Part XII: Complete Book of Strategies of Guigu Zi - Quyet Thien

In the art of strategy of Gui Gu Zi, 'Decision' is the key to success or failure. No matter how deep a plan is, if it lacks decisiveness, the opportunity will pass. Only a decisive person can act at the right time to change the situation.

According to Quỷ Cốc Tử, "decision" is the root of all problems, the boundary between those who only know how to calculate and those who dare to act. No matter how sophisticated a plan is, if the person executing it is hesitant and indecisive, all strategies become meaningless. He said: "Decision determines doubt, the key to all things, to lead to chaos, to decide success or failure, is difficult" - meaning that daring to be decisive, to eliminate doubt, is the key to handling all matters, to clearly determine victory or defeat. "Decision" is not only action, but also sobriety in choice and steadfastness in implementation.

A strategic person not only knows how to think far ahead and calculate carefully, but also knows when to act decisively. Decision is the final step, the factor that turns a plan into reality. A person who hesitates between two paths, even though he recognizes the opportunity, but because of hesitation, he misses it, eventually putting himself in a passive position. Therefore, Quy Coc Tu emphasized: a person with "decision" is someone who dares to put aside doubts, seize the opportunity and aim for the big picture.

However, "decisive" does not mean reckless. Before acting, one must "look at the past, compare what is happening and consider what is coming" - that is, consider what has happened, compare what is happening and consider what is coming. Only by understanding the laws of how things work can one make wise judgments. Correct decisiveness is a manifestation of intelligence and courage, incorrect decisiveness can lead to failure. There are situations where decisiveness is required - as Quỷ Cốc Tử said, that is when "having climbed on the tiger's back", one cannot stop or turn back. When the opportunity comes, just one step late is enough to lose the opportunity, delay sometimes means failure. "Not being decisive" is the biggest mistake. People who do great things, leaders or strategists must dare to make decisions at the crucial moment, when one choice can decide the whole situation.

Gui Gu Zi divided the things that required decisiveness into five categories: one is elegant things that can create a good reputation; two is things that are easy to succeed at and do not require much effort; three is things that are difficult and require effort but cannot be stopped; four is things that can be done without worry; five is things that bring happiness and joy. As long as it belongs to one of the five categories, you must act decisively and not miss the opportunity.

Decisive people do not choose the easy path, because decisiveness forces them to choose, sometimes trade off, even sacrifice a part to keep the whole. Quy Coc Tu believes that "decisive" people need to possess three qualities: intelligence - courage - humanity. Intelligence to see far, clearly understand the nature of things. Courage to dare to act, dare to take responsibility. Humanity to consider the pros and cons, know how to put themselves in relation to others. A right decision not only brings benefits to oneself but also brings good things to others.

To practice "decisiveness", Quỷ Cốc Tử pointed out five ways that the sage applies: openly influencing people with virtue; secretly subduing people with tricks; winning people's hearts with honesty; sheltering and protecting others by hiding; influencing one side with integrity. A decisive person needs to understand when to reveal himself, when to keep it secret; when to use upright morality, when to flexibly apply intelligence. Decisiveness does not lie in the speed of action but in the alertness and flexibility to choose the right time and the right method.

Liu Bowen (1311 - 1375), real name Liu Ji, courtesy name Ba Wen - one of the founding fathers of the Ming Dynasty - is a typical example of "the art of deciding heaven". He was not only good at strategy but also knew how to choose the right time to act.

In the 20th year of Zhizheng, when Chen Youliang led a large army to attack Yingtian, many generals in the city were confused - some advised surrender, others wanted to retreat. In the midst of the chaos, Liu Bowen remained calm, only saying: "Whoever advocates surrender or flee, will be beheaded." That statement was not only an order but also an expression of absolute determination. He understood that when people's hearts were in turmoil, they must first stabilize their spirits, only decisiveness could maintain the army's position. After calming the soldiers, he pointed out the enemy's weaknesses - distance, fatigue, and arrogance - then devised a plan to lure the enemy deeper into the city, ambush, and destroy them. The word "decision" turned the situation around, holding Yingtian, and laying the foundation for the Ming Dynasty.

In the western campaign, Zhu Yuanzhang wanted to attack Anqing directly. Liu Bowen realized that the enemy was strong, our army was weak, and we were worried about being attacked from behind, so he suggested that the army besiege the city and the navy attack Jiangzhou directly as a diversion. This strategy helped Zhu Yuanzhang defeat Chen Youliang. In the great battle of Hu Fanyang, Liu Bowen foresaw the danger, exchanged ships with the king, and saved Zhu Yuanzhang's life. Later, predicting internal turmoil, he wrote a letter advising the king to avoid action in the sixth and seventh months - and indeed, he avoided the assassination plot. From "scheme" to "decision", Liu Bowen always acted at the right time, in harmony with heaven, earth, and human.

From Liu Bowen's story, it can be seen clearly: strategy can be learned, but decisiveness is a trait. A person with intelligence but not daring to act will let opportunities pass by. A person who dares to be decisive but not wise will put himself in danger. "Decision" is the art of balancing intelligence and courage, between personal and collective interests, between calculation and action.

The ancients used divination, ancient poems, and tortoise shells to ask for suggestions from heaven and earth, while Quỷ Cốc Tử taught: the root of "decision" is not in omens, but in human intelligence and heart. A person with foresight knows when to act and when to stop; a person with a bright mind will know what is right and what is wrong. "To make the right decision, one must resolve doubts." When the heart is still hesitant, the opportunity has passed. Making the wrong decision can bring disaster, not daring to make a decision will forever stagnate. Only when "deciding" at the right time, in the right way, can people act in accordance with heaven and turn danger into safety.

The "decisive" thought of Quy Coc Tu is not only applied in ancient military strategy but also expressed in modern life. In the business world, "decisiveness" is the ability to assess the situation, dare to act at the right time, choose the optimal path and take responsibility for that choice. A leader with vision, grasping the situation, making comprehensive judgments, knowing how to analyze and synthesize, is practicing "Decisiveness of Heaven". A salesperson who knows how to remove doubts, making customers trust, is also a manifestation of "Decisiveness of Heaven". Decisiveness is not impulsive, but sober, clearly understanding the pros and cons, the times and the situation, and daring to reach the goal. Whoever understands "decisiveness" is in harmony with the times, turning opportunities into success.

"Quyet Thien" belongs to the 11th chapter of 12 strategic chapters of the book "Quy Coc Tu's Strategic Strategy Complete Book" carefully selected by the Founder - Chairman of Trung Nguyen Legend Group Dang Le Nguyen Vu in the fields of Politics - Diplomacy - Military in the "Life-Changing Foundation Bookshelf".

LIFE-CHANGING FOUNDATION BOOKSHELF _ Complete Book of Strategies of Guigu Zi

(Read the next issue: Complete Book of Strategies of Guigu Zi - Fu Yan)

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/ky-xii-quy-coc-tu-muu-luoc-toan-thu-quyet-thien-18525102019094167.htm