"After writing The Art of War, Sun Tzu was given an audience with the king of Wu. The king invited him to demonstrate his skill by training the court concubines. He took the challenge.
Sun Tzu explained the commands for marching, but when the drum signals were given, the women burst out laughing. If the orders are not clear, Sun Tzu teaches that the general is at fault. So he repeated his explanation, but the women only laughed again. When the orders are clear but not followed, Sun Tzu teaches that the officers are at fault. Sun Tzu ordered the women's commanders, the king's two favorite concubines, beheaded.
After the two were executed and replaced, the remaining women obeyed the orders precisely. The king was too sickened by the deaths to watch the demonstrations, but gave Sun Tzu command of his army."
(taken from www.clearbridge.com)
The point here is that this guy was a total hardass and also super smart so could totally kick your ass in an all-out tactical warfare scenario featuring ancient Chinese combatants.