Hiding order beneath the cloak of disorder is simply a question of
subdivision;
See _supra_, § 1.
concealing courage under a show of timidity presupposes a fund of
latent energy;
It is passing strange that the commentators should understand 埶
here as “circumstances”—a totally different sense from that which
it has previously borne in this chapter. Thus Tu Mu says:
見有利之勢而不動敵人以我爲實怯也 “seeing that we are favourably
circumstanced and yet make no move, the enemy will believe that we
are really afraid.”
masking strength with weakness is to be effected by tactical
dispositions.
Chang Yü relates the following anecdote of Kao Tsu, the first Han
Emperor: “Wishing to crush the Hsiung-nu, he sent out spies to
report on their condition. But the Hsiung-nu, forewarned,
carefully concealed all their able-bodied men and well-fed horses,
and only allowed infirm soldiers and emaciated cattle to be seen.
The result was that the spies one and all recommended the Emperor
to deliver his attack.” 婁敬 Lou Ching alone opposed them, saying:
“When two countries go to war, they are naturally inclined to make
an ostentatious display of their strength. Yet our spies have seen
nothing but old age and infirmity. This is surely some _ruse_ on
the part of the enemy, and it would be unwise for us to attack.”
The Emperor, however, disregarding this advice, fell into the trap
and found himself surrounded at 白登 Po-têng.”