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36 War Strategies of Ancient China
Strategy 17
Toss Out A Brick to Attract Jade
Prepare a trap then lure your enemy into the trap by
using bait. In war the bait is the illusion of an opportunity for gain. In life
the bait is the illusion of wealth, power, and sex.
Warring States Era China
The earl of Zhi was preparing to attack Lesser Wei. To
prepare for his attack he presented the king of Wei with four hundred mustangs
and a beautiful white jade Bi. The king was overjoyed and his ministers all
offered their congratulations, but one minister, Nan-wen Ci looked distressed.
The king seeing his demeanor asked: "The great state is very pleased with
us! Why then do you look troubled?" The minister replied: "One must
always examine thoroughly a reward given for no merit and deference shown where
no force has been applied. Four hundred mustangs and a white jade Bi constitute
the kind of gift a small state might give when serving a great one. But in this
case the larger state makes the gift. Your majesty should ponder this."
As a precaution, the king of Wei told his commander of the border guards what
his minister had cautioned and ordered his troops to be on full alert. Shortly
thereafter, as the minister intimated, the earl of Zhi arrived at the border at
the head of a large army. But when the earl saw the border guards posted at full
strength, he retired saying: "Alas, there are worthy men in Wei, for they
have anticipated my plans."
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