Chapter 2 – Stratagems of Opportunity
7. Create Something from Nothing
Using a small deception to deceive the enemy; this deception would then grow bigger and eventually becomes a fact.
用假象欺骗敌人，但不是弄假到底，而是巧妙地由虚变实。也就是说开始用小的假象，继而用大的假象，最后假象变成真相。
In 755 AD, during the Tang Dynasty, military governor An Lu Shan revolted against the Emperor: this was the infamous An Shi rebellion. Under An Lu Shan's command was General Ling Hu Chao, who led an army and besieged the city of Yong Qiu. Defending the city against the rebels was General Zhang Xun, who had only a small troop and limited weapons. Zhang Xun ordered his soldiers to make many dummies of straw, each the size of a man and dress them in black. They then fastened them with ropes and lowered them down the outside of the city walls in the night. When Ling Hu Chao's army saw the straw dummies, they thought the enemies were scaling down the wall and immediately unleashed a volley of arrows upon them.
By the time Ling Hu Chao's army realized that it was a ruse, they had already “given” thousands of arrows away. Subsequently, General Zhang Xun commanded 500 real soldiers to scale down the city walls during the night. Ling Hu Chao's army ignored the move, thinking that Zhang Xun was up to his old tricks. The 500 soldiers stormed into Ling's camp, setting the tents on fire, creating chaos and panic. Ling Hu Chao's army was then bitterly defeated.
唐朝安史之乱时，许多地方官吏纷纷投靠安禄山、史思明。唐将张巡忠于唐室，不肯投敌。他率领二三千人的军队守孤城雍丘（今河南杞县）。安禄山派降将令狐潮率四万人马围攻雍丘城。敌众我寡，张巡虽取得几次突击出城袭击的小胜，但无奈城中箭只越来越少，赶造不及。无有箭只，很难抵挡敌军攻城。张巡想起三国时诸葛亮草船借箭的故事，心生一计。急命军中搜集秸草，扎成千余个草人，将草人披上黑衣，夜晚用绳子慢慢往城下吊。夜幕之中，令狐潮以为张巡又要乘夜出兵偷袭，急命部队万箭齐发，急如骤雨。张巡轻而易举获敌箭数十万支。令狐潮天明后，知已中计，气急败坏，后悔不迭。第二天夜晚，张巡又从城上往下吊草人。贼众见状。哈哈大笑。张巡见敌人已被麻痹，就迅速吊下五百名勇士，敌兵仍不在意。五百勇士在夜幕掩护下，迅速潜入敌营，打得令狐潮措手不及，营中大乱。张巡乘此机会，率部冲出城来，杀得分狐潮大败而逃，损兵折将，只得退守陈留（今开封东南）。张巡巧用无中生有之计保住了雍丘城。
8. Use the Secret Chen Chang Passage
Intentionally expose movements, so as to lure the enemy to defend certain positions. Then make a detour to the rear of the enemy and attack, taking him by surprise.
故意暴露我方的行动，以牵制敌方在某地集结固守，然后我方迂回到敌人后面发动攻击，攻其不备，出其不意。
In 200 BC, before Liu Bang became the Emperor of China and founded the Han Dynasty, he was once under the control of Xiang Yu and had to retreat to Han Zhong. Later, Liu Bang managed to break free from Xiang Yu's control and led troops into Si Chuan. To strengthen his defenses against Liu Bang, Xiang Yu deployed General Zhang Han, a former Qin General, and his troops to monitor Liu Bang's movement. Liu Bang's army was stationed at a place call Shu, surrounded by steep mountains. The main route out of Shu was through wooden bridges. Under the advice of General Zhang Liang, Liu Bang ordered that all the wooden bridges be burnt. They did this to prevent an attack from Xiang Yu and also to assuage Xiang Yu's fear that he would ever return to take his place.
In the days that followed, Liu Bang appointed Han Xin as his general and began preparing his army for retaliation against Xiang Yu. Just before they were ready to retaliate, Liu Bang ordered soldiers to prepare the burnt bridges. Xiang Yu's general, Zhang Han who had stationed his troops on the other side was aware of the movements. So, while the wooden bridges were gradually restored, Zhang Han got ready for the attack from Liu Bang's troops. However, there was no sign that Liu Bang's army was charging forward through the almost completed bridges.
General Zhang Han became suspicious and ordered some men to spy on Liu Bang's camp. The men brought back bad news for Zhang Han. Liu Bang had left with all his men, leaving behind empty tents. The truth was finally out. Liu Bang had used the restoring work as a decoy, so that General Zhang Han would not suspect his main intention. Liu Bang had led his main force secretly out of Shu via a small road to Chen Cang, opposite where General Zhang Han was stationed. Liu Bang's army then launched a surprise attack and defeated Zhang Han's army.
此计是汉大将军韩信创造。”明修栈道，暗渡陈仓”是古代战争史上的著名成功战例。
秦朝末年，政治腐败，群雄并起，纷纷反秦。刘邦的部队首先进入关中，攻进咸阳。势力强大的项羽进入关中后，逼迫刘邦退出关中。鸿门宴上，刘邦险些丧命。刘邦此次脱险后，只得率部退驻汉中。为了麻痹项羽，刘邦退走时，将汉中通往关中的栈道全部烧毁，表示不再返回关中。其实刘邦一天也没有忘记一定要击败项羽，争夺天下。公元前206年，已逐步强大起来的刘邦，派大将军韩信出兵东征。出征之前，韩信派了许多士兵去修复已被烧毁的栈道，摆出要从原路杀回的架势。关中守军闻讯，密切注视修复栈道的进展情况，并派主力部队在这条路线各个关日要塞加紧防范，阻拦汉军进攻。
韩信”明修栈道”的行动，果然奏效，由于吸引了敌军注意力，把敌军的主力引诱到了栈道一线，韩信立即派大军绕道到陈仓（今陕西宝鸡县东）发动突然袭击，一举打败章邯，平定三秦，为刘邦统一中原迈出了决定性的一步。
9. Observe the Fire from the Other Side of the River
When the enemy has internal disputes, and is agitated, we should monitor their movements. When the dispute has aggravated to the point where they are infighting, we should use the opportunity to deal a heavy blow.
在敌人内部冲突激化、分崩离析之时，我方应等待地方形势的恶化。届时，敌人横暴凶残，相互厮杀，必将自取灭亡。我方顺应其势，见机行事，坐收渔利。
During the period of the Three Kingdoms, around 200 AD, the major forces in the region were divided between Yuan Shao and Cao Cao. When Yuan Shao died, his wife, Liu, divided his kingdom among his three sons, Yuan Tan, Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang. As Yuan Shang was borne by Liu, she gave him the power to control the important cities. The eldest son, Yuan Tan, was unhappy and contemplated staging a war against his brother. He decided against this idea, only for fear that Cao Cao might take advantage of the situation to conquer them. Nevertheless, the animosity amongst the brothers persisted.
Three years later, a fierce battle broke out between Cao Cao and the Yuan brothers, and the Yuan brothers were badly defeated and managed to escape to Liao Dong, under Gongsun Kang. Cao Cao's general asked Cao Cao to ride the winning momentum to annexed Liao Dong, and capture the Yuan brothers, which at this moment left only Yuan Shang and Yuan Xi. Cao Cao laughed and said, “There is no need to pursue them. Gongsun Kang will bring their heads to me.” With that he ordered the troops to head back home.
Now Gongsun Kang had always been suspicious of the Yuan family because of their ambition to capture Liao Dong. Now the two Yuan brothers sought refuge under him because they had no choice. Gongsun Kang thought that if he took the two Yuan brothers under him, there would be no guarantee they will not rebel against him. Moreover, taking the two Yuan brothers under him, he would definitely incur the wrath of Cao Cao, who was more powerful than him. The only use of these two Yuan brothers to Gongsun Kang would be when Cao Cao came to attack him. But on hearing that Cao Cao had returned with his troops to Xu Chang and had no intention to attack him, he realized that keeping the two brothers was meaningless, and would bring more harm than benefit. In the end, Gongsun Kang ambushed the two brothers, beheaded
them and presented their heads to Cao Cao.
东汉末年，袁绍兵败身亡，几个儿子为争夺权力互相争斗，曹操决定击败袁氏兄弟。袁尚、袁熙兄弟投奔乌桓，曹操向乌桓进兵，击败乌既，袁氏兄弟又去投奔辽东太守公孙康。曹营诸将向曹操进君，要一鼓作气，平服辽东，捉拿二袁。曹操哈哈大笑说，你等勿动，公孙康自会将二袁的头送上门来的。于是下令班师，转回许昌，静观辽东局势。
公孙康听说二袁归降，心有疑虑。袁家父子一向都有夺取辽东的野心，现在二袁兵败，如丧家之犬，无处存身，投奔辽东实为迫不得已。公孙康如收留二袁，必有后患，再者，收容二袁，肯定得罪势力强大的曹操。但他又考虑，如果曹操进攻辽东，只得收留二袁，共同抵御曹操。当他探听到曹操已经转回许昌，并无进攻辽东之意时，认为收容二袁有害无益。于是预设伏兵，召见二袁，一举擒拿，割下首级，派人送到曹操营中。曹操笑着对众将说，公孙康向来俱怕袁氏吞并他，二袁上门，必定猜疑，如果我们急于用兵，反会促成他们合力抗拒。我们退兵，他们肯定会自相火并。看看结果，果然不出我料。
10. Sheath a Dagger in a Smile
Show a friendly stance to the enemy, so that they will let down their guard against you. Meanwhile, prepare yourself for battle and take extreme care not to let your enemy know your true intention.
设法让敌方相信我方是善意友好的，从而对我方降低戒备。我方则暗中策划，积极准备，见机行事，不要让对方有所察觉而采取应变措施。是一种暗藏杀机、外表示柔的计策。
During the Warring States Period, the State of Qin wanted to expand their territories, so they sent out an army to attack the State of Wei, being led by General Gongsun Yang. They came to the Wu City which was very difficult to attack because of the terrain and strong fortresses. Gongsun Yang was thinking very hard about how to capture the city given all the difficulties until he got the information that the person leading the defense of the city was Gongzi Xing, a friend of his. Delighted, he sent a letter to Gongzi Xing, indicating that he actually wished for a truce on account of their friendship. In the letter, Gongsun Yang also indicated a time and venue to discuss the truce. After the letter was sent out, Gongsun Yang asked his troops to pose a retreating stance. On seeing that the Qin troops were retreating, Gongzi Xing agreed to the meeting to discuss the truce.
On the day of discussion, Gongzi Xing brought with him 300 men to the venue. On seeing that Gongsun Yang brought fewer men and were also unarmed, Gongzi Xing strongly believed that Gongsun Yang sincerely wanted a truce. The discussion was carried out in an amiable atmosphere. After the discussion, Gongsun Yang threw a feast for Gongzi Xing. But before Gongzi Xing could sit down, Qin troops came out from everywhere and had Gongzi Xing and his men surrounded and captured. Gongsun Yang later used the captured soldiers to trick those who were defending Wu city to open the city gates. In the end, Gongsun Yang managed to capture the Wu city.
战国时期，秦国为了对外扩张，必须夺取地势险要的黄河崤山一带，派公孙鞅为大将，率兵攻打魏国。公孙鞅大军直抵魏国吴城城下。这吴城原是魏国名将吴起苦心经营之地，地势险要，工事坚固，正面进攻恐难奏效。公孙鞍苦苦思索攻城之计。他探到魏国守将是与自己曾经有过交往的公子行，心中大喜。他马上修书一封，主动与公子行套近乎，说道，虽然我们俩现在各为其主，但考虑到我们过去的交情，还是两国罢兵，订立和约为好。念旧之情，溢干言表。他还建议约定时间会谈议和大事。信送出后，公孙鞅还摆出主动撤兵的姿态，命令秦军前锋立即撤回。公子行看罢来信，又见秦军退兵，非常高兴，马上回信约定会谈日期。公孙鞅见公子行已钻入了圈套，暗地在会谈之地设下埋伏。会谈那天，公子行带了三百名随从到达约定地点，见公孙鞅带的随从更少，而且全部没带兵器，更加相信对方的诚意。会谈气氛十分融洽，两人重叙昔日友情，表达双方交好的诚意。公孙鞍还摆宴款待公子行。公子行兴冲冲人席，还未坐定，忽听一声号令，伏兵从四面包围过来，公子行和三百随从反应不及，全部被擒。公孙鞅利用被俘的随从，骗开吴城城门，占领吴城。魏国只得割让西河一带，向秦求和。秦国用公孙鞅笑里藏刀计轻取崤山一带。
11. Let the Plum Die in Place of the Peach
When the situation has come to a point where sacrifices have to be made, sacrifice a battle to achieve victory in war.
当局势发展必须有所损失的地步时，应该牺牲局部以换取全局的胜利。
During the Warring States period, General Tian Ji of the state of Qi had a very good advisor, Sun Bin. Often Tian Ji would race and bet his horses against those of Lord of Qi, and most of the time his horse would fail to win. Sun Bin had knowledge that the horses are split into three categories, Upper, Middle and Lower with the Upper horse being the fastest. Sun Bin told Tian Ji he had a plan and asked Tian Ji to put in high stakes for the next race. Tian Ji followed Sun Bin's plan to pit Tian Ji's Lower Class horse against Lord's Upper Class horse, pit Tian Ji's Upper Class horse against Lord's Middle Class horse and pit Tian Ji's Middle Class horse against Lord's Lower Class horse.
In the end, Tian Ji won the two out of the three races and emerged the winner of the races and won thousands of pieces of gold from the Lord; and Sun Bin also gained favor from the Lord as well.
齐国将军田忌赏识孙膑的才能，收他为门客。田忌经常与齐王赛马，却屡次败阵。孙膑在得知赛马分上中下三等进行后，便向田忌建议，要与齐王赌上千金，并且保证必胜。田忌信任孙膑，照其话做了。孙膑便叫田忌以其下等马装作上等马与齐王的上等马比赛，这场会大败，接著，将其上等马装作中等马，将其中等马装作下等马，分别与齐王的中等马及下等马比赛，便可反胜两场，获得最终胜利。田忌结果赢了这场赛马，得了齐王千金，而孙膑亦因此名震齐国。
12. Steal a Goat along the Way
Try to take advantage of the enemy's weaknesses where possible, no matter how small they are. Use their weaknesses to achieve minor victories.
敌人出现的小漏洞也必须趁机利用。在微小的利益，也要力争获得。把敌人的小漏洞变为我方的小胜利。
In 383 AD, during the Sixteen Kingdoms period, the ruler of Former Qin, Emperor Fu Jian had plans to destroy the Eastern Jin. He sent his younger brother Fu Rong to lead as vanguard, and Fu Rong won the first battle. Judging that the Jin did not have adequate forces and their supplies were low, Fu Rong suggested to Fu Jian to hasten his attack on Eastern Jin. Fu Jian, on hearing it, did not wait for the rest of the army to arrive to launch an attack on the Shou Yang City. The general guarding Shou Yang was Xie Shi. Xie Shi, on knowing that the Qin vanguard did deal a blow to the Qin, sent General Liu Lao with 50,000 troops to deal with the Qin vanguard, and Liu Lao won, killing Qin General Liang Cheng. Xie Shi, on seeing their victory, rode out with his troops and reached the banks of the Fei Shui River. Camping on the opposite bank of the river were the Qin main forces. Fu Jian, on seeing how well-organized and well- defended Xie Shi's troops were, decided to wait for more reinforcements to arrive.
Xie Shi saw that he was outnumbered and knew that he needed to win this battle, by wits. He sent a letter to Fu Jian, trying to provoke him. In the letter he wrote, “I want to battle with you, winner takes all. If you do not dare to take up the challenge, my advice is that you surrender early. If you dare to take up my challenge, move your troops back, let my army cross the river and we can battle each other.” Fu Jian was furious when he read the letter, so he ordered his troops to retreat, so as to allow Xie Shi's troops to cross the river. He wanted to attack Xie Shi's troops when they were busy crossing the river. Little did Fu Jian realize that, because they had lost their vanguards, the morale of the Qin troops was very low.
Upon hearing the retreat order, the Qin troops panicked and there was chaos everywhere in the Qin's camp. Xie Shi, on seeing the situation, led his troops across the river and attacked the retreating Qin troops. Fu Jian, on seeing the battle was lost, retreated back to Luo Yang. The reason why Qin lost was because the Jin forces were able to take advantage of the situation.
公元383年，前秦统一了黄河流域地区，势力强大。前秦王苻坚坐镇项城，调集九十万大军，打算一举歼灭东晋。他派其弟苻融为先锋攻下寿阳，初战告捷，苻融判断东晋兵力不多并且严重缺粮，建议苻坚迅速进攻东晋。苻坚闻讯，不等大军齐集，立即率几千骑兵赶到寿阳。东晋将领谢石得知前秦百万大军尚未齐集，抓住时机，击败敌方前锋，挫敌锐气。谢石先派勇将刘牢之率精兵五万，强渡洛涧，杀了前秦守将梁成。刘牢之乘胜追击，重创前秦军。谢石率师渡过洛涧，顺淮河而上，抵达淝水一线，驻扎在八公山边，与驻扎在寿阳的前秦军隔岸对峙。苻坚见东晋阵势严整，立即命今坚守河岸，等待后续部队。
谢石看到敌众我寡，只能速战速决。于是，他决定用激将法激怒骄狂的苻坚。他派人送去一封信，说道，我要与你决一雌雄，如果你不敢决战，还是趁早投降为好。如果你有胆量与我决战，你就暂退一箭之地，放我渡河与你比个输赢。苻坚大怒，决定暂退一箭之地，等东晋部队渡到河中间，再回兵出击，将晋兵全歼水中。他哪里料到此时秦军士气低落，撤军令下，顿时大乱。秦兵争先恐后，人马冲撞，乱成一团，怨声四起。这时指挥已经失灵，几次下令停止退却，但如潮水般撤退的人马已成溃败之势。这时谢石指挥东晋兵马，迅速渡河，乘敌人大乱，奋力追杀。前秦先锋苻融被东晋军在乱军中杀死，苻坚也中箭受伤，慌忙逃回洛阳。前秦大败。淝水之战，东晋军抓住战机，乘虚而入，是古代战争史上以弱胜强的著名战例。
Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China Page 42
