How Did Xu Sanduo’s Father Become a Parent?

In *Soldiers Sortie*, Xu Sanduo's father is Xu Baishun.

Xu Baishun wanted to secure a better future for his son. How did he go about it? He knew his son was clumsy and awkward, and that he didn't measure up to the village head's son, Cheng Cai. He understood the gap between the two was like that between a mule and a horse. So he shifted his focus to Squad Leader Shi Jin, knowing Shi Jin had some influence and could offer recommendations. He hosted Shi Jin lavishly—slapping his own son, over-seasoning the food with extra spice. Xu Baishun held no cards of his own. He had no money at home, lived a pathetic life, and knew no one would ever truly need his help. His son was simple-minded and silly.

His only move was to use respect—extraordinary, almost excessive respect—to try and evoke the other man's compassion. In plain terms, it was begging.

That was the hand he had, and there was no way to play it. But given that constraint, was his strategy itself flawed? No.

He consistently followed one principle: respect human nature, respect self-interest.

In that regard, he actually outperformed 90% of people—even though those individuals had much stronger cards in hand, their insight didn't necessarily match his.

The "superpower" isn't that you're Superman—it's that when everyone around you expects you to be Superman, you inevitably become one.