Translated & Authored by Jonathan
Wu
Place of Birth: Yangdu, Langye (Presently Yinan, Shan
Dong Province)
Lifespan: 181 – 234 A.D. (53 years)
Title: Great Commander-in-Chief, Prime Minister, Lord of Wu Xiang,
Loyal and Martial Lord
Zhuge Liang was a Taoist scholar also known as Wo Long,
or Sleeping Dragon. In his younger days, Zhuge Liang lived as a hermit after
escaping his original home with his younger brother, Zhuge Jin.
Upon leaving Liu Bei’s service, the hermit Xu Shu
recommended Zhuge Kongming to Liu Bei. When Xuande was stationed in Xin Ye,
he paid three visits to Zhuge Liang to invite him into becoming his key advisor (1).
Moved by Liu Bei’s sincerity, virtue and morality, Kongming then assented
to serve Liu Bei.
When Liu Bei was being pursued by Cao Cao, Zhuge Kongming
devised a plan to withstand Cao Cao. He personally traveled to Wu and formed
and alliance with Sun Quan, through mediation of Lu Su (2), and fought together
with them against Cao Cao.
During this period, Zhuge Liang advised Liu Bei to conquer
as much territory in the southland as possible (3). In this way, Liu Bei had
a shelter from which he could build up further campaigns.
In the nineteenth year of Rebuilt Tranquility, (214 A.D)
Zhuge Kongming took up the post as Master of the Forces (Commander General)
and assisted Liu Xuande in taking Yi Zhou, along with its Capital, Cheng Du.
In Liu Bei’s absence, Zhuge Liang would always assume
the position of absolute authority and personally commanded Liu Bei’s
army and generals (4).
In the year 219 A.D., the twenty-fourth year of Rebuilt
Tranquility, Zhuge Liang persuaded his master Liu Xuande to assume the position
of King of Hanzhong, after recently defeating Cao Cao in the battle for this
strategic city. And two years later, in 221 A.D., Kongming feigned illness
and recommended the position of Emperor of Shu to Liu Bei.
With Liu Xuande’s significant rise in rank, Zhuge
Liang was also promoted to Prime Minister as well as Commander-in-Chief. After
the assassination of Zhang Fei, Kongming also took up the post of Commander
of the Capital Districts.
In the year 223 A.D., when Liu Bei’s son Liu Shan,
succeeded the throne, Zhuge Liang retained his position as Prime Minister
and was additionally made Protector of Yi Zhou, and Lord of Wuxiang.
As Prime Minister of Shu under the new Emperor, Zhuge Kongming
took charge of all government affairs. Between the years 225 and 230 A.D.,
Zhuge Liang led the armies of Shu to pacify the Nanman tribe in the south
of Yi Zhou. This rich new land became as a lifeline to Shu’s later campaigns.
As Great Commander-in-Chief Who Pacifies the North, Zhuge
Kongming marched north and launched five long campaign against Wei. However,
due to problems with food supplies and conspiracies against Zhuge Liang in
the Imperial court, none of the campaigns was successful. Wei’s Prime
Minister Sima Yi took full advantage of the corrupt palace situation in Shu
by organizing a strong defense against Kongming (5).
In the year 234 A.D., Zhuge Liang passed away at Wu Zhang.
From the beginning to the end of his career, Zhuge Kongming proved to be a
master of politics, strategy and astronomy. He was buried at Mount Dingjun
and titled Loyal and Martial Lord posthumously.
(1) The Zi Zhi Tong Jian contradicts this story by saying
that it was Zhuge Liang who went to visit Liu Bei in Xin Ye and offered his
services. <return>
(2) Added by the author, Lu Su was not mentioned in the original
text but deserves to be mentioned based on historical information that clearly
points out Lu Su’s effort in Shu-Wu relations. <return>
(3) The original text suggests that Liu Bei advised this while
Wu was preparing for Chi Bi. Since I cannot be sure of this fact and to avoid
suggestive comments, I have decided to reword the sentence. <return>
(4) Added the word “absolute” for clarity. To support
the choice of this word, we come back to how Liu Bei trusted Zhuge Liang with
matters of authority. In San Guo Yan Yi Chapter 39, we find this: “’I
fear your brothers will not obey me,’ said Zhuge Liang. ‘Wherefore,
if I am to direct the campaign, you must give me a seal of office and a sword
of authority.’ So Liu Bei gave him both. Armed with these ensigns of
power, Zhuge Liang assembled the officers to receive their orders.”
<return>
(5) Sima Yi was not mentioned in the original text, but I decided
to add his name to pay proper credit to Sima Yi’s defence against Shu.
<return>
© Copyright Jonathan
Wu 2002
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