出奇制胜 — “To win by unconventional tactics”

King Min of Qi was an arrogant and pleasure-loving ruler, causing his people much suffering. Consequently, the neighboring state of Yan, led by a general, allied with several other states to attack Qi. The people of Qi, full of resentment towards King Min, were dispirited and lacked the will to resist.

However, witnessing the Yan soldiers' atrocities and remembering their national grievances, they felt deep sorrow. They fled to the cities of Ju and Jimo, vowing to fight to the death. The Yan army besieged Ju for several years without success, then turned to Jimo.

The defenders of Jimo, knowing General Tian Dan to be a resourceful and courageous warrior skilled in strategy, elected him as their commander-in-chief. The clever Tian Dan devised an innovative plan, known as the "the Fire Cattle Array."

First, he instructed merchants within the city to secretly deliver gold and jewels to the Yan generals. They were to feign surrender, stating: "The defenders of Jimo are running low on strength and are on the verge of surrendering. We offer these treasures to you, great sirs, humbly requesting that you do not harm us when you enter the city!" The Yan generals, upon hearing this, believed Jimo was ready to capitulate. Overjoyed, they relaxed their guard.

Unexpectedly, Tian Dan gathered over a thousand cattle from the city. He dressed these cattle in colorful dragon-patterned cloaks, tied sharp knives to their horns, and bundles of straw to their tails. On a dark and windy night, he gave the order. His subordinates lit the straw on the cattle's tails. Stung by the fire, the cattle charged frantically forward.

The Yan army awoke from their sleep to behold this massive herd of colorful, monstrous beasts, and were terrified, scattering in panic. Many were trampled, gored by the cattle, or cut down by the Qi soldiers. Tian Dan then pressed his advantage, eventually recapturing more than seventy cities that had been occupied by the Yan army.