第130页 / 共266页

[Chang Yu says: "In apportioning the defences for a cantonment,

light horse will be sent out to survey the position and ascertain

the weak and strong points all along its circumference. Hence the

small quantity of dust and its motion."]

24. Humble words and increased preparations are signs that the

enemy is about to advance.

["As though they stood in great fear of us," says Tu Mu. "Their

object is to make us contemptuous and careless, after which they

will attack us." Chang Yu alludes to the story of T'ien Tan of

the Ch'i-mo against the Yen forces, led by Ch'i Chieh. In ch. 82

of the Shih Chi we read: "T'ien Tan openly said: 'My only fear is

that the Yen army may cut off the noses of their Ch'i prisoners

and place them in the front rank to fight against us; that would

be the undoing of our city.' The other side being informed of

this speech, at once acted on the suggestion; but those within

the city were enraged at seeing their fellow-countrymen thus

mutilated, and fearing only lest they should fall into the

enemy's hands, were nerved to defend themselves more obstinately

than ever.