Sun Bin<!--Chinese in infobox--> (died 316 BC) was a Chinese general, military strategist, and writer who lived during the Warring States period of Chinese history. A supposed descendant of Sun Tzu, Sun was tutored in military strategy by the hermit Guiguzi. He was accused of treason by Pang Juan while serving Wei and punished by being branded and crippled. Sun escaped and became a strategist and commander for Qi, defeating Wei at the Battle of Guiling and the Battle of Maling; Pang was killed at Maling. Sun's Art of War with the Yinqueshan Han Slips were discovered in 1972 after going missing for at least 1400 years.
Life
Early life and service in Wei
Sun Bin was allegedly a descendant of Sun Tzu. Sun Bin excelled while studying military strategy under the hermit Guiguzi; he could recite The Art of War and identified by Guiguzi as a role model for other students. Pang Juan, a fellow student, became Sun's blood brother. Pang left to be a Wei general, and built a reputation through a few victories. Sun continued his studies until accepting a Wei recruitment offer and joining Pang. Pang considered Sun to be more talented and knowledgeable, and became jealous.
King Hui of Wei sentenced Sun to death after Sun was framed for treason by Pang. Pang convinced King Hui to commute the sentence; Sun was branded and crippled by having his kneecaps removed. Pang attempted to entice Sun to compile a book on military strategy with good treatment, with the intent of killing Sun afterwards. Eventually, Sun discovered Pang's intentions and feigned insanity. As a test, Pang locked Sun in a sty where the latter ate animal faeces, calling them delicious. When Pang lowered his guard, Sun escaped with the help of Qi diplomats.