Sun Bin was one of the disciples of Wang Xu, a famous reclusive sage. Sun Bin and Pang Juan both study tactical strategy under Wang Xu. Sun was extraordinary gifted, which Pang resented. After completion of their studies, they left the valley to serve the lords of the realm. Pang Juan was serving as a general of Wei but recommended Sun Bin to be his 2nd in command. Sun won many praises during his stay in Wei which Pang resented him even more. Pang was at the point where he wanted to get rid of Sun so that no one can rival him.
Pang Juan decided to plot against Sun Bin for fear of losing his position. Pang sent a fake messenger (known as Ding Ji) to give Sun a letter (stating that he should return home due family issues) who lived in the state of Qi. When Sun wrote the response letter, Pang modified the letter to make Sun look like a spy of Qi and submitted it to the King of Wei. The King wanted to execute Sun but upon Pang’s request, Sun Bin’s knee caps were amputated and his face, tattooed (traitor). Sun was made an outcast and slave from there on. The reason Pang Juan decided to spare Sun Bin was because Wang Xu taught Sun the lost “Art of War”. Pang kept him alive in order to make Sun divulge it.
Sun Bin eventually divulged the “Art of War” to Pang Juan, thinking that Pang was still his friend (not knowing of the betrayal) and Sun had no need for it since he is no longer capable of being a general. Pang later revealed his plan and betrayal which broke Sun’s heart. He burned all his writing and feigned crazy in order to save his own life. Sun was later released but was still monitored by Pang who was still suspicious of him.
News of Sun Bin reached to the state of Qi. General Tian Ji, yearning of a military strategist wanted to scout Sun Bin to work for Qi. Tian visited Pang to know about Sun’s whereabouts and this is where Pang suggested an arrow competition between Pang and Tian with Sun as the target! Sun Bin, still feigning as a crazed man was shot at the leg by Tian (he doesn’t want to kill him). Sun did not avoid the arrow and Pang was convinced that Sun was truly insane and admitted defeat to Tian without firing his shot. Later that night, Sun told Tian Ji the truth about Pang, the betrayal and the reason why he didn’t dodge the arrow. Tian Ji smuggled Sun out of state of Wei that night and was chased down by Pang Juan’s men, but it was too late for Pang.
Upon arriving to Qi, general Tian Ji wanted to seek an audience with the King to show off Sun’s talents. It was just so happen that there was a horse racing that day where Tian can display Sun’s talents. Tian Ji and the King of Qi at times would race together. In the old days, there were 3 rounds of 3 different horses to race and the best 2 out of 3 will be the victor. Tian Ji always lost to the king. Sun Bin devised a strategy for Tian Ji to win which introduced the first game theory. Sun advised Tian to use his worst horse to race against the King’s finest in the first round (Tian Lost). Second round, Tian would use his finest to race against the King’s regular (Tian Won). Third round, Tian would use his regular to race against the king’s worst (Tian Won). Tian Ji won the horse racing bet that day and both king and Tian admired Sun Bin’s talents. Both the King of Qi and Tian Ji wanted Sun to become a general. However, Sun Bin declined and accepted the role as a military advisor to general Tian Ji.
In 354 BC, the King of Wei had Pang Juan command a large army to lay siege on the Kingdom of Zhao. Zhao sought help from the State of Qi. The famous 2nd stratagem of the 36th Stratagems “Besiege Wei to Rescue Zhao” took place. Sun Bin advised Tian Ji to besiege Wei to rescue Zhao since Wei was completely defenseless at the time. Pang and his army retreated back to Wei and were checked midway by general Tian and Sun. Pang’s army was crushed due to forced marches which left many equipments behind and was facing tremendous exhaustion. This was known as the battle of Guiling.
In 341 BC, the King of Wei decided to lay siege on the Kingdom of Han. Sun Bin again attacked the Kingdom of Wei. Pang Juan raced back to the capital but this time Sun’s army retreated. With anger from his past defeat to Sun, he went after Sun’s army. Sun devised a strategy where each day the campfire and cooking pots would be lesser so that Pang Juan would think that the army of Qi are defecting cowards. Pang Juan rushed in, leaving out his infantry and only pursuing Sun with his personal troops. This was known as the battle of Maling.
Sun Bin calculated Pang Juan would reach a narrow and difficult road of Maling Mountain by nightfall which was suitable for an ambush. Near the difficult road lies a tree, which Sun ordered it to be cut down and engraved the words “Pang Juan will die here”. Sun concealed his archers near the road and advised them that the first sight of fire near the felled tree will be fired upon. By nightfall, Pang Juan reached the place and used a torch to check out the felled tree. There Sun Bin concealed archers fired at Pang Juan and Pang Juan was no more. And that is the epic story of Sun Bin.
