Neither humble nor arrogant, able to bend and stretch

     Being humble is not about being inferior. Humility is not

    about being subservient

    , nor is it about a river flowing slowly, being obsequious, or being subservient. It is a crucial step in life, a vital part of living. Like a musical interlude, it is understated; like a nail, it is sharpened on one side; like an ox, it is bowed, yet full of energy. However, being humble requires shedding the feeling of being "inferior."

    The essential difference between humility and inferiority lies in whether or not one develops feelings of inferiority and lacks self-confidence. While a humble person may currently be at a disadvantage, they can strengthen their self-confidence, accumulate experience, and ultimately achieve great things. As the saying goes, "To be prominent in public, one must suffer in private." Throughout history, those who have achieved great things have all undergone arduous training and humble experience, enduring the hardship of being "inferior," before finally soaring to great heights and achieving remarkable success.

    In today's society, many people always feel inferior. They lavish praise on entrepreneurs, world champions, and movie stars, but when it comes to themselves, they sigh, "I'm not cut out for success!" They believe they are unambitious, incapable, and will never have a chance to rise above others, citing reasons such as: "I was born less intelligent," "I don't have a high degree," "I'm not lucky," "I lack social connections," "I don't have a special skill," and "I don't have capital." This leads to self-deprecation, a lack of courage to face society and life, and inevitably a feeling of inferiority. How terrible is this?

    Humility means recognizing one's place in interpersonal relationships: be modest, humble, speak when necessary, do what needs to be done, be friendly and amiable, and be willing to yield to others.

    For example, if you visit the chairman of a company to seek a job, you must understand one principle: you are meeting a person in a high position, seemingly inferior in their presence. Although you need their help, whether you do so or not is up to you. Li Bai once wrote a poem that said, "How can I bow and scrape before the powerful and wealthy, making me unable to smile?" If you feel fear and inferiority when facing high-ranking figures, you will never accomplish anything or secure a position. Therefore, you must adjust your mindset, shed the feeling of being "inferior," showcase your strengths, treat others with a calm attitude, and display sufficient confidence. This will allow you to handle matters with ease and confidence. Being low-key but not pessimistic:

    Low-key people may act modestly, but they are never pessimistic or disappointed because they always know how to avoid failure. Low-key people don't use negative assumptions to prove themselves right, nor do they complain about "society being too unfair," "I always suffer losses," "I always run into obstacles," or "why are you better than me?" They are happy to admit their mistakes because these mistakes are often within their expectations.

    Life is never smooth sailing; there will always be difficulties, setbacks, and troubles. Moreover, no one is perfect, and mistakes and errors will always occur. But low-key people can foresee the twists and turns of events and anticipate that everything may go wrong. Therefore, when problems arise, they are neither disappointed nor pessimistic.

    Optimistic people are often "honest" and kind, while those with gloomy faces are often intolerant. They disapprove of everything in society and want everything in the world to conform to their ideal model to feel content.

    Such people often crown themselves with a clear sense of right and wrong, which is actually a form of passive interference. Resentment, fault-finding, and interference are signs of psychological weakness and "aging."

    When you encounter emotions you can't control, try temporarily escaping them, breaking the static experience, and using dynamic activities to shift your emotions. Perhaps a piece of music will transport you to a world of dreams. If you can hum along to a joyful song and clap your hands and feet, your soul will undoubtedly melt into the purity of the music. Similarly, watching a movie, taking a walk, or playing with children can all transport you to another emotional world.

    If you suffer a work injury and are confined to a wheelchair, it will undoubtedly be a major blow. And a disabled body often makes people restless and pessimistic. However, restlessness and pessimism are useless. Instead, calmly acknowledge what has happened, let go of what has become a burden in your life, cease unattainable aspirations, and redesign a new life. A true man can bend and stretch; as long as it's not a matter of principle, there's no need to be overly stubborn. If others speak ill of you behind your back, or belittle or neglect you, it's upsetting to retaliate. This only creates another interpersonal barrier, another adversary in your life, leaving you constantly anxious, wondering what others are up to.

    The correct approach is to purify your own sincerity, not avoid the other person, show magnanimity, and proactively express friendliness. Doing so will allow you to find the most beneficial approach to your emotional health among the three attitudes: confrontation, avoidance, and persistence.

    Eliminate pessimism, maintain an optimistic and healthy mindset, believe that you and others have the ability to continuously improve interpersonal relationships, and on this basis, design a path to happiness that you can accept. Believe that your life will definitely become more colorful.

    Stay away from cowardice and

    weakness. There's a saying that goes, "Afraid of wolves in front and tigers behind." Cowardly people are always afraid of setbacks and having their spirits broken; they lack perseverance.

    Cowardly people are timid and fearful, lacking ambition and willpower. They tend to retreat at crucial moments, afraid to face difficulties and pressure, afraid of setbacks and failures, and afraid of ridicule and harm from others. Such people are conservative, seeking only to avoid mistakes rather than achieve success; they prefer stability and fear innovation and risk-taking; they are hesitant and indecisive in the face of adversity.

    Low-key people appear honest and kind, gentle and yielding, often giving the impression of weakness. In fact, low-key is not weakness, but a symbol of perseverance. It is precisely because of low-key behavior that one can protect oneself, overcome others, and achieve great things.

    We all know that elephants never fall down, even when they are sick, they maintain an upright posture. Because of their enormous size, if an elephant were to fall, its internal organs would be compressed, and combined with its own weight, it would suffer even greater harm. Therefore, unless it is at the end of its life, an elephant will not fall.

    Compared to elephants, humans are far more fragile. Everyone experiences setbacks in life—illness, blows, or disasters. But falling down isn't terrible; what's terrible is falling and never getting back up.

    There's a story about a father who hired a boxer to train his son. A year later, the father brought his son home, and the boxer arranged a match to test his son's progress. During the match, the son was knocked down many times, but each time he got back up. The father was dissatisfied and questioned the boxer, "Why is my son always knocked down?" The boxer replied, "Didn't you see your son get up immediately after being knocked down? Falling down doesn't mean defeat. This tenacious perseverance is what he needs most in life. With this kind of perseverance and tenacious spirit, nothing is invincible."

    Currently, most people live relatively smoothly, lacking opportunities for practical experience. When faced with difficulties, they are easily swayed by timidity. Especially introverted and emotionally fragile individuals are more prone to timidity if they don't receive proper guidance.

    To avoid timidity, one must first strengthen self-confidence and courage. The more difficult the task, the more courageous you should be in taking it on, gritting your teeth and forcing yourself to delve deeper. As time goes by, you'll go from initial unfamiliarity to proficiency, from initial tension to later ease, gradually experiencing your own strength and gaining confidence and courage.

    Frugality is the foundation of a humble life

    ; frugality is a traditional virtue.

    Frugality is a traditional virtue. Sima Guang, in his "Admonition to Kang on Frugality," taught his son Sima Kang that throughout history, there have been many examples of those who built their fortunes on frugality and those who brought ruin upon themselves through extravagance. He instructed his son not only to be frugal himself but also to teach this virtue to his descendants, ensuring they also understood the family tradition of frugality passed down through generations.

    In the sixteenth year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign, Yu Chenglong was appointed Provincial Surveillance Commissioner of Fujian, in charge of the province's judicial affairs. Before departing for Fujian, he instructed someone to buy several hundred catties of radishes and place them on his boat. Someone asked him in bewilderment, "Radishes aren't worth much, why buy so many?" He replied, "To provide provisions along the way. During this lean season, we can make porridge with bran, mixed rice, and wild vegetables." Even when guests came, they ate thin porridge with him. He told his guests, "By doing this, I can save some rice to help the disaster victims. If everyone, from top to bottom, did the same, more disaster victims would survive." The people of Jiangnan and Jiangxi, because Yu Chenglong lived a simple life, eating only vegetables every day, nicknamed him "Yu the Vegetable" as a sign of affection and respect. Yu Chenglong enjoyed tea, but considering its high price, he didn't want to spend too much and substituted locust leaves. He had his servants pick a few leaves from the locust tree behind the government office every day; after a year, the tree was almost bare.

    Yu Chenglong's actions greatly changed the extravagant customs of Jiangnan. People abandoned silk and took pride in wearing cloth. Some local officials who usually oppressed the people, knowing that Yu Chenglong liked to travel incognito, would tremble with fear whenever they encountered a white-haired, imposing figure, mistaking him for Yu Chenglong, and had to restrain themselves.

    In the twenty-third year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign, Yu Chenglong died in office as Governor-General of Liangjiang. When the officials arrived at his residence, they found that the governor-general's belongings were pitifully few and worthless. On the bedside table lay an old trunk containing only an official robe and a pair of boots. Everyone couldn't help but sigh and weep.

    When news of Yu Chenglong's death spread, the city of Jiangning closed its markets and gathered to mourn, with every household drawing portraits in his memory. On the day of his funeral, tens of thousands of people from Jiangning walked twenty li (approximately 10 kilometers), their cries

    so deafening they drowned out the sound of the river. Years later, when Emperor Kangxi toured Jiangnan, all the officials he met along the way praised Yu Chenglong highly.

    Emperor Kangxi remarked to his entourage with deep emotion, "Having listened to public opinion extensively, I dare say that Yu Chenglong was truly the foremost honest official in the land, a true parent to the people, and a pillar of my state!"

    Extravagance is extremely harmful to a person; it can immerse one in the enjoyment of material life, eroding ambition and hindering progress. Over time, even the existing material life becomes unsustainable, and a bright future can only become a pipe dream. In such circumstances, if the extravagant still yearn for a "good life," then greed or theft is inevitable. Moreover, throughout history, few who have "squandered money like water and indulged in unrestrained extravagance" have met a good end.

    Life is complex, yet sometimes very simple, even as simple as gaining and giving up. What should be gained can be obtained with complete confidence, while what should not be gained should be resolutely given up. Gaining is often easy and brings peace of mind, while giving up requires immense courage. To steer the ship of life well, everyone faces an eternal lesson: learning to let go!

    Heshen was a notorious corrupt official in Chinese history. Records indicate that Heshen was intelligent, capable, handsome, observant, opportunistic, and adept at flattery. Therefore, he rose rapidly through the ranks, gaining the favor of Emperor Qianlong, rising from a lowly scholar to Grand Secretary and leading Grand Councilor, reaching the pinnacle of power.

    After attaining high office, Heshen cultivated a large following, excluded dissidents, and amassed wealth by any means necessary.

    In his later years, Emperor Qianlong became complacent with his achievements in both civil and military affairs, indulging in a life of ease and pleasure. He also enjoyed Peking Opera and other entertainment, while simultaneously waging wars year after year, undertaking massive construction projects, and touring extensively, all at enormous expense. Heshen seized this opportunity to amass his own wealth, which was likely the primary source of his fortune. Furthermore, rampant corruption throughout the country led officials to compete to bribe Heshen for protection; generals at all levels even embezzled military pay to use for bribes; and scholar-officials seeking advancement also pandered to his tastes. Heshen was insatiably greedy, freely entering and leaving the palace, taking whatever he desired; the best tributes from all directions were sent to Heshen, with only the lesser ones reaching the palace. His cronies, family members, and even servants also flaunted their wealth and engaged in bribery.

    Heshen's insatiable greed aroused the jealousy of many. One of the first things Emperor Jiaqing did after ascending the throne was to investigate Heshen, listing several of his major crimes. Heshen hanged himself in prison half a month after Emperor Qianlong's death.

    Heshen served as an official for over twenty years, abusing his power, accepting bribes, embezzling public funds, and living a life of extravagance. Ultimately, he brought ruin to the country, the people, and himself.

    Of course, the meaning of frugality varies with the times. Today, people's material living standards are much higher than before, and people can certainly live better than in the past. However, everyone should learn to "tailor their clothing to their means" and manage their lives prudently according to their own abilities. They must not be extravagant and wasteful, burdened by material life and losing the virtues of being a good person.

    Frugality is the wisdom of being modest.

    The meaning of frugality far exceeds frugality itself; it represents a life attitude and a life principle.

    Throughout history, all successful people have been able to exercise self-discipline in all things. Although they were incredibly wealthy, they remained frugal, demonstrating wisdom in management and a "foolish" approach to life.

    In ancient China, emperors, despite their immense wealth, understood the importance of thrift, and many virtuous rulers even set an example through their own actions. After ascending the throne, Zhao Kuangyin paid close attention to the national economy and people's livelihood, especially after acquiring military and financial power through bribery. Coupled with the enormous expenses of continuous military campaigns in the south, Zhao Kuangyin became even more focused on frugality. He kept daily expenses to a minimum, using simple carriages and horses. Even the curtains in his palace were edged with blue cloth, and the palace curtains were no different from those in ordinary people's homes. Zhao Kuangyin often bestowed simple clothes and other items upon his close attendants, saying, "I wore these when I was a soldier."

    Zhao Kuangyin not only set an example by practicing frugality himself but also strictly required his family to do so, teaching his children not to indulge in luxury. Once, Zhao Kuangyin's daughter, the Princess of Wei, entered the palace to see her father wearing a short jacket decorated with kingfisher feathers. Zhao Kuangyin was very displeased upon seeing this. He told the princess, "Go back and put it away. Don't wear it anymore. From now on, don't use kingfisher feathers for decoration." The princess laughed and said, "What's so great about that? How many kingfisher feathers can a piece of clothing use?"

    Zhao Kuangyin said seriously, "That's not right. If you wear such clothes, everyone else in the palace will follow suit, and the price of kingfisher feathers in the capital will rise. Seeing the profit, the people will bring in kingfisher feathers from all over, harming countless kingfishers. Don't you think you're wrong?"

    Empress Song, who was standing nearby, said to Zhao Kuangyin, "You've been emperor for so long, can't you use gold to decorate your carriage ?" "Wouldn't it be nice to decorate the carriages and horses a bit more impressive to come and go?"

    Zhao Kuangyin said, "Our Song Dynasty is the richest in the world. Even if we decorated the palaces entirely with gold and silver, it wouldn't be difficult. But as the ruler of the country, I must think of the people. How can the nation's money be wasted? As the ancients said, 'If one person rules the world, how can the world serve one person?' If I only think of myself and live extravagantly, what will the people do? What will they think of me, the emperor? Don't mention such things again."

    Throughout history, all the great figures and celebrities who "accomplished great things and achieved great things" were practitioners of "hard work, simplicity, and frugality."

    In 1936, when Edgar Snow was in Yan'an, he saw Mao Zedong wearing patched clothes, Zhou Enlai sleeping on a kang (heated brick bed), Peng Dehuai wearing a vest made from a captured parachute, and Lin Boqu wearing glasses with a broken leg tied with a rope. He called it "Oriental magic" and determined that it was "the light of national rejuvenation." During the Huaihai Campaign, Kuomintang General Huang Wei, after being captured, refused to admit defeat. Only after witnessing firsthand the exploits of unassuming generals like Liu Bocheng, Deng Xiaoping, and Chen Yi did he realize his mistake: "I was defeated not only on the battlefield, but also in my conduct and spirit."

    Frugality and thrift are traditional virtues of the Chinese nation and the foundation of our humble character. Therefore, in our daily lives, we should cultivate frugality as a habit.

    Let go of extravagant enjoyment .

    Living a simple and unassuming life not only helps cultivate one's character but also earns praise from others.

    In the scientific field, Einstein was undoubtedly a giant and had the right to be aloof, but the great scientist Einstein dressed and groomed very simply, his daily life unkempt. So much so that once, when attending a lecture, the person responsible for receiving him mistook his driver for him. While this is a joke, it reflects Einstein's unpretentious and humble attitude.

    Einstein never put on airs as a world-famous figure. He ate very casually, often traveled in second or third class, and frequently used the back of letters to derive and calculate formulas. Furthermore, he often wore sandals and sportswear to university lectures or to high-society events. Once, when the president received him, he even forgot to wear socks, but this did not diminish his great image in the eyes of the president and the people.

    When Einstein first arrived in New York, he wore a worn-out overcoat. An acquaintance advised him to get a new coat, but he nonchalantly replied, "Why bother? In New York, nobody knows me anyway."

    A few years later, Einstein had become a household name. The same acquaintance encountered him again, noticing he was still wearing the same old coat, and again advised him to get a better one. Einstein, however, said, "Why bother? In New York, everyone knows me anyway."

    Cavendish, born into nobility, held a knighthood, and possessed substantial savings, being one of the Bank of England's largest clients. Yet, he remained unmarried and indifferent to his appearance, dedicating himself entirely to scientific research and neglecting worldly affairs. His clothes were mostly old-fashioned, wrinkled, and he didn't care if buttons were missing.

    One day, he went to the Royal Society wearing a tattered coat that had been burned by sulfuric acid while working in the laboratory. He was mistaken for a vagrant, and people refused to let him in. Only after he gave his name did the Society staff apologize profusely and allow him entry.

    He usually ate very simply, only occasionally treating scientists to a meal, typically just a leg of lamb. His servant jokingly reminded him that one leg wouldn't be enough for five people, so he changed his mind and said, "Then prepare two!"

    People asked him, "You're so rich, why are you so 'frugal'?"

    He confidently and without shame replied, "I believe scientists should spend the least amount of time on life and the most on science."

    The famous physicist Pierre Curie said, "We have to eat, sleep, play, and love; that is to say, we have to experience the sweetest things in life, but we must not succumb to them. While doing these things, we must maintain our focused mind, keep them in a superior position, and keep them calmly proceeding in our poor minds."

    Giving up luxuries in life and pursuing higher goals leads to a better life and self-transcendence.

    Frugality and

    thrift are virtues and also means to wealth. Truly self-made millionaires may be generous in investments and donations, but exceptionally frugal in their own spending.

    Three years before the first Walton department store opened, the Waltons bought a 20-acre plot of land in the suburbs of Bentonville and commissioned a renowned architect to build a house spanning a creek. The house cost $100,000. This was the last house the Waltons ever bought.

    Perhaps it's necessary for discount store owners to be extremely frugal. The immensely wealthy Quesgei once stuffed cardboard into his shoes to cover holes; he also gave up golf after missing a ball on the grass on his first try.

    While Walton wasn't quite as stingy, he was known for his frugality as a wealthy man. He only ever flew first class once (on a long flight from South America to Africa); when traveling with employees, he adhered to the company's two-person-per-room policy; and the company car wasn't even a luxury sedan. On one occasion, Max, the chairman of a family warehouse company, came to Bentonville for a meeting and afterwards dined with Walton. Max recalled the scene: "I jumped into Walton's red pickup truck. There was no air conditioning, and the seats were stained with coffee. By the time I arrived at the restaurant, my shirt was soaked. That's Walton for you—no airs, no pretension."

    "My shoes cost more than anything Walton is wearing today," a friend remarked after meeting Walton at a business event. Walton took such jokes in stride. At a meeting in Little Rock, he stood up to show everyone the label sewn into the lining of his coat and announced, "Walmart sells them for $55. And the trousers? Walmart sells them too, for $16."

    Yet, Walton donated substantial sums, both personally and through his company, to medical research, scholarship funds, Christian charities, and art preservation organizations. At home, the entire Walton family lived off Walton's salary as president. The Waltons have stated on different occasions that the only reason they didn't spend more money was that they simply couldn't think of anything else they needed.

    Li Ka-shing is the wealthiest among Chinese people, and his "stinginess" with money is also rare. He personally oversaw the whereabouts of every penny. It's said that he would even bend down and pick up a single penny that fell on the ground.

    Once, Li Ka-shing told a reporter from Hong Kong's Wen Wei Po, "Personally, my lifestyle is no different from what it was thirty or forty years ago." He added, "I don't care much about the brand of my clothes and shoes. It's common for me to wear a suit for eight or ten years. Eight out of ten of my leather shoes are old. It's a waste to throw away worn-out shoes; I can repair them and still wear them. The watch I wear is also ordinary; I've used it for many years."

    "Looking back at the rise and fall of past dynasties, success comes from diligence and frugality, failure from extravagance," is a famous line from the great poet Li Shangyin. Turning the pages of history, there are countless stories about "success through diligence and frugality, failure through extravagance."

    Li Ka-shing believes, "Children and grandchildren have their own blessings; I won't be a beast of burden for them." He once said, "If your descendants are good, they will surely be ambitious, choose the path of independence and self-reliance, not depend on their parents, and make their own way in the world. Conversely, if your descendants are unambitious, lazy, and only pursue pleasure, harboring a dependency mentality, and constantly citing their father's status, then giving them money will only encourage their decadent

    and extravagant behavior, turning them into veritable spoiled brats who will ultimately achieve nothing and may even become parasites on society. Wouldn't that ruin their lives?" In real life, some people find it difficult to be content with the status quo, to be content with a simple life, and even lose their inherent humility. In this sense, to achieve humility in appearance, one must first achieve humility in mindset, and then lower excessively high expectations.

    Many people have excessively high expectations for life: to own a spacious and luxurious residence; to strive for a higher social status; to buy high-end goods and wear expensive leather shoes; to keep up with the latest trends and never be outdated, and so on.

    Simplifying life can undoubtedly change these excessively high expectations. A life of wealth and luxury comes at a great cost and does not necessarily bring happiness. If we reduce our material needs and change our goals for a luxurious life, we will save more time to enrich ourselves. A leisurely life makes people more confident, happy, and relaxed, and cherishes interpersonal relationships, thus improving the quality of life.

    Being able to bend and stretch, demonstrating self-reliance and

    ambition, is essential.

    As the saying goes, "The weather is unpredictable, and fortune can change in an instant." Life is inherently unpredictable, fluctuating between prosperity and decline. One must endure temporary setbacks while planning for the long term, being able to bend and stretch, and even a small setback can lead to a great victory. This is an indispensable skill and cultivation for those with lofty ambitions.

    There was once an incident: a child was abducted by human traffickers. Initially, he resisted, but then he remembered his parents' constant admonitions: never be hasty or reckless, always use your brain to overcome difficulties, and consider that he was no match for the traffickers. So, he pretended to be playful and naive, obeying the traffickers' every command and even striking up a conversation with them. After a few days, the traffickers' surveillance of him noticeably loosened. One day, while the traffickers were taking him to be sold, they passed a traffic intersection in a town. Taking advantage of the traffickers' inattention, the child ran to a traffic policeman, thus reuniting with his parents and helping the police apprehend the traffickers. The child had employed a strategy of yielding to gain advantage. It was this strategy that saved him from the misfortune of being trafficked.

    As the saying goes, "Those who understand the times are wise." The term "outstanding individuals" doesn't solely refer to heroes who roam freely and are invincible in battle, but should also include those who understand the times and know when to yield and when to stand firm.

    In real life, daring to confront difficulties is a commendable act. However, one cannot win against overwhelming odds; stubbornly trying to fight a losing battle is merely a pointless sacrifice. In such situations, a different approach to life is needed.

    One might as well set aside injustices, close one's eyes, and pretend not to notice. Again, it's about forbearance!     A great man's yielding is worth a thousand pieces of gold.

    As the saying     goes, "A man's knees are worth gold, a great man's yielding is worth a thousand pieces of gold." Li Yuan's yielding was worth far more than "a thousand pieces of gold."     In 616 AD, Li Yuan was appointed as the governor of Taiyuan. The Turks repeatedly attacked Taiyuan with tens of thousands of troops. Li Yuan sent his general Wang Kangda with a thousand men to fight, but they were almost completely wiped out. Later, he cleverly used a feint to scare away the Turks. Even more despicable was the sudden occupation of Fenyang Palace (one of Emperor Yang of Sui's detached palaces), which was under the exclusive control of Li Yuan, whereupon he abducted palace women and presented them to the Turks. The Turks then bestowed upon Liu Wuzhou the title of Dingyang Khan. Furthermore, with the support and protection of the Turks, Guo Zihe, Xue Ju, and others rose in rebellion. Li Yuan was caught off guard and constantly in danger of being executed by Emperor Yang of Sui under the pretext of negligence.     Everyone assumed that Li Yuan, harboring deep-seated hatred, would wage a decisive battle against the Turks. Unexpectedly, Li Yuan dispatched his strategist Liu Wenjing as a special envoy, submitting to the Turks and offering to send "beautiful women and precious gifts" to Shibi Khan! Li Yuan had his own calculations; although yielding was unsightly, he realized that the ability to bend and stretch was essential for a true hero. It turned out that Li Yuan, based on the prevailing trends, had resolutely decided to rebel against the Sui Dynasty. To establish a significant military power, Taiyuan, though a strategically important military stronghold, was not an ideal base for conquest. The Li Tang army needed to advance westward into Guanzhong to command the entire realm. Within Guanzhong, Taiyuan was a crucial and indispensable base for the Li Tang army. So, how could they secure Taiyuan and ensure a smooth westward advance?     At the time, Li Yuan commanded only 30,000 to 40,000 troops. Even if they were all stationed in Taiyuan, they would be stretched thin, struggling to cope with the ever-present threat of the Turks and simultaneously suppressing surrounding bandits supported by the Turks. Now, with the goal of conquering Guanzhong, it was clear they couldn't afford to leave a large force to guard it. The only solution was to adopt a policy of appeasement through marriage, allowing the Turks to "receive treasures without lifting a finger." Therefore, Li Yuan was willing to humble himself and submit to the Turks.     Seeing an opportunity to gain advantage, the opportunistic Shibi Khan indeed made peace with Li Yuan. During Li Yuan's most arduous journey from Taiyuan to Chang'an, he left only his third son, Li Yuanji, with a small force to garrison Taiyuan. Despite this, they were never invaded by the Turks, and those allied with the Turks, such as Liu Wuzhou, became much more subdued. Li Yuanji was thus able to continuously supply the front lines with personnel and provisions from Taiyuan. By 619, when Liu Wuzhou conquered Jinyang, Li Yuan had already established the Tang Dynasty in Guanzhong. The Tang emperor had not only firmly established himself in Guanzhong, gaining a new and vast base, but Liu Wuzhou was no longer a match for him. Li Yuan dispatched Li Shimin, who easily recaptured Taiyuan.     While many despised Li Yuan's act of yielding, it was a wise strategy under the circumstances. It allowed the weak Li family army to safely preserve its rear base while successfully advancing westward into Guanzhong.     A true man must be able to bend and stretch; when under duress, one must bow one's head.     Mastering the Art of Bending in     Life: Life requires the art of bending, and so does being a person and doing things.     There was an ordinary couple whose marriage was on the verge of collapse. To rekindle their past love, they decided to take a romantic trip. If they could, they would continue their lives; if not, they would part amicably.     They came to a valley, an east-west valley. The valley was unremarkable, except that its southern slope was covered with pines and cypresses, while the northern slope was only covered with cedars.     Snow began to fall heavily. They pitched their tent and watched the swirling snowflakes. They noticed that due to the unusual wind direction, the snow on the northern slope was always heavier and denser than on the southern slope. Soon, a thick layer of snow covered the cedars, but when the snow accumulated to a certain point, the cedar's flexible branches would bend downwards until the snow slid off. This process of accumulation, bending, and falling repeated itself, leaving the cedars unharmed. Other trees, however, lacked this ability, and their branches snapped under the weight. Because the snow was lighter on the south slope, some trees managed to survive, so besides cedars, there were also pines and cypresses.     The wife in the tent noticed this and said to her husband, "The north slope must have had other trees too, but they couldn't bend and were destroyed by the heavy snow."     The husband nodded in agreement. A moment later, as if suddenly understanding something, they embraced.     The husband excitedly said, "We've solved a mystery—we should try our best to bear external pressure, but when we can't bear it anymore, we should learn to bend, like a cedar, and give way, so we won't be crushed."     A moment of patience brings calm, a step back opens up a vast sky; bending appropriately may allow problems that seem insurmountable to slip away from your bent back. Bending is an effective way to solve problems and reduce stress; it's also an art of life.     Retreating to advance,     striking after the enemy has made a move, and     being flexible and adaptable—this principle of retreating to advance     is a way of life. Knowing when to "retreat" is not about submission or weakness, but rather a pragmatic and flexible wisdom. Retreating can change the status quo, turn danger into safety, and is a tactic, a strategy, and an essential requirement for high-profile actions. During the Warring States period, Duke Wen of Jin, Chong'er, was in exile abroad and eventually arrived in the State of Chu. King Cheng of Chu treated him as a distinguished guest, akin to a king. One day, at a banquet held for Chong'er, King Cheng asked, "If you return to Jin and become its ruler, how will you repay me?" Chong'er considered for a moment and replied, "If, thanks to your blessing, I am able to return to Jin, and if one day our armies unfortunately meet in the Central Plains, I will retreat three she (a unit of distance) to avoid you, to repay your kindness today. If this still does not gain your understanding, I will have no choice but to ride my horse and fight you."     In 632 BC, Duke Wen of Jin adopted the strategy of his commander-in-chief, Xian Zhen, to sow discord between Chu and Qi/Qin, and then between Cao/Wei and Chu. Enraged, Chu's chief minister, Ziyu, immediately led his army north to attack Jin.     Seeing the Chu army approaching, Duke Wen ordered his army to retreat 90 li (in ancient times, a day's march of 30 li was one she, so 90 li was three she). The Jin army's retreat puzzled the soldiers, who considered it a shameful act for the ruler of Jin to avoid a minister of Chu. Moreover, the Chu army had been fighting on the front lines for a long time, unable to conquer the State of Song. Their morale was already low, and the Jin army should not retreat.     In fact, Duke Wen of Jin ordered a retreat of 90 li, partly to fulfill his promise, but more importantly, it was a military necessity. He wanted to use this method to motivate the Jin soldiers, while also allowing the Jin army to avoid the Chu army's sharpest attacks, further fostering arrogance in Chu's Prime Minister Ziyu, and then choosing a favorable time and terrain to engage the Chu army in battle.

    As expected, after the Jin army retreated to Chengpu, the states of Song, Qi, and Qin also sent troops to support Duke Wen of Jin's actions. Among the Chu army, some soldiers, seeing the Jin army retreat 90 li, also advocated withdrawing and returning to Chu. However, Ziyu firmly disagreed, believing the Jin army's retreat was a sign of fear of the Chu army. He led the Chu army in hot pursuit, finally setting up camp at the foot of a hill near Chengpu. In the Battle of Chengpu, the Chu army was defeated by Duke Wen of Jin.

    When the Kangxi Emperor of the Qing Dynasty ascended the throne at a young age, the meritorious official Aobai held power in the court and plotted to seize the throne. Kangxi was well aware of Aobai's ambition, but feeling his power base was unstable and his preparations insufficient, he simply withdrew from politics, spending his days "playing" with a group of young men. On one occasion, Kangxi, dressed in plain clothes, visited Aobai with Suo'etu. Aobai, seeing the emperor's sudden visit, thought his plan had been exposed and reached into the mattress on the kang (heated brick bed) to pull out a sharp knife, but Suo'etu grabbed him. Even then, Kangxi feigned ignorance, saying, "It's nothing. We Manchus have always had the habit of carrying knives, what's so strange about that!" This finally made Ao Bai completely lower his guard, and when the time was right, Kangxi captured him in one fell swoop. Imagine if Kangxi had tried to show off his shrewdness back then; he probably wouldn't have lasted long as emperor.

    Using retreat as a means of advancement is a high-profile tactic; if used properly, it can achieve twice the result with half the effort. In business competition, a business owner who doesn't understand the strategy of using retreat as a means of advancement will encounter obstacles while blindly advancing. Conversely, when your product is experiencing market weakness and is difficult to sell, when you are significantly outmatched in strength with your competitors and find it difficult to win, you might as well adopt a strategy of taking a step back to seek advancement; this will definitely achieve greater results than blindly advancing.

    Appropriate retreat can turn defeat into victory .

    Appropriate retreat is precisely for achieving greater progress, or even for turning defeat into victory. The famous American company, U.S. Steel, successfully used this strategy to turn defeat into victory.

    As is well known, U.S. Steel was a giant corporation formed in 1901 by the merger of three steel companies. In the 1950s, it was the world's largest steel company. However, in the 1960s, Japanese steel companies gained the upper hand, dethroning U.S. Steel as the world's leading steel company, relegating it to second place.

    After David Roderick became chairman of U.S. Steel, he adopted a strategy of strategic retreat to extricate the company from its predicament: first, downsizing the company, and then seeking new development opportunities. During Roderick's tenure, a total of 150 plants were closed, reducing steelmaking capacity by 30%, eliminating 54% of the workforce, and laying off 100,000 workers. Simultaneously, he sold large tracts of forest land, cement plants, coal mines, and building materials suppliers, obtaining nearly $2 billion in working capital. Subsequently, Roderick, together with company personnel, studied several large American companies, ultimately acquiring an oil company for $5 billion. Roderick's aim was twofold: to expand the company's business scope and to explore new development paths to prepare for unforeseen circumstances. Sure enough, when the worst storm of the Western steel industry hit the United States, U.S. Steel not only escaped the wave of bankruptcies and closures among steel companies, but also thrived despite the difficult environment thanks to its oil business. Its quarterly revenue reached $4.5 billion, with $2.5 billion coming from oil and natural gas alone, generating a profit of $300 million. U.S. Steel began to regain its former glory.

    Daiei Corporation of Japan, known for its aggressive internal operations, was also decisive in retreating if necessary.

    In November 1976, Daiei released a standard Model 13 color television set, priced significantly lower than Hitachi's equivalent. This extremely low price dealt a heavy blow to the home appliance industry, clearly severely disrupting price levels.

    However, this television set was not manufactured by Daiei itself, but rather by Crown Corporation.

    This was a secret; if other companies knew, they might unite to take suppressive action.

    However, the secret couldn't be kept forever, and Wang Guan was threatened by other manufacturers who refused to supply parts. Unable to continue producing televisions, Wang Guan had no choice but to give in and sell at market prices.

    Da Rong, whose original intention was to offer consumers lower prices than the market average, naturally couldn't accept the manufacturer's demands. However, after learning of Wang Guan's predicament, Zhong Neigong, after weighing the pros and cons, resolutely withdrew from his original plan and accepted Wang Guan's demands. This strategy of retreating

    to advance, and striking later to gain the upper hand, is

    a classic example. During the Ming Dynasty, there was a prime minister named Yan Ne, who was very wise and understanding of the people's hardships. One year, he planned to build a spacious school in his hometown. The people of his hometown were overjoyed upon hearing this and spread the news. However, there was a dilapidated house on the school's foundation. If it wasn't moved in time, it would affect the overall construction.

    The family ran a small business, making tofu and selling wine. The person in charge of the construction approached them, wanting to buy the house at a high price. But the family said, "This house is our ancestral property. It would be shameful to sell it to us, and we wouldn't sell it even for a high price." Many people tried to persuade them, but to no avail.

    The supervisor then told Yan Ne about the situation. Yan Ne devised a plan that convinced the family to voluntarily give up the house.

    Yan Ne said, "Don't rush. Start building the other houses first."

    After breaking ground, Yan Ne specifically instructed the supervisor, "Don't make things difficult for that family. Don't buy the tofu and wine needed for the construction site anywhere else. Buy them all from that family, at whatever price they ask for, no discounts, and pay on time."

    People didn't know what Prime Minister Yan Ne was up to, and they gossiped. Some said, "Prime Minister Yan Ne is a coward; he can't even handle a tofu seller."

    Following Yan Ne's instructions, the supervisor bought all the food and drink from that family.

    When the family saw the sudden increase in customers, they became exceptionally hospitable, working tirelessly day and night, and soon hired more help.

    As more people came to help build the school, the family's profits from selling tofu and wine increased daily. They acquired several times more furniture, and their stored rice and beans filled the house, leaving almost no room to step, yet their business continued to thrive. The couple began to worry about the cramped and simple house and had to discuss a solution. The husband said, "We've earned so much money thanks to Prime Minister Yan Ne for building the school; we shouldn't have refused to move." The wife said, "The Prime Minister is magnanimous; let's write a contract to give up the house. Will he still hold it against us then?"

    They told the foreman of the construction project their solution. The foreman reported it to Yan Ne. Yan Ne said to the supervisor, "We can't just take their house for free. We can find a better house nearby to exchange for theirs."

    A house was quickly found, and the family was overjoyed, moving out within a few days.

    We must learn to retreat strategically. Giving others space is giving yourself an opportunity.

    In the mid-Qing Dynasty, there was a story about "Six-Foot Lane." It is said that the Prime Minister Zhang Ying and a Vice Minister surnamed Ye were both from Tongcheng, Anhui. Their families lived next door and both wanted to build houses, leading to a dispute over land. Zhang's mother wrote to Beijing, asking Zhang Ying to intervene. The Prime Minister, being quite insightful, immediately wrote a poem to advise his wife: "A thousand-mile letter just for a wall, why not give up three feet? The Great Wall still stands, but where is Qin Shi Huang?" Zhang's mother understood the reasoning and immediately moved her wall back three feet. Seeing this, the Ye family felt ashamed and also immediately moved their wall back three feet.

    In this way, a six-foot-wide alley was formed between the courtyard walls of the Zhang and Ye families, truly a case of: "Make way, and a six-foot alley will appear."

    Retreating is not weakness or vulnerability; on the contrary, it requires confidence and resilience. Remaining calm and composed in the face of change, moving forward and backward

    with ease, is crucial. In life, "advancing" is certainly not easy; success requires immense effort—this is common knowledge. But "retreating" is equally difficult, especially a measured and orderly retreat, which is even harder to master. It's like climbing a mountain or descending; each requires skill, and mishandling it can lead to disastrous consequences.

    When you are in a weaker position, you must resist the urge to achieve quick results, avoid overly revealing yourself, and instead leverage favorable external circumstances to strengthen your position. Of course, while maintaining and developing your strength, you must also learn to feign ignorance, concealing your outward strength, acting with forbearance, and advancing through retreat.

    Emperor Kangxi became emperor at the age of eight, still a child who knew nothing. Before his death, his father, Emperor Shunzhi, appointed eight Manchu ministers to assist him in handling state affairs. Although Ao Bai ranked last among the four regents, he controlled the military and continuously expanded his power. He was also exceptionally cruel and domineering, wielding immense power and influence, making the emperor practically his appendage. Even

    after Kangxi assumed personal rule at the age of fourteen, Ao Bai continued to tyrannically control the court, showing no respect for the emperor. Not only did the young emperor deeply resent him, but even the other ministers dared not speak out against him.

    Kangxi wanted to eliminate Ao Bai, but fearing his power, he had to feign innocence. He devoted all his time to studying politics and seizing every opportunity to practice it. At the same time, he had to act as if he were still naive and foolish, never letting Ao Bai see his true intentions.

    On one occasion, Ao Bai had a dispute with another regent, Suksaha, and falsely accused Suksaha of harboring disloyalty and deserving of death. At this time, Kangxi was nominally the emperor in power, and Ao Bai first sought his approval.

    Kangxi knew it was a false accusation and refused to approve it. This was a serious matter. Ao Bai caused a huge disturbance in the court, rolling up his sleeves, brandishing his fists, and creating chaos, disregarding all decorum expected of a subject. Finally, he arbitrarily executed Suksaha and his family.

    From then on, Kangxi was even more determined to reform the government. To capture Ao Bai, he devised a plan.

    Kangxi selected a group of strong young guards and kept them in the palace, ordering them to practice wrestling, striking, and other martial arts daily. In his spare time, he often personally supervised their training and sparring. Moreover, no information was leaked.

    One day, Ao Bai entered the palace to report on matters. Kangxi was watching the young guards practice. The guards were performing with great vigor, and the emperor was pointing and commenting from the sidelines. When

    Kangxi saw Ao Bai, he was greatly alarmed, thinking, "This is terrible! If Ao Bai discovers my weakness, not only will my throne be in jeopardy, but I might even lose my life." A stroke of genius struck him; he deliberately stood up and walked into the arena, praising one for bravery and mocking another for his lack of skill. He then said, "Come, fight me and see my skills." He presented himself as a playful young man.

    Seeing the emperor's antics, Ao Bai secretly chuckled, thinking, "It seems the Qing dynasty will forever belong to me, Ao Bai. "

    Ao Bai approached Kangxi, about to report, but Kangxi waved his hand, saying, "You've had a great time today! Don't say anything now, wait for me..."

    Ao Bai quickly said, "Your Majesty, there's an important matter to report from the outer court. Let's play again next time." Only then did Kangxi reluctantly enter the palace with Ao Bai.

    After some time, the young guards' martial arts skills had greatly improved, and Ao Bai's suspicions had completely dissipated. At this point, Kangxi decided to eliminate the traitor. That day, he summoned Ao Bai to the palace alone, citing an urgent matter. Ao Bai, completely unprepared, rode his horse and swaggered into the palace.

    Emperor Kangxi was already standing before the palace. Upon seeing Ao Bai enter, he roared, "Seize Ao Bai!" A chorus of footsteps sounded, and a large group of young guards rushed out from both sides, pounced on Ao Bai.

    In an instant, Ao Bai was overthrown, bound, and imprisoned.

    Kangxi, through his patient and cunning methods, eliminated this scourge of the court, demonstrating his youthful promise and strategic brilliance as an emperor.

    In truth, life is a long and unpredictable journey, fraught with peril. To protect oneself and strike at one's opponents, it's sometimes necessary to feign ignorance, play dumb, and deceive the enemy, waiting for the opportune moment to strike and turn the tide.

    Those who are prone to impulsive actions, seeking momentary pleasure without considering the consequences, should remember: "As long as you survive, you have the resources to rise again.

    " The art of "retreat" is profound; it can create a false impression for the enemy, allowing one to gather greater strength and buy more time for a more powerful attack at the opportune moment, ultimately achieving victory.

    Towards the end of World War I, the October Revolution broke out in Russia, overthrowing centuries of Tsarist rule and establishing Soviet power. The domestic and international environment at this time was not entirely favorable for the nascent Soviet regime. To gain the necessary time for his new power to consolidate and to protect the most basic fruits of the revolution, Lenin, the leader of the Soviet regime, resolutely decided to sign the humiliating Treaty of Brest-Litovsk with Germany, a powerful threat to Russia. In exchange for German recognition and security guarantees, Russia ceded vast swathes of territory to Germany. The

    Treaty of Brest-Litovsk caused a huge uproar at the time, but its success has been proven by history. It was precisely because of this humiliating treaty, this treaty of "retreat" as a form of advance, that the nascent Soviet regime gained the necessary time for stability and solidified its control over the country. Less than a year after the signing of the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, World War I ended, Germany became a defeated nation, and naturally lost many of its powers.

    Lenin then seized the opportunity to announce to the world the abrogation of the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk with Germany and the recovery of lost territories and powers. This strategic retreat by Lenin thus came to an end.