24
Require passage to attack Goh.
Interpretation:
If the weak one is caught between
two strong opponents
The enemy will want to subjugate him with threats.
Strengthen your position
Under the pretext of helping the weak.
To gain troops access to the lands of a weak neighbor, beautiful words are not enough. It is necessary for him to understand that if he does not allow troops into his territory, then he will not only face an enemy invasion, but also a war on two fronts is possible. If the enemy persistently threatens a neighbor, then one can achieve one’s goals even without the use of force and seize its entire territory without deploying troops.
two strong opponents
The enemy will want to subjugate him with threats.
Strengthen your position
Under the pretext of helping the weak.
To gain troops access to the lands of a weak neighbor, beautiful words are not enough. It is necessary for him to understand that if he does not allow troops into his territory, then he will not only face an enemy invasion, but also a war on two fronts is possible. If the enemy persistently threatens a neighbor, then one can achieve one’s goals even without the use of force and seize its entire territory without deploying troops.
Historical example:
The prince of the Jin inheritance was going to attack the city of Guo. On his way there was the inheritance of Yu. The prince demanded that the ruler of the inheritance of Yu open the gates and let his army through. Ruler Yu was in no hurry to let in the foreign army.
Then the prince's adviser Xun Xi said:
- Offer ruler Yu your best jasper and chariots, then he himself will open his borders for you.
“But my horses are dear to me, and jasper is the property of the family,” the prince objected. “Suddenly he will accept my gifts, but will not allow me to enter his domain.”
- If he refuses to fulfill your request, he will not accept gifts. And if he agrees, then consider that you have sent the jasper and horses for temporary storage.
The prince agreed to send gifts. Ruler Yu wanted to accept them without thinking about the consequences, but his advisor told him:
- These gifts cannot be accepted. If we open the passage for the troops of the Jin prince, we will fall along with Guo.
However, Lord Yu did not listen to his advisor. He opened the gates and let the Jin army into his lands. The prince of the Jin inheritance immediately led troops to Guo and simultaneously captured the Yu inheritance. Having accepted rich gifts, the ruler had no choice but to give his lands to a stronger and more cunning enemy.
When Xun Xi solemnly returned the jasper and horses to the prince, he said:
- Jasper is the same as before, but the horses have aged.
Then the prince's adviser Xun Xi said:
- Offer ruler Yu your best jasper and chariots, then he himself will open his borders for you.
“But my horses are dear to me, and jasper is the property of the family,” the prince objected. “Suddenly he will accept my gifts, but will not allow me to enter his domain.”
- If he refuses to fulfill your request, he will not accept gifts. And if he agrees, then consider that you have sent the jasper and horses for temporary storage.
The prince agreed to send gifts. Ruler Yu wanted to accept them without thinking about the consequences, but his advisor told him:
- These gifts cannot be accepted. If we open the passage for the troops of the Jin prince, we will fall along with Guo.
However, Lord Yu did not listen to his advisor. He opened the gates and let the Jin army into his lands. The prince of the Jin inheritance immediately led troops to Guo and simultaneously captured the Yu inheritance. Having accepted rich gifts, the ruler had no choice but to give his lands to a stronger and more cunning enemy.
When Xun Xi solemnly returned the jasper and horses to the prince, he said:
- Jasper is the same as before, but the horses have aged.