SuaveG – The Gentle Path

Chinese mythology, folktales, and literature

Tian Ji

  • The Art of Deception: Sun Bin’s Masterpiece at Maling

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    Rob

    This article analyzes Sun Bin’s classic deception at the Battle of Maling. He reduced cooking stoves daily to feign desertion, luring arrogant Pang Juan into an ambush. It perfectly embodies Sun Tzu’s maxim of hiding strength to manipulate foes psychologically.

  • Tian Ji and the Horse Race

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    Juan

    This story tells how strategist Sun Bin helped General Tian Ji beat King Wei in horse races. By rearranging horse tiers to sacrifice one round for two wins, it illustrates strategic trade-offs and instrumental rationality echoing Sun Tzu’s deceptive warfare thought.

  • The Strategist’s Revenge: Sun Bin vs. Pang Juan [Warring States]

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    Rob

    This article narrates the legendary rivalry and revenge of Sun Bin against his treacherous fellow student, Pang Juan, during the Warring States period. It details Sun Bin’s harrowing escape from Wei, where he faked madness and death to evade Pang Juan’s spies. The narrative highlights two pivotal battles: the Battle of Guiling, where Sun…