How might Wise men appear foolish? Lessons from Chinese History. Kingswar . 大巧若拙

KingsWar 楚汉传奇 TV series, an epic made back in 2012 about the rise of the First Han Emporer Liu Bang is interesting for many reasons.
On of them is the vast number of phrases from Chinese Philosophy it delves into. There’s a rich vein to tap into and in Episode 10 it faces the topic of what one can do when one is in danger at the top with no allies.
Lao zi, Dao De Jing, Chapter 45, Translation by James Legge.
大直若屈，大巧若拙，大辯若訥
Do thou what's straight still crooked deem;
Thy greatest art still stupid seem,
And eloquence a stammering scream
Find out about the Great Translator James Legge here.
• James Legge. The unkno...
Featuring the Empire building founding Dynastic head - Liu Bang Vs the romantic figure of Xiang Yu - This TV series Kingswar of 80 episodes was released back in 2012.
How good is it?
Join me here to find out.
• Kingswar 楚汉传奇。Chinese ...
Watch it for yourself on Netflix.
It also features Liu He Wei (as Qin Shi Huang)- Da Shi in Three Body problem.
The Tencent Production of the Three-Body Problem trilogy was true to the original book series and this is one of the GREAT scenes from it - in episode See the Tencent three-body problem series for yourself here.
• 3 Body Problem. Tencen...
I analyzed a more intense scene here - from episode 5.
• 3 Body Problem. In Two...
I have read the whole 3 body series written by Liu Ci Xin.
I have reviewed the first book in the series HERE.
• Liu Cixin. Three Body ...

[@theothermorgan]

It reminds me of how Claudius played the fool to survive in Rome until he became emperor.

[@sinolit]

Unfortunately for Zi Ying, his ruse only kept him alive until after his rival (Qin Er Shi) had died. He reigned for a month before XiangYu at the head of the Chu rebellion took over and according to Kingswar gave him the opportunity to take his own life rather than face humiliation. Playing dumb was probably the only strategy available to him but it didn't work as well as it may have done for Claudius.