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Stratagem of sowing discord.
Interpretation:
The enemy set a trap -
Make it a trap for him.
The spy's task is to sow mutual distrust and enmity among enemies. “Return the spy” means using a spy sent by the enemy in order to repay him in the same coin.
Double Agent Stratagem; stratagem of a spy (secret agent); stratagem of sowing discord; infection stratagem; subversive stratagem.
Make it a trap for him.
The spy's task is to sow mutual distrust and enmity among enemies. “Return the spy” means using a spy sent by the enemy in order to repay him in the same coin.
Double Agent Stratagem; stratagem of a spy (secret agent); stratagem of sowing discord; infection stratagem; subversive stratagem.
Historical example:
During the era of the Warring States, the ruler of the kingdom of Yan wanted to conquer the kingdom of Qi, whose lands were vast and the population was large. Yue Yi, a talented commander of that time, was asked for advice. He proposed to enter into an alliance with the kingdoms of Zhao, Chu and Wei. Then they will be able to defeat the Cis army.
In five years, Yue Yi occupied more than 70 Qis cities. Only Ju and Zimo did not submit. At this time, a new ruler took the throne of the Yan Kingdom. He did not like the wise commander Yue Yi. The Qis military leader Tian Dan knew about this and therefore he conceived a stratagem with a spy. He sent a spy to Yan, who was tasked with spreading the following rumor:
“General Yue Yi does not enjoy the sovereign’s favor. His secret desire is to enter into an alliance with Qi in order to carry out a coup and take over the kingdom. For this reason, Yue Yi wages battles very sluggishly and does not besiege the city of Jimo. The Qi people are very afraid that General Yue Yi will lose his post, because under another general, Zimo will be immediately captured.”
Ruler Yan believed these rumors and made a rash decision. He ordered Yue Yi to be deprived of all his posts and appointed another commander. The new commander was unable to capture the city and subsequently lost his entire army. Yue Yi had to flee to the neighboring kingdom of Zhao. So, with the help of words sown on the basis of doubts and personal hostility, Tian Dan was able to harm the enemy and preserve his lands.
In five years, Yue Yi occupied more than 70 Qis cities. Only Ju and Zimo did not submit. At this time, a new ruler took the throne of the Yan Kingdom. He did not like the wise commander Yue Yi. The Qis military leader Tian Dan knew about this and therefore he conceived a stratagem with a spy. He sent a spy to Yan, who was tasked with spreading the following rumor:
“General Yue Yi does not enjoy the sovereign’s favor. His secret desire is to enter into an alliance with Qi in order to carry out a coup and take over the kingdom. For this reason, Yue Yi wages battles very sluggishly and does not besiege the city of Jimo. The Qi people are very afraid that General Yue Yi will lose his post, because under another general, Zimo will be immediately captured.”
Ruler Yan believed these rumors and made a rash decision. He ordered Yue Yi to be deprived of all his posts and appointed another commander. The new commander was unable to capture the city and subsequently lost his entire army. Yue Yi had to flee to the neighboring kingdom of Zhao. So, with the help of words sown on the basis of doubts and personal hostility, Tian Dan was able to harm the enemy and preserve his lands.