Sun Tzu Wu: A helluva guy.

Sun Tzu was a Chinese military leader of the 5th century B.C. best know for his work "The Art of War". The original Sun Tzu, (One of his ancestors Sun Pin was also referred to as Sun Tzu because of his similar military talents) served under Ho Lu, King of Wu . I am sharing this following anecdote because it's interesting to share something a Wu partisan did and because this guy seems like one sick puppy.

Note: In the modern world, corporations and business schools study "The Art of War" like piranhas to a dead cow carcass. While this is a vivid image, I haven't actually seen too many cows out for a swim in the Amazon river.

For those further interested here's a bibliography of the text.

        Sun Tzu Wu was a native of the Ch`i State.  His ART OF 
   WAR brought him to the notice of Ho Lu, [2] King of Wu.  Ho 
   Lu said to him:  "I have carefully perused your 13 chapters.  
   May I submit your theory of managing soldiers to a slight 
   test?"
        Sun Tzu replied:  "You may."
        Ho Lu asked:  "May the test be applied to women?"
        The answer was again in the affirmative, so arrangements 
   were made to bring 180 ladies out of the Palace.  Sun Tzu 
   divided them into two companies, and placed one of the King's 
   favorite concubines at the head of each.  He then bade them 
   all take spears in their hands, and addressed them thus:   "I 
   presume you know the difference between front and back, right 
   hand and left hand?"
        The girls replied:  Yes.
        Sun Tzu went on:  "When I say "Eyes front,"  you must 
   look straight ahead.  When I say "Left turn," you must face 
   towards your left hand.  When I say "Right turn,"  you must 
   face towards your right hand.  When I say "About turn,"  you 
   must face right round towards your back."
        Again the girls assented.  The words of command having 
   been thus explained, he set up the halberds and battle-axes 
   in order to begin the drill.  Then, to the sound of drums, he 
   gave the order "Right turn."  But the girls only burst out 
   laughing.  Sun Tzu said:  "If words of command are not clear 
   and distinct, if orders are not thoroughly understood, then 
   the general is to blame."
        So he started drilling them again, and this time gave 
   the order "Left turn," whereupon the girls once more burst 
   into fits of laughter.  Sun Tzu:  "If words of command are 
   not clear and distinct, if orders are not thoroughly 
   understood, the general is to blame.  But if his orders ARE 
   clear, and the soldiers nevertheless disobey, then it is the 
   fault of their officers."
        So saying, he ordered the leaders of the two companies 
   to be beheaded.  Now the king of Wu was watching the scene 
   from the top of a raised pavilion; and when he saw that his 
   favorite concubines were about to be executed, he was greatly 
   alarmed and hurriedly sent down the following message:   "We 
   are now quite satisfied as to our general's ability to handle 
   troops.  If We are bereft of these two concubines, our meat 
   and drink will lose their savor.  It is our wish that they 
   shall not be beheaded."
        Sun Tzu replied:  "Having once received His Majesty's 
   commission to be the general of his forces, there are certain 
   commands of His Majesty which, acting in that capacity, I am 
   unable to accept."
        Accordingly,  he had the two leaders beheaded,  and 
   straightway installed the pair next in order as leaders in 
   their place.  When this had been done, the drum was sounded 
   for the drill once more; and the girls went through all the 
   evolutions, turning to the right or to the left, marching 
   ahead or wheeling back, kneeling or standing, with perfect 
   accuracy and precision, not venturing to utter a sound.  Then 
   Sun Tzu sent a messenger to the King saying:  "Your soldiers, 
   Sire, are now properly drilled and disciplined, and ready for 
   your majesty's inspection.  They can be put to any use that 
   their sovereign may desire; bid them go through fire and 
   water, and they will not disobey."
        But the King replied:  "Let our general cease drilling 
   and return to camp.  As for us, We have no wish to come down 
   and inspect the troops."
        Thereupon Sun Tzu said:  "The King is only fond of 
   words, and cannot translate them into deeds." 
        After that, Ho Lu saw that Sun Tzu was one who knew how 
   to handle an army, and finally appointed him general.  In the 
   west, he defeated the Ch`u State and forced his way into 
   Ying, the capital; to the north he put fear into the States 
   of Ch`i and Chin, and spread his fame abroad amongst the 
   feudal princes.  And Sun Tzu shared in the might of the King.
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