The Best Stratagem Is to Run Away

Retreat Is the Best Option To preserve military strength, the whole army voluntarily withdraws and avoids a stronger enemy. Choosing to retreat and hold in an unfavorable situation neither invites danger nor violates the constant principles of warfare. The commentary further clarifies: when the enemy holds every advantage and our side is in no position to fight, there are only three paths—surrender, peace, or retreat. Surrender is total defeat; a negotiated peace is half defeat; retreat does not count as defeat, and as long as there is no defeat, the opportunity to turn defeat into victory is preserved. Allusion:Bi Zaiyu of the Song dynasty faced the Jin army. As the Jin forces grew stronger day by day and he could hardly contest their edge, he struck camp and withdrew overnight, leaving only his banners in the camp. He also hung live sheep upside down so that their forelegs rested on the drums; unable to bear being suspended, the sheep kicked wildly, and the drumbeats never ceased. For several days the Jin troops did not realize that the Song camp was empty, and by......