Grand Collection of Ancient Chinese Wisdom Stories. Complete Edition. Treasure

Author: Hao Yong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-08-01
Features: The wisdom created by the ancients from their own survival practices is not only applicable to their time but also remains fresh for later generations, as you can gain mysterious and winning power from it. Wisdom is the root of strategy, and strategy is the means of applying wisdom. Without wisdom but too focused on strategy, or without strategy but too focused on wisdom, is like a puppet performing a play—it may change in many ways but cannot solve practical problems. Only when strategy reaches a level of mastery can wisdom be fully unleashed.
The chapter on "Keen Mind," people with sharp thinking can be ever-changing in their spirit, and they will not feel flustered when problems suddenly arise because changes in things cannot stop to wait for us. Only extraordinary keenness can avoid disaster, gain benefits, and achieve success. Reaching this point can be said to be no different from wisdom.
The chapter on "Language," if wisdom cannot be expressed through eloquent and persuasive language, it is not true wisdom. Subtle words can strike at the heart of the matter. Sometimes, one word is more valuable than nine Tripod Vessels; sometimes, an orator can be more effective than a hundred thousand troops; and sometimes, a letter can surpass a monograph. It can be said that language should be the natural of wisdom.
The chapter on "Insight," it requires sharp vision to discern right from wrong and keen observation to understand the principles of things—this is called "seeing clearly and understanding thoroughly." Without sharp vision, one cannot observe keenly, let alone understand the principles of things. Conversely, those who can see the truth at its core will handle everything with ease, truly mastering wisdom.
The chapter on "Social Skills," when coexisting in the world with others, one must adopt different approaches for different people, adapt to the times, and act according to the needs of the situation. By being both wise and prudent, as well as mastering the most practical social skills, one can become a masterful controller in the battlefield of interpersonal relationships. Only by achieving this can one truly master the wisdom of social skills.
During the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, the feudal states ruled independently, and the Zhou Dynasty, though retaining the name of the Son of Heaven, had no real power—it was merely a political shell. In the 8th century BC, Zheng State gradually grew powerful among the feudal states. However, there was a long-standing obstacle to Zheng State's development—the Rong people. In areas of today's Lulong, Jiaocheng, and Pinglu in Hebei and Shanxi, many ethnic minorities lived at that time, known as the Rong people.
Although the number of Rong soldiers was fewer than those in the Central Plains states, they fought bravely, charging fearlessly, and possessed strong combat effectiveness. They lived in tribes in peacetime and united into a group when fighting, primarily relying on infantry, which was mobile and flexible, often gathering and dispersing, frequently raiding the Central Plains. At that time, since the Rong tribes were concentrated in the northern areas, Zheng State became a frequent target of their invasions.
Facing such enemies, Zheng State's ruler, Duke Zhuang of Zheng, was very troubled. Without pacifying the Rong unrest in the rear, the state could not advance or further strengthen its power. However, fighting the Rong was always difficult, and a misstep could lead to defeat! That year, the northern Rong launched another large-scale attack on Zheng State. Duke Zhuang considered sending troops to resist but worried about the Rong's strong combat effectiveness and the difficulty of winning. His son, Prince Tu, seeing his father's indecision over the Rong, asked, "Why do you hesitate?"
Duke Zhuang replied, "The Rong are infantry, while we excel in chariot warfare. In battle, our chariots may be versatile in offense and defense, but they are not as agile as infantry. I fear they might suddenly circle around and attack us from behind."
Prince Tu then proposed, "The Rong are brave but lack strategy and are not a disciplined army; their discipline is lax. To deal with the Rong, we must use wisdom. We should first send some brave warriors as bait, and when they make contact, we retreat. You should set up three layers of ambushes to wait for them. I know the nature of the Rong well—they are reckless and disorganized, greedy and lack coordination. When they win, they fight over fame and profit, unable to share credit; when they lose, they scatter and do not help each other. When they see our retreat, those in front will rush forward to seize loot and prisoners recklessly. When they encounter our ambushes, they will flee quickly. The troops behind will not come to their aid. Without reinforcements, the enemy will collapse in full. If we then launch a pursuit, we can eliminate them entirely. This way, we can solve our long-standing problem."
Duke Zhuang, agreeing with Prince Tu's reasoning, adopted his plan. He sent Minister Zhu Dan to set up three layers of ambushes and instructed him to wait until the enemy entered the second layer before attacking. He also dispatched a small force to lure the enemy. When the small force encountered the Rong troops, they feigned defeat after a brief engagement, pretending to retreat and deliberately leaving behind a large amount of weapons and military supplies. The Rong soldiers, seeing the abandoned weapons and supplies, immediately fought over them, creating chaos and rushing forward in disarray. When the small force led the Rong troops into the second ambush, Zhu Dan suddenly attacked, dividing the enemy into two groups. Some Rong soldiers, relying on their bravery, charged through the second ambush, only to face the third one. The Rong soldiers behind