用英语讲中国故事——Besiege Wei to Save Zhao 围魏救赵

围魏救赵

Relieving the State of Zhao by Besieging the State of Wei 

“三十六计”中的第二计——围魏救赵计

The second of the Thirty-Six Stratagems—Relieving the State of Zhao by Besieging the State of Wei 

原指齐军通过围攻魏国，从而让魏军撤退救下赵国。后指袭击敌人后方的重要据点，迫使进攻的敌人来撤退的战术。

Originally, it referred to the Qi army's siege of the Wei State, which forced the Wei army to retreat and save the Zhao State. Later, it referred to the tactic of attacking important strongholds in the rear of the enemy to force the attacking enemy to retreat.

在战国时期，其中有两个比较强大的国家，一个是魏国，另一个是赵国。

During the Warring States Period, there were two relatively powerful countries, one was Wei and the other was Zhao.

有一天，魏国突然发动了一场战争，想要占领赵国的土地。

One day, the State of Wei suddenly launched a war, wanting to occupy the land of the State of Zhao.

赵国虽然也很勇敢，但是面对魏国的强大军队，他们开始有些招架不住了。

Although Zhao was also very brave, they began to be unable to withstand the powerful army of Wei.

在这个危急的时刻，赵国只能求助于他的一个好朋友——齐国，让他们出手相助。

At this critical moment, Zhao State could only turn to one of its good friends, Qi State, for help.

但是，齐国并没有直接派兵去赵国和魏国打仗，而是想出了一个聪明的计策。

However, Qi did not send troops directly to fight Zhao and Wei, but came up with a clever strategy.

因为齐国的兵力并不是很厉害，如果直接和魏国军队对上，齐国肯定会吃亏。

Because Qi's military strength was not very strong, if it directly confronted Wei's army, Qi would definitely suffer.

其中齐国的大将军田忌，带领着一支精锐的部队，没有直接前往赵国，而是悄悄地来到了魏国的首都大梁城外。

Among them, Qi's general Tian Ji led an elite force and did not go directly to Zhao, but quietly came to the outskirts of Wei's capital, Daliang.

然后，他们就开始围攻大梁城，做出一副要占领魏国都城的架势。

Then, they began to besiege the city of Daliang, acting as if they were going to capture the capital of Wei.

这一下可把魏国吓坏了，他们赶紧把自己的军队从赵国撤回来，保卫自己的都城。

This frightened the State of Wei, and they quickly withdrew their troops from the State of Zhao to defend their capital.

就这样，齐国通过“围魏”的方式，成功地解救了赵国的危机，这就是“围魏救赵”的故事。

In this way, Qi successfully rescued Zhao from crisis by "encircling Wei". This is the story of "Relieving the State of Zhao by Besieging the State of Wei".

这个故事告诉我们：在困难面前要冷静思考，寻找最佳的解决方案。有时候遇到困难正面迎击得不到解决，逆向思维，从事物的本源上去解决问题反而更有效。

This story tells us: When faced with difficulties, we should think calmly and find the best solution. Sometimes, facing difficulties head-on will not solve them. Instead, it is more effective to think in reverse and solve problems from the root of things.