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

Pang Juan led a massive army of 300,000 Wei soldiers towards Han, declaring that if Han did not submit to Wei, he would destroy it. Han was completely unprepared for the Wei invasion. The King of Han had no choice but to heed the advice of Minister Shen, ceding some territory to avoid Wei's advance and retreating to the capital. He also sent envoys to Qin, Zhao, and Qi, requesting their military assistance. The Han army's retreat without a fight was exactly what Pang Juan had hoped for. He ordered a portion of his army to advance towards the Han capital, while the rest rested and prepared to await Sun Bin's arrival.

When Pang Juan left Daliang, he ordered Pang Cong to guard the city. He told Pang Cong, "If Sun Bin wants to rescue Han, he will use the same trick of besieging Wei to rescue Zhao. You stay in Daliang and deal with him. No matter how many casualties you suffer, you must hold him off. I want to fight him on Wei territory." He also specifically instructed Pang Cong, "After I leave, you must find a way to get Zhongli Qiu back to Qi."

Pang Cong thought Pang Juan was worried that he would be used by Zhong Liqiu again, so he told Pang Juan, "Since Uncle taught me last time, I have never contacted Zhong Liqiu again, and I will never associate with her again in the future."

Pang Juan said, "The main reason for sending Zhong Liqiu back to Qi is not because I'm worried about you. Zhong Liqiu is Sun Bin's spy. I'm doing this to use her to carry out a counter-espionage plan, so that she can tell Sun Bin that Daliang is vulnerable, making Sun Bin more determined to attack Wei to rescue Han."

Pang Cong was taken aback and asked, "Uncle, how did you know she was a spy?"

Pang Juan smiled slightly and said, "You told me."

Pang Cong looked puzzled and said, "I...I didn't..."

"Regarding the matter of the fake Prince Jiao Shi Feng Cuo last time, although you denied it, I know that you told Zhongli Qiu the news, and then the State of Qi found out."

Pang Cong lowered his head guiltily and said, "Uncle, I shouldn't have lied to you..."

Pang Juan said earnestly, "Pang Cong, people cannot live without emotions, especially romantic love. However, romantic love is the easiest thing for people to lose their minds. When a commoner loses his mind, he loses his own interests; when a merchant loses his mind, he loses his own money; you are a general. If you lose your mind, you will lose the lives of tens of thousands of people, and even your own country."

Pang Cong raised his head, looked at his stern-looking uncle, and nodded, saying, "Uncle, I understand."

Since Zhong Liqiu rejected Pang Cong by the river, Pang Cong hadn't bothered her again, and she finally had some peace and quiet. One day, Zhong Liqiu was mending clothes at home when Pang Cong arrived. She glanced at Pang Cong and asked indifferently, "What are you doing here?"

Pang Cong sat down next to her and said, "It's been a long time, I came to see you..."

Zhong Liqiu remained busy with her work, and said self-deprecatingly, "Because I'm a spy, they're here to spy on me?"

No, because I haven't given up on you yet.

"As a general of Wei, you are pursuing a spy from Qi. If the King of Wei finds out, he will kill you. You should give up on this idea."

Pang Cong smiled and said, "If I don't say anything, no one will know you're a spy."

"There are no secrets that stay hidden forever; people will find out sooner or later."

"Once anyone finds out, we will leave Wei immediately."

"You don't want your uncle anymore?"

"I'd give up anything for you."

Zhong Liqiu stopped what she was doing, looked at Pang Cong and said, "You're not worth it for a woman like me."

"Since I chose to do this, it must be worth it," Pang Cong said sincerely.

Zhong Liqiu was somewhat moved and said, "General Pang, I really don't deserve you..."

"It's worth it," Pang Cong interrupted her, "If I say it's worth it, then it's worth it."

Zhongli Qiu said, "General Pang, please listen to me... Because of Sun Bin, I hate Pang Juan, and I hate you too. I once secretly swore to kill you both... Unfortunately, I am not my sister, and I cannot kill you... General Pang, being with an enemy means your life will always be in danger."

Pang Cong said softly, "I'm not afraid. If I could have you, even for just one day, I would be willing to die."

Zhong Liqiu instantly snapped out of Pang Cong's sweet talk and said coldly, "I'd rather die than let you have me."

Although it was just an act, Pang Cong couldn't help but feel a little disheartened. He asked Zhong Liqiu, "Do you really hate me that much?"

"No, only because you are my enemy."

"As long as I don't make you hate me, I still have hope... Oh, right, I forgot to tell you, my uncle has left to attack Korea, so no one cares about me anymore. I can come to see you every day."

"I wouldn't agree to it even if you came every day."

Pang Cong smiled and said, "It's okay if you don't agree. I'm happy to talk to you... I have some things to do today, otherwise I could stay a few more hours." He stood up and grinned mischievously, "Stay until tonight... Maybe next time, next time for sure."

The next morning, before dawn, a carriage drove out of Daliang City, carrying Zhong Liqiu and her son, Xiao Chunqiu.

Little Chunqiu clung tightly to his mother's arm and asked, "Mother, is the State of Qi far away?"

Zhong Liqiu said, "Far."

"Why are we going to such a far place?"

"Find your aunt."

What does my aunt do?

Zhong Liqiu didn't know how to answer the child. After thinking for a moment, she said, "You'll know when you see your aunt..."

At this moment, on a dirt slope by the roadside, Pang Cong rode his horse, gazing at Zhong Liqiu's carriage from afar.

Zhong Liqiu's carriage gradually disappeared into the distance on the bumpy dirt road.

Pang Cong was filled with countless thoughts. His uncle's scheme was beginning to take effect step by step, but he didn't want Zhong Liqiu to leave. Although he couldn't have Zhong Liqiu, just being able to see her was enough for him. But now she was gone, gone forever.

Upon arriving in Linzi, Zhongliqiu immediately went to the palace to see her elder sister. Overwhelmed with emotion, Zhonglichun took Zhongliqiu's hand, carefully examining her sister who had endured so much hardship. Suddenly, she noticed something, gently cupped Zhongliqiu's head, carefully pinched a single white hair from her sister's head, plucked it, and placed it before Zhongliqiu, saying, "Sister, look, you even have white hair now..."

Zhong Liqiu said indifferently, "So what if they are? They'll grow old and die sooner."

Zhong Lichun glared at her and said, "You're only in your twenties, you're still a long way from old age..."

"Sigh," Zhong Liqiu sighed, "I feel like I've lived a whole life..."

Zhong Lichun looked at his younger sister with heartache and said, "Sister, don't be pessimistic. In a few days, I will ask the King to act as matchmaker for you and let Sun Bin marry you. At that time, you will feel that you can never live enough."

Zhong Liqiu shook her head and said, "Sister, don't bother, I won't marry Sun Bin."

Zhong Lichun deliberately put on a stern face and said, "You're being childish again."

"Sister, I'm not being childish, I really won't get married."

"If you won't marry... then what are you doing in Qi?"

"Pang Juan led the Wei army to attack Han, leaving Wei vulnerable. I've come to tell Sun Bin that if we attack Wei now, we're sure to win."

"So you're saying you came for Sun Bin after all?"

Zhong Liqiu smiled gently and said with relief, "I did it so that he could defeat Pang Juan, not so that I could marry him... Sun Bin will surely be a figure who will be remembered for all time. If a woman who was once the wife of his enemy marries him, it will tarnish his good name. Future generations will say that Sun Bin killed Gongsun Yue in order to steal another man's wife."

Zhong Lichun looked at her younger sister silently; their fates were so similar.

Zhongli Qiu urged, "Sister, hurry up and tell Sun Bin the inside story of Wei. As long as I can help him achieve his goals, I will be satisfied."

The Korean envoy, Shen Dafu, arrived in Qi to request military assistance for Han. The King of Qi agreed. Tian Ji and Sun Bin discussed the timing of the attack. Sun Bin argued that since Han and Wei had only recently begun their war, Pang Juan had suffered almost no losses. Attacking now would mean taking the fall for Han, so he decided to observe from the sidelines and refrain from sending troops for the time being. Tian Ji worried that if they didn't act promptly, Han would succumb to Pang Juan's pressure and submit to Wei, thus increasing Wei's power. Sun Bin countered that if they informed the King of Han that Qi would send troops to aid Han, Han would surely fight Wei with all its might. However, the Korean envoy, Shen Dafu, refused to return home until he witnessed Qi's military action. Therefore, Sun Bin and Tian Ji decided to send Qin Hua as an envoy to Han.

Before his departure, Qin Hua went to a diviner's house to have his fortune told, and he received the hexagram "Bo" (剥). The diviner told him that this hexagram was inauspicious, as the inner trigram "Kun" (坤) represents compliance, while the outer trigram "Gen" (艮) represents stillness. This hexagram signifies that yin is dominant and yang is weak, indicating that petty people will prosper while virtuous people will be trapped. The diviner advised him to stay at home and not travel far. Upon hearing this, Qin Hua smiled and said, "This hexagram is excellent; it is exactly what I have been hoping for."

Qin Hua entered the palace to pay his respects to Zhong Lichun and bid her farewell. After a few pleasantries, Qin Hua sighed and said, "I just cast a divination, and it was an ominous sign."

Zhong Lichun comforted him, "Don't believe what fortune tellers say; they just talk nonsense."

"I know the Queen hates fortune tellers the most, but I believe in fortune telling... Your Majesty, if anything unfortunate happens to me during this mission to Korea, I hope you will remember me as your friend..."

"Mr. Qin, if you truly believe in divination, I will have His Majesty send someone else to Korea."

"No, only I am capable of undertaking this mission to Korea..." Qin Hua paused for a moment, then mustered his courage and said, "Your Majesty, when we were in Chui Du, I had many things I wanted to say to you, but I found it difficult to speak them. I want to say everything I wanted to say now..."

"Just say what you have to say."

"If the Queen hates me, she must not do so in front of me. She should wait until I am gone before she does."

Zhong Lichun laughed and said, "What are you talking about? How could I hate you? Tell me."

"Miss Zhongli...may I address the Queen as such?"

"Yes, that would be best," Zhong Lichun nodded.

Do you remember the first time we met?

"Of course I remember. I came to Qi to find General Tian in order to save Sun Bin."

"I fell in love with you back then..."

Zhong Lichun blushed; she had actually sensed it long ago.

Qin Hua said somewhat embarrassedly, "Miss Zhongli, please don't blame me for being so blunt."

"I don't blame you, I could tell at the time too..."

Qin Hua continued, "Later, seeing that Miss Zhongli was in love with Mr. Sun, I was disappointed, but I didn't lose heart. I kept waiting, even though the chances of it being a long shot were slim. I still hoped that Miss Zhongli and Mr. Sun would ultimately not end up together..." He looked at Zhongli Chun and then said, "I hope Miss Zhongli isn't angry that I'm saying this..."

"Go ahead and tell me, I'm not angry..."

"Later, to my surprise, Miss Zhongli actually entered the palace and became the queen! I was utterly disappointed, and I hated Sun Bin. How could he allow Miss Zhongli to enter the palace and become the queen?"

Zhong Lichun sighed and said, "He had no other choice."

"Later, I learned from General Tian that Miss Zhongli was only a queen in name only for Mr. Sun's sake, and that she would leave the palace to marry Mr. Sun... I was extremely jealous of Sun Bin, jealous that he could make the girl love him so much... Because of my jealousy, I..." Qin Hua paused for a moment, then began with great difficulty, "...told the King about your affair..."

Zhong Lichun was taken aback, then suddenly stood up and said angrily, "So it was you..."

Qin Hua looked calmly at Zhong Lichun and said, "It was me. I told the King everything you had done..."

Zhong Lichun slapped Qin Hua hard across the face, sending him rolling on the ground.

Qin Hua struggled to his feet, approached Zhong Lichun, wiped the blood from his mouth, and said, "Miss Zhong Li, hit me, hit me as hard as you want, just don't kill me..."

Zhong Lichun said bitterly, "I wouldn't be satisfied even if I beat you to death!" As she spoke, she grabbed a piece of bronzeware next to her.

Qin Hua calmly said, "I know I deserve to die, but I can't die now. If you kill me, I won't be able to go on my mission to Korea, and I won't be able to let Korea fight to the death with Wei. If Korea doesn't fight to the death, Mr. Sun can't completely defeat Pang Juan."

Zhong Lichun looked at him silently.

Qin Hua said, "I'm sorry to Mr. Sun, and sorry to you, Miss... Therefore, even if the divination is unlucky, I will still go on this mission to Korea. I will use my silver tongue to make Korea and Wei fight to the death, so that Mr. Sun can completely defeat Pang Juan." Qin Hua looked at Zhongli Chun and continued, "Miss Zhongli, if you don't hit me again, I will leave. Mr. Sun and General Tian are waiting to see me off."

Zhong Lichun turned around, his back to Qin Hua, and after a moment said, "You can leave..."

"Goodbye, Miss Zhongli..." Qin Hua bowed deeply to Zhongli Chun, then turned and walked away.

Zhong Lichun slowly turned around, tears streaming down her face.

Neither Qin nor Zhao wanted to offend Wei because of Han, so they refused to send troops to rescue Han. King Han placed his only hope in Qi, but Minister Shen was slow to return, making King Han feel that his country was in imminent danger. Minister Sima advised King Han to temporarily submit to Wei, and then try to break away from Wei when the opportunity arose. King Han was unwilling, saying, "If I submit to Wei, I will never be able to hold my head high among the feudal lords again."

Pang Juan ordered his army to launch another attack on the Han capital. The earth-shattering sounds of battle did not fade into the blood-red sunset. On the city walls, Han soldiers, some with blood-stained bandages wrapped around their arms, others with wounded arms in slings, leaned wearily against the battlements. The Wei army outside the city had already withdrawn, leaving only bent weapons and damaged chariots.

Sima Dafu advised King Han to make a decision quickly, arguing that if King Han waited until Pang Juan conquered the capital before responding, Pang Juan's appetite would only grow larger. King Han still held a sliver of hope that Qi would send troops, saying he would wait a little longer and would not submit to Wei unless absolutely necessary.

While the decision-makers of Wei and Han were deadlocked and hesitant, Qin Hua rode swiftly to the outskirts of the Han capital. Unfortunately, he fell into the hands of Wei soldiers, who bound him and sent him to Pang Juan's camp. Pang Juan was taken aback when he saw Qin Hua, then ordered his soldiers to untie him and treat him with the respect due to a distinguished guest.

Qin Hua was unmoved and coldly said to Pang Juan, "Marshal Pang's soldiers forcibly abducted an envoy from a country, which is against the principles of public etiquette."

Pang Juan smiled and said, "If Mr. Qin cannot swallow this insult, I will punish them immediately."

Qin Hua said calmly, "They were just following orders; the one who should be punished is the person who gave the order."

Pang Juan was embarrassed for a moment, then said, "I must find out who dared to issue such an order that damages the reputation of Wei without my knowledge."

Qin Hua laughed and said, "Marshal Pang, there's no need to investigate. Even if you find out, who knows when it will be... If you really feel bad about it, then just let me go."

"I will certainly let Mr. Qin go, however, it has been a long time since we last met, and we have much to talk about... How about Mr. Qin stay at my camp for a few days?"

"As an envoy of Qi, I dare not linger here. After I return from my mission to Han, I will definitely stay at the Marshal's camp for a few more days."

Pang Juan probed, "If I'm not mistaken, Mr. Qin's mission is to inform the State of Han that the Qi army will send troops to rescue Han."

"Marshal Pang, you're wrong."

"So what is your mission?" Pang Juan asked with a smile.

"I am an envoy of Qi. How can I reveal Qi's secrets to its enemies?"

Pang Juan smiled meaningfully and said, "Since I am an enemy of Qi, for the benefit of Wei, I must find a way to obtain this secret. Otherwise, I would not have let Mr. Qin leave here."

"Detaining a foreign envoy would damage the Marshal's reputation if word got out."

"I will not let the truth get out. The news that gets out is that Mr. Qin betrayed Qi and defected to Wei for the sake of his position."

"Doesn't Marshal Pang feel despicable for doing this?"

Pang Juan laughed and said, "It depends on how you look at it. If it's for personal gain, then using such methods is indeed despicable. But I'm doing this for the sake of Wei. For the sake of the country, no matter what means are used, it can't be called despicable, because in the struggle between nations, there are no exceptions; otherwise, we would be destroyed by other countries."

What you said seems to make a lot of sense, but I still can't figure it out for the moment.

"It's okay if you can't figure it out. You can think about it slowly. Once you figure it out, I'll let you go."

"What if I keep not understanding it?"

"Then I'll have no choice but to resort to torture."

"What if I'm not afraid of torture?"

"I have no choice but to kill you."

"Kill me, and you won't get the secret."

"Mr. Qin, you're overthinking it. I'm killing for show. What I want, I will get; if I can't get it, I'll destroy it."

"Marshal Pang, it seems I have no choice but to give in..." Qin Hua sighed helplessly.

Pang Juan smiled and said, "Mr. Qin is a smart man... Tell me, what is your mission?"

Qin Hua said dismissively, "Actually, there's no secret at all. My lord sent me to tell the King of Han that Qi cannot send troops to help Han."

Pang Juan sneered, "You're lying. Qi and Han have an alliance; it's impossible for Qi not to help Han."

Qin Hua said, "What does an alliance mean? Didn't the marshal just say that for the sake of the country's interests, we can stop at nothing?"

"Sending troops to rescue Han would benefit Qi, strengthen the alliance between Qi and Han, and allow them to jointly confront Wei."

Qin Hua laughed and said, "I don't think so. Wei and Han also made an alliance, and Wei even sent hostages to Han. When Wei and Qin went to war, did Han send troops according to the alliance? No. Is it necessary for Qi to sacrifice its soldiers and waste its provisions against such a fickle and untrustworthy country?"

"You're almost convinced," Pang Juan said thoughtfully, "but I still can't believe it."

Qin Hua asked, "How can I make you believe me?"

Pang Juan thought for a moment and said, "Come with me to the city of Han and tell the Han people in front of the soldiers of both armies that Qi does not agree to send troops to help Han."

"I can't go."

Pang Juan laughed smugly, "I knew you wouldn't go, because everything you said was a lie."

"If Qin Hua tells even one lie, the Marshal may execute me right outside the tent."

"Then why don't you go?"

"Under the Marshal's pressure, if we tell the Koreans about the King's decision, they won't believe us."

"Whether they believe you or not is none of my concern. I just need you to pass on the message to them, and then I will believe you."

After thinking for a moment, Qin Hua said, "After I finish speaking, can you let me go?"

"certainly."

"Send me to South Korea?"

"No, your mission is complete. There is no need for you to go to Korea. I will send someone to escort you back to Qi."

Qin Hua shook his head and said, "I cannot return to Qi. As an envoy of my country, if I cannot reach my friendly nation on time to complete my mission, and can only appear before my friend as a prisoner of the enemy, how can I have the face to return to Qi?"

"Where do you plan to go?" Pang Juan asked.

Qin Hua sighed deeply: "Hide in the mountains and forests, and remain hidden."

"Mr. Qin is a rare talent; it would be a waste to keep him hidden in the mountains. How about you keep him with me?"

"If I betray Qi today, I might betray Wei tomorrow. Aren't you worried, Marshal?"

Pang Juan smiled and said, "What I'm worried about is that you, sir, are unwilling to stay."

After a moment of silence, Qin Hua, displaying an air of loyalty unto death, said to Pang Juan, "It is rare for Marshal Pang to think so highly of me! Qi has Sun Bin, yet I have spent my entire life in Qi unable to achieve his merits or make a name for myself. Under your command, Marshal, my name will be no less than Sun Bin's. I am willing to remain under your command!"

Pang Juan finally smiled genuinely and said to Qin Hua, "When we first met, I wanted to keep you here, but you didn't agree. Today, I've finally gotten my wish."

The sun rose in the east once again, and the first thought King Han had upon seeing the sunrise was that if there was no news of Qi sending troops today, he would have no choice but to submit. At this moment, the Crown Prince of Han rushed into the palace in a great hurry, saying that Qin Hua, the envoy of Qi, had arrived. He had been captured by Pang Juan and taken outside the city, and he wanted to see King Han.

King Han immediately led several advisors and followed the crown prince to the city wall, where Han soldiers were already arrayed in full battle array. Looking out from the city, King Han saw Qin Hua standing on a chariot, still as dashing and spirited as ever. Around his chariot were rows of Wei soldiers armed with shields and halberds.

Qin Hua saw the King of Han on the city wall, cleared his throat, and said loudly, "Your Majesty, Minister Shen of Han was sent as an envoy to Qi, but he is unable to return home to report due to illness. My king has sent an envoy to Han to inform Your Majesty of my decision."

The King of Han listened intently, afraid of missing a single word.

Qin Hua continued, "Unfortunately, I was kidnapped by Wei soldiers outside the capital of Han and was unable to meet Your Majesty in the ceremony. I persuaded Marshal Pang with my silver tongue, and he agreed to let me meet Your Majesty outside the city and tell Your Majesty my decision." He paused and cleared his throat again.

Sima Dafu whispered to King Han, "Your Majesty, could Qin Hua be being used by Pang Juan...?"

The King of Han ordered him to be quiet: "Don't speak, listen carefully."

Qin Hua addressed the person on the city wall: "Your Majesty, Marshal Pang forbids me from telling the truth, but I dare not disobey my lord's command..."

The Wei general standing next to Qin Hua was taken aback and whispered, "Mr. Qin, how can you say that?"

Qin Hua loudly proclaimed to himself, "My lord has decided to send troops to rescue Han, and Sun Bin has already led an army of 200,000 into Wei..."

The Wei general then realized what was happening and hurriedly shouted, "Shut up! Don't say any more!"

Qin Hua ignored him and shouted with his last breath, "Sun Bin told me to tell the King that he will not withdraw his troops until the Wei army is defeated!"

"If you keep talking nonsense, I'll kill you!" The Wei general reached out and covered Qin Hua's mouth.

Qin Hua seized the opportunity to pull the sword from the Wei general's waist. "I'll kill you first!" he said, and plunged the sword deep into the Wei general's abdomen. The Wei general cried out and fell out of the carriage.

Seeing this, the Wei soldiers below the chariot brandished their halberds and slashed at Qin Hua. Qin Hua, with only a sword, was no match for the combined force of the halberds. One halberd struck his head, blood gushing forth, and Qin Hua staggered. Almost simultaneously, another halberd pierced his abdomen, blood staining his clothes crimson…

Sacrificing one's life for righteousness—this was Qin Hua's final choice.

On the city wall, the King of Han said to the still-stunned Crown Prince of Han, "What are you waiting for? Fire the arrows!"

South Korean soldiers fired arrows toward the city gates, and another fierce battle began. Unlike yesterday, today the South Korean soldiers were all brave and fierce.

Note: "Watching the fire from across the river" is the ninth of the Thirty-Six Stratagems, meaning "sitting on the mountain and watching the tigers fight." This stratagem often refers to observing the intensification of internal conflicts within the enemy's ranks and then reaping the benefits. Sun Bin used this stratagem to make the armies of Han and Wei fight fiercely, weakening Pang Juan's forces and thus facilitating his victory over Pang Juan. To find out the outcome of the final battle between Sun Bin and Pang Juan, please see the grand finale: "Retreat is the best policy."