三十六計/ San Shi Liu Ji – The Thirty six Stratagems Number 24

假道伐虢/Jia Dao Fa Guo – Borrow a  Path to Conquer Guo

原文：兩大之間，敵脅以從，我假以勢。困，有言不信。

Original Text: When a small state is caught between two great powers, & the enemy makes threats in order to gain obedience, you can use the situation deceptively. Kun, there are words but no trust.

解析：地處於兩個大國中間的小國，當敵方威脅它屈從的時候，我方應立即出兵求援，藉機擴展勢力，對於正處困境的國家，只口頭許諾而無實際行動，是不會取得它的信任的。

Analysis: If a small state is located between two larger states, should the enemy attempt to threaten it into capitulation, you must immediately send troops to offer aid, using the pretext as an opportunity to expand your influence, in order to be in the proper place to deal with that country’s predicament, for if there are only verbal promises & no actual action it is unlikely that you will really gain their trust.