Zhang Fei Defends Steepslope Bridge (after the battle of Changban)
In the highly acclaimed TV series “The Three Kingdoms” directed by Gao Xixi (2010-2012) one of the most memorable characters is Zhang Fei, third sworn brother to Lui Bei . Zhang Fei both in the novel and in this series was depicted as being an exceedingly loyal and formidable warrior. He was also bit uncouth, short-tempered and loved to drink. These vices often landed him in trouble. His weapon was a "1.8 zhang long steel spear, also called a "1.8 Zhang long serpent spear" because its head was shaped like a serpent.
The two segments I’ve selected here depicts a precarious time for Lui Bei. His arch nemesis Cao Cao with his superior force has already launched a campaign bent on wiping out the opposing forces in southern China. Cao Cao, with his armies now in Jing Province after the surrender of Lui Cong ( Lui Bei’s nephew), focuses his full attention on Lui Bei. Lui Bei, after the evacuation of Xinye County, is pursued by 5,000 of Cao Cao’s riders who catch up with him at Changban, Dangyan. Lui Bei, abandoning his family, flees with only Zhuge Liang, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun and a small contingent of soldiers. Still in dire straits, Zhang Fei (with 20 horsemen) is charged with defending Steepslope Bridge and covering Lui Bei’s retreat.
The first segment depicts Zhang Fei’s courage and ferocity that freezes Cao Cao’s army in its tracks. At the same time it reveals Zhang Fei’s strategy that tricks Cao Cao into a retreat.
The second segment depicts the flaw in Zhang Fei’s strategy which sabotages his earlier, effective defence, placing the retreat of Lui Bei in dire jeopardy.
Fin
Sun Tzu Strategy Twenty One
The Cicada Sloughs Its Skin.
Maintain the original shape and play out the original pose, so that the ally does not doubt and the enemy does not move. Submission and stillness lead to decay. From a distance, the newly sloughed skin of a cicada looks like cicada itself. One who wants to catch the cicada may be distracted by the skin while the cicada flees. Thus the idiom points to the method of escape: maintain the appearance of inaction while taking action in secret. In warfare, to withdraw is no easier than to advance. In retreat army is exposed to attack from its reader; the retreat may turn into a stampede if the superior enemy forces follow up to attack. Therefore half should be arranged for a “surprise retreat” by pulling away all of a sudden and in the meantime maintaining the appearance of inaction. In a broader sense, the strategy instructs one to conjure of false appearances for the concealment of secret military manoeuvres, when confronted by an enemy superior in number and strength, we should set up a great quantity of banners and standards and double our cooking stoves to flaunt our strength. Thus, the enemy will be unable to ascertain our actual number and strength and will think twice before seeking an engagement with us. Then we can withdraw quickly to get away from peril and preserve our forces. The principal does, “strength or weakness depends on dispositions.”
Zhuge Liang (181-234), style name Kongming, often depicted wearing a robe and holding a hand fan made of crane feathers, Zhuge Liang was a chancellor of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period. He is often recognized as the greatest and the most accomplished military strategist of his era and is often compared to another great ancient Chinese Strategist Sun Tzu. Zhuge Liang also an accomplished scholar and an inventor, also went by the the nickname “Wolong” (Crouching Dragon).
The wisdom of Zhuge Liang was popularised by the historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, written by Luo Guanzhong during the Ming Dynasty. In it, Zhuge Liang is described to be able to perform fantastical achievements such as summoning advantageous winds and devising magical stone mazes.
There is great confusion on whether the stories are historical or fictional. At least, the Empty Fort Strategy is based on historical records, albeit not attributed to Zhuge Liang historically. Nevertheless the question is though rather irrelevant, as the Zhuge Liang of lore is regardless seen as a mastermind, whose strategies continue to influence many generations through strategically, military and everyday thinking.
Here, Zhuge Liang, faced with a dire situation, applies this strategy, banking on the fact that Sima Yi had observed his strategies for years past and therefore feels confident that he knows his opponent Kongming well:
