The Way of the General - Part XIII

Order and Disorder

When a nation is perilous and disordered, and the people are not secure in their homes, this is because the ruler has made the mistake of neglecting to find wise people

When the wise are disaffected, a nation is in peril; when the wise are employed, a nation is secure. When offices are chosen for persons, there is disorder; when persons are chosen for offices, there is order.

Application:
It was the year AD189. With the death of Emperor Ling, the stage was set for a face off between He Jin, Commander-in-Chief of Han Imperial army and Eunuch Faction, represented by the powerful Ten Regular Attendants.

Jian Shou from the Eunuch faction plotted to assassinate He Jin but the conspiracy was discovered in advance, and He Jin had Jian Shuo arrested and executed. He also seized the troops previously under Jian Shuo's command. With the support of the Yuan clan, particularly Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu, the succession dispute was resolved in favor of Liu Bian, the son of Empress He, who ascended the throne in the fifth month of that year. He Jin and his sister, now the Empress Dowager, jointly took on the role of regent.

During the summer months, He Jin maneuvered, sometimes hesitantly, with Yuan Shao against the eunuch faction. The eunuchs, now without a military power base of their own, relied on the support of Empress Dowager He and He Miao. Upon the urging of Yuan Shao, He Jin summoned the frontier general Dong Zhuo to the outskirts of Luoyang, in an attempt to force the Empress Dowager to back down.

Finally, in the ninth month of that year He Jin entered the palace to request the Empress Dowager to agree to the execution of the eunuchs. The conversation was overheard and relayed to Zhang Rang, the eunuch placed in charge after the death of Jian Shuo. The desperate eunuchs then had He Jin surrounded and beheaded in the palace garden.

The situation soon spun out of control. Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu, both with significant control of military forces within the capital, stormed the palace and massacred the eunuchs.

The resulting power vacuum allowed Dong Zhuo to seize control of the imperial court. As soon as he held supremacy over the capital, Dong Zhuo deposed the emperor in favor of the Prince of Chenliu, who came to be known as Emperor Xian. The deposition as well as Dong Zhuo's subsequent atrocities incurred the wrath of many. In AD190, warlords from the eastern provinces formed the Guandong Coalition to oust Dong Zhuo.

Conclusion:
Emperor Ling’s incompetence in his selection of greedy and selfish officials such as The Ten Regular Attendants and He Jin destabilized the foundations of Han Empire. His actions were akin to 偷梁換柱 Replace the beams with rotten timbers. Failure in maintaining order, especially after the Yellow Turban Rebellion, signified the sun had finally set on the Han Dynasty.

The Way of the General – Part XII

Disturbance and Security

It is said that when official are severe in everything, no one knows where it will end. If they feed off the people so severely that people are hungry and impoverished, this produces disturbances and rebellion.

Encourage people in productive work, don’t deprive them of their time. Lighten their taxes, don’t exhaust their resources. In this way the country is made wealthy and families secure.

Application:
The sun that had shone so brightly on the Han Dynasty had finally begun to set during the reign of Emperor Ling (AD156 – 189).

For decades, the country was beset by a series of natural disasters wreaking havoc throughout the country. Faced with these natural disasters, many farmers and former military settlers in the north sought employment in the south, where large landowners took advantage of the labor surplus and amassed large fortunes. Further pressure was added on the peasants by high taxes imposed on them in order to build fortifications along the Silk Road and garrisons against foreign infiltrations and invasions. In this situation, landowners and landless peasants formed armed bands, setting the stage for an armed conflict.

At the same time, the Han was weakening internally. The court eunuchs in particular gained considerably in influence on the emperor, which they abused to enrich themselves. Ten of the most powerful eunuchs formed a group known as The Ten Regular Attendants and the Emperor referred to one of them, Zhang Rang as his ‘foster father’. The Han Government was widely regarded as corrupt and incapable. Against this backdrop, the famines and floods were seen as an indication that a decadent emperor had lost his mandate of Heaven. The time was ripe for a rebellion.

黃巾之亂 The Yellow Turban Rebellion
In AD184, Zhang Jiao and his movement ‘The Way of Peace’, raised arms in an attempt to overthrow the Han Dynasty. This instigated rioting amongst the general populace leading to the largest peasant uprising in history. Over 360,000 peasants joined the Yellow Turban Rebellion. These rebels were easily recognizable as they wore yellow scarves around their heads.

However, the chaos gave birth to many distinguished heroes across the lands. These included Cao Cao, sworn brothers: Liu Bei, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, Sun Jian, Yuan Shao, Dong Zhuo and many others. With the assistance of such heroes, the Han armies finally managed to quell the rebellion by AD192.

The Han armies had gained a glorious victory, and it was a remarkable achievement that they removed so quickly the threat of Zhang Jiao's rebellion. The cost, however, was very high. Many offices of the government had been destroyed, magistrates had been killed, and whole districts were cut off from the writ of the central government.

The enemy had been slaughtered in the hundreds and thousands whilst many innocent people had been left homeless or destitute by the wars. The economy and society over large parts of the northern region of the empire were left in ruins and without resources. Unrest remained and bandits appeared in every district; the government, in no position to put down all the lesser disturbances, was forced to patch up the situation as best it could.

Conclusion:
The seeds of the destruction of the Han Empire had been sown. Had Emperor Ling heeded the Zhuge Liang’s advice on ensuring the peasants were wealthy and their families secure, the general populace would never have joined the Yellow Turban Rebellion. It was his incompetence that would lead to the eventual disintegration of the Han Empire, that had lasted over four centuries.

The Way of the General - Part XI

Sincerity in Generals

For military operations it is essential to strive to win the hearts of heroes, to make the rules of rewards and punishments strict, to include both cultural and martial arts, and to combine both hard and soft techniques.

Press enemies and contain them; lure and entice them. Confuse them and seize them; be humble to make them proud. Be familiar yet distant; weaken them by lending strength.

Application:
Sun Ce was the eldest son of Sun Jian. He was described as handsome and full of laughter. He was also a generous and receptive man who could employ people according to their abilities. Thus, his subjects were willing to risk their lives for him. A detractor, in a letter to Emperor Xian likened Sun Ce to Xiang Yu, the general renowned for overthrowing Qin Dynasty. As Xiang Yu was often referred to as the Conqueror of Chu, Sun Ce henceforth became known as the Little Conqueror in popular culture.

To Win the Heart of a General
Between the years AD195 to 200, Sun Ce then broke away from his father's former overlord Yuan Shu and headed into Southeastern China to establish his own power base there. With the help of several capable men, including Zhang Zhao and Zhou Yu, Sun Ce managed to lay down the foundation of the later Eastern Wu, of which his younger brother Sun Quan eventually became the first Emperor of Wu.

It was during this time that Sun Ce met the great general Taishi Ci, then serving the Warlord Liu Yao. This is a story of their meeting and eventual friendship.

A Duel between Heroes
Prior to the battle between Liu Yao, Sun Ce had visited the temple of Liu Xiu the Founder of Latter Hans, with a small contingent of bodyguard, inside enemy territory. It was here that he met Taishi Ci.

“Stay, Sun Ce!” yelled Taishi Ci.

Sun Ce turned. Two horsemen were coming at full speed down the next hill. Sun Ce halted and drew up his little escort right and left, he himself with his spear ready.

“Which is Sun Ce?” shouted Taishi Ci.

“Who are you?” was the reply.

“I, Taishi Ci of Laihuang, come to take him prisoner.”

“Then I am he,” said Sun Ce, laughing. “Come both of you together. I am not afraid of you. If I were, I should not be Sun Ce!”

“You and all your crowd come on, and I will not blench!” cried Taishi Ci putting his horse at a gallop and setting his spear.

Sun Ce braced himself for the shock, and the battle began. Fifty bouts were fought and still neither combatant had the advantage. Sun Ce's commanders whispered to each other their admiration and amazement.

Taishi Ci saw that the spearmanship of his opponent showed no weak point whereby he could gain the advantage, so he decided to resort to guile. Feigning defeat he would lead Sun Ce to pursue. Taishi Ci however did not retire along the road by which he had come, but took a path leading around the hill instead of over it.

His antagonist followed, shouting, “He who retreats is no worthy soldier!”

But Taishi Ci thought within himself, “He has twelve others at his back and I only one. If I capture him, the others will retake him. I will inveigle him into some secret spot and then try.”

So flying and fighting by turns he led Sun Ce, an eager pursuer, down to the plain. Here Taishi Ci suddenly wheeled about and attacked. Again they exchanged half a hundred bouts, without result. Then Sun Ce made a fierce thrust, which his opponent evaded by gripping the spear under his arm, while he himself did the same with his opponent's spear. Neither was wounded but each exerting his utmost strength to pull the other out of the saddle they both came to the ground.

Their steeds galloped off they knew not whither, while the two men, each dropping his spear, began a hand to hand struggle. Soon their fighting robes were in tatters. Sun Ce gripped the short lance that Taishi Ci carried at his back, while Taishi Ci tore off Sun Ce's helmet. Sun Ce tried to stab with the short lance but Taishi Ci fended off the blow with the helmet as a shield.

Then arose a great shouting. Liu Yao had come up with a thousand soldiers. Sun Ce seemed now in sore straits. His twelve followers came up, and each combatant let go his hold. Taishi Ci quickly found another steed, seized a spear, and mounted. Sun Ce, whose horse had been caught by Cheng Pu, also mounted, and a confused battle began between the handful of men on one side and a whole thousand troops on the other. It swayed and drifted down the hill side. However, soon Zhou Yu leading his troops came to the rescue, and as evening drew on a tempest put an end to the fight. Both sides drew off and returned to camp.

To contain, lure and entice an Enemy
After this initial skirmish, Sun Ce’s forces gained the upper hand resulting in Liu Yao’s defeat. The greater portion of his force surrendered, and the number of those slain exceeded ten thousand. Liu Yao himself fled to Yuzhang and sought safety with Liu Biao, Imperial Protector of Jingzhou.

Only Taishi Ci in Jingxian remained defiant in opposing Sun Ce. Taishi Ci had assembled two thousand veterans in addition to his own troops for the purpose of avenging his master. Sun Ce and Zhou Yu on the other hand consulted how to capture him alive.

Zhou Yu planned, “Attack the city on three sides, leaving the east gate free for flight. Some distance off an ambush shall be prepared, when Taishi Ci, his men fatigued and horses spent, shall fall an easy victim.”

The latest recruits under Taishi Ci's banner were mostly hillmen and unaccustomed to discipline. Beside, the walls of the city were pitiably low.

One night Sun Ce ordered Chen Wu to strip off his long dress, leave his arms save a dagger, clamber up the ramparts, and set fire to the city. Seeing the flames spreading, Taishi Ci made for the east gate and, as soon as he got outside, Sun Ce followed in pursuit. The pursuit was maintained for some fifteen miles when the pursuers stopped.

Taishi Ci went on as long as possible, finally halting to rest in a spot surrounded by reeds. Suddenly a tremendous shouting arose. Taishi Ci was just starting when tripping ropes arose all round, his horse was thrown and he found himself a prisoner.

Taishi Ci was taken back to camp. As soon as Sun Ce heard the news, he himself rode out to order the guards to leave the prisoner, whose bonds he loosened with his own hands. Then he took off his own embroidered robe and put it on the captive. They entered the camp together.

“I knew you were a real hero,” said Sun Ce. “That worm Liu Yao had no use for such as you, and so he got beaten.”

Taishi Ci, overcome by this kindness and good treatment, then formally surrendered.

Sun Ce seized his hand and said, laughing, “If you had taken me at that fight we had near the shrine, would you have killed me?”

“Who can say?” said Taishi Ci smiling.

Sun Ce laughed also and they entered his tent, where Taishi Ci was placed in the seat of honor at a banquet.

Conclusion:
Taishi Ci remained a loyal and staunch supporter of the Sun family for the rest of his life, feeling an obligation towards Sun Ce for placing such confidence in his abilities. Taishi Ci came to be well reputed amongst his troops and fellow officers and was held in high regard by Sun Quan, younger brother of Sun Ce. During his service under Sun Ce, he rendered invaluable service to the Wu Kingdom.

The Way of the General – Part X

On Cultivation
In order to succeed in life, perseverance is necessary. The following is an ancient story about the origin of Zhuge Liang and the struggles he faced when he was young. Take it with a pinch of salt though, since it's not part of any official records nor found in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms novel. This story originated from Clear Harmony.

Origins of a Legend
Zhuge Liang was the military strategist for the Han state in the Three Kingdoms period of China (220-280 A.D.). He was the most famous and ingenious military strategist in Chinese history. He was often pictured wearing a robe and holding a fan made of crane feathers.

When Zhuge Liang was 9 years old, he still was unable to speak. His family was poor and Zhuge Liang was asked by his father to herd the sheep at a nearby hill of a mountain. Up on the mountain there was a Taoist temple where an elderly Taoist with a full head of gray hair resided (A Taoist is one who studies the 'Tao' or 'Way of the Universe').

The Taoist took a leisurely stroll outside the Taoist temple every day. When he ran into Zhuge Liang, he would try to tease the boy with hand signs. Zhuge Liang also enjoyed “talking” back to the Taoist with hand signs. The Taoist grew very fond of the smart and adorable Zhuge Liang. He started to treat the boy’s muteness problem. Before long, Zhuge Liang was able to speak!

Zhuge Liang was delighted when he was finally able to speak. He went up to the Taoist temple and thanked the Taoist in person. The elderly Taoist told him, “When you return home, tell your parents that I am taking you as a disciple and I will teach you to read. I will also teach you the art of astronomy, geography and the applied theories of Yin and Yang in military strategies. If your parents agree, you must come attend the school every day and you must never skip a class!”

From that day on, Zhuge Liang became the elderly Taoist’s disciple. Come rain or shine, Zhuge Liang would climb up to the mountain to receive his education. He was a very smart and diligent boy who took his study seriously. He also had a photographic memory. The Taoist never had to teach him anything twice. Naturally, the Taoist became all the more fond of him.

Eight years passed quickly and Zhuge Liang became a teenager.

No Man May Pass the Hall of Beauties
One day while Zhuge Liang was coming down the mountain as usual, he passed by a deserted nunnery located in the middle of the mountain. Suddenly there came a gusty wind, followed by a thunderstorm. Zhuge Liang had no choice but to flee to the deserted nunnery to escape the storm. There a young woman he had never met came out to meet him. She had a large pair of eyes and thin eyebrows. She was so beautiful that Zhuge Liang almost mistook her for a goddess. He was immediately attracted to the young woman.

When the storm stopped, the beautiful woman saw him off at the door and said to him with a grin, “Now that we have met each other. You are free to come by and have a cup of tea whenever you wish to take a break in your trip up or down the mountain.” As Zhuge Liang was walking out of the nunnery, he felt suspicious. “Why didn’t I notice that someone lived in this nunnery before?” he thought.

From that day on, Zhuge Liang began to frequent the nunnery. Each time the beautiful woman would entertain him with warm hospitality. She cooked him delectable meals and always encouraged him to stay longer. After dinner they would chat heartily and play chess. Compared to the Taoist temple, the nunnery appeared to be a paradise.

Thoughts about the woman often diverted his attention from his education and he began to lose interest in studying. He paid less and less attention to the Taoist’s lectures. He also became forgetful and had difficulty in learning new textbooks.

On Mindfulness
The elderly Taoist discovered his problem. One day he summoned Zhuge Liang and let out a long sigh. “It is easier to ruin a tree than grow a tree!” he said. “I have wasted many years on you!”

Zhuge Liang lowered his head in shame and said, “Master, I will never disappoint you again or waste your education!”

“I don’t believe you,” said the elderly Taoist. “I knew you are a very smart boy, so I wanted to treat your illness and give you a proper education. For the past eight years you have been very diligent in your study, so I thought it was worth the hard work of educating you. But now you are neglecting your education. No matter how smart you are, you will never get anywhere if you continue to carry on like this! You are now promising me to never disappoint me again. How can I trust your words?”

The elderly Taoist continued, “Everything has its cause.” Then he pointed at a tree wrapped up by many thick vines in the courtyard. “Look at the tree,” he said. “Why do you think the tree is half alive and is struggling in its growth?”

“The vines binding the tree are keeping it from growing!” answered Zhuge Liang.

“Precisely! This tree had a tough time growing up in this rocky mountain with little soil. But it keeps growing because it is determined to develop its roots and branches. It fears neither the heat nor the cold. However, when the vines wrap around it, it cannot grow up any taller. It is funny how ‘soft’ vines can defeat a tall, robust tree!”

Zhuge Liang was smart, so he immediately knew what his Master was referring to. He asked, “Master, you knew about my dates at the nunnery””

The elderly Taoist said, “Living near the water, a man will learn the fish’s nature. Living on the mountain, a man will learn the birds’ language. I have been observing you and your actions. How can your romantic affair escape my attention?”

He paused for a moment before telling his disciple with a stern look. “Let me tell you the truth about the beautiful woman. She is not a human being. She is a divine crane in heaven. She was kicked out of the heavenly palace as a punishment after she stole and ate the Queen of Heaven’s peaches. She came to the human realm and assumed the appearance of a beautiful woman. She is a depraved divine crane that knows only to seek pleasure. You have been beguiled by her appearance, but you have wasted more than your time. If you allow yourself to lose your will, you will become a loser! Moreover, if you refuse to comply with her wishes, she will hurt you eventually.”

It was not until then that Zhuge Liang realised the severity of his escapade. He anxiously asked his Master for a solution.

The elderly Taoist said, “The divine crane has a habit of returning to her original form at midnight and flying up to the heavenly river for a bath. While she is away from the nunnery, you will enter her room and burn her robe. She stole the robe from the Heavenly Palace. Without the robe, she can no longer assume the shape of a beautiful woman.”

Zhuge Liang promised to follow his Master’s instructions. Before he took off, his Master handed him a cane with the carving of a dragon’s head on the top. He told Zhuge Ling, “When the divine crane finds there is a fire in the nunnery, she will fly down from the heavenly river right away. She will realise that you have burned her robe and will attack you. When that happens, you must hit her with the cane! It is important that you remember and do what I have told you!”

At midnight, Zhuge Liang went to the nunnery quietly. He opened the woman’s room only to find her robe on the bed. He immediately set the robe on fire.

While the divine crane was bathing in the heavenly river, she felt a sudden heartache. She checked the direction of the nunnery and saw it was on fire. She immediately flied down and saw it was Zhuge Liang who had set her robe on fire. She came at Zhuge Liang and tried to attack his eyes with her beak. Zhuge Liang had quick reflexes. He raised the cane and knocked the divine crane down to the ground. Then he grabbed the crane by her tail. The divine crane struggled and was able to escape, but she lost her tail features to Zhuge Liang.

She became a crane with a bald tail. She was embarrassed by her looks, so she stopped bathing in the heavenly river. She dared not enter the Heavenly Palace to steal another robe either, so she had no choice but to remain in the human realm forever and live among ordinary cranes.

In order to remind himself of this lesson, Zhuge Liang kept the tail feathers of the crane.

Blossoming of the Mind’s Eye
From that day on, Zhuge Liang became even more diligent. He would memorise everything his Master taught him and every textbook. He truly absorbed what he had learnt and was able to apply it freely. Another year passed. On the very day he had burned the divine crane’s robe a year ago, the elderly Taoist told him with a big smile, “My disciple, you have been studying under my tutelage for nine years. I have taught you everything you need to learn and you have learnt every textbook here. There is an idiom, ‘Master takes you through the entrance, and it is up to you to practise cultivation.’ You are now 18 years old. It is time for you to leave your home and develop your career!”

When Zhuge Liang heard that he had completed his education, he begged his Master for more. “Master! The more I learn, the more humble I feel. I feel there is more I need to learn from you!”

“True education comes from real life. You must learn to apply your knowledge to life and design different solutions for different situations! For example, you have learnt an important lesson from the dates with the divine crane that one must not be tempted by lust or emotion. This is a practical lesson from a life experience. With that in mind, you must not be confused by this illusionary surface of the world. Take great caution in everything you do. You must see everything in its true form. This is my farewell advice to you! I will be leaving you today.”

“Master, where are you going?” Zhuge Liang asked in astonishment. “Where can I find you or visit you from now on?”

“I will wander around the world and will not settle down again.”

Suddenly Zhuge Liang found hot tears filling his eyes. He said to his Master, “Master! Before you leave, you must give me an opportunity to kowtow to you and thank you for giving me the education!”

Next Zhuge Liang kowtowed to his Master. When he got up, the Taoist had disappeared.

The Taoist left him with a robe with the print of the Eight Diagrams. Zhuge Liang thought of his Master regularly; therefore, he often wore his robe with the print of the Eight Diagrams because it gave him the feeling that his Master was right beside him.

Zhuge Liang never forgot his Master’s advice, especially his parting advice. He made a feather fan out of the divine crane’s tail feathers to remind himself to take great caution for the rest of his life. This is the story behind the famous feather fan that Zhuge Liang carried.

Conclusion:
If a genius like Zhuge Liang could be led astray, what about mere mortals such as us? One should be doubly vigilant in one’s affairs to avoid being led astray. Any comments?

The Way of the General - Part IX

Instruction and Direction

A policy of instruction and direction means those above educate those below, not saying anything that is unlawful and not doing anything that is immoral, for what is done by those above is observed by those below.

To indulge oneself yet instruct others is contrary to proper government; to correct oneself and then teach others is in accord with proper government. Therefore true leaders first rectify themselves and only after that do they promulgate their directives. If they are not upright themselves, their directives will not be followed, resulting in disorder.

Therefore the Way of leadership puts education and direction before punishment. To send people to war without education is tantamount to throwing them away.

Application:
The Imperial Prime Minister of Han, Cao Cao was one of the greatest men of his time. He managed to wrest control over all of Northern China against all odds. It was not by accident, that he commanded the respect and obedience of his army and the populace in general. The following incident illustrates his qualities as a leader.

Be You Ever So High, The Law is Above You
It was the year AD198. With the Han Empire in its’ dying throes, rebellious warlords rose like serpents daring to strike at the Imperial Throne. One such rebel was Zhang Xiu.

The Imperial Prime Minister, Cao Cao himself, led an army to crush the rebellion. It was summer and as his army passed through a wheat region, and the grain was ready for harvesting but the peasants had fled for fear, and the corn was uncut.

Cao Cao sent proclamations to all villages and towns:

‘I am sent on the expedition by command of the Emperor to capture a rebel and save the people. I cannot avoid moving in the harvest season; but if anyone trample down the corn, he shall be put to death. Military law is strict without exception, and the people need fear no damage.’

The people were very pleased and lined the road, wishing success to the expedition. When the soldiers passed wheat fields, they dismounted and pushed aside the stalks so that none were trampled down.

One day, when Cao Cao was riding through the fields, a dove suddenly got up, startling the horse so that it swerved into the standing grain, and a large patch was trampled down. Cao Cao at once called the Provost Marshal and bade him decree the sentence for the crime of trampling down corn.

‘How can I deal with your crime?’ asked the Provost Marshal.

‘I made the rule, and I have broken it. Can I otherwise satisfy public opinion?’

Cao Cao laid hold of the sword by his side and made to take his own life. All hastened to prevent him.

Guo Jia said, ‘In ancient days, the days of the Spring and Autumn history, the laws were not applied to those of the most important. You are the supreme leader of a mighty army and must not wound yourself.’

Cao Cao pondered for a long time. At last he said, ‘Since there exists the reason just quoted, I may perhaps escape the death penalty.’

Then with his sword he cut off his hair and threw it on the ground, saying, ‘I cut off the hair as touching the head.’

Then he sent messengers to exhibit the hair throughout the whole army, saying, ‘The Prime Minister, having trodden down some corn, ought to have lost his head by the terms of the order; now here is his hair cut off as an attack on the head.’

This deed was a stimulus to discipline all through the army so that not a person dared be disobedient.

Conclusion:
It is only through actions alone that a leader can seek to inspire his followers. Leaders of low morals often practice the proverb ‘Do as I say, not as I do!’ If they do not walk the talk, why then should they be surprised if their followers rebel against their leadership?

The Way of the General - Part VIII

Decadence in Generals

There are eight kinds of decadence in generalship:

First is to be insatiably greedy.
Second is to be jealous and envious of the wise and able.
Third is to believe slanders and make friends with the treacherous.
Fourth is to assess others without assessing oneself.
Fifth is to be hesitant and indecisive.
Sixth is to be heavily addicted to wine and sex.
Seventh is to be a malicious liar with a cowardly heart.
Eighth is to talk wildly, without courtesy.

Application:
According to legend, Zhang Fei together swore an oath of brotherhood with Liu Bei and Guan Yu, known as the Oath of the Peach Garden. His exploits indicate him to me a masterful general, rather than merely a valiant warrior. Yet, he too, had his faults. Often treating his superiors with respect, he showed little courtesy for his subordinates. All too often, he was warned by Liu Bei that his habit of over-punishing his own soldiers by lashing and sometimes killing them, would bring about his own disaster.

To Guard A City
Prior to the Battle of the Red Cliffs, rivals Liu Bei and Lu Bu struggled for supremacy in Central China. At one time, Liu Bei had to leave his base Xu Zhou and carry out the Imperial Command to capture Yuan Shu. Zhang Fei volunteered to undertake the task of guarding the city. This was what transpired.

‘You will fail,’ said Liu Bei. ‘After one of your drinking bouts, you will get savage and flog the soldiers. Beside you are rash and will not listen to anyone's advice. I shall be uneasy all the time.’

‘Henceforth I drink no more wine. I will not beat the soldiers and I will always listen to advice,’ said Zhang Fei.

‘I fear the mouth does not correspond to the heart,’ said Mi Zhu, one of Liu Bei’s advisors.

‘I have followed my elder brother these many years and never broken faith. Why should you be contemptuous?’ said Zhang Fei.

Thus Liu Bei relented and left Zhang Fei in charge of the city of Xu Zhou.

Heavily Addicted to Wine, Talk Wildly without Courtesy
In Xuzhou, after Liu Bei had started on his expedition, Zhang Fei gave a banquet to all the military officers and said:

‘Before my brother left, he bade me keep clear of the wine cup for fear of accidents. Now, gentlemen, you may drink deep today. But from tomorrow wine is forbidden, for we must keep the city safe. So take your fill.’

And with this he and all his guests rose to drink together. The wine bearer came to Cao Bao who declined it, saying, ‘I never drink as I am forbidden of heaven.’

‘What! A fighting man does not drink wine!’ said the host. "I want you to take just one cup.’

Cao Bao was afraid to offend, so he drank.

Now Zhang Fei drank huge goblets with all his guests on every hand and so swallowed a huge quantity of liquor. He became quite intoxicated. Yet he would drink more and insisted on a cup with every guest. It came to the turn of Cao Bao who declined despite Zhang Fei’s persistence.

Then Zhang Fei in his drunken madness lost control of his temper and said, ‘If you disobey the orders of your general, you shall be beaten one hundred strokes.’

The guests interposed to beg him off, but their drunken host was obdurate, and the unhappy guest received fifty blows. Then at the earnest prayers of the others the remainder of the punishment was remitted.

The banquet came to an end, and the beaten Cao Bao went away burning with resentment. That night he sent a letter to Lu Bu in Xiaopei relating the insults he had received from Zhang Fei. The letter told Lu Bu of Liu Bei's absence and proposed that a sudden raid should be made that very night before Zhang Fei had recovered from his drunken fit.

Lu Bu got ready at once and soon arrived at Xu Zhou with five hundred cavalrymen. The guards on the wall were Cao Bao's people, and they opened the gates to let Lu Bu in. Zhang Fei was in his apartment sleeping off the fumes of wine. His servants hastened to arouse him and told him an enemy had got the gates open.

Zhang Fei savagely got into his armor and laid hold of his mighty serpent halberd. But as he was mounting his horse at the gate, the attacking soldiers came up. He rushed at them but being still half intoxicated, he made but a poor fight. Lu Bu knowing Zhang Fei's prowess did not press him hard, and Zhang Fei made his way, with eighteen leading Guards of Yan, to the east gate, and there went out, leaving Liu Bei's family to their fate.

Zhang Fei with his few followers went to his brother's camp at Xuyi and told his story of treachery and surprise. All were greatly distressed.

‘Success is not worth rejoicing over; failure is not worth grieving over.’ said Liu Bei with a sigh.

Conclusion:
One should be wary of the eight kinds of decadence in one’s own character as well. Often it is easy to perceive the faults of others, yet difficult to realize the faults of one’s own.

The Way of the General - Part VII

Psychological Configurations

Some generals are brave and think lightly of death

Some are hasty and impulsive
Some are greedy and materialistic
Some are humane but lack endurance
Some are intelligent but timid
Some are intelligent but easygoing at heart

Those who are brave and think lightly of death are vulnerable to assault
Those who are hasty and impulsive are vulnerable to delay
Those who are greedy and materialistic are vulnerable to loss
Those who are humane but lack endurance are vulnerable to fatigue
Those who are intelligent but timid are vulnerable to pressure
Those who are intelligent but easygoing are vulnerable to sudden attack

Application:

Founder of the Wu Kingdom, Tiger of Jiang Dong

Sun Jian’s was Sun Quan's father and it was he who established the foundations of the Wu Kingdom. His personal bravery and resourcefulness placed him amongst one of the most influential men of his time. If it were not for Yuan Shu’s pettiness, Sun Jian would have certainly succeeded in crushing Dong Zhuo’s forces and restore the Han Empire to its’ former glory.

Some generals are brave and think lightly of death

Yet, what sort of general was he? His actions depict him as a brave, intelligent and persistent warrior. Yet, he was also somewhat reckless and hot-headed. At the Battle of River Si Pass, he failed to foresee the risk of a counter-attack by Dong Zhuo’s forces, resulting in the Coalition’s undoing. Although he survived, his recklessness would prove to be his Achilles' heel.

Those who are brave and think lightly of death are vulnerable to assault

In AD191, the Coalition had been disbanded and Dong Zhuo still terrorized the land. Sun Jian, who had retreated back to the Wu Kingdom, was instigated by Yuan Shu to attack Liu Biao in the Jing Province.

Liu Biao’s forces led by Huang Zu attempted to defend Jing at the banks of the River Han. However, they were no match for the Wu Navy and were pushed back all the way to Xiangyang. Liu Biao’s forces were surrounded by his enemy and they were in desperate straits. It was only a matter of time before their eventual defeat.

However, Liu Biao’s adviser, Kuai Liang proposed a cunning ruse to Lu Gong, a warrior of great strength, to save the city.

‘You will have five hundred soldiers: Choose good bowmen. Dash through the enemy's formation and make for Xian Hills. You will be pursued; but send a hundred soldiers up the hill to prepare large stones, and place a hundred archers in ambush in the woods. These are not to flee from the pursuers but to beguile them along devious ways round to the place where the boulders have been prepared. There stones will be rolled down and arrows shot. If you succeed, fire off a series of bombs as a signal, and the armies in the city will come out to help. If you are not pursued, get away as fast as possible. Tonight will be suitable as there is very little moon. Start at dusk.’

As foreshadowed, when Sun Jian heard news of Lu Gong’s squad attempting to escape, he pursued them furiously with merely thirty horsemen. Being reckless, he rode too far ahead of his escort. Goaded on by his enemies, he pursued them to Xian Hill, where he was ambushed by Lu Gong’s men and hit by several arrows and a huge stone crushing his head. His escort was also killed.

Lu Gong, then set off a series of bombs. Hearing this signal, Liu Biao’s forces led by Huang Zu, Kuai Yue and Cai Mao led their armies out and counter-attacked. With their commander dead, Sun Jian’s forces were in disarray and suffered huge losses.

Kuai Liang’s cunning ruse succeeded due to his understanding of Sun Jian’s psychological configuration. The death of Sun Jian was a great loss to the Wu Kingdom and it was fortunate that Sun Ce and Sun Quan proved worthy successors to inherit the mantle to the Wu Kingdom.

Conclusion:

知己知彼 Know Thyself, Know Thy Enemy

百战百胜 A Hundred Battles, A Hundred Victories

(In the book “The Art of War” by Sun Tzu)

The Way of the General - Part VI

Cultivating Oneself

The practice of a cultivated man is to refine himself by quietude and develop virtue by frugality.

Without detachment, there is no way to clarify the will; without serenity, there is no way to get far.

Study requires calm, talent requires study. Without study there is no way to expand talent; without calm there is no way to accomplish study.

If you are lazy, you cannot do thorough research; if you are impulsive, you cannot govern your nature.

The years run off with the hours, aspirations flee with the years. Eventually one ages and collapses.

What good will it do to lament over poverty?

Application:
Cao Cao’s disastrous defeat at the Battle of Red Cliff was a huge setback for the Wei Kingdom.The burden to reunite the Han Empire would lie with Cao Cao’s successor as such a monumental task would take decades to achieve.

The Foremost
Of all of Cao Cao’s progeny, Cao Chong could be called the foremost. Cao Chong’s benevolence, humane kindness and recognizable intelligence was unsurpassed. Often, Cao Chong would review cases of indicted criminals for any injustice. At a tender age of five, his thoughts were already extensive and full of wisdom. Impressed by his exploits, Cao Cao had on many occasions expressed to his ministers, his desire to appoint Cao Chong as his successor.

An Elephant and Archimedes
After the end of the Battle of Red Cliff, the Three Kingdoms were in a stalemate. During this time, Cao Cao received tribute from Sun Quan in the form of an elephant. The people of Wei had never seen such an animal before and were amazed at its’ size. Cao Cao was curious as to the weight of the animal. However, none of his ministers were able to propose a solution on how to weigh the animal.

Cao Chong, then merely five, offered the following solution. He asked for a boat and made a mark on the water line of the boat. He then asked that the elephant be taken onto the boat. With the additional weight of the elephant, the boat submerged further into the water. A second mark was made. The elephant was then replaced with smaller weighable objects until the boat was submerged to the same level as indicated by the second mark. The weight of the elephant could then be found out by summing up the weights of all the objects.

A Rat & a Ruse
In another incident, Cao Cao's saddle was chewed through by rats. The storekeepers were in great fear for their lives as laws were strict during those times of war.

When Cao Chong learnt of their plight, he took a knife and cut holes in his clothes as if rats had bitten through them. He then went to see his father and complained that he feared ill luck brought by the rat bites. Cao Cao consoled him, saying it was only a superstition.

Soon after, the storekeepers came to report the rat bites in Cao Cao’s saddle. Laughing, Cao Cao pardoned the storekeepers, saying thus:

‘Even when my son's clothings were just by his side, they could not be spared from the rats, let alone the saddle in the store.’

Life Is Uncertain
Alas! In AD208, Cao Chong died of illness at the age of thirteen, causing Cao Cao to lament and grieve. When Cao Pi tried to console his father, Cao Cao replied thus to his ultimate successor:

‘This is my misfortune but your good fortune!’

Conclusion:
Cao Chong, at the mere age of thirteen, had achieved much. Yet, I have lived almost thrice at long. What have I achieved?

Beneath the starry night and bright moon, as I look at the expansive sky and reflect on my purpose in life, I realize that the number of days that I have too, is limited. If I do not make full use of every day, shall it not be a priceless gift that I have wasted forevermore? What use is it for me to seek fame and gain, if all the treasures and wealth in the world cannot procure a single minute of my life?

The Way of the General - Part V

The Authority of the Military Leadership

Military authority, directing the armed forces, is the matter of the authoritative power of the leading general.

If the general can hold the authority of the military and operate its power, he oversees his subordinates like a fierce tiger with wings, flying over the four seas, going into action whenever there is an encounter.

If the general loses his authority and cannot control the power, he is like a dragon cast into a lake, he may seek the freedom of the high sea, but how can he get there?


Application:

Man from Nobility, Grand Administrator of Bohai
Yuan Shao was last great rival of Cao Cao in Northern China. He was a classic example of the Man from Nobility. Prior to the fall of the Han Empire, the Yuan family had held the highest offices of state for generations and their network of allies and clients extended across the empire. He held immense authority and prestige, and would prove to be one of Cao Cao’s greatest nemesis.

The Guandong Coalition
In AD190, after Dong Zhuo seized power and controlled the Han Empire, his tyrannical ways angered many officials throughout the Empire. In response, many regional warlords formed the Guandong Coalition, 關東聯軍. There were numerous participating warlords in the Coalition including Sun Jian, Cao Cao, Zhang Miao, Yuan Shu and Han Fu.

As the regional warlords gathered, they had to choose a chief to lead them. Here, Cao Cao spoke ‘For four generations, the highers offices of state have been filed by members of the Yuan family and their clients and supporters are everywhere. As a descendant of ancient ministers of Han, Yuan Shao is a suitable man to be our chief lord.’

Thus was Yuan Shao elected as the chief of the Guandong Coalition.

Battle of River Si Pass
Sun Jian, the then Governor of Changsha offered to lead his army of 20,000 men and challenge Dong Zhuo's forces at River Si Pass. Upon realizing the peril he faced, Dong Zhuo sent Hua Xiong, commanding approximately 10,000 men to do battle with Sun Jian.

Sun Jian was a valiant warrior and assisted by his capable generals, Huang Gai, Cheng Pu, Hang Dang and Zu Mao, they overwhelmed and forced Dong Zhuo’s forces to retreat back to the River Si Pass. Here, Dong Zhuo’s men led by Hua Xiong were too well entrenched and attacked via arrows and hail of stones which forced Sun Jian’s army to retreat back to their camp at Liangdong.

A report of victory was sent back to Yuan Shu, who was responsible for supplying food to the Coalition. With sufficient supplies, it would only be a matter of time before Sun Jian crushed Dong Zhuo’s army at River Si Pass and head directly for Luo Yang.

Alas! At this very moment, a counselor said to Yuan Shu, ‘This Sun Jian is a veritable tiger in the east. Should he take the capital and destroy Dong Zhuo, we should have a tiger in place of a wolf. Do not send him grain. Starve his troops, and that will decide the fate of that army.

Yuan Shu, jealous of the Sun Jian's achievements gave ears to the detractor and sent neither grain nor forage.

Without food, Sun Jian’s starving army was disgruntled and morale diminished rapidly. Taking advantage of this, Hua Xiong led his men and ambushed Sun Jian’s camp at night. Taken by surprise, Sun Jian’s army was thrown into confusion and fled in disorder. Although Sun Jian escaped with his very life, the Coalition had lost a golden opportunity to defeat Dong Zhuo.

Conclusion:
Yuan Shao was the overall leader of the Coalition. Yet, he failed in the simplest of task, by appointing his incompetent brother, Yuan Shu as Chief of the Commissariat. His failure in choosing the right person for the job was the decisive factor in the Coalition's defeat at the River Si Pass. A golden opportunity to defeat Dong Zhuo and restore the Han Empire was forever lost, merely due to petty squabbles and internal rivalry.

The Way of the General - Part IV

What Hurts the People?

There are five things that hurt the people:

1. There are local officials who use public office for personal benefit, taking improper advantage of their authority, holding weapons in one hand and people’s livelihood in the other, corrupting their offices, and bleeding the people.

2. There are cases where serious offenses are given light penalties; there is inequality before the law, and the innocents are subjected to punishment, even execution. Sometimes serious crimes are pardoned, the strong are supported, and the weak are oppressed. Harsh penalties are applied, unjustly torturing people to get at facts.

3. Sometimes there are officials who condone crime and vice, punishing those who protest against this, cutting off the avenue of appeal and hiding the truth, plundering and ruining lives, unjust and arbitrary.

4. Sometimes there are senior officials who repeatedly change department heads so as to monopolize the government administration, favoring their friends and relatives while treating those they dislike with unjust harshness, oppressive in their actions, prejudiced and unruly. They also use taxation to reap profit, enriching themselves and their families by exactions and fraud.

5. Sometimes local officials extensively tailor awards and fines, welfare projects, and general expenditures, arbitrarily determining prices and measures, with the result that people lose their jobs. These five things are harmful to the people, and anyone who does any of these should be dismissed from the office.

Application:
The Han Dynasty arose like a Phoenix from the ashes of the Qin Dynasty. It would last over a period of four centuries and is commonly considered to be one of the greatest periods in China. Conversely, the Qin Dynasty was torn asunder within a decade of its’ establishment? What contributed to the rise and longevity of the Han Dynasty? This was largely due to its’ policies that avoided hurting people:

No Personal Benefit Allowed, Crime and Vice Punished
Emperor Wu-Di combined Legalist methods with the Confucian ideal that led to a civil service nomination system and compulsory knowledge of Confucian classics among candidates for the imperial bureaucracy. Officials were graded by rank and salary, were appointed to posts based on the merit of their skills rather than aristocratic clan affiliation, and were subject to dismissal, demotion, and transfer to different administrative regions. Thus, local officials performed their duties up to the standards required and kept the Empire at peace.

Inequitable Laws Avoided, Just Laws Perpetuated
The legal spirit of the Han dynasty was the fullest under Prime Minister Dong Zhongshu, a Confucianism who served during the reign of Emperor Wu-Di. Under Prime Minister Dong, every legal decision or ruling had to be accompanied by an explanation that explained why the decision was made and under what law the ruling was based on. Prime Minister Dong further suggested that masters not be able to kill their slaves at will. This idea took root and remained in China. Thus, the just laws of the Empire maintained the safety of the nation.

Taxation Minimised and Frugality in Expenditure
The entire Han Empire was heavily dependent upon its county governors responsible as they could decide military policy, economic regulations, and legal matters in the county they presided over.

The main tax exacted on the population during Han times was a poll tax, fixed at a rate of 120 government-issued coins for adults. For adults there was also the addition of mandatory labor service for one month out of the year. Besides the poll tax, there was also the land tax administered by county and commandery officials. This was set by the government at a relatively low rate of one-thirtieth of the collected harvest.

With a large amount of revenue in stable times, the Han government was able to fund various public works projects and state infrastructure. In the year 3 CE, a formalized nationwide government school system was established under Emperor Ping, with a central school located in the capital Chang'an and local schools in the prefectures and counties. Judicious use of the Empire’s finances benefited the people resulting in a prosperous and virtuous cycle.

Conclusion:
The Han Dynasty flourished and prospered for over four centuries by attending to its people’s needs. The earlier Emperors were wise and not given to excess. The officials were upright and attended to its’ duties. During this Golden Age, intellectual, literary, and artistic endeavors revived and flourished during the Han Dynasty. These included the invention of paper, forging of high durable steel, hydraulic-powered armillary sphere and seismometer. Thus, do not hurt the people and the nation can be kept tranquil and peaceful.

Coming back to the present, do you think our Malaysian Government is governing in accordance to Zhuge Liang's principle of not hurting people? I would appreciate your views on this.

The Way of the General - Part III

Rewards and Penalties

A policy of rewards and penalties means rewarding the good and penalizing wrongdoers. Rewarding the good is to promote achievement; penalizing wrongdoers is to prevent treachery.

It is imperative that rewards and punishments be fair and impartial. When they know rewards are to be given, courageous warriors know what they are dying for; when they know penalties are to be applied, villains know what to fear.

Therefore, rewards should not be given without reason, and penalties should not be applied arbitrary. If rewards are given for no reason, those who have worked hard in public service will be resentful; if penalties are applied arbitrary, upright people will be bitter.

The Mightiest Warrior - Lu Bu
During his era, Lu Bu, was most powerful warrior in all of China. His prowess in wielding his ji, ‘Sky Piercer’ 方天畫戟, on top of his steed Red Hare was legendary. In AD 190, Dong Zhuo’s tyrannical ways angered many regional warlords and they formed a coalition under Yuan Shao and came for Dong Zhuo in the capital Luo Yang, to vanquish him. However, they were stopped at Hu Lao pass, 50 li from Luoyang. Riding forth on his Red Hare, his halberd in hand, Lu Bu taunted for challengers to duel him. Every warrior who came within range of his halberd met a swift, bloody death. Wielding his ten-foot Serpent Halberd, Zhang Fei insulted Lu Bu to get his attention and galloped out to fight him.

Zhang Fei wielding the strength of a hundred men in battle struggled against Lu Bu for more than fifty bouts, unable to gain an advantage. Then Guan Yu, brandishing his Green Dragon Crescent Blade, dashed out to assist his brother. The three fighters were engaged in another thirty bouts or so when Liu Bei, holding up his Dual Swords, also joined the battle.

Like a merry-go-round, the three brothers galloped in a circle caging Lu Bu inside, who finally began to tire. Unable to face the combined efforts of his three opponents at once, Lu Bu then made a feign at Liu Bei and retreated through the resulting gap back to the pass gate. The Trio chased after Lu Bu but due to the speed of Red Hare, his horse, they could not keep up with him.

Such was Lu Bu's prowess as a warrior!

Application:
After Wang Yun’s devious 美人計 stratagem, Dong Zhuo’s faction was destroyed. Lu Bu led those forces loyal to him and settled in Xia Pi. Realizing the immense threat that Lu Bu posed to his ambition to control Northern China, Cao Cao entered into a short-term alliance with Liu Bei to attack Lu Bu. In AD 198, both Cao Cao and Liu Bei laid siege on Xia Pi. The siege dragged on for two months without significant gains. Two advisors to Cao Cao, Xun Yu and Guo Jia, then suggested flooding the city with water from the Yi River (沂水) and Si River (泗水).

As the water level rose and submerged the city gates, Lu Bu's subjects rushed to inform their leader, but Lu Bu dismissed the threat on account that his Red Hare could run as well in water as on land. Thereupon he returned to his wine and consorts.

However, heavy indulgence in alcohol and women had wasted his strength away such that one day Lu Bu looked into the mirror and found himself looking thin and pallid. Making the resolution to quit drinking, he then issued an order that no one should drink wine under penalty of death.

One day, Hou Cheng, an officer under Lu Bu, caught a defector who attempted to steal fifty horses and give it to the Liu Bei. To celebrate the occasion, Hou Cheng brewed a few barrels of wine to be drunk at the feast.

But thinking his chief might find him in fault, Hou Cheng sent the bottles of wine to Lu Bu's palace with a petition explaining, "By your virtue of warlike renown, I have recovered my horses; and as my comrades come with their congratulations, I brew some bottles of wine, first to offer Your Lordship and second to ask your permission to have a little wine at the feast."

Lu Bu took it very angrily, saying, "When I have forbidden all wine, you brew some and begin to give feasts: You are simply defying me!"

Whereupon he ordered the officer to instant execution. However, Song Xian, Wei Xu, and other officers came in and interceded, and after a time Lu Bu softened.

"You ought to lose your head for this disobedience. But for the sake of your colleagues, the punishment shall be reduced to a hundred strokes."

They tried to beg him off this, but only succeeded in reducing the number of blows to one half. When the sentence had been carried out and Hou Cheng was permitted to return home, his colleagues came sadly to console him.

"Had it not been for you, I should have been put to death," said Hou Cheng.

Song Xian replied, "All Lu Bu cares for is his family. There is no pity for anyone else. We are no more than the weeds by the roadside."

Wei Xu said, "The city is besieged; the water is drowning us out. There will not be much more of this, for we may die any day."

"He is a beast, with neither a sense of humanity nor of right. Let us leave him," said Song Xian.

"He is not worth fighting for. The best we could do, would be to seize him and hand him over to Cao Cao," said Wei Xu.

That very night, Hou Cheng sneaked into the stables and got Red Hare away and presented the horse and told Cao Cao that they would show a white flag and open the gates to his army. Early next morning, Cao Cao began a fierce attack as the white flag had just appeared. The battle dragged into high noon and the attackers backed off for a rest.

The exhausted Lu Bu then took a nap himself on top of the wall. Taking the opportunity, Song Xian and Wei Xu tied Lu Bu up and hoisted a white flag. The two also threw Lu Bu's halberd down the wall as proof. Seeing the signals, Cao Cao's troops then poured into the city and seized it in no time. Thus, Lu Bu’s fate now laid in the hands of Cao Cao.

Conclusion:
Lu Bu should have governed in an upright and fair manner. By dispensing penalties in such an arbitrary manner, he lost the confidence and support of upright people. By formenting such bitterness in the hearts of his officers and supporters, he merely hastened his defeat at the hands of Cao Cao.

The Way of the General - Part II

Capacities of Commanders

The capacities of commanders are not the same; some are greater, some are lesser.

One who spies out treachery and disaster, who wins the allegiance of others, is the leader of 10 men.

One who rises early in the morning and retires late at night, and whose words are discreet yet perceptive, is the leader of a 100 men.

One who is direct yet circumspect, who is brave and can fight, is the leader of a 1,000 men.

One of martial bearing and fierceness of heart, who knows the hardships of others and spares people from hunger and cold, is the leader of 10,000 men.

One who associates with the wise and promotes the able, who is careful of how he spends each day, who is sincere, trustworthy, and magnanimous, and who is guarded in times of order as well as times of disturbance, is the leader of a 100,000 men.

One whose humanitarian care extends to all under his command, whose trustworthiness and justice win the allegiance of neighboring nations, who understands the signs of the sky above, the patterns of the earth below, and the affairs of humanity in between, and who regards all people as his family, is a world-class leader, one who cannot be opposed.

Application:
After the demise of Dong Zhuo, there were numerous warlords vying for supremacy over Northern China including Lu Bu, Yuan Shao, Yuan Shu and Liu Biao. Yet against all odds, Cao Cao managed to reign supreme overcoming all his bitter rivals. His most decisive victory was at the Battle of Guandu where he led 40,000 men and vanquished his rival Yuan Shao, commanding a horde of over 150,000 men.

What manner of man was Cao Cao such that he became the pivotal antagonist in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms?

Cao Cao himself once utttered:
‘I would rather betray the world than have the world betray me!’

Xu Shao who was famed for his ability to evaluate one's potentials and talents commented as follows:
‘A good subject in time of peace, a crafty hero in time of trouble.’

Zhuge Liang, described his achievements thus:
‘One bold person after another has arisen in various parts of the empire ever since the days of the rebel Dong Zhuo. Cao Cao was not so powerful as Yuan Shao, but he overcame Yuan Shao by seizing the favorable moment and using his soldiers properly. Now he is all-powerful: He rules an immense army and, through his control of the court, the various feudal lords as well. You cannot think of opposing him.’

Cao Cao was as a brilliant ruler and military genius who treated his officers like his family. He was also skilled in poetry and the martial arts, and wrote many war journals. He was greater than a leader of a 100,000 men and yet, fell short of Zhuge Liang’s standard of an exalted leader, one who could not be opposed.

Associates with the wise
When Cao Cao first set up his province in Yanzhou, he welcomed wise counselors and bold warriors, and many gathered around him including Xun Yu and Xun You and Guo Jia. By encouraging able people to assist him, he had intelligent advisers on the civil side and valiant generals in the army. He became famous throughout the East of the Pass. Surrounding himself with the wise and the bold, Cao Cao would erect the pillars of the Wei Kingdom and lay the foundations of the Jin Dynasty.

Magnanimous & Promotes the Able
During his Northern Campaign, Cao Cao successfully subjugated Wan Cheng. Unfortunately, Cao Cao’s soldiers under Xiahou Dun seized the occasion to plunder the people. Yu Jin (another general of Wei), took his army, fell upon them, and slew many. Thus he protected and appeased the people. The plunderers, meeting Cao Cao on the road, knelt down howling and said Yu Jin had mutinied and attacked them. Cao Cao was surprised, and he gave order to Xiahou Dun, Xu Chu, Li Dian, and Yue Jing to attack Yu Jin.

Now when Yu Jin saw his master and a great company approaching, he set his troops to make a camp, as he realized that Zhang Xiu, the local warlord intended to take advantage of the situation and attack both him and Cao Cao.

An officer asked him, "The Qingzhou soldiers say you have turned traitor. Why do you not explain now that the Prime Minister has arrived? Why first make a camp?"

Yu Jin replied, "Our enemies are coming up in our rear and are very close. It is necessary to prepare for defense or we shall not withstand them. Explanation is a small matter, but defense is very important."

Soon after the camp was finished, Zhang Xiu fell upon them. Yu Jin himself rode out to face them. Zhang Xiu drew back. The other generals of Yu Jin, seeing he advance thus boldly, also attacked, and Zhang Xiu was overcome. They pursued him a great distance until his force was almost annihilated. With the miserable remnant he finally fled to Liu Biao.

Cao Cao's army reformed, and the commanders mustered. Then Yu Jin went to see his master and told him of the conduct of the Qingzhou soldiers and their looting and why he had attacked them.

"Why did you not tell me before you made the camp?"

Yu Jin related what had occurred.

Said Cao Cao, "When the first thought of a leader in the time of greatest stress is to maintain order and to strengthen his defenses, giving no thought to slander but shouldering his burdens bravely, and when he thereby turns a defeat into a victory, who, even of the ancient leaders, can excel Yu Jin?"

Cao Cao rewarded Yu Jin with a golden armor and the lordship of Yishou.


Guarded in times of order
During 194 AD, major famine occurred due to a locust plague. At that time, people even ate each other out of desperation. Without food, many armies were defeated even without fighting. From this, Cao Cao realized the ample food supply in building a strong military. He began a series of agricultural programs in cities such as Xu Chang and Chen Liu. Refugees were recruited and given wastelands to cultivate. Later, encampments not faced with imminent danger of war were also made to farm. This system was continued and spread to all regions under Cao Cao as his realm expanded. Although Cao Cao's primary intention was to build a powerful army, the agricultural program also improved the living standards of the people, especially war refugees. [from Wikipedia]

Guarded in times of disturbance
Lu Bu was one of Cao Cao’s fiercest rivals during his Northern Campaign. In his attempt to capture the city of Puyang, Cao Cao was lured into attacking the city as he received information that there were defectors willing to open the gates to him.

And so at the first watch Cao Cao led the way. The moon had not yet arisen. As he drew near the west gate, they heard a crackling sound, then a loud shouting, and then torches moved hither and thither. Next the gates were thrown wide open, and Cao Cao, whipping up his steed, galloped in.

But when he reached the state residence, he noticed the streets were quite deserted, and then he knew he had been tricked. Wheeling round his horse, he shouted to his followers to retire. This was the signal for another move. An explosion of a signal bomb was heard close at hand, and it was echoed from every side in a deafening roar. Gongs and drums beat all around with a roar like rivers rushing backward to their source, and the ocean boiling up from its depths.

Cao Cao dashed off toward the north. On the way, sharply outlined against the glow, he saw the figure of Lu Bu coming toward him with his trident halberd ready to kill. Cao Cao covered his face with his hand, whipped up his steed and galloped past. But Lu Bu came galloping up behind him and tapping him on the helmet with the halberd cried, "Where is Cao Cao?"

Cao Cao turned and, pointing to a dun horse well ahead, cried, ‘There; on that dun! That's he.’ Hearing this Lu Bu left pursuing Cao Cao to gallop after the rider of the dun. Thus, Cao Cao escaped from harm and survived. Eventually, even mighty Lu Bu met his end at Cao Cao’s hands.

Conclusion:
Even though one may not be able to reach the exalted standards of a world class leader, it may be wise to strive to emulate the qualities exhibited by the leader of a 100,000 men. Such efforts will surely yield bountiful harvests in the future.

The Way of the General – Part I

Knowing People

Due to the relative popularity of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms posts, I am starting another topic, based on the Zhuge Liang’s treatise “The Way of the General”. Whilst Sun Tzu’s “Art of War” may be familiar to many, most of you may not be acquainted to Zhuge Liang’s treatise. Click on the link above to read the complete book.

In each post, I will analyze some excerpts from his book, translated by Thomas Cleary. A review of the application of his essays will be looked at various periods, during the Romance of the Three Kingdoms era.

Knowing People

Nothing is harder to see into people’s natures. Though good and bad are different, their conditions and appearances are not always uniform.

1. There are some people who are nice enough but steal.
2. Some people are outwardly respectful while inwardly making fools of everyone.
3. Some people are brave on the outside yet cowardly on the inside.
4. Some people do their best but are not loyal.

Hard though it is, to know people, there are ways.

1. First is to question them concerning right and wrong, to observe their ideas.
2. Second is to exhaust all their arguments, to see how they change.
3. Third is to consult with them about strategy, to see how perceptive they are.
4. Fourth is to announce that there is trouble, to see how brave they are.
5. Fifth is to present them with the prospect of gain, to see how modest they are.
6. Sixth is to give them a task to do within a specific time, to see how trustworthy they are.

Application:
Let us return to view Dong Zhuo’s meteoric rise to power. His success in recruiting Lu Bu was the pillar of his success in seizing control over the remnants of the Han Empire. During his latter days, his hubris clouded his understanding Lu Bu’s psychology, ultimately contributing to his untimely death.

Ensnaring the Flying General
Following the death of Emperor Ling in 189 AD, Supreme General He Jin summoned Dong Zhuo to lead his troops into Luoyang and aid him in eliminating the powerful eunuch faction. Before Dong Zhuo arrived, however, He Jin was assassinated by the eunuchs and the capital fell into chaos. The eunuchs then kidnapped Emperor Shao and headed out of the capital. They were intercepted by Dong Zhuo, who brought the Emperor back to the palace.

At this time, Dong Zhuo had intended to install his puppet, Prince Xian to the throne of the Han Empire. He was opposed vigorously by Ding Yuan, the Imperial Protector of Bingzhou, another warlord summoned by He Jin. Angered by Ding Yuan’s opposition, Dong Zhuo would have slain him. However, Ding Yuan was escorted by none other than his adopted son, the famous Flying General - Lu Bu.

Dong Zhuo, recognising Lu Bu’s prowess and skills as a warrior coveted to recruit him. However, would Lu Bu submit to Dong Zhuo and betray his adopted father? Or would be angered by such an attempt and exert all his efforts in destroying Dong Zhuo?

Present them with the prospect of gain, to see how modest they are.
Li Su, a subordinate of Dong Zhuo suggested the following:
“You have a fine horse, Red Hare, one of the best ever bred. I must have this steed, and gold and pearls to win his heart. Then will I go and persuade him. He will certainly abandon Ding Yuan's service for yours."

Some people do their best but are not loyal.
Li Su then secretly met Lu Bu and enticed him with the lavish gifts. Pondering long and in silence, he replied:
"I might slay Ding Yuan and bring over his soldiers to Dong Zhuo's side. What think you of that?"

That very night, Lu Bu entered, sword in hand, into his master's tent. He found Ding Yuan reading by the light of a solitary candle and slew him. Next day, with the head of the murdered man as his gift, Lu Bu betook himself to Li Su, who led him to Dong Zhuo. Dong Zhuo received him with a warm welcome and had wine set before him.

Thus, with Ding Yuan’s death and his army torn asunder, Dong Zhuo became the sole warlord in control of the Han Capital, Luo Yang. AD190 marked the beginning of Dong Zhuo’s reign of terror.

Conclusion:
In life, it is important observe the person you are dealing with. If you are discerning enough, observe their deeds, demeanor and speech at all times. Whilst they may maintain a facade, it is impossible for continue doing so, at all times. Use Zhuge Liang’s advice to understand a person’s true nature.