Let's briefly review Fan Li's life. Fan Li (536 BC-448 BC), a native of Huaxia, was born in Wandi, Chu in the Spring and Autumn Period. A famous politician, strategist, economist and Taoist scholar at the end of the Spring and Autumn Period. Although Fan Li was born in poverty, he read widely. He was dissatisfied with the political darkness of Chu, and non-nobles were not allowed to enter the official, so he defected to Yue. He assisted Gou Jian, the king of Yue, to destroy Wu, and retired after he became famous. During this period, his three business trips were called "great wealth" and he scattered his family wealth three times, which was admired by future generations.
Fan Li's life is full of legend, which is inseparable from his own lifestyle. So, what precious wealth did this unique "business sage" leave to future generations?
Fan Li's famous epigram:
1. Birds are exhausted, and good bows are hidden; A sly rabbit dies, but a running dog cooks.
This is the place where dead rabbits cook and birds bow their heads to hide. The running dog here is a fast dog. In ancient Chinese, walking means running. A good bow is useless when a bird is killed. When the rabbit dies, the dog is useless. Might as well cook. Here refers to a person who loses the use value, will be killed or leave a worse fate than others.
2. If you have time, you won't come again; If you don't take it from heaven, it never rains but it pours
Don't slack off when you have an opportunity, but seize it quickly. Once the opportunity is missed, it will never come again. God gave it to you. If you don't want it, it may become a curse.
3. Soft but unyielding, strong but not rigid.
Soft but not yielding, strong but not stiff.
4. After the transaction, interest-free currency.
The funds of buyers and sellers must flow like water, and buyers and sellers should pay attention to the quality of their goods.
Summer is skin, winter is boat, and water is car.
Businessmen buy leather goods in summer, silk in winter, boats in dry weather, vehicles in wet weather, and so on. Businessmen are good at hoarding and waiting for opportunities to make profits.
The son of a thousand daughters will never die in this city.
People with status can't die in public places, but now, in order to pay bribes, it is extended to taking money to buy life.
7. Expensive is cheap, and cheap is expensive.
Expensive things should be thrown as fast as dirt, and cheap things should be bought as fast as baby.
8. There is no shortage of things, and there is no shortage of ways to govern the country.
Stable grain prices can promote the equal exchange of other commodities, and tariffs in market transactions can flourish. This is the correct way to govern the country.
9. Persuade farmers to do business in the valley.
The previous sentence tells the story of agricultural development, which will ensure the livelihood of farmers. The latter sentence is based on the previous one. After the development of agriculture, it is necessary to maintain the accumulation of grain, and the accumulation of grain depots to a certain extent ensures that in the event of war, grain can achieve a lasting war of resistance.
10. After that, use Yin, first use Yang, and the enemy Yang will be exhausted, and China will seize Yin. This military commander is also wonderful in yin and yang.
It is about the relationship between "pre-emptive strike" and "post-emptive strike" in war. "Use Yang first" is about paying attention to seizing when the strength is obviously strong, so that the other party has no chance to make a comeback. In the case of equal strength or one's own disadvantage, the real masters are latecomers, because the first move will take shape and shape will not win. These two strategies should be used flexibly in order to win at a critical moment.
Eighteen examples of Fan Li's business:
First, be diligent in business, not lazy, laziness will waste everything.
Second, the price should be specific and not vague. If it is vague, there will be a lot of controversy.
Third, the expenses should be frugal, not extravagant, which will run out of money.
Fourth, credit should be known to people, not abused, it will lose money.
Five, the goods should be inspected face to face, do not abuse, abuse will reduce the price of goods.
6. Be careful when going in and out, and don't scribble, because scribbling will make many mistakes.
Seven, choose and employ persons, don't be askew, askew is difficult to support.
Eight, the advantages and disadvantages should be subdivided, not confused, confusion will consume a lot.
Nine, the goods should be trimmed, not sloppy, sloppy is difficult to check.
Ten, the deadline should be agreed, not sloppy, sloppy is broken.
Buy and sell at any time, don't delay, delay will miss the opportunity.
Twelve, spend money carefully, don't be confused, confusion has many disadvantages.
Thirteen, when things happen, do your duty, don't make mistakes, and you will suffer a lot if you make mistakes.
Fourteen, the accounts should be audited, do not slack off, slack off the lag of funds.
Fifteen, acceptance should be moderate, not violent, and violent transactions should be less.
Sixteen, the main heart should be quiet, don't move, moving will spoil the broth.
Seventeen, the work should be fine, not rough, rough is inferior.
Eighteen, speak rules, don't be impetuous, impetuous, and have more accidents.