Sun Tzu's Art of War and the Thirty-Six Stratagems

After Pang Juan returned to Wei, he immediately sent someone with gold, jade, and a personal letter to Guigu Valley to invite Sun Bin down the mountain. In the letter, he wrote:

Brother Sun Bin, thank you for your brilliant strategy in the Battle of Fangcheng. When we parted, I promised to recommend you to the King of Wei, and I have now fulfilled that promise. I urge you to answer the call and descend the mountain to join me in this great undertaking. Enclosed with this letter are gold and jade, the King of Wei's betrothal gifts; I hope you will accept them.

Sun Bin told Guiguzi about Pang Juan's invitation for him to come down the mountain. Guiguzi told Sun Bin to decide for himself. Eager to make a name for himself, Sun Bin said to Guiguzi, "I made a promise with Pang Juan when we parted. Today, Pang Juan has kept his promise and recommended me to the King of Wei. I dare not break my promise."

Guiguzi was silent for a moment, then said, "Go and pick a wildflower, and I will divine your future."

Sun Bin agreed and got up to leave, but then his eyes fell on a vase of yellow chrysanthemums on the table inside the room. Sun Bin walked over, took the chrysanthemums out of the vase, and presented them to Guiguzi: "Master, please use these chrysanthemums to perform a divination for your disciple."

Guiguzi looked at the chrysanthemum in Sun Bin's hand, and after a moment said, "Alright, we'll use this chrysanthemum."

Sun Bin turned around and put the chrysanthemums back into the vase, then sat down next to Guiguzi.

Guiguzi pointed to the chrysanthemum in the vase and said, "Although this flower has been damaged, it is inherently cold-resistant and will not wither after frost. Therefore, although you will suffer harm in the future, you will not suffer great misfortune. This flower is placed in a vase on the table, which indicates that you will be respected by the world. This flower was placed in the vase twice, which means that you will not achieve fame and success immediately. This flower returned to the vase in the end, which means that you will make great achievements in your hometown of Qi. The vase used to display this flower is made of bronze, which is the same as bells and tripods. You will be famous throughout the world and your name will be engraved on bells and tripods. Sun Bin, I will change your name for you, which will help you to make progress and achieve great things." As he spoke, he picked up a pen and added the character "月" (moon) next to the character "宾" (bin) in Sun Bin's name, changing "孙宾" to "孙膑" (Sun Bin).

Sun Bin bid farewell to Guiguzi and went to the State of Wei to seek refuge with Pang Juan. Pang Juan brought Sun Bin to see King Hui of Wei. King Hui was overjoyed at Sun Bin's arrival, saying, "I have longed for you, sir, like a parched land awaiting rain. Today, you have finally arrived, and I am truly delighted."

Sun Bin bowed and said, "Sun Bin is merely a humble countryman, incompetent and without virtue, yet Your Majesty has treated me with such kindness. I am truly ashamed."

"Mr. Sun, there's no need for such politeness. Marshal Pang told me that you have received the secret military strategies of Sun Tzu and are capable of winning every battle."

Sun Bin frankly said, "Your Majesty, although I have seen 'The Art of War' by Master Guigu, I have not studied it carefully, so I dare not say that I have the ability to win every battle."

"Mr. Sun is too modest. If I had Mr. Sun's assistance, none of the feudal lords in the world would be able to rival me." King Hui of Wei said to Pang Juan, who was sitting on the other side, "Marshal Pang, I wish to appoint Mr. Sun as Vice Marshal, and let you two, fellow disciples, jointly command the military. What do you say?"

Pang Juan pondered for a moment and said, "I have been classmates with Sun Bin for many years and we are sworn brothers. Sun Bin is my elder brother. How can I let my elder brother be the deputy commander? Your Majesty, in terms of sentiment, reason, and talent, Sun Bin should be the marshal and I should be the deputy commander."

Sun Bin firmly disagreed, saying, "Marshal Pang recommended me to Your Majesty. If I were to replace Marshal Pang, the world would laugh at me for being unworthy of being his elder brother. That's the first point. Secondly, I have only just arrived in Wei and have not yet made any contributions. If I were to become marshal, it would be difficult for me to win the respect of the people."

Sun Bin and Pang Juan each insisted on their own opinions and declined to yield to each other. King Hui of Wei greatly admired the character of these two fellow disciples and decided to appoint Sun Bin as a guest minister and bestow upon him a mansion, saying that after Sun Bin achieved meritorious service, he would be appointed as a marshal. Sun Bin could not refute this further and could only kowtow and express his gratitude.

King Hui of Wei bestowed upon Sun Bin a spacious and luxurious mansion. Pang Juan suggested that Sun Bin bring his family from Qi to share in the wealth and honor. Sun Bin sighed, "My dear brother, we have been classmates for three years. You have asked me about my family several times, but I have never spoken of it. When we parted last time, you asked me again why I did not return to Qi, and I still did not tell you... I did not want anyone to pity me."

Pang Juan asked with concern, "Brother Sun, is there any difficulty in your family?"

Sun Bin told him, "I lost my mother at the age of four and my father at the age of nine. My uncle, Sun Qiao, raised me. He was a minister of Duke Kang of Qi. Duke Kang was deposed by Tian Taigong, and his ministers were either killed or expelled. My uncle was also expelled from the country. He took my cousins ​​Sun Ping and Sun Zhuo, and me, and fled to the State of Zhou. Later, due to a famine, my uncle had to send me to work as a servant in a family outside the city, while he and my two cousins ​​fled to other places..." Sun Bin tried his best to hold back his tears, "For so many years, I have had no news of my relatives, and I don't know if they are alive or dead..."

At this point, tears welled up in Sun Bin's eyes. Pang Juan was also moved and urged Sun Bin to settle down and start a family. But Sun Bin said he had sworn an oath that he would not marry until he had achieved great things. Pang Juan then assigned the young and beautiful Zhong Liqiu to take care of Sun Bin, saying it was the king's decree. Sun Bin could not refuse.

Upon returning from his mission to the State of Zhao, Gongsun Yue heard that Pang Juan had assigned Zhong Liqiu to care for Sun Bin. That very day, he approached Pang Juan, saying he desired Zhong Liqiu and wanted Pang Juan to assign another woman to care for Sun Bin. Pang Juan had his own reasons for assigning Zhong Liqiu to care for Sun Bin, and he told Gongsun Yue, "You should have said so earlier. I, Pang Juan, am a man of my word; I cannot take back what I have said."

Zhong Liqiu had only spent a few days with Sun Bin when she fell in love with him. Sun Bin was erudite, kind, and polite. She secretly made up her mind that she would marry no one but Sun Bin.

Zhong Liqiu took great care of Sun Bin, leaving home every morning and returning only in the evening. Gongsun Yue came to visit Sun Bin and found that Sun Bin had sent someone to escort Zhong Liqiu home. After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Gongsun Yue changed the subject and asked Sun Bin if he liked Zhong Liqiu very much.

Sun Bin smiled and said, "What's this about liking or disliking her? She's a maid that Pang Juan hired."

"Don't mess with this girl."

"Mr. Gongsun, what are you saying? I'm not a lecherous man." Sun Bin was a little embarrassed.

"Mr. Sun, I'm doing this for your own good. This girl is no ordinary woman. She has an older sister whose swordsmanship is unparalleled and whose temper is exceptionally bad. Anyone who is disrespectful to her sister will be killed by her... It doesn't seem worth it to ruin your great cause for a woman."

"Thank you for your kindness, Mr. Gongsun," Sun Bin said with a frank smile. He pointed to the bamboo slips on the table, "Right now, all I'm thinking about is how to make the State of Wei stronger and dominate the world. I simply don't have the energy to think about women."

Gongsun Yue finally felt relieved.

One day, a merchant from the state of Qi, who called himself Ding Yi, came to see Sun Bin. He said he lived in Linzi, the capital of Qi, and made his living as a merchant. He was friends with Sun Bin's cousins, Sun Ping and Sun Zhuo. They had heard that Sun Bin was studying at Guigu Valley and asked Ding Yi to deliver a letter to him. When Ding Yi arrived at Guigu Valley, the master there said that Sun Bin had already gone to the state of Wei, so he had detoured to come here. After saying this, Ding Yi took out a letter and handed it to Sun Bin.

Sun Bin opened the letter. The letter read:

My dear brother Sun Bin, many years have passed since we parted in Zhoudu. Your uncle, gravely ill, has passed away. We, the two brothers, have wandered far from home, enduring hardship and displacement. Fortunately, the King of Qi, with his benevolent heart, has forgiven past grievances and summoned us back to our hometown. I have heard that you are studying under Master Guigu; a great teacher produces a great student, and you are sure to achieve great things. I have entrusted Mr. Ding Yi to deliver this letter to you, hoping you will return home soon so that we brothers can be reunited.

After reading the letter, Sun Bin was already in tears. Ding Yi said from the side, "When my two elder brothers, Sun Ping and Sun Zhuo, came, they repeatedly asked me to persuade you, sir, to return to your hometown as soon as possible so that the brothers can reunite."

Sun Bin sighed, "I am now a guest minister of the King of Wei and have won his favor. I have not yet rendered any service to the King of Wei, so it is not appropriate for me to leave immediately."

Ding Yi said, "Brothers are very close. If you cannot return to your hometown, your two elder brothers will be longing for you. If you can go back and stay for a few days to see your two elder brothers, I will be able to explain to them."

Sun Bin thought for a moment and said to Ding Yi, "You stay at my residence first. I will discuss it with Marshal Pang and then give you an answer."

Sun Bin told Pang Juan about his cousin's return to Qi, and Pang Juan feigned delight. Sun Bin asked Pang Juan to ask the King of Wei for leave to return home to visit his family and pay respects at their graves. Pang Juan pretended to be hesitant, saying, "It's human nature to miss home after a long separation, but His Majesty has just appointed Brother Sun as a guest minister. What will His Majesty think if you ask for leave to return home?"

"I'll only go back for a few days to catch up with my two brothers whom I haven't seen for many years, and I'll be back soon."

"I understand Brother Sun's feelings, but the King may not think so. He may think that you have betrayed Wei and left without ever returning."

"His Majesty has shown me such great favor. I, Sun Bin, am by no means an ungrateful person. How could I betray the State of Wei? My dear brother, His Majesty trusts you. Please explain this to him, will you?"

Pang Juan pondered for a moment and said, "I can explain to the King, but we mustn't rush things. It's best to wait until the King is in a good mood. Brother Sun, could you grant me a few days?"

Sun Bin agreed.

Ding Yi waited for several days, growing increasingly anxious. Sun Bin urged him to go ahead, saying that once the King of Wei granted his request, he should immediately return to the country to reunite with his two elder brothers. Ding Yi said that if he left now, he would be unable to explain himself to his brothers upon his return. Sun Bin replied with a letter explaining the situation, entrusting him to deliver it to his two brothers.

After leaving Sun Bin's residence, Ding Yi handed Sun Bin's letter to Pang Juan. It turned out that Ding Yi's actions were at Pang Juan's behest. Pang Juan imitated Sun Bin's handwriting and added the following two sentences to the letter: "Although I have been appointed as a guest minister by the King of Wei, my heart is with my homeland, and I will soon find a way to return. If the King of Qi does not reject me, I will do my best to assist him."

Pang Juan handed the letter to King Hui of Wei, saying, "Your Majesty, my soldiers captured a spy from Qi and found a letter on him written by Sun Bin to his elder brother in Qi. The letter expresses his intention to betray Wei and return to Qi. Although I am a classmate and friend of Sun Bin, I dare not hide this from Your Majesty. Please take a look."

King Wei read the letter carefully and asked Pang Juan, "I have already promised Sun Bin that I would appoint him as marshal after he achieves merit. Why does he still betray me?"

"Who can forget their parents' homeland? Even if Your Majesty appoints him as marshal, he will not do his best for Your Majesty. Back then, Sun Bin's great-grandfather, Sun Wu, was highly valued by the State of Wu. The King of Wu made him famous throughout the world, but he ultimately betrayed the King of Wu and returned to the State of Qi."

"Then why did you recommend Sun Bin to me?"

"Sun Bin is well-versed in 'The Art of War.' If Your Majesty does not employ him, he will be employed by the State of Qi. Once employed by Qi, Sun Bin will threaten Your Majesty's hegemony. I suggest that Your Majesty should execute him, otherwise he will surely become a formidable enemy of the State of Wei in the future."

King Hui of Wei pondered for a moment and said, "Sun Bin came at my summons, but his crime of betraying Wei is not yet clear. If I rashly execute him, which virtuous and talented people in the world will come to serve me?"

Pang Juan said, "Back then, Chancellor Gongshu recommended Wei Yang to Your Majesty, but Your Majesty failed to employ him. Chancellor Gongshu then ordered Your Majesty to kill Wei Yang, but Your Majesty was too soft-hearted and let Wei Yang go. Wei Yang then went on to assist the King of Qin, making Qin rich and powerful, and constantly threatening Your Majesty. Does Your Majesty want Sun Bin to become a second Wei Yang?"

King Hui of Wei was still hesitant and said, "Sun Bin is a rare talent, it would be a pity to kill him... You are classmates and friends, you should explain the pros and cons to him and persuade him to stay and make contributions for me. I will never treat him unfairly."

When Pang Juan met Sun Bin, he said that despite his repeated explanations, the king still refused to agree. Sun Bin was very anxious and paced back and forth, saying, "What should I do? My two cousins ​​must be longing for our reunion day and night after receiving my letter, but I cannot go back." After much deliberation, Sun Bin decided to explain to the King of Wei in person.

Sun Bin went to see King Hui of Wei and asked in person for leave to return to Qi. King Hui, without changing his expression, asked Sun Bin, "You really want to return to Qi?"

Sun Bin answered frankly, "Yes."

King Hui of Wei then asked, "What if I disagree?"

Sun Bin said, "My two cousins ​​are my only family. I have been separated from them for many years. I only ask to see them one last time. Your Majesty should not refuse..."

King Wei's expression suddenly changed, and he said sternly, "Sun Bin, I have treated you well, why have you betrayed me?"

Sun Bin was startled and asked in confusion, "Your Majesty's words are not what I understand."

The King of Wei angrily said, "If you want to return to Qi, you are betraying me!"

Sun Bin realized that King Hui of Wei had misunderstood and tried to explain, but King Hui ordered the palace guards to kill him without saying a word.

Sun Bin was dragged outside the palace by the guards and tied to a pillar. Just as the executioner was about to carry out the execution, Pang Juan rushed in, stopped the executioner, and asked Sun Bin what crime he had committed. The executioner said it was treason. Pang Juan comforted Sun Bin, saying, "The king must have misunderstood. Brother Sun, don't panic. I will immediately go to see the king and defend you."

Pang Juan paid his respects to King Hui of Wei and said, "Your Majesty, although Sun Bin had the intention to betray us, his crime does not warrant death."

"It was your idea to execute Sun Bin that I came up with."

"Your Majesty, I am saying this, but if Your Majesty really wants to kill Sun Bin, I really cannot bear it. After all, Sun Bin and I were classmates for three years."

"Since Sun Bin harbors rebellious intentions, not killing him will leave him a future threat."

"Your Majesty, by not killing Sun Bin, we can avoid future troubles and also avoid criticism from the world."

"What do you intend to do with Sun Bin?"

"Your Majesty could spare Sun Bin's life, but instead subject him to the punishment of having his kneecaps removed, rendering him a cripple who would never be able to return to Qi. In this way, Your Majesty could avoid public criticism and prevent future troubles. Wouldn't that be the best of both worlds?"

King Hui of Wei agreed with Pang Juan's reasoning and ordered that Sun Bin be spared the death penalty but instead be punished by having his kneecaps removed.

Following King Hui of Wei's order, the executioner removed Sun Bin's kneecaps, and he fell unconscious. Pang Juan had his servants carry Sun Bin to his home and personally cared for him. When Sun Bin awoke and saw Pang Juan sitting beside him, he burst into tears.

Pang Juan sighed and said with great remorse, "Brother Sun, it's all my fault. I shouldn't have let you ask the King for leave. I'm sorry, brother." As he spoke, tears streamed down Pang Juan's face.

"Brother, this is not your fault." Sun Bin stopped crying, endured the excruciating pain, sat up, and said to Pang Juan, "If anyone is to blame, it is myself. I shouldn't have been so eager to return home."

Pang Juan wiped away his tears and said, "This is all my fault. If I had stopped you from asking the King for leave to return home, you wouldn't have... But I didn't... I'm so sorry, Brother Sun..."

"Brother, don't blame yourself. This isn't your fault, it's my fault... I never imagined the King of Wei would be so narrow-minded... But, thanks to you, brother, if it weren't for you, I would already be dead!"

Pang Juan said sadly, "Although I saved Brother Sun's life, I couldn't save his legs. How can a military strategist fight on the battlefield and achieve great deeds if he can't stand on his own two legs?"

A silence fell over the room.

Overwhelmed with grief, Sun Bin could no longer hold back. He suddenly pounded his leg violently, shouting at the top of his lungs, "King Wei, give me back my leg! Give me back my leg!"

Pang Juan gripped Sun Bin's hands tightly and pleaded, "Brother Sun, don't do this, don't do this... you'll be in excruciating pain."

Sun Bin burst into tears again, murmuring, "What use is a military strategist who cannot fight on the battlefield and establish merit? It would be better to die!" As he spoke, he forcefully broke free from Pang Juan's hands and pounded his legs.

Pang Juan quickly grabbed Sun Bin's hands again and comforted him, "Brother Sun, I will definitely find a way to heal your legs and help you stand up again."

Sun Bin struggled, panting, and said, "My legs can't be healed! They'll never be healed, not even until I die!"

"It can be cured. I guarantee you with my life that your leg can be healed. I will find the best doctor for you and make sure you can stand up again."

Sun Bin was moved for a moment, then said, "Brother, I know you are trying to comfort me, but it's no use. No one who has suffered the punishment of having their kneecaps removed can ever stand up again..."

"I can help you stand up again. I have a friend who was also subjected to kneecap removal by the king. I found a doctor for him and helped him stand up again."

"Is this really true?" Sun Bin asked, half believing and half doubting.

"It is absolutely true. If I have uttered even half a lie, may I die under a hail of arrows."

Sun Bin complained, "Brother, why did you make such a solemn oath again?"

Pang Juan grasped Sun Bin's hands and said sincerely, "Without making a solemn oath, Brother Sun, I cannot convince you that I can definitely heal your legs."

Sun Bin was deeply moved.

Pang Juan ordered Zhong Liqiu to take good care of Sun Bin and not to neglect him in the slightest. Gongsun Yue was very displeased with this and complained to Pang Juan, "Marshal, why did you send Zhong Liqiu to take care of Sun Bin again?"

"I wanted to make Sun Bin vomit up the 'Art of War' that was inside him."

"Give me a month, and I'll find the Marshal a more attractive woman."

"A month won't do; things could get complicated if we wait too long."

"Then fifteen days. If fifteen days isn't enough, ten days will do."

Pang Juan saw through Gongsun Yue's thoughts and said, "Gongsun Yue, I know you're afraid that Zhongli Qiu will fall for Sun Bin, but it's too late. She has already fallen for Sun Bin. Otherwise, I wouldn't have specifically asked her to take care of Sun Bin."

Gongsun Yue grew anxious: "Marshal, you promised me last time that Zhong Liqiu would marry me, but now..."

Pang Juan smiled slightly: "As long as Sun Bin spits out 'The Art of War,' I will not let him live any longer. At that time, Zhongli Qiu will still be your man, Gongsun Yue."

Zhong Liqiu took meticulous care of Sun Bin, preparing his medicine, wiping his legs, bringing him meals, and helping him get up at night. Caring for Sun Bin was her entire life. Sun Bin, watching Zhong Liqiu tirelessly working for him, felt both grateful and deeply indebted. One day, while Zhong Liqiu was away, he tried to get up on his own, but his legs wouldn't obey him, and he fell to the ground. After a tender scolding of Sun Bin, Zhong Liqiu never left his side again, working tirelessly day and night.

Under Zhongli Qiu's meticulous care, Sun Bin's leg gradually improved. Pang Juan was delighted to hear this and sent Zhongli Qiu with several scrolls of bamboo slips to entertain Sun Bin. The scrolls Pang Juan sent contained records of Sun Bin's military campaigns in the State of Wei. After reading them, Sun Bin was deeply moved and exclaimed, "Pang Juan truly understands me!"

Seeing Sun Bin so happy, Zhong Liqiu smiled and said, "Sir, Marshal Pang said that these military books will not only help you relieve boredom, but will also help you apply 'The Art of War'. If you also gain experience in battle, you will be invincible."

Upon hearing this, Sun Bin exclaimed, "Pang Juan is truly a great man. Master Guigu misjudged him..." He then instructed Zhongli Qiu to quickly summon Pang Juan, as he had important matters to discuss with him.

Pang Juan arrived at Sun Bin's residence, sat down beside him, and asked Sun Bin what important matter he had summoned him for. Sun Bin took Pang Juan's hand and said, "Brother, I have wronged you."

Pang Juan was taken aback: "Brother Sun, what makes you say that? Have I done something wrong?"

Sun Bin shook his head repeatedly: "To be honest, my dear brother, I originally did not intend to pass on 'The Art of War' to anyone, including you..."

Pang Juan pretended to be magnanimous and said, "I know that Brother Sun once told me that this was the idea of ​​Master Guigu. I have no expectations of 'The Art of War'."

"I've changed my mind now," Sun Bin said earnestly. "I'm going to pass on 'The Art of War' to my worthy brother."

Pang Juan shook his head repeatedly: "No, you are disobeying your master's orders, and Heaven will punish you!"

Sun Bin calmly replied, "Heaven will not punish me, because 'The Art of War' does not belong to me, nor to Master Guigu. As military strategists, we have no reason to let 'The Art of War' end with me; we have a responsibility to ensure that this rare military treatise is passed down."

Pang Juan agreed with Sun Bin's reasoning, but still couldn't accept it, saying, "Master Guigu is exceptionally shrewd and skilled in divination. You can't hide it from him; he'll definitely blame you when he finds out. I always put loyalty first. If I were to cause Brother Sun any injustice for the sake of a military treatise, I'd rather regret it for the rest of my life. Brother Sun, please listen to me and do as Master Guigu instructed."

Sun Bin was moved by Pang Juan's words and asked, "Brother, let me ask you, can someone who is not an outstanding military strategist effectively utilize 'The Art of War'?"

"cannot."

"In this world today, which military strategist can surpass the two of us?"

"Never heard of it." Pang Juan shook her head.

Sun Bin stroked his leg and said, "I asked the doctor who treated my leg, and he told me that even if my leg allows me to walk, I cannot drive a chariot into battle..."

Pang Juan quickly replied, "If this doctor's skills are lacking, I'll find you another one..."

Sun Bin waved his hand: "That doctor said there is no better doctor in the world than him. I asked Miss Zhongliqiu to ask others, and they all said the same thing."

"Don't believe them, they're not telling the truth."

"Tell me the truth, wasn't the doctor who examined my leg the best doctor in the world?"

Pang Juan answered firmly: "No."

Sun Bin asked again, "Do you dare swear an oath to Heaven?"

Pang Juan was silent for a moment, then said, "Alright, to be honest, he is indeed the best physician, and I hired him at a high price..."

Sun Bin said sadly to Pang Juan, "Since I can no longer lead troops into battle, what use is there in possessing 'The Art of War'?" Tears welled in his eyes, but he held them back with all his might, and said solemnly, "Therefore, I can only pass on this art to you, my worthy brother… Only you, a strategist as outstanding as I am, can ensure that 'The Art of War' is not disgraced." Sun Bin grasped Pang Juan's hand emotionally, "My worthy brother, tell me, if I tell Master Guigu this, what reason would he have to prevent me from passing on 'The Art of War' to you?"

Pang Juan was secretly overjoyed; the "Art of War" he had longed for was about to be his. Suppressing his excitement, tears streaming down his face, he rose and knelt before Sun Bin, vowing, "Brother Sun, I will never fail your expectations; I will make 'The Art of War' renowned throughout the world!"

After saying this, Pang Juan kowtowed to Sun Bin.

Note: "A smile hiding a dagger" is the tenth of the Thirty-Six Stratagems, meaning to appear friendly on the surface while harboring murderous intent. Pang Juan, in order to obtain "The Art of War," used a smile to hide a dagger and frame Sun Bin. To find out how Sun Bin escaped danger, please read the next chapter: "Feigning Madness."