Chris Trottier on Nostr: Conquering a Principality Means Thriving Where Most Princes Fail. Vlad the Impaler, ...
Conquering a Principality Means Thriving Where Most Princes Fail.
Vlad the Impaler, love him or hate him, had cracked the code on dominating the Wallachian plains.
A prince known for his ruthless tactics and unwavering will, Vlad understood the brutal game of power.
Own a Small Village Before You Dream of an Empire
Stop trying to conquer the entire kingdom at once. Instead, seize control of a small, defensible village. Become the undisputed ruler of that niche, then expand your domain. You just need to be the absolute authority to the right few peasants.
A) Your Rule Must Be Self-Sustaining
Establish a system of governance that requires minimal intervention. Fear should be the enforcer. Great laws create order; lenient ones breed rebellion. Maintaining absolute control is always the primary objective.
B) Don’t Build a Court, Build a Cult of Personality
A court that’s loyal and utterly devoted to your will separates true rulers from pretenders. Build a following obsessed with your strength and ruthlessness, or prepare for plots and betrayals (and ultimately, your demise).
C) Think Differently or Die
If you’re simply following the rules of your predecessors, congratulations, you’re a predictable target. Vlad’s advice: think unconventionally. The next victory won’t come from playing by the rules. Learn to outmaneuver your rivals and exploit their weaknesses. Let ruthlessness reign.
D) Stop Thinking About This Battle, Think About the Next War
Short-term victories are fleeting, but they won’t build a lasting legacy. Play the long game. Focus on moves that still maintain your power 10 years down the road. Immediate gratification is for the weak. It’s easier to command unwavering loyalty from those who fear for their long-term survival.
E) The Power of Fear is Incalculable
The secret to maintaining control is a reputation that precedes you. Think the fear of the stake, the tales whispered in the dead of night. Build a reign that feeds on its own terror. Even non-military victories can be achieved through a chilling reputation and a thoroughly cowed populace.
F) Keep Your Court Lean, Keep Your Punishments Mean
Massive courts sound impressive until you realize they’re breeding grounds for dissent. A small, loyal, and utterly ruthless inner circle can react faster, adapt quicker, and crush any rebellion with brutal efficiency.
G) Find What Others Miss
Train yourself to see the weaknesses in your enemies, their blind spots, their vulnerabilities. Achieve this by creating space to observe, to spy, and to ruthlessly exploit any advantage.
H) Be Prepared to Shed Blood The struggle for power is inevitable, but suffering is a tool. Embrace the bloodshed, let it be a warning to others. Building an empire is hard, but it doesn’t have to be pleasant.
Note: yes, this was inspired by an actual LinkedIn post about Peter Thiel—who is a literal vampire.
Vlad the Impaler, love him or hate him, had cracked the code on dominating the Wallachian plains.
A prince known for his ruthless tactics and unwavering will, Vlad understood the brutal game of power.
Own a Small Village Before You Dream of an Empire
Stop trying to conquer the entire kingdom at once. Instead, seize control of a small, defensible village. Become the undisputed ruler of that niche, then expand your domain. You just need to be the absolute authority to the right few peasants.
A) Your Rule Must Be Self-Sustaining
Establish a system of governance that requires minimal intervention. Fear should be the enforcer. Great laws create order; lenient ones breed rebellion. Maintaining absolute control is always the primary objective.
B) Don’t Build a Court, Build a Cult of Personality
A court that’s loyal and utterly devoted to your will separates true rulers from pretenders. Build a following obsessed with your strength and ruthlessness, or prepare for plots and betrayals (and ultimately, your demise).
C) Think Differently or Die
If you’re simply following the rules of your predecessors, congratulations, you’re a predictable target. Vlad’s advice: think unconventionally. The next victory won’t come from playing by the rules. Learn to outmaneuver your rivals and exploit their weaknesses. Let ruthlessness reign.
D) Stop Thinking About This Battle, Think About the Next War
Short-term victories are fleeting, but they won’t build a lasting legacy. Play the long game. Focus on moves that still maintain your power 10 years down the road. Immediate gratification is for the weak. It’s easier to command unwavering loyalty from those who fear for their long-term survival.
E) The Power of Fear is Incalculable
The secret to maintaining control is a reputation that precedes you. Think the fear of the stake, the tales whispered in the dead of night. Build a reign that feeds on its own terror. Even non-military victories can be achieved through a chilling reputation and a thoroughly cowed populace.
F) Keep Your Court Lean, Keep Your Punishments Mean
Massive courts sound impressive until you realize they’re breeding grounds for dissent. A small, loyal, and utterly ruthless inner circle can react faster, adapt quicker, and crush any rebellion with brutal efficiency.
G) Find What Others Miss
Train yourself to see the weaknesses in your enemies, their blind spots, their vulnerabilities. Achieve this by creating space to observe, to spy, and to ruthlessly exploit any advantage.
H) Be Prepared to Shed Blood The struggle for power is inevitable, but suffering is a tool. Embrace the bloodshed, let it be a warning to others. Building an empire is hard, but it doesn’t have to be pleasant.
Note: yes, this was inspired by an actual LinkedIn post about Peter Thiel—who is a literal vampire.