An account of Sonshi, who was one of these professional, strategists, is written in the Chinese history called Shiki(史記, a collection of the lives of celebrated men. Although giving no more than an incident in his life, it is included here as throwing some little light on the history of the time. No further facts about Sonshi appear to be known.
His other name was Bu, and his native place was in the province of Sei in South China. He was at one time in the employment of Katsuryo, the lord of the province of Go, which kingdom rose to considerable importance mainly owing to his talents.
The manner of his first meeting with Katsuryo, and what led to his employment in the latter’s service were as follows. Katsuryo told him that he had read his (Sonshi’s) thirteen articles, and approved them in theory; but that now he required a practical demonstration of them. Sonshi agreed; and for this purpose asked that he might be allowed to manœuvre the king's wives and women of the palace. There were 185: dividing them into two parties, he put one of the king’s favorite wives in command of each.
He then explained to them their duties. When he gave the order "Left Turn,” they were to move in the direction of their left hand; when he gave the order "Forward" in the direction in which they were facing; and similarly for right and rear.
Having explained these things three times, he gave a signal on the drum for the manœuvre to commence. But the leaders only giggled; so Sonshi, feeling that his instructions might have been misunderstood, again repeated what they were to do. Once more he announced to the King on his dais that the fight was about to begin, and the signal drum was beaten. The girls laughed again. This time Sonshi said, "My instructions were clear; this time it is the fault of my lieutenants, the punishment of disobedience is death"; and with that he gave orders that they should be beheaded.
Thus far the king did not wish to go, and sent down a messenger to Sonshi to say that he was already perfectly satisfied with the exposition, but that if these two wives were beheaded food would have no taste for him; he begged Sonshi to stay his hand.
To this Sonshi replied that he had been intrusted with the
