Wubei Zhi (Vol. 12) (1621) - Page 23

"Having traveled four thousand li: a Chinese unit of distance, roughly 500 meters to attack others, if we do not apply our full strength and effort now, even if we were to press the men forward, what could be achieved? Since departing from the capital, I have not worried that the rebels would attack us, but only that they might flee. Now their rations are nearly exhausted, yet our encirclement is not yet complete. If we were to seize their cattle and horses or disrupt their wood-gathering, we would merely be driving them to escape. We must wait for the right moment to observe their movements."

...responded: "[One should] not [simply] calculate based on casualties or compete over food supplies. Currently, the rebels are numerous while we are few; the rebels are starving while we are well-fed. With the floods and rain being as they are, our labor and strength cannot be effectively deployed. Even if we were to press the men to advance, what could they possibly achieve?

Since I departed from the capital, I have not worried about the rebels attacking us, but rather I have feared that the rebels might flee. Now, the enemy's rations are almost exhausted, and our lines of encirclement are not yet joined. If we were to plunder their cattle and horses or intercept their foragers, we would only be driving them to run away.

In war, the way is one of deception; This is a direct reference to the "Art of War" by Sun Tzu, suggesting that strategy often involves misleading the enemy about one's intentions. one must be skilled at adapting to changing circumstances. The rebels rely on their superior numbers and the heavy rains; thus, although they are hungry and distressed, they are not yet willing to surrender. We must appear incompetent to put them at ease. To seek small advantages and thereby startle them is not a sound plan."

When the Imperial Court heard that the army had encountered such heavy rain, everyone wished to abandon the campaign. The Wei Sovereign, Cao Rui, The second emperor of the state of Cao Wei, known posthumously as Emperor Ming. said: "Sima Yi is one who can face danger and master change; his capture of Gongsun Yuan can be expected any day now."

When the rain finally cleared, Sima Yi completed the encirclement. They constructed earthen mounds, dug tunnels, and prepared mobile shields, watchtowers, and battering rams. They attacked day and night. Arrows and stones fell like rain. Gongsun Yuan found himself in a desperate situation; his grain was exhausted, and the people began to eat one another. This "cannibalism" is a recurring motif in Chinese historiography to signal the absolute collapse of order and the ultimate extremity of a siege. In the eighth month, he sent his minister, Wang Jian...