In today’s world, we often celebrate the virtues of hard work, ambition, and progress as the cornerstones of success. These values drive society forward and shape human development. Yet, there are moments when stepping back, rather than pushing forward, leaves a more lasting legacy. Throughout history, some individuals have become renowned not for their perseverance, but for their strategic retreat at crucial moments. Let’s explore the stories of those who mastered the art of retreat, courageously choosing to step back when others would have pressed on.
Fan Li’s three great retreats
The famous poet Li Bai once wrote: “After defeating Wu, the warriors of Yue returned home in glorious attire.” This line, from his poem A View of the Ancient Yue Kingdom, reflects the well-known story of Goujian, the King of Yue, who endured great hardships to eventually overthrow the Kingdom of Wu. But what of Fan Li, Goujian’s most trusted advisor? After the devastating defeat at Kuaiji, Fan Li stayed by Goujian’s side, secretly plotting the restoration of Yue. After more than two decades, they finally destroyed the Kingdom of Wu, ushering in the golden age of Yue.
Despite reaching the pinnacle of his career as a general, Fan Li chose to leave his position and sailed away across the Five Lakes. Before departing, he penned a letter to his old friend Wen Zhong, warning him: “When the birds are gone, the bows are put away; when the cunning hare is dead, the hunting dogs are cooked. The King of Yue has a long neck and a bird-like beak; he is a man you can endure hardship with, but not enjoy prosperity. Why don’t you leave?”
Unfortunately, Wen Zhong could not let go of his wealth and power, merely pretending to be ill to avoid court. He missed the best opportunity to retreat safely. Later, when someone falsely accused Wen Zhong of treason, the King of Yue gave him a sword, forcing him to commit suicide. It was a tragic end for a man who had helped Yue rise to power.
After leaving Yue, Fan Li moved to the state of Qi, where he changed his name and lived by the sea, farming and managing his estate. Within a few years, he amassed a fortune worth tens of thousands of gold pieces. Soon, he was appointed as the prime minister of Qi, but Fan Li lamented: “Accumulating wealth at home and rising to high office — this is the pinnacle of what a commoner can achieve. To enjoy this prestige for too long would be unfortunate.” He returned his seal of office, distributed his wealth, and left once again.
Fan Li eventually settled in Tao, a place he believed to be the center of the world and ideal for business. Under the name Tao Zhugong, he started a new business from scratch and quickly amassed another great fortune.
Fan Li understood the principles of gain and loss, and even at the height of his success, he could foresee potential dangers. Moreover, he treated fame and fortune as trivial matters, allowing him to retreat gracefully at the right moments. His three retreats, each leaving a mark of honor, are achievements few can match.
Zhou Sanwei: Resigning from office
The famous line “With lofty ambitions, I hunger for the flesh of the Hu people; laughing and talking, I thirst for the blood of the Xiongnu,” reflects the fervent desire of many to defeat foreign invaders. Even Yue Fei, who penned these words, could not have imagined that failing to crush the enemy would become the collective regret of all brave men. And who would have thought that the man responsible for this outcome would still be kneeling in Yue Fei’s temple, atoning for his crimes?
At that historical moment, faced with the overwhelming power of Qin Hui, how many could make the right choice? In October of the eleventh year of the Shaoxing era (A.D. 1141), the treacherous minister Qin Hui initiated a trial against Yue Fei, instructing officials He Zhu and Zhou Sanwei to interrogate him. After hearing Yue Fei’s defense, Zhou Sanwei realized that the general had no intention of rebellion and was, in fact, a true hero.
According to the History of the Song Dynasty: “He Zhu and Zhou Sanwei initially interrogated him, but he did not yield, even after a long time. The case was sent to the Imperial Court, and the trial proceeded.” Both men refused to fabricate evidence to frame Yue Fei, despite immense pressure from Qin Hui. Although Zhou Sanwei faced tremendous pressure, he chose not to collude with Qin Hui and instead resigned from his position.
It’s important to understand that for a scholar who had studied diligently for over a decade, the goal was to achieve fame and success. Resigning at this point not only put his family’s livelihood at risk, but also exposed him to the possibility of being persecuted as an ally of Yue Fei. Zhou Sanwei’s decision required immense courage. After his death, the people built a shrine in his honor, the “Loyal Hermitage,” and his story has been passed down through the centuries as a symbol of integrity.
Conclusion
Advancing in life requires resilience and determination, but retreating demands wisdom and courage. Understanding when to advance and when to retreat provides a clear path in life, preventing one from getting lost in the storms and even helping to avoid hidden dangers. In today’s complex world, the choice to retreat is more important than ever.
Translated by Joseph Wu
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