“The Ten Biggest Mistakes of Zhuge Liang” offers readers a multifaceted view of Master Kongming, Zhuge Liang.
Portrait of Zhuge Liang.
Sina News published an article titled “The Ten Biggest Mistakes of Zhuge Liang” which led to the downfall of the Shu Han dynasty. This article provides a nuanced perspective on Zhuge Liang, portraying him as he was in reality, rather than as the fictional character depicted in the “Romance of the Three Kingdoms.”
1. Controlling Liu Shan
When Liu Bei died, Liu Shan was still young, and Zhuge Liang took on the role of regent.
As Liu Shan grew up, Zhuge Liang did not return power to him, gradually consolidating both political and military authority in his own hands, even sending people to monitor Liu Shan’s every move.
Liu Shan was angry but dared not speak out, wanting to reclaim power but finding that the entire court was filled with Zhuge Liang’s confidants; he could only rely on the eunuch Huang Hao, leading to a lasting resentment.
2. Exhausting Military Resources for Warfare, Harming the Nation and Its People
During his regency, Zhuge Liang focused solely on fulfilling “the late Emperor Liu Bei’s wishes” and implementing “Longzhong Strategy” (a military tactic aimed at securing land and positioning against Sun Quan and Cao Cao, with the ultimate goal of unifying China under the Liu banner) without regard for the state’s strength or the people’s welfare. He launched six northern campaigns (i.e., six battles against Wei during the Shu-Wei War (228-234)).
However, due to insufficient military strength, he could not conquer the Central Plains, which instead burdened the nation and directly impacted his successor, Jiang Wei, plunging the populace into turmoil.
3. Failing to Seek, Attract, and Nurture New Talent
After Liu Bei’s death, Zhuge Liang neglected to search for, attract, or cultivate new talents. This neglect led Shu to become a place where “talents were as scarce as autumn leaves.” This unfortunate situation steered the course of history towards the downfall of Shu.
4. Restraining and Undervaluing Existing Talents
After Liu Bei’s death, many outstanding talents (such as Zhao Yun) were not utilized, while lesser individuals were promoted.
5. Inadequate Resolution of Internal Conflicts
Zhuge Liang attempted to appease generals with internal disputes rather than resolving their conflicts decisively. During Liu Bei’s lifetime, he appointed Guan Yu, Zhao Yun, Zhang Fei, Ma Chao, and Huang Zhong as the Five Tiger Generals, but Guan Yu was dissatisfied.
Zhuge Liang sent flattery to Guan Yu, making him increasingly arrogant and leading to the loss of Jingzhou.
He employed similar strategies and failed to resolve the conflict between Wei Yan and Yang Yi, allowing the seeds of Wei Yan’s rebellion to take root.
Despite being an outstanding military strategist of China, Zhuge Liang also made mistakes.
6. Not Speaking Out Against Liu Bei’s Mistakes
Liu Bei instructed Guan Yu to hold Jingzhou. Zhuge Liang knew well that Guan Yu could not manage it but did not send Zhao Yun to take over the city, thus he could not evade responsibility for losing Jingzhou.
Zhuge Liang, courtesy name Kongming (181–234), known as the Master of the Sleeping Dragon, was an extraordinary politician and military strategist during the Three Kingdoms period.
When Liu Bei went to fight Eastern Wu, Zhuge Liang did not dare to express the potential dangers of this decision, nor did he request to accompany him, instead taking charge of the rear, which led to Liu Bei’s defeat and death at the White Emperor City.
7. Choosing the Wrong Successor
Zhuge Liang chose Jiang Wei, a general focused solely on warfare, as his successor. After Jiang Wei took power, he disregarded the nation’s strength or the people’s suffering, launching military campaigns nine times to claim the Central Plains, hastening Shu’s demise.
Before his death, Zhuge Liang entrusted all military powers to Yang Yi.
8. Failing to Handle Aftermath Properly
Before his death, Zhuge Liang entrusted all military powers to Yang Yi, who, upon gaining authority, stripped Wei Yan of his military command and pressured him to rebel.
9. Constantly Yielding to Jiang Dong
This allowed Jiang Dong to gain an upper hand, resulting in internal discord.
10. Misusing Personnel
Zhuge Liang often employed individuals without considering their talents or virtues, choosing those with personal connections over others. He overlooked the two talents, the sons of the veteran general Zhao Yun: Zhao Tong and Zhao Guang.
