寵姬

Another story from ancient China:

****************************

孫子武者，齊人也。以兵法見於吳王闔閭。闔閭曰：「子之十三篇，吾盡觀之矣，可以小試勒兵乎？」對曰：「可。」闔閭曰：「可試以婦人乎？」曰：「可。」於是許之，出宮中美女，得百八十人。孫子分為二隊，以王之寵姬二人各為隊長，皆令持戟。令之曰：「汝知而心與左右手背乎？」婦人曰：「知之。」孫子曰：「前，則視心；左，視左手；右，視右手；後，即視背。」婦人曰：「諾。」約束既布，乃設鈇鉞，即三令五申之。於是鼓之右，婦人大笑。孫子曰：「約束不明，申令不熟，將之罪也。」複三令五申而鼓之左，婦人複大笑。孫子曰：「約束不明，申令不熟，將之罪也；既已明而不如法者，吏士之罪也。」乃欲斬左右隊長。吳王從臺上觀，見且斬愛姬，大駭。趣使使下令曰：「寡人已知將軍能用兵矣。寡人非此二姬，食不甘味，願勿斬也。」孫子曰：「臣既已受命為將，將在軍，君命有所不受。」遂斬隊長二人以徇。用其次為隊長，於是複鼓之。婦人左右前後跪起皆中規矩繩墨，無敢出聲。

《史記列傳第五：孫子吳起列傳》

****************************

For those who could not understand Chinese, here is the English translation I adapted from Wikipedia:

The King of Wu (吳) tried to test the skill of Sun Tzu (孫子) by commanding him to train a harem of 180 concubines into soldiers. Sun divided the mistress into two groups, appointing the two most favoured ladies of the king as the leaders. When Sun first gave order to the women, they giggled. He reiterated the command, and the delinquent females continued to laugh.

Sun immediately ordered the execution of the two team heads, that is, the king's two favoured concubines. Sun explained that once a general was appointed, it was their duty to carry out their mission - even if the king protested. He also made it clear that if the soldiers understood their commands but did not obey, it was the fault of the officers. After both concubines were killed, new officers were chosen. In no time, all female soldiers performed flawlessly.

PS. As Alan Greenspan said, if you think you know what I'm saying, you've definitely misunderstood me.

And, as one of my favourite pop star once said: The hall is full of audience, but I am singing to only one.