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36 War Strategies of Ancient China
Strategy 6
Clamor in the East, Attack in the West
In any battle the element of surprise can provide an
overwhelming advantage. Even when face to face with an enemy, surprise can still
be employed by attacking where he least expects it. To do this you must create
an expectation in the enemy's mind through the use of a feint.
Song Dynasty China
Once there was an official who was transferred to the
capital. The front part of the inn where he stayed was a teahouse, and across
the street was a shop that sold expensive dyed silks. Whenever he had nothing to
do, he would sit at a table watching the people and activity on the street. One
day he noticed with surprise that several suspicious looking characters were
walking back and forth observing the silk shop with great interest. One of them
came up to his table and whispered: "We're in the robbery business and
we're here to steal those fine silks. Since you noticed us I came to ask you not
to mention it."
"That has nothing to do with me," the official
replied. "Why should I say anything about it?"
The fellow thanked him and left him. The official
thought to himself: 'the silk shop has its wares openly displayed on a busy
street. In broad daylight, with a thousand eyes watching, if they have the skill
to steal those silks, then they must be smart thieves indeed.' So he watched
carefully to see how they would manage it. But what he saw was only the same
people walking back and forth in front of the silk shop. Sometimes they gathered
on the left, sometimes on the right. The official sat watching until after
sunset when everyone had gone and the shop had closed. "Those fools."
said the official to himself. "They were putting one over on me." When
he returned to his room to order some food, he discovered that all his
belongings were gone.
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