Take the Opportunity to Pilfer a Goat

Lead Away the Sheep by the Way Even the slightest loophole must be exploited in timely fashion; even the smallest advantage must be contested and secured. Turn the enemy’s minor negligence into a minor victory for our side. Allusion:In 383 AD, at the Battle of Fei River, Fu Jian of Former Qin led a great army south, while Xie Shi of Eastern Jin led troops to meet it. As the Former Qin army withdrew, its ranks fell into great confusion and its command broke down; rout was already inevitable. Xie Shi made an immediate decision, ordered the Jin army to cross the river swiftly, and, while the enemy was in chaos, pursued and attacked with all vigor. The Former Qin army collapsed utterly; Fu Rong was killed, and Fu Jian, wounded by an arrow, fled. What Xie Shi seized was not a prearranged opportunity but a tiny crack exposed in the enemy’s retreat, which he followed through and expanded into a complete victory. Modern Application:The core lies in this: while advancing the main objective, remain keenly alert to an opponent’s minor negligence, procedural error, or......