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[According to Tu Mu, "this is a summary of leading principles in

warfare," and he adds: "These are the profoundest truths of

military science, and the chief business of the general." The

following anecdotes, told by Ho Shih, shows the importance

attached to speed by two of China's greatest generals. In 227

A.D., Meng Ta, governor of Hsin-ch'eng under the Wei Emperor Wen

Ti, was meditating defection to the House of Shu, and had entered

into correspondence with Chu-ko Liang, Prime Minister of that

State. The Wei general Ssu-ma I was then military governor of

Wan, and getting wind of Meng Ta's treachery, he at once set off

with an army to anticipate his revolt, having previously cajoled

him by a specious message of friendly import.