Romance of the Three Kingdoms: China’s True Art of War
The strategy playbook that China actually reads isn't the one on your shelf.
Is the famous Empty Fort Strategy from The Art of War or Romance of the Three Kingdoms?
Most people—even in China—would guess Sun Tzu. But this iconic ploy is lifted straight from Romance, the epic historical novel written in the 14th century. A 2020 Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) survey revealed over 90% of respondents recognized key plots from Three Kingdoms, while fewer than 15% had read Art of War in full.
No surprise there. Three Kingdoms is a page-turner—rich in battle scenes, political intrigue, and unforgettable characters. It’s part history, part drama, and deeply embedded in Chinese culture. Its heroes and strategists live on in video games like Dynasty Warriors and Honor of Kings, plus countless TV dramas and pop culture references.
Curious about the strategies that keep readers hooked? Here are two classics:
Empty Fort Strategy
Enemy troops are storming toward a nearly undefended city. Inside, the brilliant strategist Zhuge Liang has barely any men. But instead of hiding, he orders the gates wide open and calmly plays a lute on the city wall. The enemy general, Sima Yi, freezes. A trap? He turns back. There was no ambush—just brilliant psychological warfare.
💭 How could this work in real life—say, in negotiation or bluffing? [Join the discussion in the comments ↓](#comments)
Borrowing Arrows with Straw Boats
Facing a tight deadline to deliver 100,000 arrows, Zhuge Liang sends straw-covered boats into the fog. His men drum and shout to provoke enemy fire. Cao Cao’s archers oblige—showering the boats with arrows, which lodge harmlessly in the straw. Mission complete—without a single casualty.
💭 Could this be the ultimate outsourcing or supply chain hack? [Join the discussion in the comments ↓](#comments)
Thanks for reading- see you in the next chapter!