There is an ancient idiom in Chinese culture that encourages taking the long view; meaning, look beyond the immediate towards long-range consequences and/or results of a particular action.
Hong Kong is an excellent example.
In 1898, the British “leased” Hong Kong and its territories from China for 99 years, with the region released to China on July 1, 1997. By allowing the Brits to “win” the Opium Wars of the mid-19th century, China effectively preserved its control over the lands simply by conceding for the short-term … in a nation with a 5,000-year history, one hundred years is merely a single human lifetime.
The longevity of power is vital, much more so than a quick, fleeting victory.
Law #8 — Make Others Come to You, with Bait if Necessary
manipulate others to react to your plans:
control your emotions while triggering theirs:
maintain the initiative by putting others on the defensive:
if you control the music, others must dance to your tune.
Filippo Brunelleschi (1377 – 1446) was a renowned Renaissance artist and architect, commissioned to repair a cathedral in Florence. Also hired was another individual, Ghiberti, but Brunelleschi knew that the other man had gotten the job through connections rather than ability, and would do nothing while taking credit once the work was done. Rather than pitch a fit, Brunelleschi abruptly fell ill during construction, and Ghiberti was expected to finish the project. In short order the clients discovered that Ghiberti was incompetent and unskilled, and fired him. After Ghiberti was removed from the project Brunelleschi, miraculously, recovered, and was able to complete the work.
Brunelleschi successfully achieved his goal by manipulating the clients into acting in his best interest.
And all he had to do was play sick.
Conversely, however, there are times it is better to strike quickly, decisively, and aggressively, but this tactic still forces your opponent to react on your terms. Determining when to wait and when to act will depend entirely upon the circumstances, yet compelling others to engage at the time and in the manner of your choosing is one of the principal laws of power.