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36 War Strategies of Ancient China
Strategy 13
Beat the Grass to Startle the Snake
When you cannot detect the opponent's plans launch a
direct, but brief, attack and observe your opponent's reactions. His behavior
will reveal his strategy.
Song Dynasty China
One day, in the county of Jian-zhou, there was a man who
lost a precious object. The local magistrate Chen Shu-ku, was called in to
investigate. He questioned several people, but no one could tell him who the
thief was. So Magistrate Chen laid a trap for those he suspected. "I know
of a temple," he told them, "whose bell has great spiritual power that
can tell a thief from an honest man. Since my investigation is at a standstill
we must employ the supernatural powers of the bell to solve the matter."
The magistrate had the bell brought to the courthouse and displayed in the rear
chamber. Then he had the suspects brought in to testify to their guilt or
innocence. He explained to them that if an innocent man touched the bell it
would remain silent, but, if a guilty man touched the bell it would ring out.
After lighting incense and chanting prayers, the magistrate had curtains erected
around the bell. Previously he had instructed one of his assistants to secretly
smear ink on the bell after the curtains were closed. Each suspect was then told
to place his hand through the curtain and touch the bell. As they withdrew their
hands Chen would examine them. Everyone's hands were stained except those of one
man, who confessed to the theft. He did not touch the bell for fear it would
ring.
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