Have you ever felt that every good opportunity is already taken—that every popular field is a red ocean where you can only grind harder and get nowhere?
A thousand years ago, one Chinese family showed a counterintuitive answer. The Chong family, active on the northern border of the Song Dynasty for nearly a century, had three generations living completely different lives. But they all followed the same principle: don’t squeeze into crowded roads; walk where few have walked.
Generation one: Chong Fang — seeing that the court needed a hermit
When the early Song Dynasty needed a symbol of “respecting scholars,” Chong Fang saw that vacancy. He became the hermit—an icon who repeatedly refused government posts yet won nationwide fame. He didn’t compete for official positions; he created a role no one else was filling.
Generation two: Chong Shih-heng — seeing that the court needed a civil official who could lead troops
Chong Shih-heng, Chong Fang’s nephew, noticed the system’s weakness: generals were untrusted, civil officials knew nothing of war. He took the “lowly” path of a civil officer commanding soldiers. He turned Qingjian City into a military stronghold against the Western Xia. One story: when he needed heavy timber moved to a hilltop, he didn’t tax the people or pay workers. Instead, he staged a wrestling match in front of the temple, drew the whole town up the hill, then had them carry the beams together—saving money and making it a festival. He saw hidden needs and met them in unexpected ways.
Generation three: Chong E — hearing what the emperor didn’t say
Chong E, Chong Shih-heng’s son, once launched an unsanctioned attack and recaptured a city from the Western Xia. The court demoted him. But he was betting on one thing: the young Emperor Shenzong burned for victory. He gambled on that unspoken desire—and won. The emperor eventually reinstated him. Chong E didn’t follow orders; he listened to what his leader couldn’t voice.
Three generations, three unconventional choices. What’s the pattern? They didn’t try harder on crowded paths. They walked where few walked, serving needs that weren’t yet met.
Here are three practical takeaway:
- Before you jump into any field, ask: how many are already here? If the answer is many, pause.
- Look not just at what others are doing, but at what the world is missing. Competition shows you where the pain is; missing pieces show you where the opportunity is.
- Remember Niels Bohr: the opposite of a deep truth may be another deep truth. The popular road is not the only road.
These stories remind us: real growth isn’t about outrunning the crowd on the same track. It’s about discovering a track that no one else sees—and stepping onto it.