Preparing the troops

Years ago I read the intro of a translations of Sun Tzu's Art of War a legend of the great General.
Seeking to gain employment he sat with an Emperor (I think it was kingdom of Wu, but can't recall now) who asked him to give a demonstration of lining up the troops into formation and called out his 100 concubines for this purpose. The 3 favoured concubines were placed as 1st 2nd and 3rd lietenants respectively.
On giving the order the girls simply giggled, Sun Tzu commented "If the troops will not comply it is the fault of the generals imcompatence in giving the orders.
Second time he gave the order again the girls laughed, Sun Tzu said "If on clarification of the orders the trrops will not submit they are disobedient and unruly." He took out his sword and beheaded the chief concubine placing the next in line in her place.
This time when called all the girls took up their swords and performed all maneuvers perfectly.
The emperor was shocked, Sun Tzu told him "Your Majesty's army is now battle ready."
-------------------------------------------
There are a few lessons here, first it seems the empeoror did not think through the matter of asking for a demonstration of ability and got something not quite intended.
Second, Sun Tzu took this seriously, not just as a way to demonstrate his ability and took up the challenge to turn these women into good soldiers. He was aware of what the emperor was doing but went and proved his importance to a man not unrstanding the importance of these matters.
Third we have the concubines, fooling around the chief concubine bore the consequence of her inabilty to respect, however her sucesser learned very well.