Game of Advancement and Retreat (Power Survival and Human Melancholy in the History of Empires)

Author: Shi Lengjin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2007-01-01
Features: Every correct decision originates from the far-sightedness of the wise, ensuring that the chosen strategy aligns with the objective laws of development and reveals the essence of the issue. The birth of Zhuge Liang's "Longzhong Strategy" stemmed from his ability to discern the trends of the turbulent era and make decisions accordingly, rather than relying on mere divine insight. Throughout Zhuge Liang's major achievements in life, whether it was the Longzhong Decision, the Battle of Red Cliffs, or his governance of Shu with both cultural and military prowess, as well as his six northern expeditions from Mount Qi, one thread, runs through it all—the strategy of allying with Wu to resist Cao. This was a fundamental national policy formulated by Zhuge Liang for Liu Bei. Under the historical conditions of his time, Zhuge Liang proposed, established, and defended this political program, making it an indispensable bond for sustaining the Shu-Han regime. Whether good decisions yield ideal results depends on the conditions and opportunities for implementation, as well as the correct execution. The alliance between Sun and Liu to resist Cao was a key component of the Longzhong Strategy and the pillar that enabled Shu and Wu to share power with Wei. Both sides recognized its significance, and through the efforts of figures like Zhuge Liang and Lu Su, the alliance was forged in their unique ways, achieving remarkable success. In fact, Zhuge Liang was a person of considerable background in his time. His ancestor, Zhuge Feng, had served as the Commandant of the Capital, a position of high authority, ranking below the Three Ducal Ministers and above the Nine Ministers in the Western Han Dynasty. During the reign of Emperor Yuan, Zhuge Feng prosecuted the favored relative Xu Zhang, and during the reign of Emperor Cheng, he impeached the Prime Minister Kuang Heng and the Grand Censor Zhang Tan. The Commandant of the Capital was responsible not only for supervising court officials but also for overseeing the regions of Sanfu and the capital, performing a role similar to that of a Circuit Intendant, though with a higher status. It was akin to a merger of today's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the Ministry of State Security. Zhuge Liang's father, Zhuge Gui, had served as a Deputy County Magistrate, likely a high-ranking official in the court. His uncle, Zhuge Xuan, had been a Governor, a position equivalent to a current Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee. From these relationships, it is clear that Zhuge Liang was the son of a prominent and well-connected official. However, given the circumstances of the time, the connections of the Zhuge family alone were insufficient to help Zhuge Liang, the genius politician, achieve his political ambitions. To realize his goal of "compared myself to Guan Zhong and Yue Yi," he had to rely on external forces. Thus, he married an unattractive woman, possibly to enhance his image. Some claimed his wife was highly talented, but this assertion is unlikely to hold up, as women in the Eastern Han Dynasty or feudal society were primarily expected to be virtuous wives and good mothers, with little room for notable talents. The reason Zhuge Liang married an unattractive woman was to advance his political ambitions. His father-in-law, Huang Chengyan, was a person of significant status in the region and was related to the warlord Liu Biao. His mother-in-law's family, the Cai family, was also a local prominent clan. In terms of marriage, Zhuge Liang's choice was clearly deliberate. It was no wonder that some people at the time mocked him, saying, "Don't follow Zhuge Liang in choosing a wife; you'll just end up with Huang Chengyan's ugly daughter." But why didn't Zhuge Liang help Liu Biao or seek a position in his government? There must have been a reason—perhaps he found the opportunities too low for his lofty aspirations. How could a person with such grand ambitions bow to the lure of a few bushels of rice, especially when he was well provided for? Zhuge Liang