Read history and analyze the game of strategy

Author: Wang Yu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-04-01
Features: During the Spring and Autumn Period, the great loyal ministers of King Goujian of Yue were Wen Zhong and Fan Li. Wen Zhong, in particular, devised numerous clever strategies for Goujian. After Goujian, (unwilling to heed Wen Zhong's advice and led troops to fight Wu, was defeated), Wen Zhong endured humiliation and tirelessly pleaded for Goujian's sake, eventually persuading the King of Wu to spare Goujian. During Goujian's three-year imprisonment in Wu, Wen Zhong managed state affairs in Yue, mediating conflicts and promoting production, laying a solid foundation for Yue's later dominance over the feudal lords. Upon Goujian's return to Yue, Wen Zhong proposed the "Seven Strategies to Defeat Wu." He said to Goujian, "To defeat Wu, there are seven plans that can be implemented: First, offer fine gifts to the King of Wu and his officials to win their favor; second, buy grain and supplies from Wu, depleting its treasury; third, send beautiful women to the King of Wu to distract and weaken his will; fourth, send skilled artisans to the King of Wu, urging him to repair palaces and deplete his resources; fifth, send sycophants to the King of Wu as advisors to disrupt his plans; sixth, sow discord between the King of Wu and his loyal, outspoken ministers, forcing them to commit suicide and weaken his support; seventh, accumulate wealth, train the army, and wait for an opportunity to launch an attack on Wu." Goujian adopted Wen Zhong's strategies and ultimately defeated Wu, forcing Fuchai to commit suicide. As a result, Goujian was revered by the feudal lords as the "Supreme King" and ruled with great power for a time. After Goujian's campaign against Wu and his return to Yue, his ministers eagerly congratulated him, but Goujian showed no joy. Fan Li, a minister, saw this and sighed, "The King of Yue refuses to acknowledge his ministers' contributions, clearly fearing that those who achieve great success will be difficult to lead and harbors deep suspicion toward them." Thus, Fan Li decided to retire when the time was right. Despite Goujian's repeated pleas to stay, Fan Li left without notice. Before departing, Fan Li sent a letter to Wen Zhong, saying, "Do you remember what the King of Wu once said? He said, 'When the rabbit is dead, the hound is cooked; when the enemy state is destroyed, the strategist perishes.' You know the nature of the King of Yue. His neck is very long, and his mouth is sharp like a bird's beak. He is capable of enduring humiliation but jealous of others' achievements. Such a person can share hardship but not prosperity. If you do not believe me, do not resign and withdraw now, or you will surely meet his wrath." Indeed, after defeating Wu, Goujian did not reward his ministers for their contributions and distanced himself from his former allies, rarely even seeing them. Many ministers, witnessing this, resigned and withdrew. Although Wen Zhong partially believed Fan Li's words, he did not fully trust the severity of the situation, still holding onto hope for Goujian, and thus did not follow Fan Li's advice. Instead, he simply stayed away from court due to illness. At this time, treacherous ministers slandered Wen Zhong, accusing him of arrogance due to his achievements and dissatisfaction with his lack of reward, claiming he was avoiding court on false pretenses and might harbor disloyal intentions. Goujian, naturally aware of Wen Zhong's talents, believed that Wu had been defeated and Yue had become dominant, leaving Wen Zhong useless to him. Keeping such a person around posed a risk of rebellion.