The Golden Cricket Sheds its Shell…
The empty shell is often mistaken for the cricket. Ancient Chinese tales, tell of armies who would cover their retreat by leaving their camp behind with a small number of men to beat the drums and keep the fires burning.
This strategy not only covered retreats but set up sneak attacks behind enemy lines.
Wong Yong-min the great scholar and politician of the Ming Dynasty had a political enemy in the powerful eunuch Liu, who brought false charges against him. Wong was exiled to a remote corner of south east China. Not content with Wong’s exile Liu wanted him dead, so he sent an assassin after him. Wong realising he was being followed, pretended to commit suicide by throwing his clothing into the river and ordering his servant to weep on the river bank. The assassin reported Wong’s suicide to Liu and the matter was closed.
When you are in danger of being defeated, and your only chance is to escape and regroup, then create an illusion. While the enemy’s attention is focused on this artifice, secretly remove your men leaving behind only the facade of your presence.
Sun Tzu – Bing- Fa
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