"The Art of War" by Sun Tzu states: "Feign inferiority and encourage his arrogance; harass him and win; when he is full, prepare against him; when he is strong, avoid him..."
During the Warring States period, the renowned Zhao general Li Mu, while guarding the frontier, would feign defeat whenever small detachments of Xiongnu forces invaded, leaving behind vast quantities of men and supplies along his retreat. The Xiongnu Chanyu, hearing of this, was overjoyed and led his main force in a full-scale invasion. Li Mu then drew up his battle lines and annihilated over a hundred thousand Xiongnu cavalry.
Zhang Rong employed a similar tactic to entrap the Nanjing Brocade Guard forces at the front. He ordered Zhu Cijiong to continue his southward advance and confront Zhu Guobi at Qinghe County. All grain, forage, and military supplies were stockpiled in Taoyuan County, and word of this was deliberately spread. Unable to defeat Zhu Cijiong in a head-on confrontation, Zhu Guobi had no choice but to set his sights on the supply lines. Once he learned that all the supplies were stored in Taoyuan County, he was bound to take action.
Chapter 1304