A wise person does not merely plan for immediate gains.
A wealthy merchant once said: Those who seek daily wages are laborers; those who earn monthly salaries are employees; those who wait for annual income are managers; those who patiently wait three to five years are investors; and those who weigh matters with a lifetime perspective become true entrepreneurs. Life is like a game of chess—the further you see, the further you go.
During the Song Dynasty, Magistrate Zhang Yong foresaw that the tea monopoly would soon be enforced. Despite public outcry, he ordered farmers to plant mulberry trees instead. Two years later, when the monopoly was imposed, other counties suffered, but his people thrived, producing millions of bolts of silk yearly. The locals later built a temple in his honor.
The wise see what is not yet visible; the prudent avoid dangers before they arise. True vision lies in perceiving the future before it unfolds—enabling one to advance with foresight or retreat to avoid disaster.
Life’s game is not about minor moves but about mastering the bigger picture. Look ahead, plan wisely, and you will face the unknown with calm confidence.