To: Sowbug who wrote (7583 ) 4/29/1999 9:37:00 AM From: Don Pueblo Respond to of 19700
Tsao Tsao, since he governed the whole empire, mowed down numerous scoundrels. In his military operations, he followed in the main the tactics laid dwn in the teachings of Sun Tsu and Wu Tzu. In accordance with different situations, he took extraordinary stratagems, by deceiving the enemy he won victory; he varied his tactics in an almost demonic fashion. He himself wrote a book on war, consisting of a hundred thousand characters and more, and when his generals undertook any campaign they all followed his teachings. Furthermore, on each occasion he gave them personal directions. Those who obeyed him won victory, those who did not were defeated soundly. In the face of the enemy on the battlefield, he remained calm, as if he had no intention whatever of fighting, but then seizing the opportunity, he would strike for victory with the highest of spirits. This is why he always won victory when he fought; not a single instance of victory is attributed to mere good luck. He knew his men well, and was a good judge of them, it was difficult to dazzle him with a false display. When he climbed a height, he would always compose verses. When he made a new poem, he would set it to pipe and string, and they all were most excellent songs. His talent and strength were unsurpassed. ________________ Tsao Tsao, (A.D. 155-220) was made King of Wei by the Han emperor Hsien Ti in A.D. 216. After his death he was canonized ‘Martial King'. Subsequently, this title was changed to ‘Marital Emperor' with the temple designation Tai Tzu, or ‘Eminent Founder'. ________________ -Wei Shu [The Wei Dynasty History, as quoted in The Chronicle of the Three Kingdoms]