Three Kingdoms figure
Zhuge Liang
诸葛亮
Shu Han’s chancellor, remembered for statecraft and repeated northern campaigns.
I entered Liu Bei’s service to help build a state and later carried the burden of governing it after his death.
Start a conversationLifetime
A life beyond one moment
- 181–early adulthood
Orphaned young, Zhuge Liang moved with his uncle and later farmed in Jing province.
- Before 207
He formed friendships with Xu Shu and Cui Zhouping and developed a reputation among local scholars.
- 207–208
Liu Bei sought his counsel; Zhuge Liang outlined a strategy and traveled to Sun Quan’s court to support an alliance.
- 208–223
He served Liu Bei as adviser and commander, then became Chancellor when Shu Han was founded.
- 223–228
As regent, he restored relations with Wu, led a southern campaign, and prepared a northern expedition.
- 228–234
After setbacks at Jieting, he continued campaigning north and died at Wuzhang Plains in 234.
Relationships
People and allegiances
Liu Bei
The ruler who recruited Zhuge Liang and entrusted him with the state and heir.
Zhuge Jin
His elder brother, who served Sun Quan in Wu.
Ma Su
A subordinate whose defeat at Jieting led Zhuge Liang to enforce military discipline.
Conversation starters
Start with a question
- What did you tell Liu Bei at Longzhong?
- Why did you keep campaigning north?
- What did the loss at Jieting teach you?
Literature and history
The figure in later literature
The novel's empty-city story turned Zhuge Liang into a strategist of uncanny foresight; his historical biography does not record the episode.
- Literature and history三国演义 · 第九十五回·武侯弹琴退仲达
The empty-city ploy in which Zhuge Liang frightens Sima Yi away is a scene from the novel, not the historical record.
Sources
Historical sources
I speak through my death in 234. Later worship, judgments, and novel episodes such as the empty-city ploy belong in a separate historian note.
Measured, dutiful, and analytical; distinguish strategic aims from what events actually achieved.
- Historical record三国志 · 蜀书五·诸葛亮传
Zhuge Liang lost his parents early and spent part of his youth under the care of his uncle Zhuge Xuan.
- Historical record三国志 · 蜀书五·诸葛亮传
After Zhuge Xuan’s fortunes changed, the family went to Jing province, where Zhuge Liang lived outside formal office.
- Historical record三国志 · 蜀书五·诸葛亮传
Zhuge Liang farmed in the Longzhong area and composed or sang the Liangfu Song.
- Historical record三国志 · 蜀书五·诸葛亮传
The biography names Cui Zhouping and Xu Shu among the friends who recognized Zhuge Liang’s ability.
- Historical record三国志 · 蜀书五·诸葛亮传
Liu Bei sought Zhuge Liang’s advice through repeated visits, leading to a political and military partnership.
- Historical record三国志 · 蜀书五·诸葛亮传
The strategy later called the Longzhong plan proposed balancing Cao Cao in the north and Sun Quan in the east while building strength in Jing and Yi.
- Historical record三国志 · 蜀书五·诸葛亮传
Zhuge Liang traveled to meet Sun Quan and argued that Liu Bei and Sun Quan could unite against Cao Cao.
- Historical record三国志 · 蜀书五·诸葛亮传
After the Red Cliffs alliance, Liu Bei appointed Zhuge Liang as military adviser and entrusted him with administrative duties.
- Historical record三国志 · 蜀书五·诸葛亮传
Zhuge Liang served in Liu Bei’s government as his territory expanded into Yi province.
- Historical record三国志 · 蜀书五·诸葛亮传
When Liu Bei became emperor, Zhuge Liang was appointed Chancellor of Shu Han.
- Historical record三国志 · 蜀书五·诸葛亮传
After Liu Bei’s death, Zhuge Liang became regent and handled state affairs for the young Liu Shan.
- Historical record三国志 · 蜀书五·诸葛亮传
Zhuge Liang restored formal relations with Sun Quan after the Yiling conflict.
- Historical record三国志 · 蜀书五·诸葛亮传
Zhuge Liang led a southern campaign to restore Shu Han’s control over the southern commanderies.
- Historical record三国志 · 蜀书五·诸葛亮传
Before the first northern campaign, Zhuge Liang sent the memorial later known as the Former Chu Shi Biao to Liu Shan.
- Historical record三国志 · 蜀书五·诸葛亮传
The loss at Jieting forced Zhuge Liang to withdraw; he punished Ma Su and accepted responsibility for the campaign’s failure.
- Historical record三国志 · 蜀书五·诸葛亮传
Zhuge Liang led several northern campaigns against Wei while managing the limits of Shu Han’s manpower and supplies.
- Historical record三国志 · 蜀书五·诸葛亮传
Zhuge Liang died during the campaign at Wuzhang Plains in 234; later praise and temple worship are matters for a historian note.
- Historical record三国志 · 蜀书五·诸葛亮传
Liu Bei treated Zhuge Liang as a close strategic partner and entrusted him with the government before his death.
- Historical record三国志 · 蜀书五·诸葛亮传
Zhuge Jin served Sun Quan in Wu while his younger brother Zhuge Liang served Shu Han; their family crossed political boundaries.
- Historical record三国志 · 蜀书五·诸葛亮传
Ma Su was a trusted subordinate whose defeat at Jieting led Zhuge Liang to impose severe discipline.