空城计

空城计

Literally means:

the stratagem of the empty city-present a bold front to conceal a weak defense

Actually means:

put up a bluff

According to an ancient tale in China, Zhu Ge Liang, a highly intelligent general in the Three Kingdoms period, put up a bluff in a besieged city despite virtually no soldiers for defense, he assumed an air of confidence and played the traditional string instrment in the tower upon a wide open gate. Thinking that there must be an ambush inside the city, the enemy officials ordered his troops to withdraw. This is the story of the stratagem of the empty city. Kong Cheng, or an empty city, refers to a defensiless city. In a broad sense this idiom refers to a stratagem of concealing one's weaknesses and beguiling the enemy. It also refers to something that is empty of content or is in disguise. It also refers to a place without a caretaker or an empty stomach.

古代的故事说，诸葛亮没有兵力守城，却装出不满在乎的样子，不但大开城门，还坐在城楼上弹琴。敌军指挥官担心有埋伏，没有进攻就退兵了。这个故事就是空城计。空城，指城中没有守卫的军队。泛指掩饰自己力量空虚，使对方迷惑的计策。也指没有实际内容或与实际情况不符的事物，或一个地方没有人看管，或肚子饿。