11. Sacrifice the plum to preserve the peach
“Sacrifice the plum to preserve the peach” is a sacrificing stratagem used in order to preserve the long term goal. Basically, it is scapegoating at its best. The famous ancient stratagem came into play during the era of the three kingdoms.
During an expedition in the three kingdoms era, Cao Cao supplies and morale was low. He summoned the supply captain to dilute the rice with water in order to save grain which the soldiers complain. Cao Cao then summoned the supply captain again, but this time he beheaded him (made him the scapegoat) and announced that the supply captain was selling supplies to the enemy. Seeing such a righteous and justified act, the soldiers redoubled their effort and morale was high again. In a few days, Cao Cao’s army came out victorious in the siege.
Like playing chess, it’s better to lose the rook than the game. One can sacrifice a rook to take the opponent’s king. If you have to lose something to gain something even more valuable, than it was a wise choice. As the saying goes “some sacrifices have to be made in order to achieve the greater goal”. That is what it means to “sacrifice the plum to preserve the peach”.
