Mao was a master of Sun Tzu's manual called The Art of War. It would have been interesting if the cartoon series had Dr. Mindbender actually go to Tiananmen Square to get Mao's DNA to complete his ideal Cobra Emperor instead of Sun Tzu's since the latter wasn't a dictator. Mao through various cunning had won many military victories and even overthrew the corrupt Chiang Kai Shek from power. Such traits would have contained the ancient Chinese military knowledge that could have allowed Serpentor to be the best leader for Cobra.
The third episode of "Arise Serpentor Arise" would actually be more interesting if Dr. Mindbender and the Crimson Twins were in Tiananmen Square. Just imagine if Dr. Mindbender would consider the insertion of Mao's as critical to making the Cobra Emperor a better leader than Cobra Commander. Maybe Dr. Mindbender can state that Mao was a master of Sun Tzu's Art of War strategy. This would be where Dr. Mindbender does a terror attack at Tiananmen Square and attempts to get Mao's DNA. However, Sgt. Slaughter manages to finally stop Dr. Mindbender from getting Mao's DNA.
This quote by Mao would've allowed COBRA to seize the capital with guerilla warfare:
Guerrilla leaders spend a great deal more time in organization, instruction, agitation, and propaganda work than they do fighting, for their most important job is to win over the people. “We must patiently explain,” says Mao Tse-tung. “Explain,” “persuade,” “discuss,” “convince”—these words recur with monotonous regularity in many of the early Chinese essays on guerrilla war. Mao has aptly compared guerrillas to fish, and the people to the water in which they swim. If the political temperature is right, the fish, however few in number, will thrive and proliferate. It is therefore the principal concern of all guerrilla leaders to get the water to the right temperature and to keep it there.
If Serpentor had Mao's DNA, he would've probably not strangled Tomax and Xamot for objecting to his reckless plans. Maybe, Serpentor wouldn't have given in to Sgt. Slaughter's challenge. Mao was who knew the value of charisma and persuasion. Maybe, COBRA would've been busy with propaganda or trying to get people to accept COBRA rule. Instead, the lack of Mao's DNA made Serpentor more foolhardy. Mao would probably be methodological with dealing with Sgt. Slaughter. Destro could end up saying, "Yes he lacks patience. His matrix has none of Mao's DNA."
This would be where Dr. Mindbender reveals he's an educated moron. Dr. Mindbender trying to insert Sgt. Slaughter's DNA would be really bad news. Sgt. Slaughter is rather focused on head-on combat than Mao's subtle warfare. Destro would be funny in saying, "Serpentor lacks patience. He has none of Mao's DNA!" I think Serpentor having Mao's DNA would make the newly-born Cobra Emperor think twice before subjugating Washington D.C. or use covert tactics to do so. Announcing that COBRA was attacking Washington D.C. because it's just plain stupid. Mao didn't attack China immediately and his successful takeover would've made Serpentor succeed. Instead, Serpentor lacking Mao's DNA led to disaster.