The Wisdom of Governance in the Twenty-Four Histories

Author: Chi Shuangming
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-06-01
Features: To be a loyal subject, having the ambition to uphold the world is not enough. You must also have the ability. Without some real talent, the weak will not follow you, the strong will not employ you, and even it might be difficult to make enemies, because others simply do not take you seriously. Understanding the overall situation of the world is a crucial ability that cannot be lacking for someone who wants to achieve great things. Zhuge Liang is remembered in history because he mastered both these aspects.
Choosing a ruler. In times of chaos, the core issue is "choosing a ruler." Whom to choose is a matter of principle. Of course, one should choose a great ruler like Duke Huan of Qi or King Zhao of Yan. The ruler must share the same aspirations and have the ambition to rule the world, and be eager to seek talent. Appreciate yourself. Give them a place to showcase their talents. At the age of 27, Zhuge Liang saw some heroes like Yuan Shao, Yuan Shu, Gongsun Zan, Lü Bu, Tao Qian, and Zhang Yang perish one after another in the chaos. Liu Biao and Liu Zhang did not perish but had no future. Others emerged, among whom the most prominent was Cao Cao, followed by Sun Quan. Zhuge Liang was capable of securing a good position with Cao Cao or Sun Quan, but he chose not to go. He preferred to "seek no fame or recognition." For example, Cao Cao. Cao Cao was a great talent, skilled in strategy. His military campaigns largely followed Sun Tzu's Art of War, setting traps and defeating enemies with cunning, changing tactics like the wind. His starting point was not high, and neither in reputation nor in strength could he compete with Yuan Shao. Yet, in the end, he succeeded. He had a far-sighted vision, used the Emperor as a figurehead to command the warlords, developed farmland, accumulated grain, and strengthened his stores. He was also good at exploiting contradictions, dividing and weakening his enemies. In Yan Province, surrounded by five rival warlords like Lü Bu and Yuan Shu, he was never surrounded by a coalition but instead defeated his opponents one by one. At the Battle of Guandu, with inferior forces, he routed Yuan Shao, making him flee in terror. From then on, he was invincible and seemed poised to unify the northern regions. Perhaps Zhuge Liang disliked Cao Cao's ruthless killings in Xu Province, or perhaps he saw through Cao Cao's sinister ambitions of holding the Han Emperor hostage and harboring his own designs. Either way, Zhuge Liang did not join Cao Cao. As for the Eastern Wu, this regime had been tested over time, with the natural barrier of the Yangtze River, the support of the local people, and a large pool of talent. His elder brother was serving there. Yet, Zhuge Liang still did not join Eastern Wu. The Jin historian Yuan Zhun related a rumor that during Zhuge Liang's mission to Eastern Wu, Zhang Zhao suggested that Sun Quan keep Zhuge Liang. Zhuge Liang refused, saying, "General Sun can be considered a ruler, but observing his demeanor, he values me but cannot fully utilize me, which is why I do not stay." Historian Pei Songzhi believed that the encounter between Zhuge Liang and his ruler was rare in the world—how could anyone turn them against each other? Even Guan Yu would not betray his lord, let alone Zhuge Liang! Perhaps Zhuge Liang had already predicted that Sun Quan could not fully utilize his talents as early as in Longzhong, which is why he refused to join Eastern Wu!
As for Liu Zhang, he controlled the upper reaches of the Yangtze River in Yi Province. Yi Province was remote in the southwest, a land surrounded by mountains. The Qin Mountains stood to the north, the Three Gorges to the east, the Great Snow Mountains to the west, and the barrier lands to the south. The land was fertile and rich in resources. In the late Han Dynasty, Liu Yan, the Grand Secretary, was appointed as governor of this province, seeking refuge from chaos while dominating the region. After Liu Yan's death, his son Liu Zhang took over the province and ruled it, but he had little achievement. For Liu Zhang, who was about to be destroyed, Zhuge Liang could not ignore it.
No suitable candidate. He continued to wait and see. Finally, he discovered Liu Bei. Liu Bei was a perpetual loser, then staying in Jing Province as a guest army under Liu Biao. His distant ancestor was Liu Sheng, the Prince of Zhongshan, but by his time, the family had declined. Liu Bei studied under the famous scholar Lu Shi but disliked reading, preferring dogs, horses, music, and luxurious clothes. In the chaos of the world, he rose up, led armies to rescue Xu Province, and even served as the acting governor of Xu Province before losing it. He then joined Cao Cao, who granted him the title of Left General, traveling in the same carriage and sitting at the same table with him. Yet, he secretly plotted to kill Cao Cao and seize Xu Province, only to be defeated and flee. He then joined Cao Cao's rival, Yuan Shao. After Yuan Shao's defeat, Liu Bei had nowhere to hide in the north and moved south to join Liu Biao. Liu Bei was a tough fighter, never giving up, with an open and generous temperament, a respectful and benevolent nature, and a talent for uniting his subordinates, who became his loyal followers. When Guan Yu was captured by Cao Cao, he was treated well but still seized the opportunity to leave and return to his struggling former lord. This alone shows the extent to which Liu Bei could win the hearts of scholars, earning him fear and respect throughout the land, even making Cao Cao say, "Now, the only heroes in the world are you and me. The likes of Yuan Shao are nothing to worry about."