Strona 58 z 266

19. Thus one who is skilful at keeping the enemy on the move

maintains deceitful appearances, according to which the enemy

will act.

[Ts'ao Kung's note is "Make a display of weakness and want." Tu

Mu says: "If our force happens to be superior to the enemy's,

weakness may be simulated in order to lure him on; but if

inferior, he must be led to believe that we are strong, in order

that he may keep off. In fact, all the enemy's movements should

be determined by the signs that we choose to give him." Note the

following anecdote of Sun Pin, a descendent of Sun Wu: In 341

B.C., the Ch'i State being at war with Wei, sent T'ien Chi and

Sun Pin against the general P'ang Chuan, who happened to be a

deadly personal enemy of the later. Sun Pin said: "The Ch'i State

has a reputation for cowardice, and therefore our adversary

despises us. Let us turn this circumstance to account."

Accordingly, when the army had crossed the border into Wei

territory, he gave orders to show 100,000 fires on the first

night, 50,000 on the next, and the night after only 20,000.