3. An Ancient Chinese General’s Fascinating Solution to a Rash Promise
Kongming (181 – 234), born Zhuge Liang, was a wily chancellor and military strategist during China’s Three Kingdoms Period. One of his exploits took place in 208 during the buildup to a climactic battle between armies separated by the Yangtze River. Kongming’s opponents maneuvered him into committing himself to furnish 100,000 arrows within a few days. It was a seemingly impossible task, and failing to accomplish it after stating that he would do so would result in a serious loss of face. After mulling it over, he hit upon a brilliant solution: he would get the arrows from the enemy.