greatest wisdom book

Chapter 60 Game Law: Harmony is the most important thing in life 2
Don't let yourself go "too much"

If bad things may be called good, cruelty is well used for the sake of one's own security, and may be done occasionally, provided it serves the good of the subjects, but never afterwards.The worst case is that a small amount of brutal means are used to achieve the goal at first, and then increase over time.

——"Chapter 8 People who became rulers by evil methods"

The way of acting with carrots and sticks is a common method for monarchs and capable people, which can not only show their majesty, but also show their responsibility to their subjects.

In the mid-15th century, during the reign of Pope Alexander VI, there was a citizen of Fermo named Oliverotto. He was a fatherless orphan and was raised by his uncle Giovanni Fogliani.When he was a child, his uncle sent him to serve as a soldier under General Paul Vitelli, hoping that he would succeed.

After Paolo's death, Oliverotto served in the army under Paolo's brother Vitellozzo.Due to his quick wit and physical strength, he became number one in Vitellozzo's army in a very short time.But he is dissatisfied with his humble status, and he wants to be the big man who controls Fermo.He wrote to his uncle Foliani that, in order to show his fellow citizens of Fermo that he had not wasted his time, he wished to be escorted home with a hundred cavalry, consisting of his friends and squires.Oliverotto hoped that his uncle would arrange these things so that he would be received with honor by the citizens of Fermo, which would also bring great honor to his uncle.

Foriani immediately responded to his nephew's request, having him received with honor by the citizens of Fermo, and invited him to live in his home.In fact, Oliverotto was planning a conspiracy.He gave a great banquet and invited some important people from Foriani and Fermo.When the food and drink, and all the other entertainments that are common to such banquets, were over, Oliverotto began, pretending to be some kind of important speech, to expound on the greatness of Pope Alexander and his son Cesare, and their Great plans.When everyone laughed and was very happy, he said that he wanted to share some secrets with everyone and needed to go to a more private place to discuss.

However, when everyone followed him into the inner room, his hundred guards swarmed in, killed everyone, and controlled most of the local nobles.Subsequently, Oliverotto ordered that the highest officials of the court besieged, so that they had to obey his arrangement and let him be the monarch.A year later, in order to ensure his reputation, Oliverotto even had his teacher hanged.

Oliveroto is such a cunning and cruel monarch, but he keeps the whole country living in peace, so that the enemy never dares to invade, and the citizens of his country never have the idea of ​​betraying him. I have to say that Oliverotto’s personal Very attractive.And a cruel person can have a strong charm, which proves that he suppresses all his cruelty in governing the country, because what he wants is the love of his subjects, not fear.Because of this, Fermo is extremely united, making it difficult to conquer.

Using extraordinary means in extraordinary times is a must for those who achieve great things, and some Chinese monarchs have also done the same.The founding monarchs of the Song and Ming dynasties, Zhao Kuangyin and Zhu Yuanzhang, both used violent or cunning means to stabilize the country in the end.However, the difference between the two is that after Zhao Kuangyin used various means to stabilize the regime, he began to govern the country with benevolence, while Zhu Yuanzhang slaughtered heroes and eradicated dissidents.Thus, although both men were the founders of a dynasty that lasted hundreds of years, their historical reputations are very different.

Returning from ancient times to modern life, leaders who know how to use kindness and force are far more suitable for modern society than those who are cruel.A strict and serious style of work is good, but it will attract radical infamy, and using cunning and even cruel means to do things, but to benefit those who follow him, this is a smart leader.Don't let yourself "too much", moderation is the result that everyone wants.

(End of this chapter)