Tao Tao, Liu Bei, and Sun Quan all fought fiercely for supremacy, but in the end, the divine beings fell into the hands of Zhuge Liang.
Among the prominent figures of the Three Kingdoms period, Zhuge Liang was often regarded as the “winning strategist” of this era. Remarkably, he was the one who laid the foundation to assist his lord, Liu Bei, in establishing the Shu Han dynasty, becoming the most renowned strategist of the Three Kingdoms.
One could say that talent, dedication, and a unique approach were the key qualities that contributed to Zhuge Liang’s success. His name, “Zhuge Liang,” is synonymous with wisdom and strategy.
However, it is noteworthy that the person who first encountered Zhuge Liang was Tao Tao, who had suspicions about him. Tao Tao often warned his army to be particularly cautious of Zhuge Liang.
Despite being suspicious of Zhuge Liang, Tao Tao inadvertently laid the groundwork for Zhuge Liang’s success through three sayings that have been passed down:
1. A wise bird will not easily choose its perch but must know when to sacrifice.
Tao Tao was famously quoted as saying, “We must be cautious, as the divine beings will never grant us the opportunity to be arrogant.” Therefore, when faced with adversities, Tao Tao was not afraid to make sacrifices rather than risk losing everything.
From the very first encounter, when Tao Tao challenged him, Zhuge Liang did not let go of any opportunity to showcase his talents. Tao Tao, being suspicious, often had to send his troops to assess Zhuge Liang’s movements, keeping a watchful eye on him.
In 208 CE, Tao Tao issued an order: “If there is still time to avoid conflict, then seize it!” This forced Zhuge Liang to step into the political arena, officially aligning himself with the Tao faction.
This action by Zhuge Liang illustrates that to escape from a dire situation, one must be willing to make sacrifices. Zhuge Liang always knew how to sacrifice something small to gain larger benefits. This is why he managed to secure a position of trust under the Tao faction, even when doubts lingered about his loyalty.
Zhuge Liang. Image: Sina
In the workplace, we must also understand these principles. When our talents are not recognized, or we cannot contribute our strengths to a collective success, we may feel oppressed or stressed. Yet the key time is the best opportunity to create a solid foundation for future achievements. This is because the views of others often do not reflect our own capabilities. We should consider the long-term benefits and drawbacks to create appropriate plans, making decisions and actions that align with our goals for future success.
2. Do not overlook the strong and do not underestimate the weak.
This point of Zhuge Liang is increasingly evident when compared to Dong Zhuo, a powerful figure under the Tao faction. Dong Zhuo, in control of significant power, succumbed to greed and arrogance, eventually leading to many enemies, including Zhuge Liang himself.
At one point, when Tao’s army was forced to retreat under Liu Bei’s command, Tao Tao ordered a strategic withdrawal. However, at the same time, Dong Zhuo was unaware of the true intentions behind Tao’s actions, believing he could easily overpower him.
In one of their encounters, Dong Zhuo remarked to Zhuge Liang, “You and I are on different sides; you may be wise, but I do not fear you.” It is evident that Dong Zhuo overestimated his abilities while underestimating Zhuge Liang’s cunning.
Conversely, Zhuge Liang always maintained a keen awareness of his environment and understood the necessity of avoiding confrontations with those who underestimated him. He recognized the strength of his adversaries and strategized accordingly.
Liu Bei. Image: Sohu
3. Know how to retreat before foolishness.
The period of Tao Du was characterized by a significant loss of power for the Tao faction, which made Zhuge Liang extremely cautious. However, Zhuge Liang remained calm and asked a simple question: “How does Tao like to compare with Jia Xu?”
Zhuge Liang replied, “Like an ant.”
After a long pause, Zhuge Liang added, “Taking a step back is not an act of cowardice, but a strategy to avoid foolishness. Sometimes, one must learn how to retreat before facing challenges.”
In the work environment, if two statements are not in agreement, many people are ready to clash and argue. Ultimately, these debates often lose sight of the actual issues at hand, focusing instead on maintaining their own positions. Even if one does not agree with the main decision, it is essential to adapt to the situation. Therefore, when encountering someone like Dong Zhuo, it is better to learn how to retreat like Zhuge Liang, as it saves energy and allows time to assess the situation and seize future opportunities.
Source: Sohu
