漢朝初年，北方的東胡國聽到匈奴「冒頓」殺父自立為王，想試探冒頓的為人態度，便派使臣向冒頓要一匹千里馬，匈奴國的臣子聽到後紛紛表示，國家只有這一匹先王遺留的千里馬，怎麼可以給人呢？冒頓笑笑後說：「東胡國是鄰居，怎麼可以為了一匹馬，失掉可貴的情誼呢？」於是把馬交給使者。後來東胡國又派人來向冒頓討匈奴國的皇后，臣子們更是生氣的反對，沒想到冒頓又笑著說：「我不能為了一個女人，失去與鄰國的交情。」就把皇后交給使者了。三個月後，東胡竟然大膽到想要兩國交界的空地，這次，冒頓卻突然從座位上站起來，生氣的說：「土地是一個國家的根本，怎麼可以給人呢？」便下令把使臣等人綁起來，並且以最快的速度出兵攻打東胡國，由於東胡國沒有任何準備，很快整個東胡國就被冒頓給消滅了。
三十六計之第十六計：欲擒故縱
不把對方逼迫得太緊，先讓他自己的實力消耗掉，士氣及心理上都鬆懈時，再一舉進攻，對方一定會自亂陣腳，到時候便可以用最小的代價，取得勝利。
In the early years of the Han dynasty, news that prince Mao Dun of the country Syong Nu country murdered his own father and enthroned himself as the new king spread to neighboring country of Dong Hu . The Dong Hu country wanted to see what kind of person Mao Dun was, so they sent an emissary requesting for the king's horse. The officials of Syong Nu country disapprove, "This is the horse left by the late king. How can we give it away?" But Mao Dun smiled and said, "Dong Hu country is our neighbor. How can we lose their precious friendship just because of a horse?" So he gave his horse to Dong Hu country.
Later Dong Hu country sent the emissary again, this time requesting for the queen of Syong Nu country. The officials were up at arms in protest. But Mao Dun just smiled and said, "I can not afford to lose the friendship with our neighbor just because of a woman." So again he gave his queen to Dong Hu country .
Three months later, Dong Hu country sent the emissary again, this time demanding a piece of land from Syong Nu country. But this time, Mao Dun rose from his chair and said furiously, "Land is the foundation of a country. How can we give it away?" He ordered the emissary arrested and ordered an attack on Dong Hu country as soon as possible. Because Mao Dun invaded Dong Hu country without any prior warning, Dong Hu country was caught completely off guard. As a result, Mao Dun conquered Dong Hu country in no time.
Strategy 16: Letting Go of the Small Fish to Catch the Big Fish
Don not push your enemy too hard. Let him expend his strength first. Then when his morale and his guard are down, attack him at once. The enemy will fall into chaos, and we will be able to achieve victory at the lowest cost.
