Guiguzi

Guiguzi, whose personal name is Wang Xu, is traditionally said to have come from the state of Chu during the Warring States period; the dates of his birth and death are unknown. He is regarded as the founder of the School of Vertical and Horizontal Alliances and as a thinker, strategist, and educator. Because public records are limited, his early life and career cannot be reliably established, and later ages have held differing views about the man and his book. Tradition holds that Su Qin and Zhang Yi were his students, a widely circulated account that may be noted as one version. His works, including Guiguzi and The Seven Techniques of the Yin Talisman of the Classic of Basic Matters, deal with persuasion, decision-making, the reading of human intentions, and flexible response to changing circumstances. Their language is concise and their meaning subtle, combining philosophical reflection with practical strategy. The book spans military affairs, Eastern philosophy, and social culture, and is known for offering brief but penetrating guidance on conduct and achievement. It has had a lasting influence on later traditions of diplomacy and strategy, military thought, and inspirational writing.