《左传·襄公·襄公九年》
我们把四军分为三部分，加上诸侯的精锐部队，以迎击前来的军队，对我们来说并不困乏，而楚军就不能持久了。这样，还是比打仗好。
吾三分四军，与诸侯之锐以逆来者。于我未病，楚不能矣，犹愈于战。
If we divide our four armies into three parts, adding the elite troops of the princes, and meet the army that comes, it will not be difficult for us, and the Chu army will not be able to last long. In this way, it is still better than fighting.