Zhuge Liang, Master Strategist

From a lonely child in a declining Langya to the hidden dragon tilling the fields of Longzhong; from Liu Bei’s three visits to his thatched cottage and their meeting of minds to the blood-drenched promise made at Baidi; from winning the hearts of the people during the seven campaigns against Meng Huo to his unwavering resolve through six expeditions to Mount Qi, this book paints a sweeping portrait of the turbulent life of one of the most legendary wise men in Chinese history: Zhuge Liang, chancellor of Shu Han.

Follow in Zhuge Liang’s footsteps and experience his years of upheaval in youth and quiet study in Jingxiang. Witness his extraordinary insight into the realm and his grand vision for the Longzhong Plan. Marvel at his astounding talent, from his first appearance in the world to his victory by fire at Bowang, his eloquent debate with the scholars, his borrowing of arrows with straw boats, and his ingenious summoning of the east wind. See the strategic genius with which he allied with Wu against Cao, fought the great battle at Red Cliff, seized Jingxiang by stratagem, and established Shu in Bashu. Then delve into the latter half of his life, spent in tireless service: the heavy responsibility entrusted to him at Baidi, his remarkable southern campaign across the Lu River in the fifth month, his strict enforcement of the law when he tearfully executed Ma Su, and his one tragic northern expedition after another, undertaken with all his heart and soul despite knowing they might be impossible.

This book not only focuses on his almost supernatural military strategy and remarkable ability to govern, but also delicately portrays his unwavering loyalty, his bond with Liu Bei, his loving partnership with Huang Yueying, and his profound helplessness in the face of an unpredictable fate. Through gripping dramatic conflicts and rich historical detail, it depicts how this renowned chancellor of the ages, a man of wisdom, loyalty, ideals, and tragedy, lived by the eternal vow to “work tirelessly until death,” composing a stirring and heartbreaking epic of heroism amid the flames of war.