Chinese strategic and military thought dates back some 5,000 years.Ancient Chinese clan chiefs fought to establish dominance and create dynasties. Not until the Shang dynasty, which came to power in 1766 B.C, that the "Seven Military Classics" is established. Its vast, central theocracy rested on the nobility’s military prowess. Society had four classes: the ruling elite, the royal family, slaves and commoners, mostly serfs. The military bureaucracy headed a royal army of about a thousand soldie