No. 3 屯, Accumulation, Holding Up, The Beginning in Difficulties

Hexagram 3 Meaning: Why Difficult Beginnings Shape Great Success — Love, Career & Personality Guide

No. 6 Stage In the same way, if the government, high-ranking officials, and giant businessmen hoard too much and are unwilling to be kind and benefit the people, the consequences will be serious! Tears and blood will flow together then! It does not benefit the people of the world, but it is hoarded like a mountain, and instead it suffers the consequences for itself! This is not the way to long-term peace and stability!

No. 5 Stage Blindly hoarding is okay for small things, but dangerous for big things! It is like a small family hoarding some surplus grain to prepare for needs in times of famine. It is auspicious. If a high-ranking official hoards a large amount of people's wealth and plunders the people, this kind of behavior is dangerous! Because he cannot be kind to others, but only benefits himself, so it is dangerous! People who are rich and powerful must be vigilant!

No. 4 Stage Finally stocked up and ready! ! It seems that a good-natured woman with good character and integrity has a good reputation. When the time comes, there is a long queue of carriages and horses coming to propose marriage, and finally the marriage is decided! Now there is a long queue to pick up the bride! It is auspicious to get married at this time! After hoarding enough, take action and start a great career. The future is bright!

No. 3 Stage Since you are ready to take action like a hunter, you should have a clear direction and know the path. It's like a novice who wants to go hunting in a dense forest. If he rushes into the forest without a guide and blindly follows the prey, he will get lost sooner or later, so it's better to give up! If you act blindly and are not familiar with the direction and path, something will happen sooner or later! This is something a knowledgeable gentleman would never do! Will reach the end of the road!

No. 2 Stage Prepare, stock up. There are already many soldiers and horses, and they are very strong! But they are not a group of bandits and robbers who dominate the mountain! He is a gentleman who wants to do something to benefit the country and the people: a big shot in the future! Not a bandit, nor a daughter from a wealthy family marrying off! It's like a woman waiting in a boudoir! Since it is a lifelong event, you must be patient! It's like a woman who is willing to wait another ten years for a good marriage! Tun, for the beautiful dreams and great achievements in your heart, you must be patient and always prepared!

No. 1 Stage Be cautious and make careful decisions. He is good at storing grain and grass, gathering troops and horses, and training troops in one place for a long time to establish the cause of the prince. Stay ambitious, morally upright, and fair. If you can be close to the people and love the people, you will win the support and love of the people and public opinion. Sometimes the strength is not enough, so you should hesitate to move forward in order to preserve and accumulate strength to prepare for the next move.

Hexagram Tun: A Survival Chronicle of an Entrepreneur
Initial Six:
"The stone is still. It is advantageous to remain steadfast and to build foundations for the future."

After graduating from university, Li Ming came to Shenzhen with dreams in his heart. Faced with the bustling city, he chose to start from the bottom in a technology company. Working late into the night and self-studying programming on weekends, he remained as steadfast as a rock. He understood that at this stage, accumulating experience and building a network was more important than blindly starting his own business. Just as the first line of Hexagram Tun suggests, this was a time for stability and laying a solid foundation for future endeavors.

Second Line:
"Like a boulder, stagnant and stationary. Like a horse, constantly in place. A thief is rejected, but the woman remains faithful and waits for ten years before she is accepted."

After three years of work, Li Ming encountered an entrepreneurial opportunity but found himself in a dilemma: should he continue with his stable job or take the risk of starting a business? He was like a rider spinning in place, unsure of which path to take. After careful consideration, he decided to wait for the right moment. This decision spared him from the impact of the internet bubble and allowed him to accumulate more resources. Sometimes, a temporary pause is necessary for better progress.

Third Line:
"If you hunt a deer without fear, only to enter the forest—this is not ideal for a noble man, who will avoid it."

When the wave of the shared economy arrived, Li Ming decided to start his business. But instead of blindly following trends, he chose a niche market. He knew that chasing after a wild deer without guidance was dangerous, just as blindly entering an unfamiliar field could be risky. He chose to focus on the field of shared office equipment, an area he was familiar with. This wise decision saved him from many detours on his entrepreneurial journey.

Fourth Line:
"Like a horse in place, seeking a partner. Proceeding with caution brings success, and everything will be favorable."

In the early stages of his company’s development, Li Ming actively sought out partners. Like a rider looking for a suitable partner, he eventually reached an agreement with a well-known investment firm. This collaboration not only brought in funding but also provided industry resources and professional guidance. Choosing the right partner often leads to greater efficiency and success in business.

Fifth Line:
"The ointment is thick. A small degree of caution brings success; too much caution brings failure."

After receiving his first round of financing, Li Ming faced the temptation to expand. However, he remembered the wisdom of "thick ointment" and did not rush into blind expansion. Instead, he focused on improving the quality of his existing business. This decision allowed his company to remain steady during the capital winter. Excessive expansion often leads to scattered resources, while moderation can bring long-term growth.

Final Line:
"Like a horse in place, tears of blood fall like rain."

As his company neared the time to go public, Li Ming faced the greatest crisis of his entrepreneurial journey: his core team left all at once. He was like a rider, stuck in place, feeling heartbroken. But instead of giving up, he rebuilt his team and adjusted his strategy. In the end, the company successfully overcame this obstacle and went public. In the darkest moments, perseverance is often more important than making decisions.

Li Ming's entrepreneurial journey reflects the wisdom of Hexagram Tun. At each stage of life, one must understand how to evaluate circumstances—seizing opportunities while knowing when to wait, being proactive while practicing restraint. In this era of uncertainty, Hexagram Tun points to a path of steady development: finding change within stability and knowing when to stop in the midst of progress. This is the way to survive and thrive in modern society.