Conserving Energy while Enemies Tired Out, 以逸待劳 - 36 Strategies
From World's Chinese Wiki
36 Strategies - Strategy No 4:Conserving energy while enemies tired out, 以逸待劳
Original: 困敌之势，不以战。损刚益柔。
Modern: 要使敌人处于困难的境地，不是直接出兵攻打，而是采取能消耗敌人锐利的方法，令敌人由盛变衰、由强变弱。
English: Put the enemy in difficult situation, avoid a head-on attack in the initial stage. Try to reduce the advantages of your enemy, turning him from strong to weak
Contents |
Illustration
The name of this strategy is believed to come from Chapter 7 of Sun Zi Art of War. At the end of the Warring States Period, the State of Qin sent an expedition against the State of Chu and Li Xing was the Commander-in-Chief. At first, Li Xing was able to capture a lot of cities in Chu. But they met with resistance which was headed by Xiang Yan eventually, the Qin troops was ambushed by the Chu troops and suffered heavy losses. Before long, the Lord of Qin ordered another expedition and this time is it headed by an old and experience general, Wang Jian. Wang Jian has no intention to launch an attack, instead he was concentrating on building his defences up. The Chu troops was very anxious to ward off the Qin troops, but there was no way of doing it. The Qin troops was resting and eating well. This goes on for a year.
When the Chu forces see that the Qin troops have no intention to attack, and merely to defend, they begin to let their guard down. They decide to pull back their forces back to the capital. On seeing the Chu troop's movement, Wang Jian see an opportunity to let loose his well-rested troops onto the Chu troops. Being well-rested, the Qin troops was unstoppable, and they dealt a huge blow to the Chu troops. Riding on the momentum, the Qin troops march further into the heart of Chu state and in 223 BC, the Qin annexed Chu.
以逸待劳，语出于《孙子．军争篇》：以近待远，以佚（同逸）待劳，以饱待饥，此治力者也。”又，《孙子．虚实篇》：“凡先处战地而待敌者佚（同逸），后处战地而趋战者劳。故善战者，致人而不致于人。” 原意是说，凡是先到战场面等待敌人的，就从容、主动，后到达战场的只能仓促应战，一定会疲劳、被动。所以，善于指挥作战的人，总是调动敌人，而决不会被敌人调动。
战国末期，秦国少年将军李信率二十万军队攻打楚国，开始时，秦军连克数城，锐不可挡。不久，李信中了楚将项燕伏兵之计，丢盔弃甲，狼狈而逃，秦军损失数万。后来，秦王又起用已告老还乡的王翦。王翦率领六十万军队，陈兵于楚国边境。楚军立即发重兵抗敌。老将王翦毫无进攻之意，只是专心修筑城池，摆出一派坚壁固守的姿态。两军对垒，战争一触即发。楚军急于击退秦军，相持年余。王翦在军中鼓励将士养精蓄锐，吃饱喝足，休养生息。秦军将士人人身强力壮，精力充沛，平时操练，技艺精进，王翦心中十分高兴。一年后，楚军绷紧的弦早已松懈，将士已无斗志，认为秦军的确防守自保，于是决定东撤。王翦见时机已到，下令追击正在撤退的楚军。秦军将士人人如猛虎下山，只杀得楚军溃不成军。秦军乘胜追击，势不可挡，公元前223年，秦灭楚。