Replace the Superior Beams and Pillars With Inferior Ones, 偷梁换柱 - 36 Strategies
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36 Strategies - Strategy No 25: Replace the superior beams and pillars with inferior ones, 偷梁换柱
Original: 频更其阵，抽其劲旅，待其自败，而后乘之。曳其轮也。
Modern: 频繁的变动敌人的阵容，抽调开敌人的精锐主力，等待它自行败退，然后乘机取胜。这就好像拖住了大车的轮子，也控制了大车的运行一样。
English: Find a chance to change the enemy's battle formation frequently, and try to take away its main source of power. Wait till it is unable to cope with the situation before attacking it. This is similar to taking control of the wheels of truck, one can then control the direction of the truck as well.
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Liu Bang emerge the victor when he fought with Xiang Yu, and established the Han Dynasty as a result. During the start of the Han Dynasty, Liu Bang perceived those lords that does not share his surname are potential dangers and saw that dealing with them will be a major issue during his reign. Of all these lords that Liu Bang confered, Han Xin was the greatest threat as Han Xin was the chief commander of his army when Liu Bang fought with Xiang Yu. With this in mind, Liu Bang made up an excuse to reduced Han Xin's rank by confering the title "Duke Huai Yin" to him and ordered him to stay in the capital.
During the power struggle between Liu Bang and Xiang Yu, Han Xin gained a lot of achivements under Liu Bang. During that time, one advisor called Kuai Che ever suggest to Han Xin to rebel against Liu Bang, splitting the kingdom into three parts, each held by Liu Bang, Xiang Yu and Han Xin. But Han Xin did not take the advice which he regretted after his 'demotion'.
In 200 BC, Liu Bang appointed Chen Xi as the Commander-in-Chief for border defence against Xiongnus. Han Xin went to see Chen Xi secretly and reminded Chen Xi to use him as a example of what would happen to himself, he said to Chen Xi," See what has happened to me. Liu Bang would not trust you. Why not take the opportunity to revolt against Liu Bang and I will assist you from the inside." Chen Xi agreed and plan to uprise when the correct opportunity arise.
In 197 BC, Chen Xi revolted and Liu Bang personally led an army to suppress the rebellion. Han Xin acted according to plan. The plan was to fake the edict of Liu Bang which was to order the killing of Empress Lu and the Crown Prince, rode out with the army to attack Liu Bang from the rear. But the plan was discovered by Lu Empress.
Empress Lu consulted with advisor Chen Ping to counteract Han Xin's plan. Empress Lu began spreading rumors in the capital that Liu Bang had successfully suppressed the rebellion, killed Chen Xi and all the officials to be in court to celebrate Liu Bang's victory. The order was conveyed to Han Xin as well. Han Xin does not know whether to believe the rumor so he attended court with Chen Ping. On his way, he was captured and was killed. Han Xin never realised that is was all rumors and the actual Chen Xi's rebellion was only suppressed two years later.
楚汉相争，以刘邦大胜，建立汉朝为结局。这时，各异姓王拥兵自重，是对刘氏天下潜在的威胁。翦灭异姓诸王，是刘邦日夜考虑的大事。异姓诸王中，韩信势力最大。刘邦借口韩信袒护一叛将为由，把他由楚王贬为淮阴侯，调到京城居住，实际上有点“软禁”的味道。韩信功高盖世，忠于刘邦。当年楚汉相争，战斗激烈之时，谋士蒯彻曾建议韩信与刘邦分手，使天下三分。韩信拒绝了蒯彻的建议，辅佐刘邦夺得天下。而今却落得这样的下场，心中怨恨至极。
公元前200年，刘邦派陈烯为代相，统率边兵，对付匈奴。韩信私下里会见陈烯，以自己的遭遇为例，警告陈烯，你虽然拥有重兵，但并不安全，刘邦不会一直信任你，不如乘此机会，带兵反汉，我在京城里接应你。两个人秘密地商量好，决定伺机起事。
公元前197年，陈烯在代郡反汉，自立为代王。刘邦领兵亲自声讨陈烯。韩信与陈烯约定，起事后他在京城诈称奉刘邦密诏，袭击吕后及太子，两面夹击刘邦。可是，韩信的计谋被吕后得知。吕后与丞相陈平设下一计，对付韩信。
吕后派人在京城散布：陈烯已死，皇上得胜，即将凯旋。韩信听到这个消息，又没有见到陈烯派人来联系，心中甚为恐慌。一日．丞相陈平亲自到韩信家中，谎称陈烯已死，叛乱已定，皇上已班师回朝，文武百官都要入朝庆贺，请韩信立即进宫。韩信本来心虚，只得与陈平同车进宫。结果被吕后逮捕，囚系在长乐宫之钟室。半夜时分，韩信被杀。后世称“未央官斩韩信”。盖世英名的韩信至死也不知道，陈烯已死的消息，完全是谎言。陈烯叛乱，是在韩信死了两年之后才平定的。