Treatise on Armament Technology: Volume 20

Strategic Studies

Battle Illustrations: Page 7

Yue Yi wrote a letter swearing his loyalty until death. Because of this, the people of the State of Qi The state currently being invaded by Yan respected his righteousness, and the various feudal lords feared his integrity; none dared to plot against him further.

Shortly thereafter, King Zhao of Yan passed away. King Hui, who had been displeased with Yue Yi ever since he was the Crown Prince, ascended to the throne.

Tian Dan The brilliant commander defending Jimo, the last stronghold of the State of Qi then employed a ruse of "sowing discord" 反間 (fanjian): a stratagem where one spreads false rumors to turn an enemy ruler against their own successful general. He spread rumors, saying: "Yue Yi has a rift with the new King of Yan. Fearing execution, he wishes to unite the armies and crown himself King of Qi. Since the people of Qi have not yet submitted to him, he is intentionally delaying the final attack on Jimo to wait for his plans to mature."

This agrees with the account mentioned previously.

The rumors continued: "The only thing the people of Qi fear is that another general might come, for then Jimo would surely be destroyed."

When King Hui heard this, he immediately sent the general Qi Jie to replace Yue Yi. Consequently, Yue Yi fled to the State of Zhao to escape execution. The officers and soldiers of the Yan army were filled with resentment and lost their sense of unity.

Tian Dan then ordered the people within the city of Jimo that they must sacrifice to their ancestors in their courtyards before every meal. This caused great flocks of birds to circle, dance, and descend into the city to eat the offerings. The Yan soldiers watching from outside the walls found this strange and supernatural.

Taking advantage of their confusion, Tian Dan proclaimed: "A Divine Teacher shall descend to instruct me." One soldier asked: "Could I serve as the teacher?" Tian Dan immediately treated the man as his mentor. From then on, whenever he issued orders or regulations, he always attributed them to the Divine Teacher. He also proclaimed—