Stratagem 32: Open the Gate of an Undefended City or The Empty City Stratagem
Identification
Deliberately displaying a weakness conceals a true vulnerability.
Example
To avoid the expense of a baby shower, spread the false rumor that you have a terrible fear of babies.
Solution
Pretend to fix the issue or placate your opponents so that they A) seem silly to continue their protests when you have clearly given them a remedy, forcing them to B) go along with your original plan in which you did not in fact change a single detail.