So, we must have some followers of Sun Tzu aboard. I be asked to give me own interpretation from 'The Art of War' in the chapter on Weak Points and Strong, specifically the last topic.

Aye, allow me to quote the summation of Sun Tzu,

and then make me comments.

Quote:

"Water in its natural course runs away from high places and hastens downward. So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong and strike what is weak. Water shapes its course according to the nature of the ground over which it flows; the soldier works out his victory in relation to the foe whom he is facing.

Therefore, just as water retains no constant shape, so in warfare there are no constant conditions. The five elements - water, fire, wood, metal, earth - are not always equally predominant; the four seasons make way for each other in turn. There are short days and long; the moon has its periods of waning and waxing. He who can modify his tactics in relation to his opponent, and thereby succeed in winning may be called a heaven-born captain."

End quote.

Listen up ye modern day buccaneers! Sun Tzu’s words be as true fer a pirate as fer any fine sailor or soldier, aye! "Avoid what be strong and strike what be weak" — now that be sound tactics whether ye be sailin' the seven seas or plottin' yer course in modern life.

Let's look at the Pirate World.

As a pirate captain, I meself knew well the wisdom o’ pickin' me battles. When yer crew is small and yer ship not as mighty as a navy's galleon, ye don't go runnin' headfirst into a British man-o'-war, all bristlin' with cannons and marines! Nay, ye find the merchant vessel laggin’ abaft with a hold full o’ treasure but little defense. The pirate life be about more than brute strength — it's about cleverness, about shapin' yer tactics to the opportunity at hand, just like water flows where it can. We sailed like water, adaptin’ to the winds and the enemy's weaknesses. Like water takin' the shape o’ the land, we’d ambush 'em in coves, strike from fog banks, or scatter their convoy in confusion. We chose when to fight, where to strike, and how to vanish like ghosts into the sea.

Sun Tzu be describin’ how no battle ever stays the same. On the unpredictable seas, a wise pirate knows that conditions can shift like the wind. The weather, the tides, and the very nature of the prey demand constant adaptation. As a pirate captain, ye had to read the winds, know the tides, and understand the enemy's heart to make yer moves — whether by fire, force, or deception. An ever-changin' game of cat and mouse.

A pirate captain who can read the signs of the sea and adjust their tactics accordingly be like a master helmsman, navigatin' the ship through storms and calms alike.

Clue: Pedro de Heredia, a Spanish conquistador, founded Cartagena de Indias and established Fort San Juan (modern-day Cartagena, Colombia). The city would become a major port for Spanish trade and colonization efforts in the Americas, after the skeleton key year of the February 2025 hunt.

Now let's look at the Modern World.

Now, matey, how be Sun Tzu’s words useful to ye in the world today? Sun Tzu's wisdom be as deep as the ocean, and his words about adaptability be a compass for both pirates and modern-day buccaneers in the business realm.

In the cutthroat waters of modern commerce, the savvy entrepreneur be akin to a shrewd pirate captain. Economic conditions be ever-changing, like the seasons shiftin'. A wise business person knows when to batten down the hatches, lower the overhead, to weather the economic storms, and when to set full sail and seize opportunities in fair winds.

Much like the seasons bring different challenges, a business must adapt to market cycles. For example, retail businesses may gear up for the holiday season, while others in agriculture adjust to planting and harvest times.

Just as the tide rises and falls, economic conditions fluctuate. A wise business captain adjusts pricing, expenses, and strategies to stay afloat during economic downturns and to maximize gains during upswings.

The tides of consumer expectations and market trends be ever-shifting. A successful business be one that can read these trends, adjust its products or services accordingly, and ride the crest of consumer demand.

Unforeseen challenges, like a sudden squall, can arise. A nimble business must be ready to change course, whether it be adapting to technological shifts, regulatory changes, or unforeseen global events.

It’s all about strategy, be it in business, life, or even sport. Instead o’ goin’ head-to-head with the biggest and strongest competition, ye should seek out the weaknesses and find where ye can outmaneuver ‘em. Be like water — flexible, adaptable. Ye don't take on a giant corporation with brute force if ye be a small startup; ye find the gaps, the blind spots, the places where yer agility and cunning can get ye ahead.

In relationships, too, it be wise to change yer approach, to adapt to the tides of emotion and circumstance. If ye clash head-on with stubbornness, it may only lead to a storm. But if ye flow around it, seek the soft spots, ye might win without a fight.

Just as the elements shift and seasons change, so do the conditions of life. No situation stays the same forever. To be a "heaven-born captain" in today's world, as in the pirate days, ye must stay nimble, learn to change yer tactics when the winds shift, and strike when the time be right, where the defenses be down, and victory will be yours! Those who can modify their tactics with the fluidity of water, responding to the ever-changing conditions, are the true masters of the seas and the markets. Whether ye be battlin' in boardrooms or seas of uncertainty, it’s yer adaptability that brings victory, not just raw strength or rigid plans. Adaptation be the key to surviving the tempests and sailing toward the riches that lie beyond the horizon.

A perfect example of adaptability recently be Michael Saylor, Captain of Microstrategy. When faced with a slow death or a quick sinkin' of his ship, he researched, analyzed, made a decision, and took action. And in a short time period his craft went from sinkin' to outperforming every publicly owned stock in the world! Now there be a 'heaven-born captain' that can sit alongside Sun Tzu himself!

So, me hearties, adjust yer sails, read the signs, and navigate the business seas with the wisdom of a seasoned captain! Keep comin' back fer more wisdom and ye shall be outperformin' yer competitors before Blackbeard can say, "Well blow me down!"

Oh, one quick after-thought. It might be interestin' to ask Michael Saylor if he be a student of Sun Tzu and 'The Art of War'. Arr!