With Lips Gone, Teeth are exposed to Cold

With Lips Gone, Teeth are exposed to Cold

(From: Spring and Autumn Annals) 

Re-written by BoSt

Long ago, Duke Xian of the state of Jin wished to expand his realm and power; the Duke hence, bade Xun Xi to launch an expedition against the powerful State of Guo. The great distance however was of some concern and the campaign’s success depended on traversing the State of Yu. At the time there was a tentative alliance with Yu so Duke Xian asked Xun Xi for his counsel on this matter. 

“In order to secure Duke Yu’s promise to let our army pass .... Hmm...” Xun Xi remained hesitant for a moment, before resuming, “The surest way My Lord, would be to present Duke Yu with our Chuji Jade and good number of Quchan steeds.”

(Note: Xhuji in Xhanxi Province was famous at the time for producing excellent jade stones and Quxhan in Shanxi Province was renowned for its fine breed of horses.)

“Is there no other way?” The Duke Xian was displeased with the suggestion. “The stone is an inherited treasure and should remain so for the next generations. And the idea of losing my steeds to that loathsome, pompous Lord is quite unacceptable. “Duke Xian grumbled, “Perchance, what if Duke Yu accepted our gift but refused our request, what then?”

Xun Xi braved Lord’s fury with this quick riposte: “Well my Lord, if Lord Yu refuses the fine gifts, we can be certain of his veiled hostility and look elsewhere for the safe passage. If however, his Lordship does accept it, we’d only be allowing his Lordship temporary custody of the treasures. What is there to be worried about?”

Duke Xian nodded with approval and soon after sent Xun Xi to the State of Yu to negotiate the army’s safe passage. 

Xun Xi was quick to gain admittance to the Yu court. He presented a splendid figure in his fineries holding the large precious stone before him. Many courtiers gasped witnessing the magnificent steeds that were corralled into the courtyard, dazzling everyone.

Duke Yu greedy for the fine gifts, was about to make the emissary of Jin Xun Xi a rash promise when one of his loyal subjects, Gong Ziyi, came forward to protest: “My Lord, I beg a private council with you, if you please.”

“What, now?” Duke Yu was annoyed.

“How preposterous an intrusion! Has propriety and good sense left Gong Ziyi” Many courtiers grumbled under their breath.

Nevertheless Guo Ziyi was a well respected, loyal minister and Lord Yu was bit intrigued. He signalled Guo to advance and gave him permission to speak his mind.

Guo Ziyi was most direct. “There shall be no promise of any kind, your Grace.” His strong, resounding voice simply ripped through the stone cold silence that had enveloped the court.

“What Yu is to Guo is like gums to the cheeks. Gums are closely related to cheeks and cheeks to gums; which is exactly the present situation of Yu in relation to Guo. As the old ancestral saying goes, ‘If the lips are gone, the teeth will be exposed to cold.’ The fact that Guo is able to exist depends on Yu while Yu’s ability to survive hinges on Guo. This inter-dependency will be jeopardized, if we make way for Jin army, allowing Guo to perish. Their demise will transpire in the morning to be followed by Yu in the evening.”

Guo again spoke in good strong voice: “Why should we ever let Jin pass? Why seek a small gain, only to harm vital interests?”

Duke Yu, however refused to listen to reason and, blinded by greed, in the end still gave the Jin army convenient access to Guo.

Thus Xun Xi attacked Guo and conquered it, and on the way back attacked Yu and conquered it too.

Xun Xi then triumphantly returned to Jin. The jade and the horses were once again restored to Duke Xian who, greatly pleased, said in good humor: “The jade remains the same, but he horses have got some more teeth!”

Fin

In the Hands of Destiny

In the Hands of Destiny

A great Japanese warrior named Nobunaga decided to attack the enemy although he had only one-tenth the number of men the opposition commanded. He knew that he would win, but his soldiers were in doubt.

On the way he stopped at a Shinto shrine and told his men: "After I visit the shrine I will toss a coin. If heads comes, we will win; if tails, we will lose. Destiny holds us in her hand."

Nobunaga entered the shrine and offered a silent prayer. He came forth and tossed a coin. Heads appeared. His soldiers were so eager to fight that they won their battle easily.

"No one can change the hand of destiny," his attendant told him after the battle.

"Indeed not, said Nobunaga, showing a coin which had been doubled, with heads facing either way.

The Art of War -Strategy Four- Positioning

The Art of War -Strategy Four- Positioning

It is possible to lead the enemy into an impasse without fighting.

The offensive and the defensive are the two fundamental elements in warfare. You may think that the aggressor initiating the offensive has the advantage over the other who is forced into defensive mode. But actually this strategy is more about the advantages of being a defender

One who arrives first at the battlefield to wait for the enemy remains reposed, whereas one who arrives late has to give battle in haste even though fatigued. Therefore, a good commander maneuvers the enemy and is not maneuvered himself.

Similarly, never engage an enemy whose formation is in good order and whose spirit is high. Even if the enemy gives challenge by creating serious incidents, avoid action. Wait in good form while the enemy howls and utters treats; rest, eat and wait for the other to weaken in resolve.

The principal goes, “when secure, remain immobile.”

Keep in mind also that, figuratively speaking, the enemy is certainly intrepid in the morning, relaxes as the day draws on, and prepares to retreat at night. Therefore an able general shuns intrepidity of the enemy and waits for its decline and retreat. This is the method for handling the troops’ morale.

To reiterate, by taking a position that the attacker cannot bypass and securing ample reserves, the defender can conserve its strength and wait it out until the enemy’s strength and superiority is sapped. Meanwhile the enemy can be played: first, by tempting them with a perceived advantage to undertake a hasty charge, and then forestalling it with an impasse. When they are properly demoralized then you can pick the time for an effective counterattack. 

The End.

The Tunnel

The Tunnel

Once upon a time in a frontier town the brash young son of a Warrior, named Doku, desiring to experience more of life after the death of his father, left his rigid and regulated circumstance and embarked on a long journey towards the Capital.

He was a agile and strong young man and highly skilled in sword fighting. Halfway to the Capital he came upon a large estate on the periphery of a prosperous town. 

The estate holder, Esquire Zaven’s first wife had died suddenly at childbirth leaving behind a squalling son. The property was enormous with many fields surrounding it that constantly needed tending. The historic mansion perched on a hilltop, supported a large household. As Zaven was always away on business, he’d been forced to re-marry in haste, acquiring a seemingly competent spouse to run the groundskeepers and the household staff in his absence. Doku, carrying exemplary credentials had no trouble securing the recently vacated position of a head Steward. Unfortunately during the course of his stay there he became enamored of the beautiful young wife of Esquire Zaven. Doku was a fetching young man with a fine physique that before long caught the eye of the young wife. 

Once when Esquire Zaven was away on business, Doku chanced a clandestine meeting with the lady in which he professed his deep affections for her. She was an easy conquest and the two became instant lovers. The Esquire however returned unexpectedly early from his recent trip and so the illicit affair was exposed. Confronting the enraged husband, the culprit Doku slew the outraged Zaven in self-defense. Faced with this dire circumstance and facing certain death, the two lovers ran away. 

Always on the run and with scant options for survival, Doku became a highwayman. His skill was unmatched and any resistance was swiftly squashed. 

The spoils provided the couple with many luxuries. But still, it was never enough for the former wife. Greed dulled the appeal of this once beautiful woman and her demands, by degrees, caused Doku to grow increasingly disgusted with her. Finally he left her and resumed his journey, but not to the Capital. 

Eventually he settled down to a frugal life in a remote frontier town at the base of a mountain, where he became known as a solitary mendicant.

As he matured he felt increasing remorse for his past sins. Ghosts regularly haunted his dreams calling for him to atone for his crimes, particularly the felony that had started it all. Finally, after all this soul searching, Doku’s thoughts centered on the dangerous cliff road over the mountain and the countless souls it had caused death and injury to.

“Yes, I shall do it.” He nodded resolutely. As his atonement for all his past crimes he resolved to cut a tunnel through the mountain. He knew it would be a most ambitious feat but he desperately needed to accomplish a good turn that may, in part, eradicate some of his sins.

He set to work the very next day. From then on during the daylight hours Doku worked tirelessly doing any sort of labor, no matter how dangerous or loathsome. At night, after a modest meal and a brief repast, he hefted his pick and packed his shovel then traveled on horseback to the foothills. He spent the first several weeks surveying the region’s topography. From a hidden cave opening he started digging the tunnel until daylight broke. He made good use of the existing natural caverns, connecting them by digging short tunnels between them. By the time thirty years had gone by, the length of the tunnel reached 2,280 feet. Doku had almost achieved his goal of creating a secure pathway deep under the mountain. In a two more years he would reach his goal.

Before the work was complete however, the slain Esquire’s son Bron, who had become a skilled swordsman caught up with Doku. Bent on revenge, Bron lay in wait behind a huge boulder on a deserted stretch of path to spring his ambush. Doku with his experience as a highwayman had naturally sensed the presence of danger and dismounted. Holding the reins, Doku took the rocky path in bold strides that caused Bron to hesitate.

Bron paralleled the path for a time waiting for another opportunity to strike, then, brandishing his sword, jumped in front to block Doku’s way. Proclaiming his name, he shouted: “I’m here to avenge my father Esquire Zaven Ko, whom you’ve so foully murdered.  Be prepared to die, vermin!"

On the verge of receiving the death blow, Doku maintained his calm composure and stated his protest, “"I will give you my life willingly; only, let me finish this crucial work first. On the day of its completion, I swear I will stand ready to receive my punishment."

Doku’s courage and earnest demeanor convinced the son to postpone his revenge to a later time. And so Bron temporarily set aside the blistering rage swelling his chest and, night after night, followed Doku to the tunnel and watched him work. In all that time, even with a death sentence hovering over his head Doku’s diligence never once wavered. He removed the rock with his pick and then constructed post and beam supports from the surrounding trees to buttress the walls of the tunnel. In this way several months passed. Doku, even when sick worked hard at the dig.

Eventually Bron grew tired of doing nothing but watch Doku. In order to keep fit and to hasten the end result, he simply showed up with a pick. No words were exchanged as he worked alongside Doku on the dig.

After he had helped for more than a year, keeping a close eye on the other even during the day, Bron gradually came to admire Doku's strong will and steadfast character. Bron witnessed firsthand many of other’s charitable ways: his unwavering assistance to the sick and old and the countless anonymous generous donations to the needy, even though it meant at times going without food and clothing. He took note how Doku most brave in defending the weak: so many lives were spared fending off the local hoodlums and many widows and orphans fared better or survived their harsh circumstance, because of Doku’s cavort aid.

At long last couple hours before dawn the tunnel was finally complete. Now the people could use it and travel in safety. Covered in dust and dirt, Doku now prostrated himself before Bron in readiness for death. 

“Thank you for your patience and help. Now you may cut off my head. I bear you no ill will. My work is done."

"How can I cut off my own teacher's head?" asked Bron lowering his head with tears brimming in his eyes.



The End.

Zhang Fei Defends Steepslope Bridge (after the battle of Changban)

Zhang Fei Defends Steepslope Bridge (after the battle of Changban)

In the highly acclaimed TV series “The Three Kingdoms” directed by Gao Xixi (2010-2012) one of the most memorable characters is Zhang Fei, third sworn brother to Lui Bei . Zhang Fei both in the novel and in this series was depicted as being an exceedingly loyal and formidable warrior. He was also bit uncouth, short-tempered and loved to drink. These vices often landed him in trouble. His weapon was a "1.8 zhang long steel spear, also called a "1.8 Zhang long serpent spear" because its head was shaped like a serpent.

The two segments I’ve selected here depicts a precarious time for Lui Bei. His arch nemesis Cao Cao with his superior force has already launched a campaign bent on wiping out the opposing forces in southern China. Cao Cao, with his armies now in Jing Province after the surrender of Lui Cong ( Lui Bei’s nephew), focuses his full attention on Lui Bei. Lui Bei, after the evacuation of Xinye County, is pursued by 5,000 of Cao Cao’s riders who catch up with him at Changban, Dangyan. Lui Bei, abandoning his family, flees with only Zhuge Liang, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun and a small contingent of soldiers. Still in dire straits, Zhang Fei (with 20 horsemen) is charged with defending Steepslope Bridge and covering Lui Bei’s retreat.

The first segment depicts Zhang Fei’s courage and ferocity that freezes Cao Cao’s army in its tracks. At the same time it reveals Zhang Fei’s strategy that tricks Cao Cao into a retreat. 

The second segment depicts the flaw in Zhang Fei’s strategy which sabotages his earlier, effective defence, placing the retreat of Lui Bei in dire jeopardy. 

Fin

Overcoming Hatred

Overcoming Hatred

“Those who attempt to conquer hatred by hatred are like warriors who take weapons to overcome others who bear arms. This does not end hatred, but gives it room to grow. But, ancient wisdom has advocated a different timeless strategy to overcome hatred. This eternal wisdom is to meet hatred with non-hatred. The method of trying to conquer hatred through hatred never succeeds in overcoming hatred. But, the method of overcoming hatred through non-hatred is eternally effective. That is why that method is described as eternal wisdom.”


 ~Gautama Buddha

Three Lies make a Tiger

Three Lies make a Tiger

Peng Long was going to go with the heir-apparent of the State of Wei to Haian, the capital of the State of Zhao, as a hostage.

(This was practice at the time between states to dissipate mutual suspicion after making an alliance. Pang Gong was a subject of the State of Wei, during the dynastic rule of Zhou)

Before leaving he said to the Prince of Wei “Suppose a man comes to report that he has seen a tiger in the open market, will your Highness believe it?”

“No,” The prince answered.

“Suppose a second man comes to say so, will your Highness believe it?”

“I’ll begin to wonder.”

“Suppose a third man comes with the same report, will your Highness take it as true?”

“I believe I will”

“Well, it is now as clear as daylight that no tiger here would go to the open market, but since three men have said the same thing, the presence of a tiger there becomes established. Now, Handan is much further from our capital Daliang then the market is from the court, and those who talk behind my back will be more than just three. When I’m gone I hope that Your Highness will not fail to judge what you will hear from them, and judge carefully.”

“I know how to judge.” Prince huffed, clearly displeased.

Then Peng Long asked to be excused and bade farewell to the prince. After he had left slanderous words against him made their way to the prince’s ear.

When the agreed upon period for the hostage exchange was over, the heir-apparent returned home. Just as expected, Peng Long was summoned to an audience with the Prince who, as anticipated, no longer trusted him.

Zhanguo Ce (Warring states Records)