Treatise on Military Preparedness, Volume 20: Strategy Study: Warring States

Treatise on Military Preparedness, Volume 20

Strategy Study

Warring States

The Earl of ZhiAlso known as Zhi Bo or Zhi Yao, he was a powerful and arrogant minister of the State of Jin whose greed eventually led to the downfall of his clan. requested land from Han KangziThe head of the Han clan, one of the three major families serving the State of Jin.. Kangzi wanted to refuse the request, but his advisor Duan Gui said: "The Earl of Zhi is fond of profit and headstrong. If we do not give him the land, he will surely attack us. It is better to give it to him. He will become habituated to gaining land so easily and will certainly make similar demands of others. When those others do not give it, he will surely turn his military force against them. If that happens, we can escape this disaster and wait for the situation to change." Kangzi said, "Excellent," and gave him the land. The Earl of Zhi was pleased and subsequently requested land from Wei HuanziThe head of the Wei clan.. Huanzi wanted to refuse the request, and his advisor Ren Zhang questioned him about it. Huanzi said: "Without any just cause, he demands..."