16.桥

Lesson Sixteen

Tian Ji’s Strategy for A Horse Racing

1. Sun Bin is a hanger-on of Tian Ji, the general of Qi State, and Tian Ji appreciates him very much.

2. Tian Ji often races horses with King Wei of Qi and nobles.

3. After watching several games, Sun Bin found that everyone’s strength is similar, and they can be divided into superior, middle and inferior classes.

4. One day, Sun Bin said to Tian Ji, “General, I have a way to ensure that you can win the horse race.”

5. Tian Ji asked, “You mean to change some better horses?

6. Sun Bin said, “You don’t have to change any horse.”

7. Tian Ji doesn’t understand, “How can you be sure of winning?”

8. Sun Bin said with confidence, “Don’t worry, general. If you follow my advice, you will win.”

9. Tian Ji trusted Sun Bin and decided to listen to him.

10. So he made an appointment with King Wei of Qi and the nobles to race horses together.

11. The match between Tian Ji and King Wei of Qi is about to begin.

12. Both sides of the competition were gearing up and eager to try.

13. The audience also guessed the result of the competition with great interest.

14. At this moment, Sun Bin took Tian Ji aside and quietly told him the way.

15. In the first game, Tian Ji first took the inferior horse against the superior horse of King Wei of Qi, and King Wei of Qi’s horse was far ahead.

16. Tian Ji lost, but he was calm and in no hurry.

17. Then, the second round began.

18. Tian Ji won the second match against King Wei of Qi’s middle horse with the best horse.

19. Tian Ji smiled.

20. In the third round, Tian Ji beat King Wei of Qi’s inferior horse with a medium horse.

21. Tian Ji smiled with satisfaction.

22. The game was over.

23. Tian Ji won two games and lost one, beating King Wei of Qi.

24. King Wei of Qi asked Tian Ji curiously, “Is someone giving you advice for you to do this?”

25. Tian Ji told the truth and introduced Sun Bin.

26. Later, King Wei of Qi appointed Sun Bin as his military adviser.