Pointing the Mulberry but Scolding the Locust Tree, 指桑骂槐 - 36 Strategies
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36 Strategies - Strategy No 25: Pointing the mulberry but scolding the locust tree, 指桑骂槐
Original: 大凌小者，警以诱之。刚中而应，行险而顺。
Modern: 强者慑服弱小者，要用警戒的方法加以诱导。威严适当，可以获得拥护。手段高明，可以使人顺服。
English: A stronger force can use warning or admonishment to control a weaker force. A suitable display of power will receive support and the use of a decisive method will demand reverence. It is not necessary to destroy the smaller force when one is much stronger.
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During the Spring Autumn Period, Lord Jing of State of Qi appointed Sima Rangju as the commander-in-chief to lead an expedition against State of Jin and Yan and send one of his favored officers Zhuang Jia as the supervisor. Sima Rangju on knowing the appointments arranged with Zhuang Jia to meet at the campsite at exactly noon. The next day, Sima Rangju at the camp very early and ordered that a wooden pole be placed at the campsite as a time dial.
When noon was reached, there was still no sign of Zhuang Jia. Sima Rangju send several messengers to hurry Zhuang Jia but to no avail. It was only evening when Zhuang Jia made his way to the campsite, in a drunken stupor. Sima Rangju asked Zhuang Jia,"Why are you late?" Zhuang Jia replied nonchalantly," A few of my friends and relative came to send me off, so we had a few rounds of drink. Since so many people came, I have to entertain them, right? That is the reason why I am late." Sima Rangju was furious and scolded," As the appointed supervisor of the army, instead of putting state military matters ahead of everything else, you rather bothered your family affairs." Zhuang Jia taking advantage of the fact that he is a favored official, took no heed of the scolding.
Sima Ranju ordered the disciplinary officer to come forward and asked,"To be late without reason, what is the punishment according to martial laws. The disciplinary officer replied,"Execution!" Sima Rangju immediately asked men to arrest Zhuang Jia. See the seriousness of the matter, Zhuang Jia's followers rush back to look for Lord Jing.
Before the messenger of Lord Jing has arrived, Zhuang Jia was executed on the spot. The soldiers was stunned and scared stiff. Everyone understood the consequences of not following orders. Later, the messenger of Lord Jing came rushing into the camp with his chariots, carrying with him the order of releasing Zhuang Jia. But Sima Rangju said,"When the general is outside, there are orders that the general can choose not to follow." And on seeing that the messenger is arrogant, he again summoned the disciplinary officer and asked,"To rush into the camp with a chariot in a disorderly manner, what is the punishment?" The disciplinary officer again replied,"Execution." Once the word was uttered, the messenger's face turned white.
Sima Rangju said," Since you are a messenger sent by Lord Jing, we shall not execute you." Sima Ranju ordered that the messenger's follower and three horses from the chariot be executed, and let the messenger go. With this showing, the soldiers knew that they must follow what Sima Rangju ordered, thus the army was very disciplined and went on to win many victories.
春秋时期，齐景公任命田禳苴为将，带兵攻打晋、燕联军，又派宠臣庄贾作监军。禳苴与庄贾约定，第二天中午在营门集合。第二天，禳苴早早到了营中，命令装好作为计时器的标杆和滴漏盘。约定时间一到，禳苴就到军营宣布军令，整顿部队。可是庄贾迟迟不到，禳苴几次派人催促，直到黄昏时分，庄贾才带着醉容到达营门。禳苴问他为何不按时到军营来，庄贾无所谓，只说什么亲威朋友都来为我设宴饯行，我总得应酬应酬吧？所以来得迟了。禳苴非常气愤，斥责他身为国家大臣，有监军重任，却只恋自已的小家，不以国家大事为重。庄贾以为这是区区小事，仗着自己是国王的宠臣亲信，对禳苴的话不以为然。禳苴当着全军将士，命令叫来军法官，问：“无故误了时间，按照军法应当如何处理？”军法官答道：“该斩！”禳苴即命拿下庄贾。庄贾吓得浑身发抖，他的随从连忙飞马进宫，向齐景公报告情况，请求景公派人救命。在景公派的使者没有赶到之前，禳苴即令将庄贾斩首示众。全军将士，看到主将杀违犯军令的大臣，个个吓得发抖，谁还再敢不遵将令。这时，景公派来的使臣飞马闯入军营，拿景公的命令叫禳苴放了庄贾。禳苴沉着地应道：“将在外，君命有所不受。”他见来人骄狂，便又叫来军法官，问道：“乱在军营跑马，按军法应当如何处理？”军法官答道：“该斩。” 来使吓得面如土色。禳苴不慌不忙地说道：“君王派来的使者，可以不杀。”于是下令杀了他的随从和三驾车的左马，砍断马车左边的木柱。然后让使者回去报告。禳苴军纪严明，军队战斗力旺盛，果然打了不少胜仗。