When Sima Yi’s vanguard arrived, they stopped in their tracks. Instead of a rain of arrows, they saw four open gates and a few elderly men sweeping the dust. Above them, the legendary strategist sat alone, plucking a serene, elegant melody.
"Sima Yi knows I am careful," Kongming replied, setting his instrument aside. "I used his own intelligence against him. He could not believe I would be so bold, so he convinced himself I was being clever." 2 : Kongming Uses a Stratagem
This became known as the —the ultimate victory of psychological warfare over physical might. When Sima Yi’s vanguard arrived, they stopped in
Approaching him was , leading a massive force of 150,000 elite troops. To fight was suicide. To flee was impossible. "Sima Yi knows I am careful," Kongming replied,
The drums of the Wei army thundered, a rhythmic death knell echoing through the gates of Xicheng. , known as Kongming, stood atop the city wall, watching the horizon. His main army was away on a campaign; he was left with only a handful of civil officials and 2,500 exhausted soldiers.
Kongming turned to his panicked subordinates with a calm, enigmatic smile. "Do not hide," he commanded. "Open the gates wide."