In the early 7th century, Tang dynasty emperors emerged as rulers of a POWERFUL EMPIRE and a GREAT CULTURE.
The Japanese, precariously united under their OWN AMBITIOUS EMPERORS, wanted to know its SECRETS.
Court officials, students, teachers, monks and artists visited Ancient China, were vastly impressed.
They returned to Ancient Japan with the “new learning”.
New Learning technology from Ancient China
The new learning method all recorded in Ancient Chinese script which was in effect all the main elements of Chinese civilization:
Confucianism,
medicines,
textiles, weaving dyeing
the five stringed lute,
masks, board games
whole libraries of books on scripture, history, philosophy and literature.
Military and strategic planning
One thing Ancient China knew a lot about was WAR.
For centuries, it was armed conflict that divided the nation.
Yet it was WAR- and ultimately CONQUEST.
In 221 BC, War brought PEACE and UNITY for the WHOLE OF ANCIENT CHINA
China’s Military wisdom was implemented by great military theoretician SUN ZI.
He spelled the “ five fundamental” – politics, weather, terrain, command and management.
He even on to ANALYSE details such as the COST OF ENTERTAINING ENVOYS and the PRICE OF GLUE.
(I have named him the father of “Chinese Costing”- Right now, I am doing the mystery numerology and fengshui research on Ancient Chinese Accounting & Costing brainintelligence )
Sun Zi was not concerned with GLORY. He was interested in FAST an TOTAL VICTORY.
He quoted the Chinese Classical wisdom,:
“ There has never been a PROTRACTED WAR which benefited a country-
Only by QUICK VICTORY can more war be AVOIDED”.
George Bush should learnt from Sun Zi and Russian learned from Sun Zi not to occupy whole of Ancient China
George Bush might have a second thoughts about invading IRAQ, let alone boasting of “ mission accomplished”.
Had he pondered one of Sun Zi’s APHORISMS:
“ To win victory is easy, to PRESERVE ITS FRUIT, DIFFICULT”
Clear Learning lesson:
Do not engage unless sure of victory.
Avoid RISKS,
Better to OVERAWE your opponent than to FIGHT.
But if you want to FIGHT, DO IT MY “SUN ZI WAY!
Learn the rules of military leadership, logistics, maneuvering, terrain and in particular- he saves this for last – DECECEPTION.
Japanese modified the Sun Zi learning through Ninja instructional poem to:
“ Make yourself RESOLUTE with the IDEA that you will WIN whenever you go on a MISSION,
And you can WIN even if it is not so REALISTIC”
By Henry Steven Khoo
Thomas (Tom) Hoskinson: Would seem many countries today could learn some valuable lessons from Sunzi (or Sun Tzu as he is better known in the west). We have, in the west, been schooled in this lesson many times in recent history but have learned nothing from our expensive education. Military power in the modern age is greatly limited by asymmetric warfare no matter how technologically advanced or economically strong.
Henry Steven Khoo: Dear Thomas, You are right. Sunzi was adopted by Japanese in the Samurai -military classical wisdom and appreciated by the West. Unfortunately, we the Chinese and Asian have slowly forgotten HIM and also our classical Chinese Wisdom. My business relatives- uncle and aunts would quote the classical Chinese wisdom in their business dealings, in business negotiation and in strategic business planning. But my cousins had refused to use them giving reasons there are ‘too ancient, too troublesome to think and to reasoning”.
Thomas (Tom) Hoskinson: Sun Tsu has been widely taught in our MBA programs and our military schools. The principles are timeless.
Thank you for reminding us of this great thinker and soldier.
Jim Ruxin: George Bush was too stupid a President to listen to anyone but the scheming Dick Cheney and Karl Rove. Blame them and their supporters, not their puppet.
Thomas (Tom) Hoskinson: Jim, with respect, what the heck do GWB, Cheney and Rove have to do with this topic? Or do you just like the mantra “it’s Bush’s fault”?
Jim Ruxin: Thomas–
This is what I responded to: George Bush should learn from Sun Zi and Russian learned from Sun Zi not to occupy whole of Ancient China. George Bush might have a second thoughts about invading IRAQ, let alone boasting of “ mission accomplished”.
Had he pondered one of Sun Zi’s APHORISMS: “ To win victory is easy, to PRESERVE ITS FRUIT, DIFFICULT”
Clear Learning lesson:
Do not engage unless sure of victory.
Avoid RISKS,
Better to OVERAWE your opponent than to FIGHT.
GWB was never that thoughtful!
It will be GWB’s partial fault for many generations, but more to blame are his handlers and the neo-cons who controlled him and the evangelicals he courted, as well as the way he packed the Supreme Court. Citizen’s United was a triumph for the wealthy and a disgrace to the legacy of the founding Fathers.
The legacy of income inequality and declining schools (despite No CHild Left Behind) started to steamroll during that administration. Like Reagan would be, and even GWB is likely appalled at the mean-spirited partisanship generated by the extremists of the part and the intentional obstructionist efforts of that party. To the point of betraying their own constituents.
Willis Shirk: I agree that it is important to promote a wider knowledge of the ancient Chinese classics in order to fully invigorate the new modern Asia. It is equally important to promote a wider knowledge of the deep wisdom embodied in the Chinese classics throughout the western world as well. There is much to be learned from these ancient writings just as China is today also learning much by absorbing western science and technology in order to solve problems and build a modern economy. Equally important for both east and west is the need to develop a deeper and more nuanced understanding of China’s more recent history. One important contribution toward this end is Jung Chang’s superb new book entitled “Empress Dowager Cixi: The Concubine who Launched Modern China.”
Calvin Lee: couldn’t agree more. must restore the learning of ancient Chinese wisdom.
Tang’s founding emperor knew the art of war like the back of his hand and applied it better than anyone else. plus, he listened to good criticism, no matter how hurtful, and made changes.
Thomas (Tom) Hoskinson: Jim. I apologize for my oversight. I completely missed that segment of Henry’s initial post. Thanks for a reply that was more considered than mine.
I do agree with most of your latest post. GWB was not a favorite of mine, although, like most Presidents, including the current one, he was somewhat at the mercy of those whose counsel was clearly ill-advised and not in the best interests of the country. Obama is in the same boat. The irony of Obama’s Presidency currently is that a recent poll showed his approval rating at about 34% pretty much across all income levels from 0 to $200k. Those earning more than $200k gave an approval rating about 10 points higher.
Yes, the R’s have been obstructionists but Obama has also demonstrated a keen inability to negotiate – my way of the highway for our nation but in foreign affairs you can cross the “red line” any day. Sad state of affairs for the USA.
Leave a Reply