Strategies of the Warring States

The Records of Wei

Book I

Strategies for Relief and Intervention

One who untangles a confused knot does not use clenched fists. One who breaks up a brawl does not join in the striking and grappling. By striking at the gaps and pounding the emptiness original: 批亢擣虛 (pī kàng dǎo xū). A famous military idiom meaning to avoid the enemy's strong points and strike where they are most vulnerable., and by blocking the momentum and constraining the situation, the entanglement will resolve itself.

Currently, the elite troops of LiangThe State of Wei was often called 'Liang' after it moved its capital to the city of Daliang in 364 BCE. are exhausted abroad, while the old and the weak are weary at home. If we lead our army in a swift march to their capital, they will surely release their grip on Zhao to rescue themselves. In this single move, we shall lift the siege of Zhao and reap the benefit of Wei’s exhaustion.

The King followed this counsel. In the tenth month, HandanThe capital city of the State of Zhao, which was under siege by Wei. surrendered to Wei. However, as the Wei army returned to defend their own territory, they engaged the Qi forces at GuilingThe Battle of Guiling (354 BCE), the origin of the strategy 'Besiege Wei to Rescue Zhao.'. The Wei army suffered a crushing defeat.

Later, Wei sent Pang JuanA famous Wei general and the primary antagonist of Sun Bin; legend says he had Sun Bin's kneecaps removed out of jealousy. to attack the State of Han. Han requested emergency aid from Qi. King Wei of Qi summoned his senior ministers to deliberate on the matter.

Marquis Cheng, Zou Ji, said, "It is better not to rescue them."

Tian JiThe high commander of the Qi armies and a patron of Sun Bin. said, "If we do not rescue them, Han will be broken and forced to submit to Wei. It is better to rescue them early."

Sun Bin said, "Since the armies of Han and Wei are not yet exhausted, to rescue them now would mean we take the brunt of Wei's military force on behalf of Han. In doing so, we would find ourselves taking orders from Han instead."