Pagina 221 di 266

[Ts'ao Kung says: "Feign stupidity"-by an appearance of yielding

and falling in with the enemy's wishes. Chang Yu's note makes the

meaning clear: "If the enemy shows an inclination to advance,

lure him on to do so; if he is anxious to retreat, delay on

purpose that he may carry out his intention." The object is to

make him remiss and contemptuous before we deliver our attack.]

61. By persistently hanging on the enemy's flank,

[I understand the first four words to mean "accompanying the

enemy in one direction." Ts'ao Kung says: "unite the soldiers and

make for the enemy." But such a violent displacement of

characters is quite indefensible.]

we shall succeed in the long run

[Literally, "after a thousand li."]

in killing the commander-in-chief.

[Always a great point with the Chinese.]

62. This is called ability to accomplish a thing by sheer

cunning.

63. On the day that you take up your command, block the frontier

passes, destroy the official tallies,