Chu Zhuangwang can become the first overlord in the Spring and Autumn Period, the most important condition is that he has extraordinary talent. Among the overlords in the Spring and Autumn Period, Qi Huangong had knowledge but no talent, and Qin Mugong had great wisdom but no knowledge. Although Jin Wengong has both, he has no time to fully display his talents. Only Chu Zhuangwang has shown it incisively and vividly on the historical stage.
Chu Zhuangwang's outstanding points are as follows: First, the choice of strategic objectives is consistent, and the use of strategic means is dual-use. The proper choice of strategic objectives is the premise of hegemonic success. Under the background of the hegemony between the vassal and the nation, the most important task of a strategic decision-maker is to clearly analyze the situation, distinguish the main opponent from the secondary opponent through confusing and complicated phenomena, decide the fundamental attack direction and establish the ultimate strategic goal. In this regard, Chu Zhuangwang's choice can be described as highly wise and sober. Since he took office, he has always regarded reviving the glory of Chu and competing for the Central Plains as his lifelong goal. At the same time, he clearly realized that the biggest obstacle to achieve this goal is the state of Jin, so he must spend everything and defeat the state of Jin in one fell swoop in order to truly dominate the world. Based on this understanding, Chu Zhuangwang launched a full range of political, military, diplomatic and cultural activities in a targeted manner, so that all his energy was focused on the goal of finally defeating the State of Jin, thus rationally allocating various strategic resources and moving towards the established strategic goals step by step.
After the strategic goal is determined, the application of strategic means has become an urgent problem to be solved. It is necessary to make a wise choice whether to use military violence alone to advance the cause or to use military and civilian means to realize their strategic intentions through political, military, diplomatic and economic comprehensive means. First of all, Chu Zhuangwang's greatness lies in that he not only attaches importance to the leading role of force, but also does not simply believe in force. He paid special attention to coordinating military actions by political and diplomatic means, and took a multi-pronged approach of "cutting down the product", "cutting down the enemy", "cutting down the soldiers" and "attacking the city". For example, in the process of putting down the domestic rebellion in Jo? o, we should pay attention to the method of political strike, disintegrate the will of the rebels and divide the enemy's camp. Another example is that on the eve of the Taitai War, the Jin State Alliance was divided by diplomatic means, leaving the Jin State in a state of isolation and helplessness, thus creating favorable conditions for the Chu army to win the first world war.
Chu Zhuangwang's great talent is also manifested in his solid, meticulous and comprehensive work in strategic preparation. In order to finally defeat the old enemy Jin State, Chu Zhuangwang made solid and orderly preparations in all aspects. One is to select and appoint all kinds of talents, and put Sun Shuai and Shen Lingyin in important positions to give full play to their due role. Second, we are committed to educating the military and civilians, unifying our thinking, and rallying morale and inspiring fighting spirit for the upcoming decisive battle in Chu Jin. Third, improve various systems, improve politics, develop economy, and provide material and political guarantee for strategic decisive battle. On the basis of preparing for the war, Chu Zhuangwang pays attention to making the strategic planning as detailed and mature as possible, so as not to make the mistake of underestimating the enemy and neglecting one thing. The specific method is to listen to the opinions of counselors extensively and select the best candidates. For example, on the eve of the Taitai War, Sun Shuai had opposed all-round confrontation with the State of Jin, and Chu Zhuangwang himself had doubts about whether to go to war with the State of Jin immediately. At this time, Wu Shen's analysis of the military situation between the two sides made him suddenly enlightened, so he accepted his words and launched a decisive battle with the 8 Jin Army in Iraq and won a decisive victory.
The third aspect that shows Chu Zhuangwang's outstanding talent is to seize the opportunity and step by step in advancing the implementation of the strategy. In order to successfully achieve the established strategic objectives, whether the strategic steps are reasonable and whether the strategic timing is appropriate is a link that cannot be ignored. Chu Zhuangwang's achievements in this respect are also remarkable. In implementing the strategic steps, he adhered to the prudent policy of gradual progress. Specifically, it is the first inside and then outside, the first outside and then the central plains, the first easy and then difficult, the first weak and then strong, taking the lead in calming down the interior and stabilizing the rear; Then clear the surrounding areas, eliminate small countries and expand the strategic depth of Chu; Then attack Zheng, Song and other countries, and finally fight against Jin. In grasping the strategic opportunity, he is good at using gold to make enemies in an all-round way and fall into a passive situation of multi-line operations. He seized the helpless situation of Jin's "beyond the reach of the whip, the horse is not as good as the belly", and pushed his opponent to a dead corner step by step, so that the anxiety and fear of Jin's monarch and minister "not fighting with Chu" finally became a reality.
Chu Zhuangwang's great talent is also reflected in his cautious and sober attitude towards strategic rejuvenation. The most awe-inspiring thing about Chu Zhuangwang is his modest attitude and restrained attitude towards his arrogance. As a monarch who has achieved great things in a generation, the most common fault is that he is complacent and arrogant. The ups and downs of Fucha and Xuanzong in history are typical examples. Therefore, "decadence has no beginning, freshness has an end" has become an eternal warning message. On the other hand, Chu Zhuangwang got rid of this strange circle of fate. In the process of realizing his strategic goal, he always adhered to the principle of advantage and restraint, made efforts to make the aftermath of the war peaceful and smooth, eliminated all kinds of contradictions and hidden dangers as far as possible, dissolved the resistance from the enemy, built his military victory on a solid foundation and strived for the greatest political initiative. This concept has been embodied in Chu Zhuangwang's specific military operations more than once. For example, when Zheng Guo surrendered, he voluntarily withdrew from the encirclement and agreed to the other party's demands and requests; When Song's stubborn resistance finally gave up and he was willing to make peace, he generously forgave Song's actions and let him go. After Chen Guo's death, he agreed to restore and rebuild the country in accordance with the spirit of rites and music civilization, which is "to rise and fall the country and inherit the peerless world". All these and so on, to name a few. What is particularly admirable is that Chu won a great victory in the battle of Tai, and many Chu generals advocated piling up the bodies of the Jin army as a landscape to show off the bravery of the Chu army to the State of Jin. However, Chu Zhuangwang resolutely put an end to this arrogance and belligerence, and put forward some thought-provoking views on the war: "Wen Fu, don't fight for martial arts any more ... Wu Mi, forbid violence, soldiers, protect the country, make meritorious deeds, protect the people, be at peace with the masses, and those who are rich will also be rich." Emphasize that war is not an end, but a means to achieve peace. This insight is indeed beyond the average ancient people and has long led history.