Emperor Gaozu of Han had very strategic methods in employing people.

Author: Li Yin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-02-01
Features:
Fox's——leverage others' strengths to dominate; Fox's——expand influence and emulate the actions of the strong; Fox's——enhance charisma and strengthen commitment to win hearts; Fox's——improve execution and act decisively when necessary. The two most visionary and influential political figures in human history are Gaius Julius Caesar, who founded the Roman Empire, and Liu Bang, the founder of the Han Dynasty. Toynbee was a great historian who published many world-influential comments, and many people regarded his words as classics, using them to support their own views. The origin of this book, "Liu Bang's Extraordinary Strategy in Using People," is a quote by Toynbee: The two most visionary and influential political figures in human history are Gaius Julius Caesar, who founded the Roman Empire, and Liu Bang, the founder of the Han Dynasty. Liu Bang was a cunning fox in Chinese history and one of the most visionary and influential political figures in human history. Niccolò Machiavelli, a famous political theorist during the Italian Renaissance, said in his classic work The Prince: A competent king must possess the ferocity of a lion and the cunning of a fox. However, if both cannot be had, it is better to have the cunning of a fox than the ferocity of a lion, for wolves will not dare to () you; only the cunning of a fox will protect you from being (). Liu Bang was an ordinary man in Chinese history who rose from a commoner to the throne of the emperor. People's respect for him seemed not as high as for other emperors. Ruan Ji of the Eastern Han Dynasty was very resentful of Liu Bang. He ran from Luoyang to Chenggao and sighed deeply, saying, "The world lacks heroes, so a mere () has become famous!" What does "" mean? "A young man" or "a little boy." Ancient poetry also contains the line, "Liu and Xiang never studied books," showing that Liu Bang was not highly regarded in the hearts of the Chinese people. Mao Zedong, a great leader of his generation, admired "Qin Shi Huang," "Han Wudi," "Tang Taizong," "Song Taizu," and "Genghis Khan," but not Liu Bang. In a conversation on January 7, 1967, Mao Zedong said, "Rustics can produce great figures," referring to Liu Bang, who was considered a rustic. In the early years of the Republic of China, Li Zongwu, a man from Sichuan, coined the term "Thick-Nosed and Black-Hearted School" () and characterized Cao Cao as "black but not thick," Liu Bei as "thick but not black," and Liu Bang as the highest archetype of "thick-nosed and black-hearted." The reason: Liu Bang became emperor because he was "thick-nosed and black-hearted," while Xiang Yu was neither truly thick-nosed nor truly black-hearted. Nowadays, some people believe that "thick-nosed and black-hearted" is a simple and effective trick for success, constantly mentioning "thick-nosed and black-hearted." In reality, this is absolutely a misconception. Are there fewer people who are "black" than Liu Bang? Are there fewer people who are "thick" than Liu Bang? Are there fewer people who are "both thick and black" than Liu Bang? Why did all these people lose to Liu Bang? Liu Bang was able to stand out in a turbulent and treacherous era. Is this not worth deep reflection? It was precisely because Liu Bang possessed an extraordinary strategy in using people that he had outstanding generals and first-class advisors, consolidating the leadership core. He was able to radiate leader charisma, making his subordinates willingly obey. Liu Bang preferred to fight with wit rather than brute force, leveraging his strengths and avoiding weaknesses, so he could survive in desperate situations and preserve his strength. Due to his initial weakness, Liu Bang was happy to share with others and strengthened his commitments, ultimately becoming strong. Liu Bang's achievements were astonishing, as a local ruffian was able to defeat Xiang Yu, the most formidable and brave opponent in history. How did a (repeatedly defeated) soft-footed shrimp defeat an invincible dragon? How did a (pitiful creature) lift his head and become a great man? This is the "Fox's Tale of Liu Bang"—the gift that Liu Bang's Extraordinary Strategy in Using People offers to its readers.