in a time of chaos. Only a person with farsightedness and wisdom can perceive a coming crisis and react accordingly.
I am Afraid of Something Else
Warring States Period475 B.C. to 221 B.C.
In the Warring States period China was unfortunately divided into several politically independent regions, which frequently made war against one another. Between military conflicts, diplomats and politicians worked to make alliances and agreements. In those days, signing a well-drafted treaty was as important as winning a battle.
In a middle-sized country, a capable commissioner named Lin Shan-Lu,9 due to his outstanding performance on a recent diplomatic mission, was unconventionally promoted to be a prime minister. Hearing this news, the minister of defense, an old veteran general, Lian Poo,10 who had fought many battles over the last thirty years, was displeased with this quick advancement.
“Damn it! I’ve risked my life in battle for years to get where I am.” the minister of defense often grumbled. “That cock-eyed upstart uses only his silver tongue and leaps over me! It’s totally ridiculous. I must cut him down to size in public.”
Hearing of this, the new prime minister deliberately avoided this bull-headed general. Rumors circulated that the new prime minister was cowardly and afraid to confront the old general. In a private party, some of his intimate assistants, with indignation, asked him about the reason.
“Gentlemen, allow me to clarify myself once for all,” the prime minister calmly explained. “Could this general be in any way equal to the hot-tempered King Chin, a most powerful king and our western neighbor?”
The audience agreed that a general was certainly not equal to a king.
“Yet in our last conference,” continued the prime minister, “I humiliated this rude and ill-intentioned king in front of several thousand of his well-armed bodyguards. In truth, I am afraid of no one. However, in our country, there are other factors I must take into account. Our belligerent western neighbor always wants to subdue us, but because of the general’s ability and my wisdom, they dare not risk invading us. However, if the general and I quarrel among ourselves, our country’s future for sure would be doomed. For this reason alone I yield, and will not confront this respectable and capable general. It is all for the tranquillity of our people and country, not my own reputation.”
All of his listeners agreed and nodded their heads, deeply impressed with the prime minister’s reasoning. Learning of this, the general felt remorseful for his inconsiderateness and short-sightedness. With shame and regret, he humbly visited this young prime minister and politely asked for forgiveness, which was promptly granted. After that incident, the two men cooperated closely with one another and eventually became best friends. During their lifetime, the western neighbor never had a chance to conquer this country.
In a turbulent period, especially for a small country situated between strong powers, an internal unity is essential—together they succeed, apart they fail. A competent person always has to consider all factors, not only his own reputation.
By Compliment
Sui Dynasty581 A.D. to 618 A.D.
In the early seventh century A.D., China was unfortunately in disunity as the short-lived Sui dynasty was overthrown. Several lords and kings were competing for the throne. Civil war started. People were slaughtered like cattle. Cities were devastated. After a few days of brutal struggle and uncertainty, the lord Lee Yuan,11 who would eventually become the emperor, finally won a decisive battle and occupied a strategically important city. Collecting all the booty and confiscating his opponents’ valuables, he intended to distribute this booty to the soldiers and people. Some old-fashioned generals suggested, according to tradition, that he treat citizens and slaves differently.
“Why?” the lord flatly remarked. “The enemy’s arrows and swords had no eyes and didn’t favor either of the groups. Taking the same chance, they risked their necks for the victory and the reward. It’s only fair that I treat them equally.” He then gave out petty positions, with a salary that would support the recipients for the rest of their natural lives, to those persons who wanted to resign and return to their native villages and become farmers again.
This generous behavior was unheard of. All of the treasurers and accountants were astonished. They vigorously protested to him about this policy and its potentially huge costs for the national budget in the future.
“Don’t be ridiculous! I want to be a emperor. How can I afford to be stingy? A penny-wise person will never build an empire,” the lord declared confidently. “One of the former dynasty’s biggest mistakes was its stinginess. The rich had accumulated tremendous wealth and didn’t spare anything for the penniless, who rose up and defeated them. Be farsighted and look at the whole picture. I am only one of a handful of potential rulers. To secure my position I must win over the people, not with force and battles, but with money and positions. Politics is an art, not a science. It has nothing to do with accounting and balance sheets. Why should I not be generous?”
What Should I Purchase?
Warring States Period475 B.C. to 221 B.C.
In the Warring States period, China was unfortunately divided into a handful of countries. They were frequently at war with one another. Civilians were slaughtered by the thousands. Competent people were always in great demand by the governments. Consequently, as a custom, wealthy princes and lords provided free lodging, food, and a regular salary to attract people with talents and abilities. They would be hired as political consultants or, if there were no vacancies, be called “house-guests.” At the end of the third century B.C., a well known lord, Meng-Ch’ang,12 who personally supported over three thousands house-guests, one day asked who would help him to collect some debts.
One guest named Feng Shuan13 promptly responded, and the rich master ordered his servants to prepare a carriage. “Your Lordship,” the guest politely asked before departing, “what should I buy after I collect all the money?”
“Buy anything you think I need,” the lord responded casually.
Traveling for days, the guest reached the destined town and immediately assembled all the debtors. In a huge outdoor park, a few hundred shabbily-dressed and worry-stricken farmers, patiently waiting to present their reasons for delaying the payment. All of them were poor farmers and couldn’t afford to repay the full amount.
Viewing this miserable spectacle Feng Shuan was speechless. Having accepted the duty to collect the debt, Yuan knew he could not return without the money. Yet these people obviously could not pay. Pondering his dilemma for awhile, Feng Shuan was struck with inspiration. After carefully checking and confirming each of the I.O.U.’s, he ordered his assistants to collect and burn all of the papers. He then turned to the crowd and proudly announced that due to the generosity of their master, this year’s debts were totally exempted.
“Long life to the lord!” shouted Feng Shuan. With surprise and appreciation, farmers hurrahed in unison at the top of their coarse voices. This clever guest quickly returned to the lord’s mansion. “You must be very capable,” the master said, impressed by the swiftness of Shuan’s return. “Did you buy anything special for me?”
“Yes, I did,” the guest courteously answered. “Knowing Your Lordship has plenty of jewelry, well-bred horses, hounds, lands, houses, and other valuables far beyond an ordinary person’s wildest dreams, I didn’t think Your Lordship needed any material thing. Therefore,
