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36 War Strategies of Ancient China
Strategy 12
Seize the Opportunity to Lead a Sheep Away
While carrying out your plans be flexible enough to
take advantage of any opportunity that presents itself, however small, and avail
yourself of any profit, however slight.
Yuan Dynasty China
During the final days of the Yuan dynasty, rebellion had
broken out throughout the empire. Initially there were several contenders vying
to be the first to found a new dynasty on the imminent fall of the house of
Yuan, but the field was narrowed to two; Chu Yuan-Chang and Chen Yifu. The two
armies met at Poyang Lake where a naval engagement was to take place. General
Chen had the advantage of both troops and ships. His ships were large and sturdy
and he had them lined up side to side across the entire expanse of the lake. He
furthermore had the ships joined together with iron chains so as to create an
impenetrable barrier. General Chu sent his ships to attack but they were
defeated having failed to break through the cordon. Fortunately for Chu the next
day a violent northwest gale began to blow. Since Chen's flotilla was situated
downwind, Chu took advantage of the situation to launch fireboats against the
barrier. Soon Chen's troops were in a frenzy to save their ships from both the
rising storm and the fire, which was fanned into a blazing fierceness by the
wind. Taking advantage of the panic and confusion that ensued, Chu launched his
own fleet into the attack and they completely defeated Chen's forces. An arrow
through his eye killed General Chen while general Chu became the founder of the
Ming Dynasty.
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