To Remove the Ladder After Ascending the Roof, 上屋抽梯 - 36 Strategies
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36 Strategies - Strategy No 28: To remove the Ladder after ascending the Roof, 上屋抽梯
Original: 假之以便，唆之使前，断其援应，陷之死地。遇毒，位不当也。
Modern: 故意露出破绽，给敌人提供方便条件。诱使敌人深入我方阵地，然后切断其前应与后援，使其陷入困境。敌人贪图不应得的利益，必遭祸患。
English: Pretend to expose one's weakness to lure the enemy into one's trap. When the enemy is within one's control, cut off its supply routes and eventually destroy him. Do not go for small advantage when one can go for the kill, as it may result in one's destruction.
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Towards the end of the Han Dynasty, when the warlords are fighting among each other for territories, there is one warlord by the name of Liu Biao. He favors his youngest son, Liu Zhong, a lot and does not like his eldest son Liu Qi. Liu Qi's stepmother, who is Liu Zhong's natural mother, was afraid that Liu Qi would inherit the power and wealth from Liu Biao since he is the eldest son was bent on harming him. Liu Qi knew that his situation is precarious, so he seek advice from Zhuge Liang many times but to no avail. So Liu Qi thought of a plan.
The next day, Liu Qi invited Zhuge Liang to the second floor of a restaurant for a meal. When they were in the midst of the meal, Liu Qi arranged beforehand someone to remove the ladder that lead to the second floor. Liu Qi again seeked advice from Zhuge Liang," We are now neither near the Earth or Heaven, what you said would only enter the ears of Liu Qi, please advise me on my situation." Zhuge Liang seeing that he cannot get out of the circumstance told Liu Qi a story," During the Spring Autumn Period, Concubine Li of Lord Xian of State of Jin wanted to do harm to two of her stepsons; Shen Sheng and Zhong Er. Knowing her intention, Zhong Er escaped to other state. Shen Sheng on the other hand is filial and wanted to stay and serve his father. One day, Shen Sheng came back with delicious food to be presented to his father. But Concubine Li had the food laced with poison.
When Lord Xian was about to eat the food, Concubine Li said," Since the food came from outside, it would be better to let someone try the food to see if it has gone bad." So one of the attendants tried the food and died on the spot. On seeing this, Lord Xian was furious and accused Shen Sheng of being unfilial and wanted to kill him to usurp his position. Lord Xian ordered that Shen Sheng be executed. Shen Sheng on hearing it knew there was no way of defending himself so he committed suicide. Now Shen Sheng stayed and he was killed, Zhong Er left and he lived."
Liu Qi on hearing the whole story knew what to do, he hurried back and requested from his father, to be deployed to Jiang Xia, thus avoiding his stepmother.
后汉末年，刘表偏爱少子刘琮，不喜欢长子刘琦。刘琦的后母害怕刘琦得势，影响到儿子刘琮的地位，非常嫉恨他。刘琦感到自己处在十分危险的环境中，多次请教诸葛亮，但诸葛亮一直不肯为他出主意。有一天，刘琦约诸葛亮到一座高楼上饮酒，等二人正坐下饮酒之时，刘琦暗中派人拆走了楼梯。刘琦说：“今日上不至天，下不至地，出君之口，入琦之耳，可以赐教矣”诸葛亮见状，无可奈何，便给讲一个故事。春秋时期，晋献公的妃子骊姬想谋害晋献公的两个儿子：申生和重耳。重耳知道骊姬居心险恶，只得逃亡国外。申生为人厚道，要尽孝心，侍奉父王。一日，申生派人给父王送去一些好吃的东西，骊姬乘机用有毒的食品将太子送来的食品更换了。晋献公哪里知道，准备去吃，骊姬故意说道，这膳食从外面送来，最好让人先尝尝看。于是命左右侍从尝一尝，刚刚尝了一点，侍从倒地而死。晋献公大怒，大骂申生不孝，阴谋杀父夺位，决定要杀申生。申生闻讯，也不作申辩，自刎身亡。诸葛亮对刘琦说：“申生在内而亡，重耳在外而安。”刘琦马上领会了诸葛亮的意图，立即上表请求派往江夏（令湖北武昌西），避开了后母，终于免遭陷害。