In ancient China, there was a very intelligent general named Han Xin. Han Xin served King Liu Bang of Han, and he was extremely outstanding in military affairs.
Once, Han Xin led his troops to attack the state of Zhao. The state of Zhao had a very powerful military force and occupied a favorable terrain, waiting in full battle array at Jingxing Pass.
Han Xin led his troops to camp thirty li away from Jingxing Pass. He was well aware that the number of his troops was far less than that of the state of Zhao. If they fought head - on, it would be very difficult to win. So he came up with a very bold plan. He ordered his soldiers to quietly march towards Jingxing Pass in the middle of the night. At the same time, he also made the soldiers form a battle array with their backs to the river. This made many soldiers feel very doubtful in their hearts because, according to common sense, having one's back to the river was a big taboo in military operations. With the river behind, if they were defeated, there would be no way to escape.
When the generals of the state of Zhao saw Han Xin's troops forming a battle array with their backs to the river, they all thought that Han Xin didn't understand military strategy and further despised Han Xin's troops. After the battle began, the troops of the state of Zhao launched a large - scale attack, wanting to wipe out Han Xin's troops in one fell swoop. Han Xin's troops, because of having their backs to the river and having no way to retreat, could only fight desperately forward. Although the troops of the state of Zhao were numerous, all of Han Xin's soldiers fought bravely against the enemy. For a while, the troops of the state of Zhao couldn't win easily.
At this time, the two thousand surprise troops that Han Xin had previously ambushed near the Zhao army camp, taking advantage of the emptiness of the Zhao army's large camp, quickly rushed into the Zhao army camp, removed all the flags of the Zhao army, and replaced them with the flags of the Han army. When the soldiers of the Zhao army saw that their large camp was full of the flags of the Han army, they thought that their camp had been occupied by the Han army and immediately became completely disorganized.
And Han Xin led the soldiers who had fought with their backs to the river to counter - attack at this time. Under the two - sided attack, the Zhao army was completely defeated. In this way, Han Xin achieved victory in this battle with a smaller force against a larger one. This story tells us that when facing difficulties, sometimes what seems like a hopeless situation, as long as there is courage, wisdom and determination, unexpected victories can be created.
