2 : Kongming Uses A Stratagem ✨

When Sima Yi’s vanguard arrived, they stopped in their tracks. Instead of a rain of arrows, they saw four open gates and a few elderly men sweeping the dust. Above them, the legendary strategist sat alone, plucking a serene, elegant melody.

He ordered his soldiers to dress as civilians and sweep the streets in front of the four gates, acting as if the city were merely waking up for a quiet morning. Then, Kongming donned his simple Taoist robe and climbed to the highest point of the gate tower. He sat down, lit a stick of incense, and placed his guqin (zither) across his lap. 2 : Kongming Uses a Stratagem

The drums of the Wei army thundered, a rhythmic death knell echoing through the gates of Xicheng. , known as Kongming, stood atop the city wall, watching the horizon. His main army was away on a campaign; he was left with only a handful of civil officials and 2,500 exhausted soldiers. When Sima Yi’s vanguard arrived, they stopped in

Sima Yi rode to the front, squinting at the tower. He knew Kongming was a man of extreme caution who never took unnecessary risks. He listened to the music; it was steady, flawless, and devoid of any agitation. He ordered his soldiers to dress as civilians

Fearing a massive counter-attack hidden within the city's alleyways, Sima Yi ordered a total retreat. The 150,000 soldiers turned and marched away in a cloud of dust.

Approaching him was , leading a massive force of 150,000 elite troops. To fight was suicide. To flee was impossible.

This became known as the —the ultimate victory of psychological warfare over physical might.