The idiom 'Of the thirty-six stratagems, fleeing is the best' is commonly associated with General Tan Daoji (檀道济) of the Liu Song dynasty during the Southern Dynasties period. Tan Daoji was a highly capable general, but as his power grew, Emperor Wen of Liu Song became suspicious of him.

During a campaign, when Tan Daoji was leading his army back to the capital, the emperor dispatched forces to intercept him, intending to eliminate him. Faced with an overwhelming enemy and a precarious situation, Tan Daoji ordered his soldiers to scatter rice on the ground and pretend to eat leisurely, making it appear that their camp had abundant provisions and they were not in distress. This act of feigned composure led the imperial forces to hesitate, believing that Tan Daoji must have strong backing or a cunning plan, and thus they did not immediately attack. Tan Daoji seized this precious opportunity to safely withdraw his main forces.

Later, when he was eventually imprisoned and faced execution due to political intrigue, he is said to have sighed remorsefully, 'Of the thirty-six stratagems, fleeing is the best. But Tan Daoji himself missed this one!' lamenting that he had failed to escape when he still had a chance.