Hey – It’s Fulong.
It seems tensions between Israel and Iran are finally cooling; let’s hope the good news carries on into this brand new week.
Estimated read time: 2 minutes 25 seconds
Let’s get started…
One Thrilling Story
I.
How the General Secured the Border
In the year 265 B.C. during the Warring States Period of ancient China, General Li Mu was given command responsible for defending Yanmen against the Xiongnu nomadic horsemen who were constantly raiding the provinces.
When Li Mu first arrived at his new command everyone expected him to begin by launching attacks on the local tribes. But he did no such thing.
Instead, he focused his efforts on training and nurturing the border troops, ensuring they were well fed and paid. He further ordered that, should the Xiongnu attack, all troops were to retreat into one of the fortified towns that were scattered throughout the countryside and merely defend.
Under no circumstances were they to engage the enemy. For several years anytime a Xiongnu raiding party entered the territory they found the people and soldiers already holed up behind the defensive walls with precious left in the countryside to plunder.
Eventually, the Xiongnu and even Li Mu’s own soldiers thought that, though he was a virtuous commander, he was also a coward. The border troops, after years of training without engaging in battle, became restless for combat.
When Li Mu saw the eagerness for battle amongst his troops he decided to act. First, he sent his best troops to set up an ambush several days march away.
Then he had herds of cattle and their drivers released to graze in the fields with only a few soldiers to watch over them. When a Xiongnu raiding party happened upon the cattle they attacked and sent the soldiers fleeing.
The raiding party sent word back to their Khan that the Chinese had abandoned the country leaving herds of cattle and lightly defended villages behind. The Khan raised a tremendous host to invade the Chinese territory. Expecting no resistance from the ‘cowardly’ Li Mu, they were easily led into the ambush.
More than 100,000 Xiongnu horsemen were killed. For 10 years thereafter, not a single raiding party dared cross the border.
Two Warfare Tips
I.
Lull The Enemy Into Lowering His Guard
Moving about in the darkness and shadows, occupying isolated places, or hiding behind screens will only attract suspicious attention.
To lower an enemy’s guard you must act in the open, hiding your true intentions under the guise of common everyday activities.
II.
The Element of Suprise
In battle, the element of surprise is paramount. A wary opponent is unlikely to fall into the usual traps, so he must first be made to relax his vigilance. To do this one must carry on as though nothing untoward was afoot.
Once acclimatized to often repeated actions, a person no longer takes notice of them. When the enemy ceases to pay attention to you, the time is right to attack.
Three Favourite Quotes
I.
Miyamoto Musashi on causing the opponent to become lax:
“In conflicts which involve large numbers of people, it is possible to get the opponent to become lax in their guard. When they are in a state of agitation and show signs of impatience, appear as if nothing is bothering you and put forth an easygoing, relaxed stance. When you perceive that the mood has been transferred (to your opponent), you have a chance to achieve victory by making a strong attack with as much speed as possible.”
II.
H.G. Wells on the element of surprise:
“If you are in difficulties with a book, try the element of surprise: attack it at an hour when it isn’t expecting it.”
III.
An English proverb on playing the fool:
“It takes great wisdom to play the fool.”
See you sooner or later — Fulong
