22
Lock the gate to catch the thief.
Interpretation:
Few opponents
who is not afraid of death
It poses a great danger.
Should surround him
And destroy it on the spot.
Otherwise he will go against you.
“Suppose you have hidden on a vast plain only one warrior, but one who is ready to die. A thousand people will begin to catch him, and everyone will look around like owls. For each of them will be afraid that he will suddenly jump out and kill him. Therefore, it only takes one person who decides to give up his life to strike fear into a thousand people.”
(Wu Tzu)
It is necessary to lock all the doors of the house and capture the thieves so that they do not take refuge in another camp where they can be used against you.
who is not afraid of death
It poses a great danger.
Should surround him
And destroy it on the spot.
Otherwise he will go against you.
“Suppose you have hidden on a vast plain only one warrior, but one who is ready to die. A thousand people will begin to catch him, and everyone will look around like owls. For each of them will be afraid that he will suddenly jump out and kill him. Therefore, it only takes one person who decides to give up his life to strike fear into a thousand people.”
(Wu Tzu)
It is necessary to lock all the doors of the house and capture the thieves so that they do not take refuge in another camp where they can be used against you.
Historical example:
Confucius's father, Shuliang He, was a brave warrior from the kingdom of Lu. His feat, accomplished in 563 BC, still inspires respect in China.
At that time, the Jin Emperor was fighting for dominance in the Middle Kingdom. He planned to attack the Zheng kingdom and then Chu. Confucius's father took part in this campaign. His army was supposed to attack the city of Biyan from the north. General Yun Ban was ready to defend his city. He prepared a stratagem: “to lure the enemy inside his own possessions,” and then “lock the gates to beat the dog.”
Yun Ban opened the northern gate and released several small detachments. The invader's army rushed to the northern gate of Biyan in the hope of a quick victory. Confucius's father followed them. Once under the gate, he noticed that it began to descend. The warrior guessed the trap and quickly made a decision. He immediately threw down both swords, put his shoulders under the hinged gate and shouted to his soldiers: “Hey, guys! This is a trick! Leave the fortress quickly!” Shuliang He's observation and courage helped his comrades avoid a sad fate at the last moment.
Later, the city of Biyan finally surrendered to the enemy. The emperor presented the father of Confucius with a chariot and chain mail as a gift. This story is an example of how the “encirclement” stratagem did not work because of one brave warrior who was able to anticipate events. The small army did not allow itself to be destroyed and gained time for a new attack with larger forces.
At that time, the Jin Emperor was fighting for dominance in the Middle Kingdom. He planned to attack the Zheng kingdom and then Chu. Confucius's father took part in this campaign. His army was supposed to attack the city of Biyan from the north. General Yun Ban was ready to defend his city. He prepared a stratagem: “to lure the enemy inside his own possessions,” and then “lock the gates to beat the dog.”
Yun Ban opened the northern gate and released several small detachments. The invader's army rushed to the northern gate of Biyan in the hope of a quick victory. Confucius's father followed them. Once under the gate, he noticed that it began to descend. The warrior guessed the trap and quickly made a decision. He immediately threw down both swords, put his shoulders under the hinged gate and shouted to his soldiers: “Hey, guys! This is a trick! Leave the fortress quickly!” Shuliang He's observation and courage helped his comrades avoid a sad fate at the last moment.
Later, the city of Biyan finally surrendered to the enemy. The emperor presented the father of Confucius with a chariot and chain mail as a gift. This story is an example of how the “encirclement” stratagem did not work because of one brave warrior who was able to anticipate events. The small army did not allow itself to be destroyed and gained time for a new attack with larger forces.