If you want to know the state of affairs
Strike your blow at random.
And watch what's going on around you
Before taking decisive action.

The enemy will not immediately show his plans and strength. We need to force him to reveal himself with a random attack. It is better to carefully look for the perceived danger than to move forward thoughtlessly.

Emperor Qin Shihuang united all of Ancient China. When he died, his youngest son ascended the throne. Palace accompanist Zhao Gao decided to get rid of his opponent in order to seize power himself. He organized a conspiracy against the protege of the imperial power. Before taking active action, he decided to check the mood of those close to him from the imperial retinue. They could interfere with the implementation of his plans and it was necessary to find out who would disagree with his opinion.

To do this, Zhao Gao decided to use cunning. He brought an ordinary deer to the emperor and said loudly:
- Allow me, sir, to present you with this horse.
- I must say that you are mistaken. Standing in front of me is a real deer, what kind of horse are you talking about! - the emperor answered laughing.

Zhao Gao stubbornly continued to claim that he was giving the emperor a horse. The emperor's advisers were then called to ask their opinion. Zhao Gao asked if they saw a beautiful horse in front of them? Some agreed without controversy that Zhao Gao was indeed giving the emperor a real horse. Most left the question unanswered, while others were outraged by the inconsistency of the statement that the deer in front of them is a horse.

Zhao Gao used this situation to his advantage and dealt with those courtiers who openly disagreed with his opinion. After that, everyone was afraid of Zhao Gao and no one wanted to contradict him anymore.