26
26th Stratagem
指桑骂槐
(zhǐ sāng mà huái)
Point at the Mulberry Tree While Cursing the Locust Tree
Influencing an adversary’s behavior by sending a message can sometimes only be done covertly, through indirect means. To control an opponent whose position prevents the option of direct confrontation or criticism, sending a message by disciplining or punishing someone else will often suffice.
Sun Tzu wanted to show King Helü (阖闾, reigned from 514 to 496 B.C.) of Wu that even women could be trained in the arts of war. He put together two regiments consisting of women from Helü's court, and then put two of the king's favorite concubines at the head of each. After giving both regiments clear instructions, he began to give them marching orders, but both groups just giggled confusedly. He had the concubines beheaded, and then put two women from the front rows in charge and gave the order a second time. This time, they obeyed. It was in this way that Sun Tzu made his point to the king [16].
Point at the Mulberry Tree While Cursing the Locust Tree is associated with the seventh hexagram, Earth over Water. The Water below represents a dangerous force, and the Earth above is the discipline and obedience which guides it. The yang line in the second position is the head commanding this obedience, just as does a commanding general through reward and punishment [1], [28].
VOCAB LIST 26:
article: 文章: wénzhāng
article/paper: 论文: lùnwén
<measure word for article>: 篇: piān
honey: 蜂蜜: fēngmì
honey bee/bee: 蜜蜂/蜂: mìfēng/fēng
oat: 燕麦: yànmài
spider: 蜘蛛: zhīzhū
poison: 毒: dú
poisonous: 有毒的: yǒudú de
to point/to finger: 指: zhǐ
roof: 屋顶: wūdǐng
olive: 橄榄: gǎnlǎn
football (American): 橄榄球: gǎnlǎnqiú
to accept: 接受: jiēshòu
to receive: 接收: jiēshōu
received: 收到: shōu dào
document: 材料/文件: cáiliào/wénjiàn
He Lu: 阖闾: hé lǘ
material: 材料: cáiliào
letter: 信/信件: xìn/xìnjiàn
<measure word for letter>: 封: fēng
mulberry tree: 桑树: sāngshù
locust tree: 槐树: huái shù
to pull: 拉: lā
to pull up: 拉起来/抬起来: lā qǐlái/tái qǐlái
to pull over: 拉过来: lā guòlái
to help: 帮: bāng
to push over: 推过去: tuī guòqù
to send (e.g. a letter): 寄/寄给: jì/jì gěi
Oh my! : 天哪: tiān nǎ
to curse/to scold: 骂: mà
to push down: 推下去: tuī xiàqù
to put in: 放进去: fàng jìnqù
to take out: 拿出来: ná chūlái
top of...: ...顶: ...dǐng
New Characters:
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Sample Sentences 26:
1) Q: 这篇是什么文章？
A: 是我的论文。
2) Q: 我已经把那些文件寄给你了，有没有收到？
A: 没有，我只收到一封信。
3) 我指着那只蓝色的鸟对她说：“快看！”
4) 河边有几棵桑树和槐树。
6) Q: 屋顶上有蜘蛛，是有毒的吗？
A: 是的，这一种蜘蛛有毒。
7) 他很生气地骂了出来。
8) I. 请接受我的材料。
II. 我让小王接收一下。
9) 这个把手，我应该推过去，还是拉过来？
Trans.: Should I push or pull this handle?
10) 天哪！橄榄球上有蜜蜂！
Trans.: Lord! There’s a bee on the football!
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