◎ Strategies of the Warring States
Geng Lei, an archery master of the State Wei, stood on a high platform together with King of Wei, looking up to see flying birds in the sky.
Geng Lei said to King of Wei, “I can shoot down a bird, as long as I pull the cord without using an arrow.”
King of Wei felt confused, “Have you developed your toxophilite skill to such an amazing extent?”
Geng Lei answered with confidence, “Surely.”
After a while, a wild goose flew from the east. Geng Lei pulled the bow cord with force, and the wild goose indeed fell to the ground after the sound produced by the bow cord.
King of Wei was amazed, “Why have you developed your toxophilite skill to such an amazing extent?”
Geng Lei explained, “This is a wounded wild goose.”
King of Wei asked, “How do you know this?”
Geng Lei replied, “This wild goose flew slowly, and cried sadly. It flew slowly, because it ailed from the original wound; and it cried sadly, because it has been away from the wild goose flock for a long time. Just because its original wound had not been cured, and its fear had not been removed, then the wild goose would think somebody wanted to shoot at it again when hearing the sound emitted by the bow cord. To escape, he wanted to fly high, but eventually it fell to the ground, because its original wound broke again.”
