【Source】Zuo Qiuming (Spring and Autumn Period), "Zuo's Commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals: Year 23 of Duke Xi."
【Meaning】"She" (舍): In ancient times, a military unit of march was thirty li (approximately 15 kilometers). The phrase means to voluntarily retreat an army ninety li (three "she"). It is a metaphor for proactively yielding or avoiding conflict to prevent confrontation.
【Historical Anecdote】
During the Spring and Autumn period, the state of Jin experienced internal turmoil. Duke Xian of Jin, believing slanderous rumors, executed his crown prince, Shensheng, and sent men to capture Shensheng's younger brother, Chong'er. Upon hearing the news, Chong'er fled Jin and spent over a decade in exile. During this time, he lived for a while in the state of Chu. King Cheng of Chu believed Chong'er would achieve great things in the future and welcomed him with the highest state honors, treating him as a distinguished guest.
One day, the King of Chu hosted a banquet for Chong'er. They drank and conversed, and the atmosphere was extremely cordial. Suddenly, the king asked Chong'er, "If one day you return to Jin and become its ruler, how will you repay me?" Chong'er thought for a moment and replied, "Beautiful women, attendants, precious treasures, and silks—Your Majesty already has these in abundance. Rare birds' feathers and ivory and animal hides are abundant products of Chu. What rare treasures could Jin possibly offer you?" The king said, "Prince, you are too modest. Even so, surely you should offer me some form of recompense?" Chong'er smiled and answered, "If, through your grace, I am truly able to return home and become ruler, I wish to maintain friendly relations with your honorable state. But if, one day, war breaks out between Jin and Chu, I will certainly order my troops to retreat ninety li. If even then your forgiveness is not granted, I will engage you in battle." Ziyu, a Chu general who was drinking with them, heard Chong'er's words and realized he was destined for greatness. He advised the king to kill Chong'er to eliminate a future threat, but the king refused.
Several years later, with the help of the state of Qin, Chong'er finally returned to Jin and ascended the throne, becoming the historically renowned Duke Wen of Jin. Under his rule, Jin grew increasingly powerful.
In 633 BC, the armies of Chu and Jin met on the battlefield. To fulfill the promise he had made, Duke Wen of Jin ordered his troops to retreat ninety li, setting up camp at Chengpu. His generals expressed strong opposition, but Duke Wen explained, "In warfare, victory comes to those who are righteous and confident. By voluntarily retreating, we have taken the moral high ground; Chu has lost its justification. If they then attack us, our soldiers, filled with righteous indignation, will fight with high morale. How could we possibly lose this battle?" Seeing the Jin army retreat, the Chu forces assumed the enemy was afraid and immediately pursued. The Jin army exploited the Chu army's arrogance and underestimation of their enemy, concentrated their forces, inflicted a crushing defeat on the Chu army, and won the Battle of Chengpu.
【Growth Insight】
There exists a subtle relationship between advancing and retreating. If you face a broad, open road, you can advance forward without hesitation. But if you face a thorny path, you need not stubbornly force your way through; stepping back first might instead open up vast horizons. As Lenin said, "To jump better, one must first step back." Retreating three encampments embodies this wisdom. Here, the retreat is not passive or negative, but proactive—a strategic withdrawal to seek opportunities for advancement and accumulate strength. To overcome an opponent after they have initiated action requires seizing the right moment; one must not be rigidly bound to a single method. Therefore, moderate concession not only garners broader moral support but also undermines the enemy's momentum, ultimately leading to victory.