Game of Advancement and Retreat: Power Survival and Human Melancholy in the History of Empires

Author: Shi Lengjin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2007-01-01
Features: Difficult to advance, difficult to retreat; infinite Zen between advancement and retreat. Shi Lengjin PK Wu Si, breaking through The Unwritten Rules to challenge The Blood Price Law, comprehensively analyzing the art of game theory, deeply understanding the rules of advancement and retreat. A bronze mirror can help straighten one's attire; a reflection of the past can reveal the rise and fall of dynasties; a reflection of people can clarify gains and losses. — (Emperor Taizong of Tang) Li Shimin
A general is the support of the state. When the support is strong, the state will surely be strong; when the support is weak, the state will surely be weak. Therefore, there are three reasons why a ruler may suffer from the army: not knowing that the army cannot advance and calling it advance, not knowing that the army cannot retreat and calling it retreat—this is called tying the army; not knowing the affairs of the three armies and interfering in their governance, then the soldiers will be confused; not knowing the authority of the three armies and interfering in their command, then the soldiers will be suspicious. When the three armies are both confused and suspicious, the difficulties of the feudal lords will arrive. This is called disordering the army and inviting victory. — The Art of War, Chapter 3: Strategic Attack
To advance when it is feasible and retreat when it is difficult—this is the good governance of the army. — Zuo Zhuan, Duke Xuan's 12th Year
In the affairs of the universe, one must bear the burden with strength and skillfully detach. Without bearing the burden, there will be no grand events to come; without detaching, there will be no lofty aspirations. — (Ming) Hong Yingming, The Root of Vegetables
Teaching people the etiquette of cleaning, responding, advancing, and retreating, the way of loving parents, respecting elders, honoring teachers, and cherishing friends—all are the foundations of cultivating oneself, governing families, ruling states, and pacifying the world. — (Song) Zhu Xi, Collected Works of Master Zhu
Every correct decision stems from the foresight of the wise, aligning with the objective laws of development, and revealing the essence of the problem. The birth of Zhuge Liang's "Longzhong Strategy" came from his insight into the trends of the chaotic era and his ability to make corresponding decisions, rather than mere divine calculations of a genius. Looking back at Zhuge Liang's major achievements in his life, whether it was the Longzhong decision, the Battle of Red Cliffs, or his governance of Shu's cultural and military achievements, his six northern expeditions from Mount Qi, one thread runs through the entire process: the strategic principle of allying with Wu to resist Cao. This was the fundamental national policy formulated by Zhuge Liang for Liu Bei. Under the historical conditions of that time, how did Zhuge Liang propose, establish, and defend this political program, making it an indispensable bond for maintaining the Shu-Han regime. Whether good decisions can achieve ideal results depends not only on the conditions and opportunities for implementation but also on correct execution. The alliance between Sun and Liu to resist Cao was a key component of the Longzhong Strategy and the pillar that enabled Shu and Wu to share power with Wei. Both sides had a consensus on its significance. Through the efforts of Zhuge Liang, Lu Su, and others, the alliance was formed in their respective unique ways, achieving glorious results.
In fact, Zhuge Liang was a person of considerable background in that era. His ancestor, Zhuge Feng, had served as the Commandant of the Capital, a position of high authority, ranked below the Three Ducal Ministers but above the Nine Ministers in the Western Han Dynasty. During Emperor Yuan's reign, Zhuge Feng prosecuted the favored relative Xu Zhang; during Emperor Cheng's reign, he impeached the Chancellor Kuang Heng and the Grand Censor Zhang Tan. The Commandant of the Capital, aside from supervising court officials, was also responsible for overseeing the three commanderies and the capital region, serving a role similar to that of a circuit inspector but with a higher status. It was akin to a combination of today's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the Ministry of State Security. Zhuge Liang's father, Zhuge Gui, had served as a county magistrate, likely a high-ranking official in the court. His uncle, Zhuge Xuan, had been a governor, a position equivalent to today's Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee. From these relationships, it is clear that Zhuge Liang was a high-ranking official's son with a strong background. However, given the circumstances of the time, the connections of the Zhuge family alone were not enough to significantly aid Zhuge Liang, a genius-level political figure. To realize his political ambitions of "often comparing himself to Guan Zhong and Yue Yi," he had to rely on other external forces. Thus, he married an unattractive wife, possibly to enhance the image of Zhuge Liang. Some said his wife was very talented, but this claim is untenable, as women in the Eastern Han Dynasty or the feudal era were primarily expected to be virtuous wives and good mothers, with little room for notable talent. The reason Zhuge Liang married an unattractive wife was to achieve his political ambitions. His father-in-law, Huang Chengyan, was a person of considerable status and influence in the region, being a sworn brother-in-law to the powerful warlord Liu Bei. His mother-in-law's family, the Cai family, was also a prominent local clan. In terms of marriage, Zhuge Liang's choice was clearly deliberate. It was no wonder that some people at the time mocked him, saying, "Don't follow Zhuge Liang in choosing a wife; you'll just end up with the ugly woman Ah Cheng." But why didn't Zhuge Liang help Liu Bei or seek a government position? There must have been reasons for this, likely because he couldn't find a role that matched his lofty aspirations. How could a person with such grand ambitions bow to a few bushels of rice, especially when he had food and clothing? Zhuge Liang