The rivalry of Hsiang Yu and Liu Pang…

Entrepreneurship lessons can come from strange places in strange situations. Consider this war story from China in Robert Green’s 48 Laws of Power (Law 22). No rivalry between leaders is more celebrated in Chinese history than the struggle of Hsiang Yu and Liu Pang.These two generals started off as friends and fought on the same side. Hsiang Yu came from nobility; large and powerful, was dull witted (lacking a sense of humor), given to bouts of temper, a fact that made him seem even more fiery in his large and strong frame. He was a mighty warrior who always fought at the head of the troops. Conversely, Liu Pang came from peasant stock. He was never much of a warrior. He preferred wine and women to fighting. In fact, he was something of a scoundrel. But he had an eye for talent and was wily. He could recognize the best strategists, keep them as advisers and listen to their advice. He had risen in the army through these strengths.In 208 BC, king of Ch’u sent two massive armies to conquer the Kingdom of Ch’in. One army went north under the leadership of Sung Yu, with Hsiang Yu second in command. The other, led by Liu Pang headed straight toward Ch’in. The target was the kingdom’s spending capital Hsien-yang.Hsiang Yu, ever violently impatient could not bear the thought that Liu Pang would get to Hsien-yang first and perhaps assume command of the entire army. At one point, his commander, Sung Yi hesitated in sending troops to battle. Furious, Hsiang entered his general’s tent, accused him of being a traitor and cut off his head and assumed command. Without waiting for orders he left the northern front and headed straight for the capital. He felt he was a better soldier and general than Liu Pang. But to his astonishment, Liu Pang, who had a smaller and swifter army got their first.His advisor, Fan Tseng warned him, “this village headman (Liu Pang) used to be greedy for riches and women. But since entering the capital, he has not been swayed by wealth, wine or sex. This shows he is aiming high”. Fan Tseng urged him to kill his rival before it is too late. He did not follow his advisors advice. He waited for the time when conditions were just right…To cut a long story short; Liu and Hsiang became bitter enemies and due to his wiliness, the former avoided all the traps of his rival. He crushed him as soon as he got the opportunity. Of all the armies and He went on to become the supreme commander later defeated many armies including his former boss, the king of Ch’u. He crowned himself emperor and went down as one the greatest rulers of China, the immortal Han Kao-tsu, the founder of the Han dynasty.Lesson 1: always work with others. Even though Hsiang was tougher and stronger than Liu, the latter was adept at choosing who to work with. Choosing partners to work with effectively over time is eventually the toughest business decision an entrepreneur has to make. Lesson 2: Listen to advice. There is a saying that God created us with two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak. Bullheadedness can only get you so far.Lesson 3: Fortune favors the bold. The tagline from the movie ‘Troy’ is true. If you decide on a course of action, act. There is no such moment as the perfect moment when things are just right.Lesson 4: Long term vision: Hsiang advisor might have not known how high Liu was aiming but he was spot on. What is your long term vision?Lesson 5: Be willing to change as situation demands. Are you like Liu who, upon noticing that he needed to focus did away with philandering and lounging, or you are like Hsiang to whom it was either his way or the highway? Flexibility and adaptability are the entrepreneurs mark.It is also obvious that history does not remember you based on where you came from but rather, where your journey ended. Liu was a peasant…and an emperor!Have and entrepreneurial day!The writer is an Entrepreneurship Development Consultant based in Kigali.