Chinese Trinity of Wealth

Chinese Trinity of Wealth
Copyright © 22 September 2006, Ramcem Hon


A friend of mine inspired me with his philosophy of wealth lately and I wish to share it with you.

In chinese history, there's a saying that success comes from 3 factors namely:

i) 天时 (Heaven Time);
ii) 地利 (Geography Advantage);
iii) 人和 (People's Support)

This philosphy can be clearly seen in the chinese classic, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, where each ruler conquered a part of china by using a predominant strategy. Cao Cao used time, Sun Quan used geography while Liu Bei harness people's support. This create a tripod power of check and balance and represents one of the most exciting time in the history of china.

Now what has chinese ancient wisdom got to do with wealth? Can these principles be applied in today ever changing world?

My friend told me he built and protect his wealth based on the trinity concept. Let's imagine the three concepts as different vehicles.


First, we talk about 天时 (Heaven Time). This vehicle represents something that you have limited control over it. Examples of vehicles include the capital markets such as equities & derivatives. Most of these are what we called paper assets. If properly handled, such vehicles, especially those with tremendous leverage, can make you the most money in the shortest time. 2 of my Singapore friends who retired by age 30 are experts in options trading.

Next, how about 地利 (Geography Advantage)? As you might have guessed, this vehicle represents land and real estate or what we called hard assets. Properly used, this vehicle can create cashflow as well as capital gains hedged against inflation.

Lastly, we talked about 人和 (People's Support). This vehicle basically talks about building business and networks. After all, your net worth is directly proportional to your network. The more people you serve, the more money you can make.


While it is rare to find someone who is a master of all three, all of us should be proficient in at least one of these vehicles. When all vehicles are used properly, it will create a tripod power of your personal wealth fortress.

Hope this article will give you some hindsight on how to build your wealth.

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After 3 years in Shanghai, I have read quite a bit of books on such chinese military philosophy translated for business use and I happened to have read about what you have posted and wish to share that there is a part 2 to this philosophy...

With the 3 elements of battle, Tian Shi, Di Li, Ren He, comes 3 classifications of generals...

The Lowest Class Generals uses Ren He (people harmony). Such generals work within their given group and team, win their respect and cooperation in order to achieve the tactical aim of the battle.

The Middle Class Generals uses Di Li (geographical advantage). Such Generals are experts of their territory, knowing every valley and tree and able to use these unique characteristics to their advantage in their own turf.

The Highest Class Generals uses Tian Shi (heavenly timing). Such Generals are experts of opportunity. They have no set preference over territory or kind of troop to be used. They wait, identify and sieze "heavenly opportunities" wherever they go and in whatever battle they fight and are thus able to conquer lands far and wide.

That may even be translated to Robert Kiyosaki's Cashflow Quadrants...

(this part on is from my own interpretation of course)

People from the S quadrant uses Ren He greatly. (insurance sales teams, professional sales teams etc) People relationship and networking is extremely important as all the ground work and actual deals have to be done by himself.

People from the B quadrant uses Di Li greatly. (small business man) They need to know their immediate market very well and be able to exploit the unique advantage in that particular market in order to maximise results.

People from the I quadrant needs Tian Shi. (Global Investors) They need to be very sensitive to arising opportunities and forces all over the world so that they are able to detect profitable investments before anyone else in the world has. He knows that he cannot create his own opportunities as simply as people from the B quadrant can and so train his eyes to look, his ears to listen... intimately and sensitively for the slightest indication that something is brewing somewhere which may lead to a profitable end.

Hope you guys enjoyed it.