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上屋抽梯 (shang4 wu1 chou1 ti1) - Removing escape routes
By Removing escape routes |
January 11, 2009, Sunday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
There were rarely any stairs leading to the attic in old Chinese houses, so people had to use a ladder to get to the loft. By removing the ladder after luring someone to climb upstairs, you actually had them trapped.
To apply this stratagem in a battle, you deliberately entice the enemy to penetrate your lines and then corner him in a death trap by cutting off his escape routes.
Ironically, Zhuge Liang (AD 181 - 234), one of the most famous strategists in Chinese history, was once trapped by someone using this scheme.
Liu Qi was the son of a high-ranking official but he suffered from the constant persecution of his stepmother. So, someone asked Zhuge Liang to help him out.
Liu invited Zhuge to his house and begged the renowned strategist to give him some advice.
After learning of Liu's situation, Zhuge was reluctant to say anything because he thought it was inappropriate for him to interfere in a domestic matter. So, he flat out rejected Liu's request.
Liu then took Zhuge into a private room and entertained him with exquisite wines.
He detailed all the bad things his stepmother had done to him and confessed his concern that the woman might eventually have him killed. Zhuge, however, remained indifferent.
Seeing that his efforts were having no effect on Zhuge, Liu then invited him to peruse an ancient book he had stored in the attic of the house.
Zhuge, a learned man, was very interested in all kinds of books and literature, so he followed Liu into the attic.
When they got to the top, Zhuge found nothing but four bare walls. Then he saw the ladder being removed.
Liu then fell to his knees in front of Zhuge and again implored him to help.
"Now the ladder has been removed, we are both trapped here," Liu said.
"Whatever you say here will remain in the attic and only between you and me. But, I will appreciate your help today for the rest of my life."
Liu even drew out a sword and threatened to kill himself if Zhuge again refused to help.
Seeing no other alternative, Zhuge told Liu a story from many years earlier about two brothers and their stepmother.
Zhuge said that the stepmother had long planned to get rid of the two stepsons. One of the two sons ran away, but the other, a pious son to his father, stayed.
One day, the stepmother framed the remaining son for trying to poison his father and the latter believed her. To show his devotion to his father, the son committed suicide.
"The son who stayed eventually got killed, but the one who ran away survived," Zhuge concluded his story.
The next day, Liu asked his father to send him to live in a remote town and successfully escaped the grip of his stepmother.
To apply this stratagem in a battle, you deliberately entice the enemy to penetrate your lines and then corner him in a death trap by cutting off his escape routes.
Ironically, Zhuge Liang (AD 181 - 234), one of the most famous strategists in Chinese history, was once trapped by someone using this scheme.
Liu Qi was the son of a high-ranking official but he suffered from the constant persecution of his stepmother. So, someone asked Zhuge Liang to help him out.
Liu invited Zhuge to his house and begged the renowned strategist to give him some advice.
After learning of Liu's situation, Zhuge was reluctant to say anything because he thought it was inappropriate for him to interfere in a domestic matter. So, he flat out rejected Liu's request.
Liu then took Zhuge into a private room and entertained him with exquisite wines.
He detailed all the bad things his stepmother had done to him and confessed his concern that the woman might eventually have him killed. Zhuge, however, remained indifferent.
Seeing that his efforts were having no effect on Zhuge, Liu then invited him to peruse an ancient book he had stored in the attic of the house.
Zhuge, a learned man, was very interested in all kinds of books and literature, so he followed Liu into the attic.
When they got to the top, Zhuge found nothing but four bare walls. Then he saw the ladder being removed.
Liu then fell to his knees in front of Zhuge and again implored him to help.
"Now the ladder has been removed, we are both trapped here," Liu said.
"Whatever you say here will remain in the attic and only between you and me. But, I will appreciate your help today for the rest of my life."
Liu even drew out a sword and threatened to kill himself if Zhuge again refused to help.
Seeing no other alternative, Zhuge told Liu a story from many years earlier about two brothers and their stepmother.
Zhuge said that the stepmother had long planned to get rid of the two stepsons. One of the two sons ran away, but the other, a pious son to his father, stayed.
One day, the stepmother framed the remaining son for trying to poison his father and the latter believed her. To show his devotion to his father, the son committed suicide.
"The son who stayed eventually got killed, but the one who ran away survived," Zhuge concluded his story.
The next day, Liu asked his father to send him to live in a remote town and successfully escaped the grip of his stepmother.
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