A Dagger Sheathed in a Smile, 笑里藏刀 - 36 Strategies
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36 Strategies - Strategy No 10: A dagger sheathed in a smile, 笑里藏刀
Original: 信而安之，阴以图之。备而后动，勿使有变。刚中柔外也。
Modern: 设法让敌方相信我方是善意友好的，从而对我方降低戒备。我方则暗中策划，积极准备，见机行事，不要让对方有所察觉而采取应变措施。是一种暗藏杀机、外表示柔的计策。
English: Show a friendly stance to the enemy, so that they will let down their guard against you, Meanwhile, prepare yourself for battle and take extreme care not to let your enemy know your true intention.
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Illustration
During the Warring States Period, the State of Qin wanted to expand their territories, so they send out an army to attack the State of Wei, lead by General Gongsun Yang. They came to the Wu City which was very difficult to attack because of the terrain and strong fortress. Gongsun Yang was thinking very hard about how to capture the city given all the difficulties until he got the information taht the person that is leading the defense of the city is Gongzi Xing, a friend of his. Delighted, he sent a letter to Gongzi Xing, indicating that he actually wish for a truce on account of their friendship. In the letter, Gongsun Yang also indicated a time and venue to discuss the truce. After the letter was sent out, Gongsun Yang ask his troops to pose a retreating stance. On seeing that the Qin troops are retreating, Gongzi Xing agreed to the meeting to discuss about the truce.
On the day of discussion, Gongzi Xing brought with him 300 men to the venue. On seeing that Gongsun Yang brought fewer men and also unarmed, Gongzi Xing strongly believed that Gongsun Yang sincerely wanted a truce. The discussion was carried out in an amiable atmosphere. After the discussion. Gongsun Yang threw a feast for Gongzi Xing. But before Gongzi Xing could sit down, Qin troops came out from all over the place and had Gongzi Xing and his men surrounded and captured. Gongsun Yang later used the capture soldiers to trick those that are defending Wu city to open the city gates. In the end, Gongsun Yang managed to capture the Wu city.
战国时期，秦国为了对外扩张，必须夺取地势险要的黄河崤山一带，派公孙鞅为大将，率兵攻打魏国。公孙鞅大军直抵魏国吴城城下。这吴城原是魏国名将吴起苦心经营之地，地势险要，工事坚固，正面进攻恐难奏效。公孙鞍苦苦思索攻城之计。他探到魏国守将是与自己曾经有过交往的公子行，心中大喜。他马上修书一封，主动与公子行套近乎，说道，虽然我们俩现在各为其主，但考虑到我们过去的交情，还是两国罢兵，订立和约为好。念旧之情，溢干言表。他还建议约定时间会谈议和大事。信送出后，公孙鞅还摆出主动撤兵的姿态，命令秦军前锋立即撤回。公子行看罢来信，又见秦军退兵，非常高兴，马上回信约定会谈日期。公孙鞅见公子行已钻入了圈套，暗地在会谈之地设下埋伏。会谈那天，公子行带了三百名随从到达约定地点，见公孙鞅带的随从更少，而且全部没带兵器，更加相信对方的诚意。会谈气氛十分融洽，两人重叙昔日友情，表达双方交好的诚意。公孙鞍还摆宴款待公子行。公子行兴冲冲人席，还未坐定，忽听一声号令，伏兵从四面包围过来，公子行和三百随从反应不及，全部被擒。公孙鞅利用被俘的随从，骗开吴城城门，占领吴城。魏国只得割让西河一带，向秦求和。秦国用公孙鞅笑里藏刀计轻取崤山一带。