Zhuge Liang

Also known as Zi Kongming · Wo Long · Zhu Ge Kong Ming

Zhuge Liang, courtesy name Kongming, came from Yangdu in Langya (modern Yinan, Shandong) and farmed at Longzhong after following his uncle Zhuge Xuan to Jing province. When Liu Bei visited him three times in 207, he proposed holding Jing and Yi provinces in alliance with Sun Quan, the plan later known as the Longzhong Plan; the following year he went to Wu and helped bring about the allied victory over Cao Cao at Red Cliff. Liu Bei made him chancellor on taking the imperial title in 221, and after Liu Bei entrusted his heir to him at Baidi, he was enfeoffed as Marquis of Wuxiang and ran the affairs of Shu Han. He subdued the southern region in 225, presented the Memorial on Dispatching the Troops in 227 and then led several campaigns against Wei. He died in camp at Wuzhang Plains in 234 and was named Marquis Zhongwu. Chen Shou edited his writings in twenty-four sections and judged him stronger at running armies than at surprise tactics.