Sun Tzu is a semi-mythical figure, more than likely a combination of several people, perhaps a father and son or grandson (Sun Pin), who lived in China about 2,500 years ago, around the time of Confucius. Drawing on experience gained while leading successful military campaigns, Sun Tzu developed and handed down a collection of concise and immensely useful concepts governing the art of warfare.These concepts evolved into a written document during what is called the Period of Warring States (405-221 BCE).The great Chinese warlord Cao Cao cited Sun Tzu's concepts as the source of his success in consolidating China into one country. Cao Cao transcribed Sun Tzu's ideas into a short book, The Art of War, which has been the blueprint for waging war and doing business in China and the Far East ever since.