To retreat is not always a sign of weakness—sometimes it is a mark of wisdom.
When Chong'er, a prince of Jin, fled to the State of Chu, the king asked what reward he would offer if he ever returned to power. The prince replied, "If we ever go to war, I will order my troops to retreat three she—ninety li—before engaging."
Years later, as Duke Wen of Jin, he kept his word. Facing Chu on the battlefield, he ordered a retreat of ninety li. The Chu army, arrogant and overconfident, pursued—only to fall into a trap and suffer a crushing defeat.
True strength lies not in always pushing forward, but in knowing when to step back. A moment of restraint can set the stage for a greater victory. In life, as in war, patience and strategy often outshine brute force.