Over 2500 years ago, during the late Spring and Autumn period, Sun Tzu lived in the state of Qi. His grandfather was a general who had fought in wars, and his father was a high-ranking official. When Sun Tzu was born, his father named him "Wu," hoping he would pursue a military career and achieve greatness in both military and political realms in Qi. However, his upbringing was not smooth. During the late reign of Duke Jing of Qi, the country was in chaos. Four major families fought over land, taxes, population, and wealth, often engaging in battles and annexations. The Sun family, being minor in status, found themselves caught in the crossfire and at risk of becoming collateral damage. Thus, in his twenties, Sun Tzu's father decided it was best to avoid conflict and moved his family south to the relatively safer state of Wu.
After arriving in Wu, Sun Tzu didn't rush to secure an official position but chose to live in seclusion in the mountains outside the capital, Gusu. There, he devoted himself to studying military strategies and observing the geopolitical dynamics of the time, particularly the conflicts between Wu and Yue. Over five years, he wrote the thirteen chapters of "The Art of War." During this period, he befriended Wu Zixu, who shared his interest in military tactics. Wu Zixu was serving under King Helü of Wu as an official responsible for the king's schedule, similar to a modern-day chief of staff. In 512 BC, thanks to Wu Zixu's seventh recommendation, Sun Tzu presented "The Art of War" to King Helü, earning his admiration and an appointment as a general. With Sun Tzu's help, Wu subsequently defeated the mighty Chu, captured its capital Ying, and became a formidable force to the north against Qi and Jin, earning widespread fame among the states.
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