|
Sun Bin (孙膑)
Chinese. Name of
a
brilliant military and political strategist of the School of
Diplomacy during the Warring States Period (ca. 403-221 BC). After
his death in 316 BC, he was deified and as a high-ranking deity in
Taoism,
and
now stands
in attendance of
Yu Huang
(fig.)
in the
Jade Emperor
Hall at Fengdu Ghost City. His name, which means ‘Descendant
of Kneecapping’, may go
back to an event that happened in his life. Once, Sun Bin was
framed by his friend and convicted to be
executed for treason. However, after having plead for mercy, King
Hui of Wei gave him leniency and instead condemned him to
face-tattooing and kneecapping, a corporal punishment in which the
kneecaps are cut or smashed, crippling the convict for life, whereas
the tattooing of the face effectively branded one as a criminal.
Yet, Sun was able to escape using a cunning plan, in which he
feigned madness, and ‒as soon as his captors lowered their guard‒
he escaped.
回
_small.jpg)
|
