The Legendary Tianya Post: The Strategies and Mindset of the Eight Generals of Qianmen

Ten years ago, an anonymous post appeared on the History Discussion board of the Tianya Forum. Using the Eight Roles of the Thousand Gates as its thread, it connected the political wisdom of the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, the business strategies of merchant guilds in the Ming and Qing dynasties, and the strategic thinking found in ancient military treatises. The post went viral, but its author vanished, leaving behind only scattered copies painstakingly pieced together by forum users and abridged versions. For ten years, no one has been able to restore it in full.

We spent a long time filling in all thirty-six Heavenly Strategies and seventy-two Earthly Strategies. Each one begins with a historical anecdote, then explores its practical applications in modern workplaces and business, using game theory and psychology to help you understand the thinking behind it.

But we weren’t content simply to restore the original. Alongside the traditional material, we added a chapter called “See the Path, But Don’t Follow It.” The 108 strategies teach you how to see through other people’s tactics; “See the Path, But Don’t Follow It” teaches you how to find your own way. A true master isn’t someone who has memorized every strategy. It’s someone who understands every method, then chooses not to follow others blindly, but instead carves out a path step by step, relying on their own efforts.

This isn’t a book about scheming. Quite the opposite: it’s a book to help you understand the rules and protect yourself. May you see your direction clearly, keep your heart steady, protect yourself, and treat those around you with kindness in the days ahead.