How did Odysseus plan to avoid going to Troy?

He acted like he is mad- he took a donkey and an ox and yokes them to the same plough. Then, he began to plow a field and planted salt instead of seeds. However, the messenger sent to retrieve him, Palamedes, tested him by placing his infant son, Telemachus, in the way of the plough. When Odysseus reached Telemachus, he turned the plough aside, and this proved he wasn't mad after all. He now had to go to Troy.