“When Lord Xian was about to eat the food, Concubine Li said, ‘Since the food came from outside, it would be better to let someone try the food to see if it has gone bad.’ So, one of the attendants tried the food and died on the spot. On seeing this, Lord Xian was furious and accused Shen Sheng of being not filial, and that he wanted to kill him to usurp his position. Lord Xian ordered that Shen Sheng be executed. Shen Sheng, on hearing it, knew there was no way of defending himself, so he committed suicide. Shen Sheng stayed and he was killed, Zhong Er left and he lived.”
Liu Qi on hearing the whole story knew what to do, he hurried back and requested from his father to be deployed to Jiang Xia, thus avoiding his stepmother.
后汉末年，刘表偏爱少子刘琮，不喜欢长子刘琦。刘琦的后母害怕刘琦得势，影响到儿子刘琮的地位，非常嫉恨他。刘琦感到自己处在十分危险的环境中，多次请教诸葛亮，但诸葛亮一直不肯为他出主意。有一天，刘琦约诸葛亮到一座高楼上饮酒，等二人正坐下饮酒之时，刘琦暗中派人拆走了楼梯。刘琦说：”今日上不至天，下不至地，出君之口，入琦之耳，可以赐教矣”诸葛亮见状，无可奈何，便给讲一个故事。春秋时期，晋献公的妃子骊姬想谋害晋献公的两个儿子：申生和重耳。重耳知道骊姬居心险恶，只得逃亡国外。申生为人厚道，要尽孝心，侍奉父王。一日，申生派人给父王送去一些好吃的东西，骊姬乘机用有毒的食品将太子送来的食品更换了。晋献公哪里知道，准备去吃，骊姬故意说道，这膳食从外面送来，最好让人先尝尝看。于是命左右侍从尝一尝，刚刚尝了一点，侍从倒地而死。晋献公大怒，大骂申生不孝，阴谋杀父夺位，决定要杀申生。申生闻讯，也不作申辩，自刎身亡。诸葛亮对刘琦说：”申生在内而亡，重耳在外而安。”刘琦马上领会了诸葛亮的意图，立即上表请求派往江夏（令湖北武昌西），避开了后母，终于免遭陷害。
29. Put Flowers on the Tree
Borrow a setting to boost one's image. Although one may be on the weak side, one's battle array can appear to be strong.
借助别人的局面布成有利的阵势，兵力虽少，但气势颇大。鸿雁在高空飞翔，全凭其丰满的羽翼助成气势。
Towards the end of the Han Dynasty, when Liu Biao, one of the warlords had died, Liu Bei was entrusted with the Jing province; but he was very weak then. On seeing the situation, Cao Cao brought an army to attack Liu Bei towards Wang city. Liu Bei, together with the peasants and army, retreated to Jiang Ling. Because the number of peasants and troops retreating was huge, the retreat was very slow. Cao Cao managed to reach the rear of the retreating contingent and had a small battle with Liu Bei's army. Liu Bei lost and had to retreat, asking his sworn brother, Zhang Fei, to cover his rear flank. But Zhang Fei had only twenty or thirty cavalry soldiers with him; there was no match at all. But Zhang Fei came up with a plan. He ordered his cavalry soldiers to cut down some branches, tie them to the back of their horses and run in large circles in the forest. Zhang Fei, himself riding on his black steed, went to the middle of the bridge at Chang Ban Slope, to wait for Cao Cao's army.
When Cao Cao arrived, he saw that Zhang Fei was alone at the bridge and was curious why, till he saw the dust clouds rising above the forest. Cao Cao suspected that there might be an ambush, thus decided to stop advancing. Zhang Fei was thus able to stop Cao Cao's large army with only twenty or thirty cavalry soldiers by using the “Putting flowers on Tree” ruse. This bought time for Liu Bei's contingent to retreat successfully to Jiang Ling.
无人不知张飞是一员猛将，而他却是一个有勇有谋的大将。刘备起兵之初，与曹操交战，多次失利。刘表死后，刘备在荆州，势孤力弱。这时,曹操领兵南下，直达宛城，刘备荒忙率荆州军民退守江陵。由于老百姓跟着撤退的人太多，所以撤退的速度非常慢。曹兵追到当阳，与刘备的部队打了一仗，刘备败退，他的妻子和儿子都在乱军中被冲散了。刘备只得狼狈败退，令张飞断后，阻截追兵。
张飞只有二三十个骑兵，怎敌得过曹操的大队人马？那张飞临危不惧，临阵不慌，顿时心生一计。他命令所率的二三十名骑兵都到树林子里去，砍下树枝，绑在马后，然后骑马在林中飞跑打转。张飞一人骑着黑马，横着丈二长矛，威风凛凛站在长板坡的桥上。
追兵赶到，见张飞独自骑马横矛站在桥中，好生奇怪，又看见桥东树林里尘土飞扬。追击的曹兵马上停止前进，以为树林之中定有伏兵。张飞只带二三十名骑兵，阻止住了追击的曹兵，让刘备和荆州军民顺利撤退，靠的就是这”树上开花”计。
30. Switch the Roles of the Host and the Guest
Try to put the foot in where there is a crack and eventually, gain control of the brain of enemy. This involves a logical sequence.
乘着空隙插足进去，设法控制敌人的要害，这必须循序渐进。
This happened during the end of the Han Dynasty, when warlords were fighting amongst each other for territories.
Yuan Shao and Han Fu used to be allies, and they were in the group of warlords aiming to overthrow Dong Zhuo; but the campaign failed in the end. After the campaign, the strength of Yuan Shao grew, together with his ambitions as well. He stationed troops in Hebei for expansion purposes, but his provision supply was inadequate. On seeing that his ally lacks provision, Han Fu decided to lend a hand by sending provisions to Yuan Shao.
But Yuan Shao was not satisfied; he did not like the idea of depending on someone to send him provisions. On heeding the advice of his advisor Feng Ji, he decided to grab the provision depot at Ji Zhou. The governor of Ji Zhou was Han Fu himself, but Yuan Shao was desperate to solve his provision problem. Yuan Shao wrote a letter to Gongsun Zan, suggesting that they attack Ji Zhou together. This proposal suited Gongsun Zan very well, because for a long time, he had the intention of attacking Ji Zhou. So Gongsun Zan accepted Yuan Shao's proposal.
Yuan Shao also sent another messenger to Han Fu informing him that Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan has allied together to attack Ji Zhou. The messenger suggested, “Since Yuan Shao is your good friend, and you have sent him provisions before, why not ask him to come over to your side? Ally with him to fend off Gongsun Zan instead.” Han Fu agreed with the proposal and sent a letter to Yuan Shao. Yuan Shao agreed to change sides and went to Ji Zhou with his troops. Yuan Shao was let into the city and slowly he replaced critical defense positions with his own generals. When Han Fu realized that this invited “guest” has taken over the “host”, it was too late, so Han Fu escaped from Ji Zhou.
袁绍和韩馥，应当是一对盟友，当年曾经共同讨伐过董卓。后来，袁绍势力渐渐强大，总想不断扩张，他屯兵河内，缺少粮草，十分犯愁。老友韩馥知道情况之后，主动派人送去粮草，帮袁绍解决供应困难。
袁绍觉得等待别人送粮草，不能够解决根本问题。他听了谋士逢纪的劝告，决定夺取粮仓冀(jì)州。而当时的冀州牧正是老友韩馥，袁绍顾不了那么多了，马上下手，实施他的锦囊妙计。他首先绘公孙瓒写了一封信，建议与他一起攻打冀州。公孙瓒早就想找个由头攻占冀州，这个建议，正中下怀。他立即下令，准备发兵攻打冀州。
袁绍又暗地派人去见韩馥，说：”公孙瓒和袁绍联合攻打冀州，冀州难以自保。袁绍过去不是你的老朋友吗？最近你不是还给他送过粮草吗？你何不联合袁绍，对付公孙瓒呢？让袁绍进城，冀州不就保住了吗？” 韩馥只得邀请袁绍带兵进入冀州。这位请来的客人，表面上尊重韩馥，实际上他逐渐将自己的部下一个一个似钉子扎进了冀州的要害部位，这时，韩馥清楚地知道，他这个”主”被”客”取而代之了。为了保全性命，他只得只身逃出冀州去了。
Chapter 6 – Stratagems of Disadvantage
31. Use the Tender Trap
With regards to a strong enemy
, one should aim to control its general. Against an intelligent enemy general, one should plot to dampen his morale and will to fight. Once the general’s fighting spirit is quenched, the army will be weakened. Therefore, one should try to hit the enemy at its weakest point while conserving one's energy.
如果敌人的兵力强大，就设法打击将领；如果敌人的将领足智多谋，就要挫败他的意志。敌人将领斗志衰弱，兵卒士气低落，敌军的战斗力酒会丧失殆尽。充分利用敌人弱点进行控制和分化瓦解，就可以保存自己，扭转局势。
In Strategy No. 5 we mentioned the fight between the State of Wu and State of Yue. Gou Jian, the lord of Yue, was defeated by Fu Chai, the Lord of Wu first and became Fu Chai's subordinate. Gou Jian was subservient to Fu Chai, gaining his trust in the process. In the end, after a long humiliating period, Gou Jian was allowed to go back to the State of Yue. When he went back to Yue, Gou Jian was determined to avenge his humiliation. One Yue official spoke to Gou Jian saying, “A bird that flies high can die because of food. A fish that swims deep can die because of bait. To seek revenge, we should first reduce their fighting spirit. Only then can are we able to achieve our aim.”
Noting this, Gou Jian sent two ladies, considered to be the most beautiful during that time, Xi Shi and Zheng Dan, to Fu Chai. Gou Jian also sent tribute to Fu Chai every year. These actions gained more of Fu Chai's trust. And when Fu Chai led an expedition against the State of Qi, Gou Jian even loaned him an army to achieve his goal. Gou Jian went to congratulate Fu Chai on his victory as well. This reduced Fu Chai’s guard against Gou Jian.
Fu Chai, being licentious, was indeed smitten by the two ladies, so much so that he did not listen to the advice of his important official, Wu Zixu anymore or even attend to court matters. In the end, in the year 482 BC, when the State of Wu was met with a serious drought, Gou Jian led a strike against State of Wu and defeated Fu Chai.
前面曾讲到春秋时吴越之战，勾践先败于夫差。吴王夫差罚勾践夫妇在吴王宫里服劳役，借以羞辱他。越王勾践在吴王夫差面前卑躬屈膝，百般逢迎，骗取了夫差的信任，终于放他回到越国。后来越国趁火打劫，终于消灭了吴国，逼得夫差拔剑自刎。
那所趁之”火”是怎样烧起来的呢？原来勾践成功地使用了”美人计”。勾践被释回越国之后，卧薪尝胆，不忘雪耻。吴国强大，靠武力，越国不能取胜。越大夫文种向他献上一计：”高飞之鸟，死于美食，深泉之鱼，死于芳饵，要想复国雪耻，应投其所好，衰其斗志，这样，可置夫差于死地。”于是勾践挑选了两名绝代佳人：西施、郑旦，送给夫差，并年年向吴王进献珍奇珠宝。夫差认为勾践已被他臣服，所以一点也不加怀疑。夫差整日与美人饮酒作乐，连大臣伍子胥的劝谏也完全听不进去。后来，吴国进攻齐国，勾践还出兵帮助吴王伐齐，借以表示忠心，麻痹夫差。吴国打胜之后，勾践还亲自到吴国祝贺。
夫差贪恋女色，一天比一天厉害，根本不想过问政事。伍于胥力谏无效，反被逼自尽。勾践看在眼里，喜在心中。公元前482年，吴国大旱，勾践乘夫差北上会盟之时，突出奇兵伐吴，吴国终于被越所灭，夫差也只能一死了之。
32. Drop Defenses to Feign a Trap
It may sometimes be better to deliberately display weakness, to confuse the enemy and make the latter abandon the attack for fear of trickery. In a situation where the enemy is strong and you are weak, proper use of this strategy can appear extraordinary.
如果兵力空虚，就故意显示出更加空虚的样子，使敌人在疑惑之中更加疑惑。在敌强我弱的情况下，运用这种策略会奇妙莫测。
During the period of the Three Kingdoms, Zhuge Liang was in the city of Yang Ping. He sent his general Wei Yan with the majority of the Shu soldiers, leaving only 10,000 men behind to defend the city. The 200,000-strong Wei army was led by General Sima Yi. However, due to miscalculation, the Shu army missed the Wei army.
When the Wei army was about sixty miles from the city, Sima Yi learned from his spy the strength left in the city. Zhuge Liang also received news that the enemy was near, but it was too late to summon Wei Yan back. The town was in a panic, but Zhuge Liang remained calm. He ordered his soldiers to keep all the army flags flying and to not leave the tents without permission. He then summoned men to open the gates and pretend to sweep the ground next to the gates.
When Sima Yi arrived, he was shocked by what he saw. He knew Zhuge Liang to be a good strategist with many tricks up his sleeve. So when he saw that the gates were opened up instead of closed, his suspicion was aroused. He suspected that Zhuge Liang might have laid an ambush, waiting for him. His suspicion was further aroused when he saw that Zhuge Liang was sitting leisurely on top of the city walls playing his zither and sipping tea.
Sima Yi paid attention to the chords played by Zhuge Liang and they were placid, showing no signs of a troubled mind. He therefore concluded that the empty city was definitely a scheme to lure his troops in. Sima Yi ordered his men to turn around and retreat. Thus Zhuge Liang was able to salvage the situation using the “Empty City” scheme.
诸葛亮北伐中原，由于错用了”言过其实，不可大用”的马谡，结果致使街亭这个战略要地失守，再无法进军取胜，而且随时有被魏兵堵截归路、全军覆灭的危险。诸葛亮顿足长叹：”大势去矣，这全是我的过错造成的！”为避免更大损失，忙安排人马，布置撤退。为防魏军乘势追击，赶紧把关兴、张苞两员小将唤到帐前：”你们二人各带三千人马，在武功山小路两侧布置疑兵。如果魏军来到，敌众我寡，切不可战，只大声击鼓呐喊，用疑兵计吓退他们即可。然后，急奔阳平关，撤回国内！” 又把张冀叫来布置：”引部分军兵，快速修理剑阁通道，以为大军准备退路。” 然后传令：大军悄悄收拾行装，分别从各自驻地快速撤回国内。
诸葛亮的中军营地现在西城县内，这是个弹丸小城，易攻难守。待诸葛亮把身边人马分派出去执行紧急命令之后，城中就近于空地了。正要拔寨撤离，忽然十几匹马飞跑进城来，马上士兵大汗淋漓、气喘吁吁地报告：”司马懿亲率十五万大军，已向西城扑来，而且马上就要到了！” 这时，诸葛亮身边只剩下一些文官，连一员武将也没有。士兵也大多派出去，只留有两千老幼病残，根本无法作战。
众官员听到这消息，一个个吓得面无血色，一句话也说不出来。很明显，战不能战，逃也逃不掉——此地路径狭窄，惟一大道已为司马懿占住。再加上辎重行李多，马匹、车辆少，逃不出几里，就会被魏军铁骑追杀殆尽。诸葛亮也十分紧张，忙登上城楼向外望。果然，西北方向尘埃冲天蔽日，已隐隐有大军奔走声如沉雷般动地而来；尘头起处更不时闪现魏军旗号，招摇挥动。
诸葛亮稍一沉吟，马上传下命令：把城内所有旗帜全放倒，藏匿起来！城内士兵，各自隐在驻地房舍、围墙内，不许乱动乱叫，如果违令不遵者，立斩！然后，又下令：大开东南西北四面城门，每一门前，派二十名老少军兵打扮成老百姓模样，洒水扫街，不许神色慌张，举措不当。如果魏军冲到城前，也不能退入城内，仍要一如既往。众人不解其意。诸葛亮微微一笑，胸有成竹地说：”我自有退兵之法，你们不必惊慌。”说罢，披一件印有仙鹤图案的宽大长衫，戴一顶绸布便帽，让两个小童抱着一张琴、一只香炉，随他登上城楼，赁着楼上栏杆端端正正地坐下，点燃香。然后，闭目养了会儿神，再缓缓睁开眼，虚望前方，安然自得弹起琴来。
这时，司马懿统领的大兵已来到城下。先头部队见到这种情形，都不敢贸然前进，急忙向司马懿报告。马司懿不相信，以为部下看花了眼：诸葛亮怎么打扮成道士模样，不领兵拒敌，反而悠闲地在城头弹起琴来？于是命令三军暂且停止行动，自己则飞马跑到城�
�，远远观望。果然，城楼上诸葛亮笑容可掬地端坐，在袅袅上升的香烟间，旁若无人、安然自得地正沉浸在自己所弹奏的琴音中。他左边的童子，手捧一把宝剑；右边的童子，则拿着一把尘尾。城门口处，有二十余老少百姓正低头洒扫街道，有条不紊，不惊不慌。
司马懿看了许久，听了很长时间，无论从对方人物的表情动作还是诸葛亮所弹出的琴声中，都看不出丝毫破绽。其子司马师道：”我们应即刻冲杀进去，活捉诸葛亮！他分明是故弄玄虚——城肯定是座空城！” 其他将士也纷纷要求进兵攻城。司马懿凝然不动，仍静静谛听。忽然他神色一变，露出紧张模样，忙下令：”后队改作前锋，先锋变为后队，马上撤退！” 众人不解：眼前并没有什么异常情况。司马懿怒道：”马上撤退。违令者斩！” 众将士狐疑不明，却只好遵令撤退。
直到撤离西城远了些，司马懿才心有余悸地解释：”诸葛亮这个人和我打过多年仗了。他一生最是谨慎，从不做没把握的事，更甭说干冒险的事了！令天大开城门，故意显出是座空城，让我们白白拿走并轻易把他捉住，这里就肯定有埋伏，是个骗局！我军若贸然轻进，必中其计。” 司马师问：”父亲一直凝听静立，后来并无动静，您为什么突然神色大撤军呢？” 司马懿冷笑：”当统帅、做大将的人，必须善于观察天地之间的运行变化，了解人间世上的各种知识！我听到诸葛亮琴音，初始平和恬淡，却突然昂扬激烈，渗出一股杀机！分机要动手、出兵了！再不走，让他围住，四面挨打不成？！” 司马师及众将觉得有理，但仍不十分信服。不料，才走不远，刚进入武功山，猛听得山坡后杀声震天，鼓声动地，伏兵顿起。众将大惊。司马懿道：”刚才若不及时撤退，必中其计了！”话音未落，只见旁边大道上一军杀来，旗上大字：”右护卫使虎翼将军张苞”。
Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China Page 46
