36 Strategems for Military

8/8/2019 36 Strategems for Military

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36 Thirty-Six Strategies

Sixmultipliedbysixequalsthirtysix.

Calculationsproducetacticswhichinturnproducecalculations.

Eachsidedependsupontheother.

Basedonthiscorrelativerelationship,ploysagainsttheenemyaredevised.

RigidapplicationofMilitarytheorywillonlyresultindefeatonthebattlefield.

I.Stratagemswheninasuperiorposition1.FooltheEmperortoCrosstheSea

2.BesiegeWeitoRescueZhao

3.Kill

with

aBorrowed

Sword

4.AwaittheExhaustedEnemyatYourEase

5.LootaBurningHouse

6.ClamorintheEast,AttackintheWest

II.Stratagemsforconfrontation7.CreateSomethingFromNothing

8.OpenlyRepairTheWalkway,SecretlyMarchtoChencang

9.ObservetheFireontheOppositeShore

10.HideYourDaggerBehindaSmile

11.Sacrifice

the

Plum

Tree

In

Place

of

the

Peach

12.SeizetheOpportunityToLeadaSheepAway

III.Stratagemsforattack13.BeatTheGrassToStartleTheSnake

14.BorrowaCorpsetoRaisetheSpirit

15.LuretheTigerDowntheMountain

16.ToCatchSomething,FirstLetItGo

17.TossOutABrickToAttractJade

18.ToCatchtheBanditsFirstCaptureTheirLeader

IV.Stratagemsforconfusedsituations19.StealTheFirewoodFromUnderthePot

20.TroubleTheWaterToCatchTheFish

21.ShedYourSkinLiketheGoldenCicada

22.ShuttheDoortoCatchtheThief

23.BefriendaDistantEnemytoAttackOneNearby


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24.BorrowtheRoadtoConquerGuo

V.Stratagemsforgainingground25.ReplaceTheBeamsWithRottenTimbers

26.PointAtTheMulberryButCurseTheLocustTree

27.Feign

Madness

But

Keep

Your

Balance

28.LureYourEnemyOntotheRoof,ThenTakeAwaytheLadder

29.TieSilkBlossomstotheDeadTree

30.ExchangetheRoleofGuestforthatofHost

VI.Stratagemsfordesperatesituations31.TheStrategyofBeautifulWomen

32.TheStrategyofOpenCityGates

33.TheStrategyofSowingDiscord

34.TheStrategyofInjuringYourself

35.The

Tactic

of

Combining

Tactics

36.IfAllElseFailsRetreat


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FOREWORD

Whereas other Chinese military texts such as Sun Zi'sArt of Warfocus on military organization, leadership,

and battlefield tactics, the Thirty-Six Strategies, this unique collection of ancient Chinese proverbs, are more

suitably applied in the fields of politics, diplomacy, and espionage. Tactics such as the 'double cross', the

'frame job', and the 'bait and switch', can be traced back through thousands of years of Chinese history tosuch proverbs as 'Hide the Dagger Behind a Smile', 'Kill With a Borrowed Sword', and 'Toss out a Brick to

Attract Jade' respectively. For the western reader the Thirty-Six Strategies offers timeless insights into the

workings of human nature under conditions of extreme stress.

The origins of this book are unknown. No author or compiler has ever been mentioned, and no date as to

when it may have been written has been ascertained. All modern versions are derived from a tattered book

discovered at a roadside vendor's stall in Sichuan in 1941. It turned out to be a reprint of an earlier book

dating back to the late Ming or early Qing dynasty entitled, The Secret Art of War, The Thirty-Six Strategies.

There was no mention of who the authors or compilers were or when it was originally published. A reprint

was first published for the general public in Beijing in 1979.

The original text is rather short (138 Chinese characters). It merely names each strategy followed by a brief

explanation, often containing allusions to theBook of Change. Modern Chinese editions illustrate each one

with various well-known anecdotes from folklore and even recent History.


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I. STRATAGEMSWHENINASUPERIORPOSITIONFooltheEmperortoCrosstheSeaMovingaboutinthedarknessandshadows,occupyingisolatedplaces,orhidingbehindscreens

willonly

attract

suspicious

attention.

To

lower

an

enemy's

guard

you

must

act

in

the

open

hiding

yourtrueintentionsundertheguiseofcommoneverydayactivities.

JapaneseFolkTale

ThereoncelivedaSamuraiwhowasplaguedbyalargeandcleverratwhohadtherunofthe

house.Thisannoyed theSamurai tonoend sohewent to the village tobuya cat.A street

vendorsoldhimacatthathesaidwouldcatchtheratand indeedthecat lookedtrimandfit

But the rat was even quicker than the cat and after a week with no success the Samura

returnedthecat.Thistimethevendorpulledouta largeandgrizzledcatandguaranteedthat

noratcouldescapethismastermouser.Theratknewenoughtostayclearofthistoughalley

cat,butwhenthecatslept,theratranabout.Halfthedaytheratwouldhide,buttheotherhalf

heagainhadtherunoftheplace.TheSamuraibroughtthecatbacktothevendorwhoshook

hisheadindespairsayinghehadgiventheSamuraihisbestcatandtherewasnothingmorehe

coulddo.Returninghomewithhismoney,theSamuraihappeneduponamonkandsoughthis

advice.AfterhearingtheSamurai'sstorythemonkofferedhimtheservicesofthecatthatlived

inthetemple.Thecatwasoldandfatandhescarcelyseemedtonoticewhenhewascarried

awayby thedoubtfulSamurai.For twoweeks the catdid littlemore than sleepallday and

night.TheSamuraiwantedtogive thecatback to thetemplebutthemonk insistedhekeep

himawhile

longer

assuring

him

the

rat's

days

were

close

to

an

end.

The

rat

became

accustomed to the presence of the lazy old cat andwas soon up to his old tricks even, on

occasion,brazenlydancingaroundtheoldcatasheslept.Thenoneday,astheratwentabout

hisbusinesswithoutanyconcern,hepassedclosebythecat whoswiftlystruckouthispaw

andpinnedtherattothefloor.Theratdiedinstantly.


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BesiegeWeitoRescueZhaoWhentheenemyistoostrongtoattackdirectly,thenattacksomethingheholdsdear.Knowthatin

allthingshecannotbesuperior.Somewherethereisagapinthearmour,aweaknessthatcanbe

attackedinstead.

WarringStatesEraChina

Thisstrategyderivesitsnamefromafamousincidentthatoccurredin354BC.Atthistimeoneof

China'smostrenownedstrategists,SunBin(AdescendentoftheeventhenfamousSunZi)wasan

advisortothekingofQi.SunhadearlierbeenatthecourtofWeibutanotherminister,PangJuan

becamejealousofSun'scleverness.ThroughcourtintrigueshehadSunframedasaspy,sentenced

tomutilation, and imprisoned. Sun escaped and fled toQi. Several years later the king ofWe

appointed thesamePang Juanascommanderof thearmyandsenthim toattack thecapitalof

Zhao.ThekingofZhaoimmediatelyappealedtoQiforhelp.ThekingofQiconsultedhisadvisors

whoallspoke infavourofrushingtoaidtheirally,onlySunBinrecommendedagainstattacking

Sun advised: " To intervene between twowarring armies is like trying to divert a tidalway by

standing in itspath.Itwouldbebettertowaituntilbotharmieshavewornthemselvesout."The

kingagreedtowait.

ThesiegeofZhaohadlastedmorethanayearwhenSunBindecidedthetimewasripetocometo

Zhao'said.ThekingofQiappointedprinceTian JiasgeneralandSunasmilitaryadvisor.Tian J

wanted toattack theWei forcesdirectly to lift thesiegeofZhao,butagainSunadvisedagainst

directinterventionsaying:"SincemostofWei'stroopsareoutofthecountryengagedinthesiege

their

own

defence

must

be

weak.

By

attacking

the

capital

of

Wei,

we

will

force

the

Wei

army

toreturntodefendtheirowncapitaltherebyliftingthesiegeofZhaowhiledestroyingtheWeiforces

inturn."TianJiagreedtotheplananddividedhisarmyintotwoparts,onetoattackthecapitalof

Wei,andtheothertoprepareanambushalongtheroutetothecapital.

When theWeigeneralPang Juanheard that thecapitalwasbeingattacked,he rushedhisarmy

back to defend the capital.Weakened and exhausted from the year long siege and the forced

march, the Wei troops were completely caught by surprise in the ambush and suffered heavy

losses.ChaowasthusrescuedwhilePangJuanbarelyescapedbacktoWeitorecouphislosses.Sun

PinwouldlaterdefeathisnemesisPangJuanusinganotherclassicstrategy.


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KillwithaBorrowedSwordWhenyoudonothavethemeanstoattackyourenemydirectly,thenattackusingthestrengthof

another.Trickanally intoattackinghim,bribeanofficialtoturn traitor,orusetheenemy'sown

strengthagainsthim.


Chang Tuo defected from Western Zhou and went to Eastern Zhou where he revealed all of

WesternZhou'sstatesecrets.EasternZhourejoicedwhileWesternZhouwasfurious.MinisterFeng

Chu said to thekingofWesternZhou: "Icanassassinate thatman ifyourhighnesswillgiveme

thirtycattiesofgold."ThekingconsentedandthenextdayFengChusentanagenttotheEastern

ZhoucourtbearingthegoldandaletteraddressedtoChangTuo.Theletterread:`Thisistoremind

ChangTuothatyoumustcompleteyourmissionassoonaspossibleforthe longerthedelaythe

more likelyyouwillbe foundout.'Before the firstagentdeparted,FengChu then sentanother

agenttotheEasternZhouborderguardsinformingthemthataspywouldbecrossingtheborder

thatnight.Whenthesecondagentarrivedattheborderhewasstoppedandsearched.Theborder

guardsfoundthegoldandthelettertoChangTuoandturnedthemovertotheZhoucourtofficials

ShortlyafterwardsChangTuowasexecuted


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AwaittheExhaustedEnemyatYourEaseIt isanadvantagetochoosethetimeandplaceforbattle.Inthiswayyouknowwhenandwhere

thebattlewilltakeplace,whileyourenemydoesnot.Encourageyourenemytoexpendhisenergy

infutilequestswhileyouconserveyourstrength.Whenhe isexhaustedandconfused,youattack

withenergy

and

purpose.

ChineseFolkTale

The emperor Xuan of Zhou loved to gamble on cock fights and kept a stable of specially bred

fighting roosters.Although theywerestrongand fierce theywouldnevertheless loseagainst the

roosterstrainedbyJiXingZe.TheemperorthereforehiredJitotrainhisroosters.

Tendayshadpassedwhentheemperorwenttothestablestoaskiftheywerereadytofight.

"No."said

Ji,

"They

are

far

too

fierce

and

proud

of

their

strength.

They

rush

to

attack

even

the

slightestnoise."

Afteranothertendayspassedtheemperorreturnedtoenquireagain.

"Notyet.Theyarestillhaughtyandjumpateverythingthatmoves."

Afteranothertendaystheemperoragainaskedthequestion.

"No, stillnotyet.Although theyno longer rush toattack, they still raise theirhacklesand stare

fiercelyat

the

slightest

provocation."

Afteryetanothertendaystheemperoragainaskediftheroosterswereready.

"Yes, theyarenearly ready.Althoughsomestillcrow from time to time,noneeverchange their

countenance.Fromadistancetheyappearassteady is iftheyweremadeofwood.Beforethem

theiruntrainedopponentswouldnotdare accept their challenge and could only turn back and

run."


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LootaBurningHouseWhenacountryisbesetbyinternalconflicts,whendiseaseandfamineravagethepopulation,when

corruptionandcrimearerampant,thenitwillbeunabletodealwithanoutsidethreat.Thisisthe

timetoattack.


QiandHanwereallieswhenChangYiattackedHanwiththecombinedforcesofQinandWei.Han

askedQiforassistance.ThekingofQisaid:"HanisourallyandsinceQinhasattackedherwemust

gotoherrescue."ButhisministerTianchenSudisagreedsaying:"Yourmajesty'splanningisfaulty

YoushouldmerelyagreetoassistHanbuttakenoactionthere.However, inthekingdomofYan

theirkinghasrecentlyresignedthethronetohisdespisedprimeminister.Thishasenragedboth

thenoblehousesandthecommonpeoplecausingturmoilatcourt.Now ifQinattacksHan,Chu

andChaowillsurelycometoheraidandthiswillbeasgoodasheavenbestowingYanuponus."

The king approved and promised the Han envoy assistance before sending him back to Han

believing he had Qi's backing. When Qin attacked Han, Chu and Chao intervened as expected

While all the major kingdoms were thus engaged in the battle for Han, Qi quickly and quietly

attackedYan.WithinthirtydaysYanwascaptured.


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ClamorintheEast,AttackintheWestInanybattletheelementofsurprisecanprovideanoverwhelmingadvantage.Evenwhenfaceto

facewithanenemy,surprisecanstillbeemployedbyattackingwhereheleastexpectsit.Todothis

youmustcreateanexpectationintheenemy'smindthroughtheuseofafeint.

SongDynastyChina

Oncetherewasanofficialwhowastransferredtothecapital.Thefrontpartofthe innwherehe

stayedwasateahouse,andacrossthestreetwasashopthatsoldexpensivedyedsilks.Whenever

hehadnothingtodo,hewouldsitatatablewatchingthepeopleandactivityonthestreet.One

dayhenoticedwithsurprisethatseveralsuspiciouslookingcharacterswerewalkingbackandforth

observing the silk shop with great interest. One of them came up to his table andwhispered

"We'reintherobberybusinessandwe'reheretostealthosefinesilks.SinceyounoticedusIcame

toaskyounottomentionit."

"Thathasnothingtodowithme,"theofficialreplied."WhyshouldIsayanythingaboutit?"

The fellow thankedhimand lefthim.Theofficial thought tohimself: 'thesilkshophas itswares

openlydisplayedonabusystreet.Inbroaddaylight,withathousandeyeswatching, iftheyhave

theskilltostealthosesilks,thentheymustbesmartthieves indeed.'Sohewatchedcarefullyto

seehowtheywouldmanageit.Butwhathesawwasonlythesamepeoplewalkingbackandforth

infrontofthesilkshop.Sometimestheygatheredontheleft,sometimesontheright.Theofficia

satwatchinguntilaftersunsetwheneveryonehadgoneandtheshophadclosed."Thosefools."

saidtheofficialtohimself."Theywereputtingoneoveronme."Whenhereturnedtohisroomto

ordersomefood,hediscoveredthatallhisbelongingsweregone.


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II.STRATAGEMSFORCONFRONTATIONCreateSomethingFromNothingYouuse the samefeint twice.Having reacted to thefirstandoften the secondfeintaswell, the

enemywill

be

hesitant

to

react

to

athird

feint.

Therefore

the

third

feint

is

the

actual

attack

catching

yourenemywithhisguarddown.

TangDynastyChina

During theAn Lushan rebellion in756AD theTanggeneralChangShunwasundersiegeby the

forcesofgeneralLinghuChao.Outnumbered twentytoone, thedefendingTang forcessoonran

outofarrows.ToremedythisgeneralChangorderedhismentomakestrawdummiesandtodress

them in black uniforms. That night the dummies were lowered over the city walls by ropes

accompanied to the beat of war drums and gongs. General Linghu thought the enemy was

launchingasurprise

night

offensive

and

ordered

his

archers

to

shower

the

figures

descending

the

wallswitharrows.Once thedummieswhere riddledwitharrows theTang soldierspulled them

backupthewallsandthusrestoredtheirsupplyofarrows.

Thenextdaygeneral Linghu realizedhehadbeen trickedandattacked thewalls in revenge for

beinghumiliated.ThatnighttheTangagainloweredthedummiesbutGeneralLinghuorderedhis

mentoignorethembelievingitwasthesametricktogetmorearrows.WhengeneralChangsaw

thatnoonewasfiringatthestrawdummies,heorderedthat fivehundredofhisbesttroopsbe

lowered instead. They made a lightning raid on the encamped soldiers who were caught

completelybysurprise.ThesiegewasliftedandgeneralLinghu'sarmyfledthefield.


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OpenlyRepairTheWalkway,SecretlyMarchtoChencangAttacktheenemywithtwoconvergentforces.Thefirstisthedirectattack,onethatisobviousand

forwhichtheenemyprepareshisdefense.Thesecond isthe indirect,theattacksinister,thatthe

enemy does not expect andwhich causes him todividehisforces at the lastminute leading to

confusionand

disaster.

MuromachiPeriodJapan

In1560oneofJapan'sgreatestwarlords,OdaNobunaga,thenstillaminorcommander,marched

his forceof2,000mentostopthe incursionofarivalwarlord ImagawaYoshimoto.Eventhough

Nobunaga was outnumbered twelve to one he set out humming a tune. Nobunaga's scouts

reportedthatImagawawasrestinghistroopsatavillagethatwasnestlednearanarrowgorgethat

Nobunagaknewwouldbeidealforasurpriseattack.

Thescouts

further

reported

that

Imagawa's

troops

were

celebrating

and

viewing

the

heads

taken

in

apreviousbattle.Nobunagadevisedthefollowingploy.Hemadecampsomedistanceawayfrom

thevillage.Heplacednumerousflagsandhadstrawdummiesmadetogivetheimpressionthata

largehosthadarrived. Imagawa'sforcesthusexpectedanattacktocomefromthedirectionthe

enemycamp.MeanwhileNobunaga'stroopssecretlymadeaforcedmarchinawidecircleinorder

tocomeupfrombehindtheImagawaencampment.WeatherfavoredNobunaga'sschemeforlate

inthedaytherewasaheavydownpour.Takingadvantageofthefoulweather,Nobunaga'stroops

launched a sudden attack from the rear. So unexpected was this attack that Imagawa a first

thoughtthatabrawlhadbrokenoutamonghisowntroops.OnlywhenhesawtwoenemySamura

charging

towards

him

did

he

realize

he

was

under

attack.

The

realization

came

too

late

andImagawawasbeheadedandhistroopsscattered.Thebattlelastedonlyafewminutesbutitmade

OdaNobunaga'sreputationandhequicklyrouseinpoweruntilhebecameoneofJapan'sgreatest

warlords.


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ObservetheFireontheOppositeShoreDelay entering the field of battle until all the other players have become exhausted fighting

amongstthemselves.Thengoinfullstrengthandpickupthepieces.

HojoRegency

Japan

In1583thegreatgeneralToyotomiHideyoshiwaspositioninghisforcesagainstAkechiMitsuhide

inwhatwouldbethebattleofYamazaki.Shortlyafterthebattlehadengaged,TsetsuiJunkeian,an

allyofMitsuhidearrivedonthescene.ImpressedbythesuperiorforcesofHideyoshi,herefusedto

attackbutinsteadorderedhismentolineupinbattleformationonahillabovetheHoragatoge

passwherehecouldwatchthebattlebeforedecidingwhichgeneraltosidewith.SeeingHideyosh

gaining the advantage he betrayed his ally and sent his troops over to Hideyoshi's side. This

incidentwasnever forgottenandhenceforth the Japaneseequivalentof `Watching the fire...' is

knownas`TowaitatHoragatoge.'


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HideYourDaggerBehindaSmileCharmand ingratiateyourselftoyourenemy.Whenyouhavegainedhistrust,youmoveagainst

himinsecret.

WarringStates

Era

China

ThekingofWeisentabeautifulcourtesantothekingofChuwhotookgreatdelightinthenewgirl

Hisqueen,ZhengXiu,knowinghowfondthekingwasofhisnewwoman,treatedthenewcomeras

asistersupplyingherwithgiftsandtreasuresandwhateversheneeded.Thekinghearingofthis

summonedhisqueenandsaid:AAwomanservesamanwithherbeautyandthusjealousyisapart

ofher verynature. Yet you, knowinghowmuch thenewwomanpleasesme,have treatedher

morekindlythanIhavemyself.Theseactionsarethoseofachildtoherparentsoraministertohis

ruler,howunexpecteditistofindthisinaqueentoherhusband."Thequeenthusknewthather

husbanddidnotsuspectherofjealousy.Whenshenextmetwiththenewgirlthequeentoldher

"Hismajestyismuchtakenwithyourbeautybuthedislikestheshapeofyournose.Whennextyou

servehimbesuretocover itwithyourhand."Gratefulfortheadvice,whenshenextservedthe

kingthisiswhatshedid.

Thenextdaythekingaskedhisqueen:"Thenewwomancovershernosewhensheiswithme.Do

youknowwhy?"

"Iknow."repliedthequeen.

"Wellthennomatterhowunpleasantyoumusttellmethereason."

"Itseemsshedoesnotlikethewayyourmajestysmells."

"Theshrew!"criedtheking.

Inaragethekingorderedthattheunfortunategirl'snosebecutoff.


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SacrificethePlumTreeInPlaceofthePeachTherearecircumstancesinwhichyoumustsacrificeshorttermobjectivesinordertogainthelong

termgoal.This isthescapegoatstrategywherebysomeoneelsesufferstheconsequencessothat

therestdonot.

ThreeKingdomsPeriodChina

OnoneofhiscampaignsCaoCaowasrunningshortoffood.Heaskedhissupplysergeantwhathe

coulddo.Thesergeantsuggestedreducingtherationsbysecretlyusingasmallercuptoparcelout

therice.CaoCaopraisedthesergeantandgavehisconsenttousethesmallermeasuringcup.After

a fewdays thesoldiersbegan tocomplainandaccused theircommanderofcheating them.Cao

Caoagaincalledinthesupplysergeantandtoldhimthesituation.

"IwilldoanythingIcantohelpbutwhatwouldyouhavemedo?"askedthesergeant.

"I'm afraid I am going have to borrow your head." replied Cao Cao and he had the sergeant

decapitatedandhisheadstuckonatallpolewithabannerthatread"Caughtcheatingonsupplies

byusingasmallermeasuringcup."


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SeizetheOpportunityToLeadaSheepAwayWhile carrying out your plans be flexible enough to take advantage of any opportunity that

presentsitself,howeversmall,andavailyourselfofanyprofit,howeverslight.

YuanDynasty

China

DuringthefinaldaysoftheYuandynasty,rebellionhadbrokenoutthroughouttheempire.Initially

therewereseveralcontendersvyingtobethefirsttofoundanewdynastyontheimminentfallof

thehouseofYuan,but the fieldwasnarrowed to two;ChuYuanChangandChenYifu.The two

armiesmetatPoyangLakewhereanavalengagementwas to takeplace.GeneralChenhad the

advantageofbothtroopsandships.Hisshipswerelargeandsturdyandhehadthemlinedupside

tosideacrosstheentireexpanseofthe lake.He furthermorehadtheshipsjoinedtogetherwith

ironchainssoastocreatean impenetrablebarrier.GeneralChusenthisshipstoattackbutthey

were defeated having failed to break through the cordon. Fortunately for Chu the next day a

violent northwest gale began to blow. Since Chen's flotilla was situated downwind, Chu took

advantageof the situation to launch fireboatsagainst thebarrier.SoonChen's troopswere ina

frenzytosavetheirshipsfromboththerisingstormandthefire,whichwasfannedintoablazing

fiercenessbythewind.Takingadvantageofthepanicandconfusionthatensued,Chulaunchedhis

own fleet into theattackand theycompletelydefeatedChen's forces.Anarrow throughhiseye

killedGeneralChenwhilegeneralChubecamethefounderoftheMingDynasty.


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III.STRATAGEMSFORATTACKBeatTheGrassToStartleTheSnakeWhenyoucannotdetecttheopponent'splans launchadirect,butbrief,attackandobserveyour

opponentreactions.

His

behavior

will

reveal

his

strategy.

SongDynastyChina

One day, in the county of Jianzhou, there was a man who lost a precious object. The loca

magistrateChenShuku,was called in to investigate.Hequestioned severalpeople,butnoone

couldtellhimwhothethiefwas.SoMagistrateChenlaidatrapforthosehesuspected."Iknowof

atemple,"hetoldthem,"whosebellhasgreatspiritualpowerthatcantellathieffromanhonest

man.Sincemyinvestigationisatastandstillwemustemploythesupernaturalpowersofthebellto

solvethematter."Themagistratehadthebellbroughttothecourthouseanddisplayedintherear

chamber.Then

he

had

the

suspects

brought

in

to

testify

to

their

guilt

or

innocence.

He

explained

to

themthatifaninnocentmantouchedthebellitwouldremainsilent,but,ifaguiltymantouched

thebellitwouldringout.Afterlightingincenseandchantingprayers,themagistratehadcurtains

erectedaroundthebell.Previouslyhehadinstructedoneofhisassistantstosecretlysmearinkon

thebellafterthecurtainswereclosed.Eachsuspectwasthentoldtoplacehishandthroughthe

curtainand touch thebell.As theywithdrew theirhandsChenwouldexamine them.Everyone's

handswerestainedexceptthoseofoneman,whoconfessedtothetheft.Hedidnottouchthebel

forfearitwouldring.


17/39

BorrowaCorpsetoRaisetheSpiritTake an institution, a technology, or a method that has been forgotten or discarded and

appropriateitforyourownpurpose.Revivesomethingfromthepastbygivingitanewpurposeor

toreinterpretandbringtolifeoldideas,customs,andtraditions.

HanDynastyChina

WhentheemperorHuididiedin188BCheleftnoheir.Hismother,theempressLu,boughtachild

severalyearsbeforehisdeathandhadherdaughterinlawpretendthatitwasherown.Tocover

her tracks theempress had the boy's naturalmotherexecuted.After theemperor'sdeath, the

empresshadthisboyinstalledonthethronewithherselfasregent.However,withintwoyearsthe

boy,after learning thathis truemotherhadbeenexecuted,washeard tosay: "When Ibecome

emperor Iwill knowwhat todo."When theempress's spies reported thewords spokenby the

youngemperorshehadhimmurderedandanotherpuppetset inhisplace.Theempressruleda

prosperousempireforeightyearsthroughthesixsuccessivechildemperorsthatsheinstalledon

thethronebeforedyingofamysteriousillness.Rumorsaidherdeathwastheresultofacursefrom

oneofher latehusband'sconcubines,whowashorriblymutilatedandtorturedaccording to the

empress'sprecise instructions.TheempressLu isremembered inChinesehistoryasoneofthree

notorious`dragonladies'whohadseizedtheimperialthrone.


18/39

LuretheTigerDowntheMountainNeverdirectlyattackawellentrenchedopponent. Instead lurehimawayfromhisstrongholdand

separatehimfromhissourceofstrength.

ThreeKingdoms

Period

China

Intheyear199,SunCehadconsolidatedhisnewlyconqueredterritoriesinthesouthandhisnext

goalwas theprosperousareaofLujiang to thenorth.However,Lujianghadaprofessionalarmy

and was well defended. In addition it also had the advantage of terrain, being accessible only

througha coupleofeasilydefendedpasses.SunCe'sadvisors cautionedagainstmovingdirectly

againstsuchawellentrenchedandpowerfulstatesotheydevisedanotherscheme.SunCesentan

emissary ladenwithgiftsanda lettertothekingofLujiang,LiuXun.The letterpraisedtheKing's

militaryskillsandbegged forhisassistance.SunCewrote:"ForyearsthestateofShangliaohas

invaded my territory unhindered and carried away booty, yet we are too weak to launch a

retaliatory raid. IfYourMajestywouldattackShangliaowewouldgiveassistanceandyou could

annexthestateforyourself."Flatteredandcovetousofincreasinghisdomains,ThekingofLujiang

disregardedtheadviceofhiscounselorsandattackedthestateofShangliao.Severalweekslater

whilethekingofLujiangwasbusy layingsiegetoShangliao'scapital,SunCeattackedthealmost

undefendedLujiangandeasilyseizedthecapital.WithouttheexpectedsupportfromSunCe,The

kingofLujiangfailedtotakethecapitalofShangliaoandhereturnedonlytofindhisowncapita

alreadyinenemyhands.SunCenowhadtheadvantageoftheLujiangterrainandtheformerking

coulddonothingbutfleewithhisarmy.


19/39

ToCatchSomething,FirstLetItGoCorneredpreywilloftenmountafinaldesperateattack.Topreventthisyoulettheenemybelieve

hestillhasachanceforfreedom.Hiswilltofightisthusdampenedbyhisdesiretoescape.Whenin

the end the freedom is proven a falsehood the enemy's morale will be defeated and he wil

surrenderwithout

afight.

SixDynastiesPeriodChina

DuringtheSouthernSongperiod,generalTanDaoJilaunchedanattackagainstthenorthonbehalf

oftheemperor.Throughoutthecampaignheseizedcitiesanddestroyedfortifications,takingmore

thanfourthousandprisoners.Hisadvisorssuggestedthatheshouldexecutethemallanderecta

victorymoundwith thedead.TanDaoJi replied: "At this timewehaveattacked theguiltyand

consoledthepeople.Thearmyofatruekingtakestheuprightasitsposition,sowhyisitnecessary

toslaythepeople?"Hereleasedalltheprisonersandsentthembacktotheirhomes.Theseformer

prisonerstoldtheirkinsmenoftheircaptureandreleaseandofthefairtreatmenttheyreceivedat

the hands of general Tan. Thereupon the barbarians dwelling in the region were elated, and

wherevergeneralTan,wentagreatmanycameforwardtogivetheirallegiancetotheemperor.


20/39

TossOutABrickToAttractJadePrepareatrapthenlureyourenemyintothetrapbyusingbait.Inwarthebaitistheillusionofan

opportunityforgain.Inlifethebaitistheillusionofwealth,power,andsex.

WarringStates

Era

China

TheearlofZhiwaspreparingtoattackLesserWei.Toprepareforhisattackhepresentedtheking

ofWeiwithfourhundredmustangsandabeautifulwhitejadeBi.Thekingwasoverjoyedandhis

ministers all offered their congratulations,but oneminister,NanwenCi looked distressed. The

kingseeinghisdemeanorasked:"Thegreatstate isverypleasedwithus!Whythendoyou look

troubled?"Theministerreplied:"Onemustalwaysexaminethoroughlyarewardgivenfornomerit

anddeferenceshownwherenoforcehasbeenapplied.FourhundredmustangsandawhitejadeB

constitutethekindofgiftasmallstatemightgivewhenservingagreatone.But inthiscasethe

largerstatemakesthegift.Yourmajestyshouldponderthis."Asaprecaution,thekingofWeitold

hiscommanderoftheborderguardswhathisministerhadcautionedandorderedhistroopstobe

onfullalert.Shortlythereafter,astheminister intimated,theearlofZhiarrivedattheborderat

theheadof a large army.Butwhen theearl saw theborder guardsposted at full strength,he

retiredsaying:"Alas,thereareworthymeninWei,fortheyhaveanticipatedmyplans."


21/39

ToCatchtheBanditsFirstCaptureTheirLeaderIftheenemy'sarmy isstrongbut isalliedtothecommanderonlybymoneyorthreatsthen,take

aimat the leader. Ifthecommanderfallstherestof thearmywilldisperseorcomeovertoyour

side.If,however,theyarealliedtotheleaderthroughloyaltythenbeware,thearmycancontinue

tofight

on

after

his

death

out

of

vengeance.

SpringandAutumnPeriodChina

In 756 BC the rebel commander Yin Ziqi led an army to lay siege against the strategic city of

Suiyang.Thedefendingcommander,ZhangXun,noticedthatYinZiqioversawthesiegefromwel

outsidetherangeofthecity'sarchers.Hebelievedthatifhecouldtakeouttheleadertherebel's

moralewouldsinkandhewouldbeabletolaunchacounterattack.Hedevisedaplanwithhisbest

archers.Thenexttimetherebelsassailedthewalltheyweretoshootbackusingthebranchesof

trees.When Yin Ziqiheard that the defenderswere reduced to shootingwith branches he felt

certainthecitywasreadytobetaken.Beforethenextassaulthemovedinclosertobetteroversee

thefinalvictory.Ridingatophishorseheunknowinglycamewithinrangeofthearcherswhohad

saved their arrows forjust such a moment. One arrow hit Yin Ziqi in the left eye killing him

instantly.Thespectacleoftheircommander'sdeathinfrontofalmosttheentirerebelarmyserved

todemoralizethemtosuchanextentthattheydispersedthefield.


22/39

IV.STRATAGEMSFORCONFUSEDSITUATIONSStealTheFirewoodFromUnderthePotWhen faced with an enemy too powerful to engage directly you must first weaken him by

undermininghis

foundation

and

attacking

his

source

of

power.

LegendaryEraJapan

Japan'sancientheroYamatoTakeruwasoneoftheeightychildrenofemperorKeiko.Onedayhe

wassenttokillanotoriousoutlawwhowassuchanexpertswordsmanthatallwhohadgottenin

hiswaywerekilled.YamatoTakerudidnot intend toduelwith thebanditandpretended tobe

ignorantof theman's reputation inorder tobefriendhim.Theybecame suchgood friends that

they even went swimming together on a regular basis. When Yamato Takeru was assured the

banditharborednosuspicionshewasreadytoact.Onedaywhentheywentswimminghebrought

withhim

awooden

sword

that

he

hid

in

his

travel

kit.

They

were

in

the

habit

of

racing

each

other

aroundasmallislandbutthistimewhiletheywereracingTakeruletthebandittaketheleadand

oncehewasoutofsightbehindthe island,Takeruswambacktoshoreandquicklyreplacedthe

bandit'sswordwiththewoodenone.AftertheyhadgottendressedTakeruturnedtothebandit

andrevealedhistruepurpose.Thebanditimmediatelywentforhissword,butthewoodensword

hadbecomewedgedinthescabbard.Whilehewasstrugglingtodrawthewoodensword,Takeru

tookthebandit'sheadoffinasinglestroke.


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TroubleTheWaterToCatchTheFishBeforeengagingyourenemy'sforcescreateconfusiontoweakenhisperceptionandjudgment.Do

somethingunusual,strange,andunexpectedasthiswillarousetheenemy'ssuspicionanddisrupt

histhinking.Adistractedenemyisthusmorevulnerable.

SpringandAutumnPeriodChina

In632BC thearmiesof JinandChu facedeachotheratChengbubefore thebattleof thesame

name.Chu sentanenvoy to Jin requesting to fighta chariotduel thenextday towhich the Jin

ruler,DukeWen,agreed.InthemorningDukeWenclimbedtothetopofanobservationtowerand

lookingdownonhiscamp'spreparationssaid:AYoungandoldconductthemselvesaccordingto

ritual.Theyarefitforuse!"Hethenorderedhistroopstocutdowntreestobeusedaspartofan

unorthodox tactic.While the chariot duelwas underwayDukeWen launched a sudden cavalry

attackagainsttheChurightwingcausingittocollapsein.Atthesametimeastherightwasbeing

pushed into themainbody, the Jin troops in the center raised the retreatpennants andbegan

pullingback.Asthe Jintroopsretreatedtheydraggedbehindthemthe treestheyhadcutdown

earlierthatmorning.ThisraisedsuchadustcloudthattheChucommandersthoughttheJinwere

fleeinginpanicandeagerlygavechase.WhenthemainbodyoftheChuarmywasenvelopedinthe

cloudofdusttheywereunabletoseethattheJinforceshadsplitintotwodivisionsandhadturned

around.TheJinattackedinaclassicalpincermovementonbothoftheChuflanks.Theresultwasa

resounding defeat afterwhich the Chu generalwas ordered to commit suicide.DukeWen had

takenadvantageofthedistractionprovidedbythechariotduelto launchbothasurpriseattack

andaretreat,manipulatingtheChuforcesintoatrap.


24/39

ShedYourSkinLiketheGoldenCicadaWhenyouare indangerofbeingdefeated,andyouronlychance is toescapeand regroup, then

createanillusion.Whiletheenemy'sattentionisfocusedonthisartifice,secretlyremoveyourmen

leavingbehindonlythefacadeofyourpresence.


The warlord Cao Cao of Wei,was pursuing the fleeing army and population of Shu led by the

heroesofthePeachGrove,LiuPeiandChangFei.TheretreatingcolumncameupontheChangpan

bridgeovertheWeiriverwiththeenemyarmyonlyhoursbehind.Ontheoppositesideoftheriver

therewasheavy forest.ChangFeiturned tohisgeneralLiuPeiandsaid:"Thisbridge is theonly

crossingpointformilesandprovidesuswithanadvantage.Youtakethearmyandpeopleacross

whileIholdofftheWeiarmytogiveyouasmuchofa leadaspossible."AftertheShuarmyhad

crossedover,ChangFeisenthissmallgroupofcavalrymenacrossthebridgeintotheforestwhere

theytiedbranchestotheirhorsestailsandrodearoundincircles.ChangFeiremainedsittingonhis

chargerinthemiddleofthebridge.WhenthepursuingarmyofWeicameuponthesightofChang

Feialoneonthebridgetheystopped.CaoCaonoticedthehugedustcloudinthedistancebehind

thewoodsandsuspectedatrap.ChangFeiroaredoutachallengetotheWeiarmybutCaoCao

nowconvincedthiswasaruse,turnedhismenaroundtoretreat.ChangFeiseeingtheWeiarmy

turnaboutspurredhischargertowardstheWeiasthoughtoattackthemsinglehandedly.Thisso

unnervedtheWeiforcesthattheymadeamadscrambletoescapetheareaconvincedatrapwas

closingaroundthem.ThistrickboughtLuiPeiandChangFeienoughtimetoescapewiththeirmen

andregroupatChianling.


25/39

ShuttheDoortoCatchtheThiefIfyouhavethechancetocompletelycapturetheenemythenyoushoulddosotherebybringingthe

battleorwartoaquickandlastingconclusion.Toallowyourenemytoescapeplantstheseedsfor

futureconflict.Butiftheysucceedinescaping,bewaryofgivingchase.


In449BCthestateofWuhad invadedthestateofYueandcarriedoff itsdukeGuoJianholding

himprisonerforthreeyearsbeforereleasinghimbacktohiskingdom.WhenhereturnedGuoJian

planned his revenge. For seven years he ruled with benevolence and generosity making a

reputationasawiseandvirtuousruleruntilhefelthisloyalsubjectswerepreparedtoundergoany

hardship for him. He accordingly assembled his forces and attacked Wu gaining a decisive

victory.(SeeChapter5)ThekingofWuhadtofleebutitwouldonlybeamatteroftimebeforehe

wascaught.HesentambassadorstoGuoJianbeggingformercy.TheyremindedhimofhowWu

thoughshehadhimfirmlyinhergrasp,hadreleasedhimtoreturntohisstate.ThekingofWunow

asked tobegranted the same favor.Guo Jianwas contemplatinggranting thisappealwhenhis

prime minister Fan Li intervened and said: "When heaven gave the duke of Wu the grand

opportunityforgainingpowerhedidnottakeadvantageofitandsoheisafugitivetoday.Should

youfailtoacceptwhatfortunehasnowgivenyou,youmaybedrivenfromyourstate,andthenal

theyearsofhardshipsyouhavebournwillhavebeenendured invain."Thedukewasswayedby

theargumentandsenttheambassadorbackwiththemessagethathewouldnotgrantanymercy

WhenthekingofWureceivedthemessagehegaveupallhopeandcommittedsuicide.


26/39

BefriendaDistantEnemytoAttackOneNearbyIt is known that nations that border each other become enemies while nations separated by

distanceandobstaclesmakebetterallies.Whenyouare thestrongest inonefield,yourgreatest

threatisfromthesecondstrongestinyourfield,notthestrongestfromanotherfield.

HanDynastyChina

In110ADtheprovinceofHonanhadsufferedthroughdroughtsandfloods,theharvestswerepoor

and thepeoplestarving.Thecorruptgovernmentonlymademattersworseandsoon thewhole

provincewas inchaos.Thenumerousbandsofbanditsandrobbersthatroamedthecountryside

pillagingandterrorizingthepopulationthwartedanyhopeofbringinginoutsiderelief.Aprovincia

official by the name of YuHu was appointed full powers to try to restore some order to the

province.Whenhearrivedatthedistrictcapitalheissuedanoticethathewasgoingtoorganizeda

militaryforceandthathewaslookingforrecruits.Firsthepromisedapardonforpastcrimesand

immunity foranyonewhojoinedup.Thenheannounced thathewas looking formen for three

classesoftroops.Thefirstclassoftroopsweretoconsistofmenwhohadcommittedrobberyand

murder.Theywouldbethecommandersandreceivethehighestsalaries.Thesecondclasswould

consistofmenwhohadcommittedmere thievery.Theywouldreceive thenexthighestsalaries

Thethirdclasswouldconsistofmenwhohadjoinedtherobberbandssimplybecausetheywere

lazyandwished toavoid real labor.Theywouldbepaid the lowest salaries.Withina coupleof

weeks YuHu had over three hundred new recruits. When they had been issued uniforms and

weaponshehadthemparadedbeforehimandaddressedthemasfollows:"Yourpastdeedsare

nowforgivenandyouarefreefromprosecution.Butyoumuststillatoneforthecrimesyouhave

committedagainst

society.

To

do

this

you

must

now

go

out

and

hunt

down

all

your

past

colleagues

whohavenot answeredmy call." This theydid andwithin a year the fraternityofbanditswas

extinctandthecountrysidemadesafe.


27/39

BorrowtheRoadtoConquerGuoBorrowtheresourcesofanallytoattackacommonenemy.Oncetheenemyisdefeated,usethose

resourcestoturnontheallythatlentyoutheminthefirstplace.

Springand

Autumn

Period

China

ThesmallstatesofYuandGuoborderedthelargerstateofJin.DukeXianofJindesiredtoconquer

bothstates.Thisdesirewasnotunknownto thetwosmallerstatesandbothhad takenstepsto

defendtheirborderswithJin.Theduke'sgeneral,XunXi,suggestedtheymakearoundaboutattack

atGuo through thestateofYu tocatch thembysurprise.GeneralXunsuggested thatsince the

dukeofYuwasagreedymanhecouldbebribedwithgiftsofjadeandhorsesinexchangeforsafe

passagethroughhisterritory.DukeXianobjectedtotheideaofgivingawaysomuchtreasureand

asked:"WhatifthedukeofYuacceptsourgiftsbutrefusesuspassage?"butgeneralXunreplied

"Ifhedoesn't intend to letus through, thenhewouldn'taccept them,but ifhedoesaccept the

gifts,andhedoes letusthrough,then itwillonlymeanthatthetreasure isstoredtemporarily in

hisstorehouseratherthanours."

When the bribewas sent to the duke of Yu one of hisministers,Gong Ziqi, cautioned against

acceptingthemsaying:"YuistoGuo,likelipsaretoteeth.Ourancestorshadasaying;`Ifthelips

aregone, the teethwillbeexposed tocold'.ThatGuo isable toexistdependsonYuwhileYu's

ability tosurvivehingesonGuo. Ifwemakeway for Jin, then thedaywillseeGuoperish in the

morningtobe followedbyYu intheevening.Whyshouldweever letJinpass?"ThedukeofYu

however,refusedtolistentothisadvice.Jinwasgivensafepassageandsucceededinconquering

Guo.

On

their

way

back

they

stopped

to

conquered

Yu.

After

taking

the

Yu

capital

and

recoveringthe treasure,generalXun returned thejadeandhorses to theduke.DukeXianwaspleasedand

saidingoodhumor"Thejadeisuntouchedbutthehorsesseemtohavegainedsomemoreteeth!"


28/39

V.STRATAGEMSFORGAININGGROUNDReplaceTheBeamsWithRottenTimbersDisrupt the enemy'sformations, interferewith theirmethods of operations, change the rules in

whichthey

are

used

to

following,

go

contrary

to

their

standard

training.

In

this

way

you

remove

the

supportingpillar,thecommonlinkthatmakesagroupofmenaneffectivefightingforce.


In383emperorFuJianofQin,personally ledanadvanceguardof5,000horsestoattackthe Jin

generalXieShi.DiscoveringthattheJinforcesweregreaterthanheanticipated,theemperorhad

hisarmyformdefensivepositionsalongthebankoftheriver.TheJinarmieslikewiseencampedon

theoppositeside.Neithersidewishedtocrossfirstsince itwaswellknownthatanarmy ismost

vulnerablewhencrossingariver.GeneralShisentanenvoyacrosstheriverwithamessagethat

read:"My

lord,

your

army

has

entered

deeply

into

our

territory,

and

in

deploying

your

ranks

you

havecrowdedupontheriver.Thisistheplanforalengthystalemate.Doyoureallywanttofight?If

youwillorderyourmentowithdrawtoasafedistanceandallowustocrosswecanthenfight it

outandsettlethematterquickly."

Theemperoragreedtotherequest.Whenhisadvisorsobjected,emperorFuJiantoldthemthathe

plannedtoturnhisarmyaboutandattacktheJinafterhalftheirtroopshadcrossed.Butgenera

Xieanticipated theemperor's treacheryandsentscoutsdisguisedas imperial troops to infiltrate

theQinranks.Whentheemperororderedhisarmytopullback,thedisguisedJintroopsbeganto

incitepanicby spreading the rumor thatQinwaswithdrawing indefeatand that Jinwas inhot

pursuit.The retreatquickly turned intoa routas theQin troopsbroke formation toescape.The

emperor andhis generals raced frantically after the fleeing soldierswithwhips inhand to stop

them,buttonoavail.TheJinarmyquicklycrossedtheriverandpursuedtheQinforces inflicting

enormous casualties. The emperor was wounded and narrowly escaped. He was captured and

strangledafewweekslater.


29/39

PointAtTheMulberryButCurseTheLocustTreeTo discipline, control, or warn others whose status or position excludes them from direct

confrontation;useanalogyand innuendo.Withoutdirectlynamingnames, thoseaccused cannot

retaliatewithoutrevealingtheircomplicity.

HanDynastyChina

After Gaozu had become Emperor he invested many of his followers. One day while he was

strollingalongthebalconyofhispalacehenoticedseveralministersmillingaboutbelowspeaking

inhushedtones."Whataretheytalkingabout?"heaskedhisadvisorChangLiang."Yourmajesty

doesnotknow?Theyareplottingarevolt."

"Butpeacehasbeenrestoredtotheempire.Whyshouldtheybeplanningarevolt?"

"Whenyour

majesty

rose

from

among

the

common

people,

it

was

through

these

men

that

you

seized control of the empire. You have become the Son ofHeaven, but thosewhom you have

investedhaveallbeenclosefriendsfromtheolddays.Nowtheseyoungerofficersofyourarmy

reckoningupthemeritstheyhavewon,believethatthereisnotsufficientlandinthewholeempire

toinvestthemall.Sosomeofthemfeartheywillnotreceivetheirjustallotment.Thereforethey

plotrebellion."

"WhatshouldIdo?"askedtheEmperor

"Amongallyourfollowerswhomdoyoudislikethemost?"

"YongChiandIareancientenemies,"repliedtheEmperor.

"YoumusthurryandinvestYongChibeforeanyoneelse,andmakeknownwhatyouhavedoneto

yourotherfollowers.WhentheyseeYongChihasbeeninvested,theywillallfeelassuredoftheir

ownrewards."saidChiang

The emperor agreedandheld a feasthonoring YongChiwith lands and titles.When theother

ministersleftthebanquettheysaidtoeachotherhappily,"IfevenYongChicanbecomeamarquis

therestofushavenothingtoworryabout!"


30/39

FeignMadnessButKeepYourBalanceHidebehind themaskofafool,adrunk,oramadmantocreateconfusionaboutyour intentions

and motivations. Lure your opponent into underestimating your ability until, overconfident, he

dropshisguard.Thenyoumayattack.

SuiDynastyChina

DuringthefinalyearsofEmperorYangoftheSuiDynastythereappearedaballadthatforetoldthe

fall of the house of Sui and the ascent of a man named Li as emperor. The ballad became

immenselypopularamongthedisaffectedsubjectsofEmperorYang'sinfamousrule.Theemperor

being superstitious andbelieving in theprophecyhimself, began a campaign to searchout and

executeanyoneofimportancewiththesurnameLi.Hehadnumerousministersandofficialsalong

withtheirentirefamiliesputtothesword.Aminorofficialwhosenamewas,LiYuan,wasserving

as superintendent in the provinces when he was summoned to the court. Li Yuan delayed

appearingincourtbyclaimingpoorhealth.LiYuanhadaniecewhowasapalacemaidandoneday

theemperoraskedherwhereheruncleLihasbeen.The lady replied thatherunclewas ill.The

emperorsaid:"Iwonderifheiscourtingdeath?"WhenLiYuanheardthishewascertainthatifhe

obeyed the summons to court he would never return. Thereupon he feigned madness and

pretended tobecome an incorrigibledrunk.When the imperial spies reported Li'sbehavior the

emperorthoughtthatamadmencouldneverfulfilltheprophesyandwasnolongersuspiciousof

Li.Surprisingly,twoyears latertheSuiemperorplacedLi inchargeofafieldarmytodefendthe

empireagainstbarbarianincursions.Lifoughtbravely,wontherespectofhistroops,marchedon

thecapital,andwentontofoundtheillustriousTangdynastythusfulfillingtheprophecy.


31/39

LureYourEnemyOntotheRoof,ThenTakeAwaytheLadderWith baits and deceptions lure your enemy into treacherous terrain. Then cut off his lines of

communicationandavenueofescape.Tosavehimselfhemustfightbothyourownforcesandthe

elementsofnature.

HanDynastyChina

AfterdefeatingtherebelkingdomofWei,thefamousHangeneralHanXinwassenttoquellthe

othertwokingdomsthathadrevolted,QiandChu.GeneralHansetouttowardsQibutChusentits

generalLongChuwithaforceoftwohundredthousandmentointerceptHan'sinvasionofQi.The

twoarmiesmetonoppositesidesoftheWeiriver.GeneralHanorderedhismento filloverten

thousandsandbagsandcarrythemuprivertodamtheflowofwater.ThenextmorningGenera

Han led his army across the lowered river and attacked Chu, but after a short engagement

pretendeddefeatandfledbackacrosstheriver.GeneralLongannounced,"SeeIalwaysknewHan

Xinwasacoward!"andhe ledhisarmyacrosstheriver inpursuit.Throughaprearrangedsignal

GeneralHanhadhismenbreakthedamandfreethepentupwaters.OnlyhalfoftheChuarmy

was across the river when the flood cut the army in half drowning those caught midstream

GeneralHan thenwheeledaroundhis retreating forcesandattacked theadvanceguardofChu

killing its general Long Chu. The remaining troops panicked and fled in all directions but were

capturedbythepursuingHansoldiers.


32/39

TieSilkBlossomstotheDeadTreeTying silkblossomsonadead treegives the illusion that the tree ishealthy.Through theuseof

artificeanddisguisemakesomethingofnovalueappearvaluable;ofnothreatappeardangerous;

ofnouse,useful.


DuringthefinalyearsoftheThreeKingdoms,SumaYanusurpedthethroneofWei,madehimself

king,andchangedthenameofthekingdomfromWeitoJin.Newsofthisreachedtheneighboring

kingofWuwhoknewthathiskingdomwouldbethenextlikelytargetoftheambitiousSuma.He

worried somuch thathedied severaldays later.SunHao then inherited the throneofWuand

immediately took topleasureandviceneglecting stateaffairs.Over thenext fewyears thenew

kingofWugrew increasinglyparanoidandhaddozensofhisadvisorsandcommandersandtheir

entire familiesexecutedontheslightestsuspicionandasa resulthewaswidelyreviled.Hearing

thatthepeopleofWudespisedtheirking,Sumaorderedanavalattack ledbycommanderWang

Chun.ThekingofWuhadnoideaofwhattodoagainsttheimpendingnavalattack.Heconvened

whatremainedofhiscouncilandoneadvisorrecommendedstringingabamboobarrieracrossthe

river toprevent the fleet from reaching theWu capitalof JianYeh.The king agreedandheavy

bamboocordsweremadeandstrungjustbelowthesurface.WhenCommanderWangheardabout

thebarrierhelaughed.Heorderedhismentobuildhugeraftsfromtimbersonwhichwereerected

strawdummiesdressedinarmorandholdingweapons.Thedummiesweresoakedinoilandatrip

mechanismwasattached thatwould ignite thedummieswhen the rafts struck thebarrier.The

raftsburnedthroughthebambooandcontinuedondownstreamtotheWucapital.Thespectacle

ofafleet

of

rafts

full

of

burning

men

so

frightened

the

Wu

troops

that

they

fled

in

terror.

Suma

capturedWuandwentontofoundtheshortlivedJindynasty.


33/39

ExchangetheRoleofGuestforthatofHostDefeat the enemyfromwithinby infiltrating the enemy's camp under theguise of cooperation,

surrender,orpeacetreaties.Inthiswayyoucandiscoverhisweaknessandthen,whentheenemy's

guardisrelaxed,strikedirectlyatthesourceofhisstrength.

JapaneseFolkTale

InfeudalJapantherelivedavenerableKendomasterwhodecidedtotesthisthreehighestranking

students.Hebroughtthemonebyonetoanoldtemple inthenearbymountainswherehetold

eachstudentthefollowing:"Youhavestudiedwithmemanyyears,nowletsseeifmyteachinghas

beeninvain.Therewithinthetempleawaitsyourtest,passandyouwillhavegraduated."

WithinthedimlylittempletheMasterhadhiddenfourSamuraiarmedwithclubsandinstructions

tojumpanyonewhoenteredthetemple.Thefirststudententeredthetempleandbeforehiseyes

couldadjust

to

the

light,

was

surprised

and

beaten

by

the

Samurai."I

am

sorry,

you

have

failed."

Saidthemaster.

Thesecondstudententeredthetempleandsensedtheattackers.Hewasabletodeftlyevadetheir

attackanddefeat them.The student cameoutof the temple triumphant,butagain themaster

said,"Iamsorry,youhavefailed'

Finallythethirdstudentwasbroughttothetempleandtoldaboutthetest.Thestudentreplied

"But venerablemaster, protocol dictates thatwhen entering a temple themastermust always

precede the student, so if youplease, I shall follow you in." Towhich themaster replied, "You

rascal,youhavelearnedallIcanteachyou."


34/39

VI.STRATAGEMSFORDESPERATESITUATIONSTheStrategyofBeautifulWomenSend yourenemybeautifulwomen to causediscordwithinhis camp. This strategy canworkon

threelevels.

First,

the

ruler

becomes

so

enamored

with

the

beauty

that

he

neglects

his

duties

and

allowshisvigilancetowane.Second,othermalesatcourtwillbegintodisplayaggressivebehavior

thatinflamesminordifferenceshinderingcooperationanddestroyingmorale.Third,otherfemales

atcourt,motivatedbyjealousyandenvy,begintoplotintriguesfurtherexasperatingthesituation.

HanDynastyChina

In 199 BC the Han emperor, Gaozu personally led his army against the invading Xiongnu. The

emperor,however,wasnomatchagainst thecunningtribesmenandhewas led intoa trapand

sufferedseriouscasualties. (Seechapter15)Heandhis remaining forces retreated to thecityof

Pingchengfor

refuge

but

were

surrounded

by

some

300,000

horsemen.

There

the

emperor

remained surrounded for seven days with no possibility of bringing in either provisions or

reinforcements.Theemperorthoughtherewasnothinglefttodobutsurrenderwhenhisadvisor

Chen Ping, came up with another strategy. Chen had a painting made of a beautiful Chinese

princessthathesecretlydeliveredtothewifeoftheXiongnucommander.Alongwiththepainting

hesentamessagethatread:`MyEmperorintendstosurrendertoyourhusbandandsotowinhis

favorheissendinghimapresentofoneofChina'sfamousbeautiestobehisconcubine.'Whenthe

Xiongnucommander'swifesawthepaintingandreadthenoteshewasmadwithjealousy.Fearing

thatsuchabeautifulrivalwouldstealherhusband'saffections,shepersuadedherhusbandtolift

the

siege

and

return

home.

The

next

morning

when

the

emperor

awoke

he

discovered

the

Xiongnuhadleftandhewasabletoreturnsafelytohiscapital.


35/39

TheStrategyofOpenCityGatesWhentheenemyissuperiorinnumbersandyoursituationissuchthatyouexpecttobeoverrunat

anymoment, thendropallpretenceofmilitarypreparednessandactcasually.Unless theenemy

hasanaccuratedescriptionofyoursituationthisunusualbehaviorwillarousesuspicions.Withluck

hewill

be

dissuaded

from

attacking.


In149BC,thefamousstrategistKongMingofShu,launchedanattackagainstthestateofWeiby

sendinganadvanceforcetoscoutfortheenemy.LeadingthearmyofWeiwasSumaIwhoalso

sentanadvanceforceoffiftythousandtroops.Thetwovanguardsmetandengagedinbattlebut

theWeiforcesweresuperiorandwontheday.ThedefeatedShuvanguardracedbacktothemain

bodyofKongMing'sarmywhose troops,seeing the lookof fear in the facesof theircomrades

thoughtthattheenemywasuponthemandfledinpanic.KongMingandafewbodyguardsfledto

thecityofYangpingwith theWeiarmy inhotpursuit.Vastlyoutnumberedandunable toeither

retreat or sustain a siege, Kong Ming played a last resort strategy that made him famous

throughoutChina.Heremovedalltheguardsandbattleflagsfromthewallsandhadallfourofthe

city gates flung open. When SumaI approached the city he could see only a few old men

nonchalantly sweeping the groundswithin the gates. KongMingwas seen sitting in one of the

towerssmilingandplayinghis lute.SumaIremarkedtohisadvisors:"Thatmanseemstobetoo

happyformycomfort.Doubtlesshehassomedeeplaidschemeinmindtobringusalltodisaster."

As they stood spell bound, the strains of Kong Ming's lute reached their ears and this only

heightened their sense of foreboding. Such peculiar behaviorwas too suspicious and, fearing a

clevertrap,

Suma

Iturned

his

army

back

and

retreated.

After

the

army

left

Kong

Ming

and

his

remaining troops departed in the opposite direction and made their way safely back to their

capital.


36/39

TheStrategyofSowingDiscordUndermineyourenemy'sability tofightbysecretlycausingdiscordbetweenhimandhisfriends,

allies, advisors,family, commanders, soldiers, andpopulation. While he ispreoccupied settling

internaldisputeshisabilitytoattackordefend,iscompromised.


In the laterWeidynasty, theemperor TaiWu ledahundred thousand troops against the Song

generalZangZhi.Theemperor,withhis superior forces, chasedgeneralZhang to the cityofYu

wherehewascornered.Thecitywasstronglyfortifiedandsotheemperorplannedtosurroundit

andstarvethedefendersintosurrender.Feelingconfidentofhisposition,theemperorsentacart

carryingalargejarofwinetothecitygatewiththemessageaskingforthetraditionalexchangeof

winebeforecommencinghissiegeof thecity.ZangZhiknew thatheneeded to fightadecisive

battle quickly, or suffer defeat, saw this as an opportunity.He sent some soldiers to gratefully

accept thejarofwineand in turndeliveranother largejarsealedwith thewinemaker'sstamp

Whenacupofthiswinewaspouredfortheemperoritwasdiscoveredtobeurine.Thiscausedthe

emperor a humiliating loss of face before his own troops and in a rage ordered an immediate

assaultonthecity.Thedefenderswerewellpreparedandthebodiesoftheslain imperialtroops

piledupnearlytothetopoftheramparts.Inhishasteandangertheemperorlosthalfhisforces.


37/39

TheStrategyofInjuringYourselfPretendingtobeinjuredhastwopossibleapplications.Inthefirst,theenemyislulledintorelaxing

his guard since he no longer considers you to be an immediate threat. The second is away of

ingratiatingyourselftoyourenemybypretendingtheinjurywascausedbyamutualenemy.

EdoPeriodJapan

DuringtheTokugawaperiod,KaeiJuzoaformerspyhadcomeundersuspicionandwasindanger

ofbeingassassinated.Itturnedoutthatthemansenttokillhimwasaformeracquaintancecalled

Tonbe.Notwishing tokillhisold friend,Tonbeand Juzoworkedout the classicployas follows

Tonbebrought JuzobackasaprisonertotheShogun. JuzobeggedtheShoguntoallowhimone

lastdignity,permissiontocommitHarakiri.TheShogun,curioustoseethenotoriousspy'sbravery

indeath,allowedhimthatprivilege.Juzowasgivenatanto(dagger)thatheplungedintohisbelly

and, cutting sideways, spilled his intestines onto the ground before falling over. The guards

removedthebodyandthrewitinthecastle'smoat.AshorttimelaterJuzoquietlyswumtoshore

and escaped the district. Knowing that his warrior's reputation would merit him the right of

committingHarakiri,Juzohadstrappedadeadfoxacrosshisabdomen,whenthefox's intestines

spilledoutitwasindistinguishablefromhumanintestines.


38/39

TheTacticofCombiningTacticsInimportantmattersoneshoulduseseveralstrategiesappliedsimultaneously.Keepdifferentplans

operatinginanoverallscheme;inthismannerifanyonestrategyfailsyouwouldstillhavesevera

otherstofallbackon.


In284BCthestateofYanattackedanddefeatedQi.TheremainingQiforcesunderthecommand

ofTienTanfledtothecityofJiMoforalaststand.First,TienTanhadthewomenfolklinethecity

wallsandbeg forapeacefulsurrenderwhilehesentgoldand treasurecollected from thecity's

wealthiestcitizenstogeneralQiChewithanoteaskingthatthewomenandchildrenbesparedin

returnforthepeacefulsurrenderofthecity.TheseeventsconvincedQiChethatthecitywastruly

about tocapitulateandheallowedhis troops to relax theirguard.After thiscarefulpreparation

TienTan felt thetimewasrightto launchhiscounterattack.Firsthehadthecitizensofthecity

gatherwithdrumsandcookingpotsand instructed them thatonasignal theywere tomakeas

muchnoiseaspossible.He thenhadbreachesmadealongthecitywalls from the inside.Nexta

herdofcattlewaspaintedinbizarrepatternsandknivesandsicklestiedtotheirhornsandtorches

tiedtotheirtails.Justbeforedaylightthreeeventsoccurredinrapidsuccession.Thecitizenswithin

thecitystruckupacacophonyofnoisethatstartledthesleepingYantroops.Thenthetorcheson

thetailsofthecattlewerelitandtheywerereleasedthroughthebreachesinthewall.Theenraged

animalsranmadlyabouttheYencampkillingstunnedtroopswiththeirhornsandsetting fireto

tentswiththeirtails.ThenQi'scracktroopsrushedoutfromthegatestoattackthenowterrified

and utterly confused troops. Tien Tan defeated the Yan army and went on to take more than

seventycities.


39/39

IfAllElseFailsRetreatIfitbecomesobviousthatyourcurrentcourseofactionwillleadtodefeatthenretreatandregroup.

MingDynastyChina

TheMingemperorHweiTi,haddisposedofallhisunclesexceptonewhofeignedmadness.(See

chapter27)Thisveryuncle,theprinceofYan,in1403ledahugearmytothecapitalofNankingto

seizethethrone.Thecitywassurroundedandtheemperorconsideredcommittingsuicidewhen

hewasstoppedbyaeunuchwhotoldhimthathisgrandfather,theemperorHongWu,hadlefta

chest inhiscarewithorders thatshouldanygreatcrisisoccur to threaten thedynasty then the

reigningemperorshouldopenthechest.

"Letusopenitatoncethen,"saidtheemperor,"andseewhatmyfatherwoulddowerehehere

now." When the lidwas lifted the boxwas found to contain the robes of a Buddhistmonk, a

diploma,arazor,

and

ten

ingots

of

silver.

The

emperor

understood

the

meaning

at

once

and

with

a

handful of attendants fled the palace through a secret tunnel to a Buddhist temple. There he

shavedhisheadandputontherobes.HemadehiswayoutofthecityandallthewaytoSichuan

provincewherehelivedinobscurityinaremotemonastery.

Meanwhilethepalacehadburneddownduringthefightinganditwasassumedthattheempero

haddiedinthefire.FortyyearslaterduringthereinofemperorYingTsung(thefourthsinceHwe

Ti's time)anoldBuddhistpriestarrivedat courtand claimed tobe theoldemperorHweiTi. It

turnedoutthemanwasan imposterbutarumorbeganthatHweiTiwasstillalive.Toquellthe

rumorsandsettletheissue,anofficialinvestigationwasmadewhichdiscoveredthatHweiTiwas

indeedstillalive livingasaBuddhistpriest.Theoldemperorwas invitedbacktothecapitalwith

greatceremonyandhelivedouthislastdaysasaguestinthepalace.However,hewaskeptunder

awatchfuleye.

Documents

36 Strategems for Military