Chinese Strategist – Zhuge liang

Zhuge Liang (181-234 AD) was an outstanding statesman and strategist. He was born in what is now Shandong Province, and later settled in Longzhong, to the west of Xiangyang, Hubei Province. Leading a hermit’s existence, Zhuge Liang devoted himself to acquiring knowledge, and his reputation for wisdom spread far and wide.

Meanwhile, after uniting the north, Cao Cao prepared to march south. At that time, Sun Quan controlled the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze, and Liu Bei, the weakest of the three antagonists, was stationed in Jingzhou. Liu Bei went to visit Zhuge Liang three times to ask for the latter’s assistance. Zhuge Liang analyzed the situation in the country in detail for Liu Bei, and recommended that he ally with Sun Quan against Cao Cao. Liu Bei adopted Zhuge Liang’s suggestion and defeated Cao Cao in the Battle of the Red Cliff, his forces emerging as a much stronger power.

Not long after he proclaimed himself emperor, Liu Bei died of illness in Baidicheng. Before he died, he handed over the state power of Shu to Zhuge Liang, to be wielded on behalf of Liu Bei’s son, Liu Chan. In 225, Zhuge Liang led an army south, and pacified the rebellious tribes there. His strategy was to govern through the local chieftains, which greatly improved relations between the Shu government and the minority peoples. Meanwhile, he also carried out far-reaching internal reforms–employing people with ability, stressing agricultural production and construction of irrigation works, and strengthening discipline in the army, which helped Shu quickly overcome a series of crises.

Later, Zhuge Liang launched six expeditions northward aimed at overthrowing Wei and unifying the country, but failed. On his last northern expedition, he died of illness.