During the Three Kingdoms Period (220-280), Sun Quan, king of the State of Wu, sent troops to attack the State of Wei. They laid siege to the city of Xincheng City in the State of Wei. The siege lasted several months. The Wu troops held all the advantages, while the Wei troops suffered heavy casualties.
Zhang Te, a general of the State of Wei, was worried about the situation. The Wu troops were about to attack and capture the city, and his reinforcements had failed to arrive. Zhang Te climbed up to the city walls, gazing in concern at the numerous camps of the Wu troops under the city wall. He thought, “I must find a way to play for time until our reinforcements arrive.” Suddenly, an idea flashed into his mind.
Zhang Te climbed to the city wall clutching his official seal. He shouted to the Wu troops, “Listen, I am an officer of the city. We are not able to resist your attack any longer. Many soldiers and officials are willing to surrender to you. But according to the military law of the State of Wei, no piece of land can be abandoned. If we defend the city for over 100 days, the soldiers’ relatives will be free from punishment. Now we have defended it for 90 days. If we are given ten more days, I promise that we will definitely surrender to you at that time. Now, I submit my official seal to you as proof of our surrender. Otherwise, we will fight desperately for the lives of our relatives. Think carefully about my words.”
Officers of the State of Wu thought he meant what he said. Besides, the Wu troops were tired out about the many months of the siege. Considering the fact that a desperate fightback would probably result in very high casualties, the Wu officers ordered a ceasefire until the Wei troops would surrender as promised ten days later.
Finding that the Wu troops had ceased fire, Zhang Te ordered his men to rest well for the battles to come some days later. When night fell, Zhang Te sent teams to repair the damaged city walls and to make preparations for war. But the Wu troops at this time had totally relaxed their vigilance Eight days later, Zhang Te appeared again on the city walls but this time he came to declare war on the Wu troops. The Wei troops at this time had amassed a good stockpile of provisions, and above all, they had greatly improved their morale. The Wu troops were taken completely by surprise, and were powerless to resist the attack, and could only retreat.
Finally, Xincheng City was successfully defended and the soldiers in the city were very excited. Zhang Te was generously rewarded by the king of the State of Wei.
