To formulate strategies and ensure victory from a thousand miles away; describes a brilliant strategist or commander who can orchestrate decisive success from a distance.
Era:
Ancient
Frequency:
Synonym:
Story:
After Liu Bang became emperor, he hosted a grand banquet in the Nanyang Palace in Luoyang, entertaining his civil and military officials. He asked his officials about the differences between him and Xiang Yu, and they all praised his benevolence and righteousness.
Liu Bang then said that he was not as good as Zhang Liang at devising strategies in a tent and securing victory from a thousand miles away (运筹帷幄与决胜千里). He was not as good as Xiao He at managing the people and providing supplies, nor was he as good as Han Xin at leading armies in battle.
However, he concluded that his strength lay in his ability to effectively employ these three exceptional talents, which is why he was able to win the empire.