculiarbehaviorwastoosuspiciousand,fearinga
clevertrap,SumaIturnedhisarmybackandretreated.AfterthearmyleftKongMingandhisremaining
troopsdepartedintheoppositedirectionandmadetheirwaysafelybacktotheircapital.

 Strategy33
TheStrategyofSowingDiscord

Undermineyourenemy'sabilitytofightbysecretlycausingdiscordbetweenhimandhisfriends,allies,
advisors,family,commanders,soldiers,andpopulation.Whileheispreoccupiedsettlinginternal
disputeshisabilitytoattackordefend,iscompromised.

SixDynastiesPeriodChina

InthelaterWeidynasty,theemperorTaiWuledahundredthousandtroopsagainsttheSonggeneral
ZangZhi.Theemperor,withhissuperiorforces,chasedgeneralZhangtothecityofYuwherehewas
cornered.Thecitywasstronglyfortifiedandsotheemperorplannedtosurrounditandstarvethe
defendersintosurrender.Feelingconfidentofhisposition,theemperorsentacartcarryingalargejar
ofwinetothecitygatewiththemessageaskingforthetraditionalexchangeofwinebefore
commencinghissiegeofthecity.ZangZhiknewthatheneededtofightadecisivebattlequickly,or
sufferdefeat,sawthisasanopportunity.Hesentsomesoldierstogratefullyacceptthejarofwineand
inturndeliveranotherlargejarsealedwiththewinemaker'sstamp.Whenacupofthiswinewas
pouredfortheemperoritwasdiscoveredtobeurine.Thiscausedtheemperorahumiliatinglossofface
beforehisowntroopsandinarageorderedanimmediateassaultonthecity.Thedefenderswerewell
preparedandthebodiesoftheslainimperialtroopspiledupnearlytothetopoftheramparts.Inhis
hasteandangertheemperorlosthalfhisforces.

Strategy34
TheStrategyofInjuringYourself

Pretendingtobeinjuredhastwopossibleapplications.Inthefirst,theenemyislulledintorelaxinghis
guardsincehenolongerconsidersyoutobeanimmediatethreat.Thesecondisawayofingratiating
yourselftoyourenemybypretendingtheinjurywascausedbyamutualenemy.

EdoPeriodJapan

DuringtheTokugawaperiod,KaeiJuzoaformerspyhadcomeundersuspicionandwasindangerof
beingassassinated.ItturnedoutthatthemansenttokillhimwasaformeracquaintancecalledTonbe.
Notwishingtokillhisoldfriend,TonbeandJuzoworkedouttheclassicployasfollows.Tonbebrought
JuzobackasaprisonertotheShogun.JuzobeggedtheShoguntoallowhimonelastdignity,permission
tocommitHarakiri.TheShogun,curioustoseethenotoriousspy'sbraveryindeath,allowedhimthat
privilege.Juzowasgivenatanto(dagger)thatheplungedintohisbelly,and,cuttingsideways,spilledhis
intestinesontothegroundbeforefallingover.Theguardsremovedthebodyandthrewitinthecastle's
moat.AshorttimelaterJuzoquietlyswumtoshoreandescapedthedistrict.Knowingthathiswarrior's
reputationwouldmerithimtherightofcommittingHarakiri,Juzohadstrappedadeadfoxacrosshis
abdomen,whenthefox'sintestinesspilledoutitwasindistinguishablefromhumanintestines.
 Strategy35
TheTacticofCombiningTactics

Inimportantmattersoneshoulduseseveralstrategiesappliedsimultaneously.Keepdifferentplans
operatinginanoverallscheme;inthismannerifanyonestrategyfailsyouwouldstillhaveseveral
otherstofallbackon.

WarringStatesEraChina

In284BCthestateofYanattackedanddefeatedQi.TheremainingQiforcesunderthecommandof
TienTanfledtothecityofJiMoforalaststand.First,TienTanhadthewomenfolklinethecitywalls
andbegforapeacefulsurrenderwhilehesentgoldandtreasurecollectedfromthecity'swealthiest
citizenstogeneralQiChewithanoteaskingthatthewomenandchildrenbesparedinreturnforthe
peacefulsurrenderofthecity.TheseeventsconvincedQiChethatthecitywastrulyabouttocapitulate
andheallowedhistroopstorelaxtheirguard.AfterthiscarefulpreparationTienTanfeltthetimewas
righttolaunchhiscounterattack.Firsthehadthecitizensofthecitygatherwithdrumsandcooking
potsandinstructedthemthatonasignaltheyweretomakeasmuchnoiseaspossible.Hethenhad
breachesmadealongthecitywallsfromtheinside.Nextaherdofcattlewaspaintedinbizarrepatterns
andknivesandsicklestiedtotheirhornsandtorchestiedtotheirtails.Justbeforedaylightthreeevents
occurredinrapidsuccession.Thecitizenswithinthecitystruckupacacophonyofnoisethatstartledthe
sleepingYantroops.Thenthetorchesonthetailsofthecattlewerelitandtheywerereleasedthrough
thebreachesinthewall.TheenragedanimalsranmadlyabouttheYencampkillingstunnedtroopswith
theirhornsandsettingfiretotentswiththeirtails.ThenQi'scracktroopsrushedoutfromthegatesto
attackthenowterrifiedandutterlyconfusedtroops.TienTandefeatedtheYanarmyandwentonto
takemorethanseventycities.

Strategy36
IfAllElseFailsRetreat

Ifitbecomesobviousthatyourcurrentcourseofactionwillleadtodefeatthenretreatandregroup.

MingDynastyChina

TheMingemperorHweiTi,haddisposedofallhisunclesexceptonewhofeignedmadness.(Seechapter
27)Thisveryuncle,theprinceofYan,in1403ledahugearmytothecapitalofNankingtoseizethe
throne.Thecitywassurroundedandtheemperorconsideredcommittingsuicidewhenhewasstopped
byaeunuchwhotoldhimthathisgrandfather,theemperorHongWu,hadleftachestinhiscarewith
ordersthatshouldanygreatcrisisoccurtothreatenthedynastythenthereigningemperorshouldopen
thechest.

"Letusopenitatoncethen,"saidtheemperor,"andseewhatmyfatherwoulddowereheherenow."
WhenthelidwasliftedtheboxwasfoundtocontaintherobesofaBuddhistmonk,adiploma,arazor,
andteningotsofsilver.Theemperorunderstoodthemeaningatonceandwithahandfulofattendants
fledthepalacethroughasecrettunneltoaBuddhisttemple.Thereheshavedhisheadandputonthe
robes.HemadehiswayoutofthecityandallthewaytoSichuanprovincewherehelivedinobscurityin
aremotemonastery.

Meanwhilethepalacehadburneddownduringthefightinganditwasassumedthattheemperorhad
diedinthefire.FortyyearslaterduringthereinofemperorYingTsung(thefourthsinceHweiTi'stime)
anoldBuddhistpriestarrivedatcourtandclaimedtobetheoldemperorHweiTi.Itturnedouttheman
wasanimposterbutarumorbeganthatHweiTiwasstillalive.Toquelltherumorsandsettletheissue,
anofficialinvestigationwasmadewhichdiscoveredthatHweiTiwasindeedstillalivelivingasa
Buddhistpriest.Theoldemperorwasinvitedbacktothecapitalwithgreatceremonyandhelivedout
hislastdaysasaguestinthepalace.However,hewaskeptunderawatchfuleye.