During the Warring States Period (475 BC-221 BC), horseracing was a favorite pastime for the Emperor of the State of Qi. He always asked his General Tian Ji to race with him. As Tian Ji’s horses were not as good as the Emperor’s, every time, he lost to the Emperor.
One day, when Tian Ji returned home from horseracing, he met Sun Bin who was staying at his home. Sun Bin found Tian Ji in low spirits, so he asked, “What’s troubling you, General?” Tian Ji replied, “You know, I raced with the emperor today and lost again. Why am I the loser every time?” Hearing this, Sun Bin smiled and said, “Next time you race, I will go to help you.” Tian Ji was delighted and agreed.
Several days later, the emperor wanted another race with Tian Ji. This time, Tian Ji took Sun Bin to give him some help. As at the previous races, their horses were classified into three classes. The very best ones raced together as did the good ones and also the average ones. After Tian Ji had lost all three races, Sun Bin said to him, “General, have another race with the Emperor, I promise you will win.” Tian Ji accepted his advice, and challenged the emperor to another race. As the emperor was still flush with his success in the three races, he agreed without any hesitation.
In the first round, Sun Bin advised Tian Ji to use his average horse against the very best of the emperor’s. Unsurprisingly Tian Ji’s horse was no match for the emperor’s. Tian Ji lost the race. The emperor was delighted.
Then, in the second round, following Sun Bin’s advice, Tian Ji’s very best horse beat the emperor’s good one. Tian Ji was excited, and the emperor felt a little uneasy, as he had never lost any race before.
The third round was the deciding rubber. Tian Ji sent his good horse to meet the challenge of the emperor’s average one. At last, Tian Ji’s horse won. Tian Ji felt on top of the world. The emperor had never expected that result. He asked Tian Ji, “The horses are the same, but how could you win this time?” Tian Ji said, “I don’t know, emperor, please ask Sun Bin to tell you.”
Sun Bin explained, “Tian Ji’s very best horse is not as good as the emperor’s, but better than the emperor’s good one. The general’s good horse is not as good as the emperor’s, but better than the emperor’s average one. In the first round, the general used his regular horse against the emperor’s very best one. Of course, the emperor was the winner. But in the following rounds, the emperor’s good horse was no match for the general’s very best one, and the emperor’s average horse was beaten by the general’s good one. That’s why the emperor lost the race.”
Hearing this, the emperor realized Sun Bin was a rare talent and appointed him as his military counselor. Sun Bin commanded the Qi troops to win numerous battles.
