Disband the Thieves by Capturing its Chief, 擒贼擒王 - 36 Strategies
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36 Strategies - Strategy No 18: Disband the thieves by capturing its chief, 擒贼擒王
Original: 摧其坚，夺其魁，以解其体。龙战于野，其道穷也。
Modern: 摧毁敌人的主力，擒住他的首领，就可以瓦解他的整体力量。就好像龙离开大海到陆地作战而面临绝境一样。
English: If the enemy's power base is destroyed and his leaders capture, then the whole organization would be disintegrated. Just like a sea dragon having to fight on land, it will face with difficulties.
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Illustration
In 757 AD, during the Anshi Rebellion, the Emperor of Tang Dynasty, Tang Su Zhong commanded General Zhang Xun to guard the city of Sui Yang from the rebels. Zhang Xun's army eventually had aa fierce fight with the troops of the rebel General Yin Zi Qi.
General Zhang Xun's army fought bravely and killed 5,000 enemy soldiers. The enemy camp was thrown into confusion. Nobody could locate General Yin Zi Qi. General Zhang Xun then hatched a plan to lure the rebel general from his hideout. He ordered his men to use fake arrows made of straw to shoot at the enemy. When the enemy soldiers saw this, they thought that they had defeated Zhang Xun's army and rushed to report to General Yin Zi Qi. Thus they disclosed the location of the general. General Zhang Xun ordered his men to shoot at General Yin Zi Qi who was wounded in his left eye. Although General Yin Zi Qi managed to escape after a fierce struggle, his troops was thoroughly defeated.
唐朝安史之乱时，安禄山气焰嚣张，连连大捷，安禄山之子安庆绪派勇将尹子奇率十万劲旅进攻睢阳。御史中丞张巡驻守睢阳，见敌军来势汹汹，决定据城固守。敌兵二十余次攻城，均被击退。尹子奇见士兵已经疲惫，只得鸣金收兵。晚上，敌兵刚刚准备休息，忽听城头战鼓隆隆，喊声震天，尹子奇急令部队准备与冲出城来的唐军激战。而张巡“只打雷不下雨”，不时擂鼓，象要杀出城来，可是一直紧闭城门，没有出战。尹子奇的部队被折腾了整夜，没有得到休息，将士们疲乏已极，眼睛都睁不开，倒在地上就呼呼大睡。这时，城中一声炮响，突然之间，张巡率领守兵冲杀出来．敌兵从梦中惊醒，惊慌失措，乱作一团。张巡一鼓作气，接连斩杀五十余名敌将，五千余名士兵，敌军大乱。张巡急令部队擒拿敌军首领尹子奇，部队一直冲到敌军帅旗之下。张巡从未见过尹子奇，根本不认识，现在他又混在乱军之中，更加难以辨认。张巡心生一计，让士兵用秸杆削尖作箭，射向敌军。敌军中不少人中箭，他们以为这下玩了，没有命了。但是发现，自己中的是秸杆箭，心中大喜，以为张巡军中已没有箭了。他们争先恐后向尹子奇报告这个好消息。张巡见状，立刻辨认出了敌军首领尹子奇，急令神箭手、部将南霁云向尹子奇放箭。正中尹于奇左眼，这回可是真箭只见尹子奇鲜血淋漓，抱头鼠窜，仓皇逃命。敌军一片混乱，大败而逃。