Borrowing a Road to Destroy Guo: Zhou Yu's Strategy and Classic Game of Wits in Romance of the Three Kingdoms

Brief Introduction

"Borrowing a Road to Destroy Guo" is the 23rd stratagem of the ancient Chinese military tactics known as the "Thirty-Six Stratagems." Although the historical prototype of this strategy originates from the Spring and Autumn Period, involving the State of Jin borrowing a road through the State of Yu to destroy the State of Guo, in the literary context of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, it is often used to describe a classic trap set by the Eastern Wu Grand Admiral Zhou Yu against Liu Bei. The core of this strategy lies in the serial logic of "borrowing a road" and "destroying a state," reflecting the brilliance of intellectual battles in Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

Core Knowledge Points

1. Meaning of the Strategy

"Borrowing a Road to Destroy Guo" literally means borrowing a road to destroy the State of Guo. Its deeper logic is: to attack a powerful enemy, first borrow a road from an intermediate power. After the enemy is destroyed, on the way back,顺势 (take the opportunity to) destroy this intermediate power that lent the road. This is a Chain Stratagem, aimed at achieving two goals with one move and eliminating future threats.

2. Historical Prototype

Historically, this strategy is first recorded in the Zuo Zhuan (Commentary of Zuo). During the reign of Duke Xian of Jin, the State of Jin wanted to destroy the State of Guo, but the State of Yu blocked the way in between. Jin borrowed a road from Yu. After Yu agreed, Jin destroyed Guo. On the return journey, Jin took the opportunity to destroy Yu as well. This became the source of the idiom "Borrowing a Road to Destroy Guo" for later generations.

Connection with Romance of the Three Kingdoms

In Chapter 56 of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, "Cao Cao Feasts at the Bronze Sparrow Terrace, Kongming Angers Zhou Gongjin Three Times," this strategy was given new literary life.

Zhou Yu's Layout

After the Battle of Red Cliffs, the ownership of Jingzhou became a focal point. To prevent Liu Bei from becoming too powerful, Zhou Yu proposed a plan to Sun Quan: pretend to lend Jingzhou to Liu Bei and invite Liu Bei to Jiangling (present-day Jingzhou) to receive the city. In reality, the plan was to set an ambush and capture or kill Liu Bei upon his entry into the city. This strategy perfectly fits the logic of "Borrowing a Road to Destroy Guo":
* Borrowing a Road: Using the pretext of "lending Jingzhou" to let Liu Bei enter the Eastern Wu sphere of influence.
* Destroying Guo: Eliminating Liu Bei when he is unprepared, thereby annexing Liu Bei's forces.

Zhuge Liang's Detection

However, this strategy was detected by Zhuge Liang. Before Liu Bei departed, Zhuge Liang had already made arrangements, ordering Zhao Yun to accompany and protect him, and pre-arranging boats for pickup. When Zhou Yu ambushed under the walls of Jiangling, Liu Bei entered the city safely and withdrew quickly. Zhou Yu not only failed to "destroy Guo" but was also furious due to the exposure of his strategy, leaving behind the eternal regret of "Since Yu was born, why was Liang born?"

Literary Significance

In the novel, Zhou Yu's use of the "Borrowing a Road to Destroy Guo" strategy showcases his character traits of deep strategic insight but narrow-mindedness. He attempted to solve political problems through intrigue and conspiracy but underestimated Zhuge Liang's predictive ability. This plot not only advances the story of "Three Angers of Zhou Yu" but also profoundly reveals the core theme of "strategic duel" in Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

Conclusion

Although "Borrowing a Road to Destroy Guo" was not originally created by Zhou Yu in Romance of the Three Kingdoms, it was a key tactic he attempted to use to dismantle Liu Bei's forces. Through the failure of this strategy, Luo Guanzhong not only portrayed Zhou Yu as a tragic hero but also highlighted Zhuge Liang's brilliant foresight. For readers, understanding this strategy helps in analyzing the political gaming and military wisdom of the Three Kingdoms period more deeply.