It was once said that a battle is won before the first sword is drawn.
The art of strategy is complex and hard to master.
The ancient warriors had deep mastery of math including probability.
(gambling teaches this)
They realized before the age of gunpowder there was a force.
You can only get so far by planning ahead.

There is no safe place in a battle.
“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.”

Sixty-Two

Tao is the source of the ten thousand things.
It is the treasure of the good man and the refuge of the bad.
Sweet words can buy honor;
Good deeds can gain respect.
If a man is bad, do not abandon him.
Therefore on the day the emperor is crowned,
Or the three officers of state installed,
Do not send a gift of jade and a team of four horses,
But remain still and offer the Tao.
Why does everyone like the Tao so much at first?
Isn’t it because you find what you seek and are forgiven when you sin?
Therefore this is the greatest treasure in the universe.

Tao Te Ching by Lao Tsu
Translation by Ray Burgess