Wong Tai Sin Sign 58秦穆公大敗Duke Mu's Great Defeat

This sign recalls one of ancient China's most famous military disasters from around 627 BCE. Duke Mu of the State of Qin (called 'Tsun' in the poem) decided to attack the distant State of Zheng, ignoring his wise advisor Jian Shu's warnings that the campaign was foolish and doomed. The duke's army had to pass through enemy territory at Xiao Mountain, where they were completely ambushed and destroyed. All three of Qin's top generals were captured. Ironically, they were later released because one enemy leader had once been helped by Duke Mu years earlier. The duke returned home humiliated, his army scattered. This story became a classic lesson about the consequences of ignoring good counsel and letting pride override wisdom.