The wise person seeks momentum, not immediate gain. As Hu Xueyan observed, "Momentum and profit are inseparable; where momentum flows, profit follows." Momentum is the rhythm of nature and the key to human affairs. Those who grasp it move with the current, achieving without struggle.
During the late Qing dynasty, General Zuo Zongtang faced a dire shortage of military supplies. Hu Xueyan, seizing the opportunity, raised 100,000 shi of grain in three days at great personal cost. This act earned Zuo’s trust and the lucrative contract for military logistics, propelling Hu to immense wealth.
Lei Jun once said, "When the wind blows, even a pig can fly." Understanding the larger trend often outweighs sheer effort. If no trend exists, create one. In the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Liu Bei orchestrated a grand wedding procession to give the illusion of a fait accompli, forcing his reluctant ally to honor the marriage pact.
Sun Tzu wrote, "The skilled commander seeks victory from the situation." A round boulder on a mountain peak will roll down with unstoppable force. Individual effort has limits; by aligning with the flow, a small push yields extraordinary results.
Don’t wait for the wind—chase it. Those who master momentum transcend limitations and achieve the seemingly impossible.