Hide a Dagger Behind a Smile

Hide a Dagger in a Smile Cause the enemy to place full trust in us, so that he grows slack and complacent and remains quietly at rest; meanwhile, we actively plan in secret and, once fully prepared, act as opportunity permits, without letting the other side detect anything and bring about unforeseen changes. This is the strategy of an outwardly gentle and compliant appearance that conceals a lethal intent within. Allusion:The allusion of “a dagger in a smile” comes directly from Li Yifu in the reign of Emperor Gaozong of Tang. According to the Old Book of Tang: Biography of Li Yifu, Li Yifu “had a gentle and respectful appearance, and whenever he spoke with others he always wore a cheerful smile,” yet inwardly he was “narrow-minded, jealous, and treacherous.” After he rose to high office, anyone who refused to attach himself to him or slightly disobeyed him was framed and brought down; hence people of the time said, “Yifu has a dagger in his smile.” During the Three Kingdoms period, Lü Meng used a similar method against Guan Yu: Lü Meng feigned illness and had the......