The way of Zhuge

Zhuge Liang 依法治國

Zhuge Liang is (what we know) a famous statesman. His primary talent is to govern the country and army. In the story of the romance of the three kingdom, he is known as the famous strategist. But in true history, his talent on governing is stronger than his usage of military power. In the three kingdom, Shu is the most governmental , it is the most well-governed nation. This is because of Zhuge Liang, the chancellor of Shu. So what made him able to govern Shu very well?

Firstly, we must find out his different belief and perceptions. Zhuge Liang's perception is based on three philosophy; Confucism, Taoism and Legalism. To make him strong at governing, Legalism is the most important factor.

What is Legalism?

Legalism is a philosophy by Han Feizi. It suggested that the world is not filled with love and that different people have different characteristics. The usage of law is able to equal everyone, regardless of different social class, gender, races, religion and cultures. Death penalty will be given to crime and murderer. And rewards are given to those who contributed and work for the nation. Through rewards and punishments, everyone will follow and stay to be equal.

Legalism is the most suitable method of governing. Zhuge Liang use Legalism to uphold justice and eliminate all greedy and corrupted officials. He make sure punishments and rewards are equal to all. For example, Zhuge Liang have a favorite general named Ma Su. Because of Ma Su's miscalucation, they lose an important land (Jieting). Zhuge Liang have no choice but to execute Ma Su according to military law, even though Ma Su is a genuine strategist. Zhuge Liang was also responsible for the wrongly usage of man, therefore he demoted himself from Prime Minister to General of the Left. This shown that Zhuge Liang's usage of Legalism make everyone equal, and that punishments and rewards are used accordingly, even to himself.

Zhou Yu

遥想公瑾当年,小乔初嫁,雄姿英发,羽扇纶巾,谈笑间,强虏灰飞烟灭。

Wat's 以逸待勞???

This Chinese idiom is known as one of the 36 stratagems, which is "Substitute leisure for labor". This is to preserve one's power and assault the enemy when they are tired. This results in a smooth and swift victory without using much strength of the army.

In Sun Tzu's Art of War, it said that the one to be the first to reach the battlefield will be able to gain the most advantageous place and will not be tired. The one who reaches the battlefield after their enemy, they will not be able to gain good spots and will be tired by the long traveling. Therefore, a great army will reach the battlefield earlier than their enemy and wait for them while preserving their energy with training and rest.

In real life, it means not to waste any time, for a tiny piece of time means a lot of contribution or works. To do and make full preparation is better than hurrying up the job just before the deadline is up. We must always do preparations in advance to understand something before we can act on it. Waste no time, take no delays, be persevere and work things in advance.

Confusion of the three kingdom

In the Romance of the Three Kingdom, it seems so thrilling. And even the movie was more exciting with the special features. Yet many people mistook what they saw was real and decided to judge historical figures in their own perception.

For example, Cao Cao was portrayed as wicked guy that corrupted the Han official. That's why many people hate Cao Cao and considered him as a bad figure. In history, Cao Cao was a different person. Though we cannot go back to the past to find the truth, but we can search the ancient text known as 三国志. It gives a very detailed information on the figures in Three Kingdom Era.

Romance of the Three Kingdom is a novel, a story written by Luo GuanZhong. To make the novel special and thrilling, he changed the history and replace some part with interesting details. And this called for many debates and examination to sort out the truth among the fakes.

For example,

1. Zhuge Liang's Empty Fortress Strategy was considered as fake and unlogic, therefore it never happened in history
   
2. During the Burning of Bowangpo, Zhuge Liang was not yet with Liu Bei
   
3. Zhou Yu was never narrow-minded and was not angered to death by Zhuge Liang
   
4. Zhuge Liang did not order to execute Wei Yan
   
5. There is no such thing as the Five Tiger Generals
   
6. Pang Tong did not die at the so-called "Fallen Phoenix Valley".

PLAN BEFORE U ACT!!!!!

Winning hearts is better than violence

攻心为上,攻城为下;心战为上,兵战为下

What does this quotation means? It means it is better to attack a person by his/her heart than attacking him/her in battle. Firstly, one must not order troops to attack without knowing the hearts or situation of the enemy or an unknown opponent. In Sun Tzu's Art of War:

不戰而屈人之兵,善之善者也.

This means that the wisest stratagem of victory is to win without killing and war. Winning a hundred or thousand wars is not the wisest or best. More war result in more deaths and resources will soon tired out, in the end victory will not be certain.

Therefore a person cannot resort to violence when solving a problem, he/she must put fighting as last resort. If one is able to win over the hearts of the enemy, then fighting is prevented.

Sima Ranju stated that loving the enemy will bring unity stronger. If a general express love and concern not only to his own soldiers but also the enemy's side, they will submit to him. Use the hearts rather than violence.

In the Three Kingdom Era, where Zhuge Liang have a Southern Expedition against the Nanman King Meng Huo. Ma Su, his advisor suggested the quotation and Zhuge Liang was impressed. Zhuge Liang did not kill the enemy, he release them for them to reunite with their families and gave them food supply. The Nanman soldiers and the citizens was touched by his actions and felt that Meng Huo's battle was meaningless, therefore they are unwilling to fight against their benefactor. Zhuge Liang captured Meng Huo but did not execute him, instead he released him for seven times. Meng Huo was so embarrassed with his acts and failures and soon surrender. But Zhuge Liang trust Meng Huo and let him continue the role of Nanman King. Meng Huo was touched by him and soon the Southern Nanman was stabilized.

This is the meaning of 攻城为下,攻心为上。心战为上，兵战为下.

Quotations of the Wise

"夫君子之行：静以修身，俭以养德；非淡泊无以明志，非宁静无以致远。" - 诸葛亮

One should seek serenity to cultivate the body, thriftiness to cultivate the morals. Seeking fame and wealth will not lead to noble ideal. Only by seeking serenity will one reach far. - Zhugeliang

二人同心，其利断金。
If two people are of the same mind, their sharpness can cut through metal. Confucius

天时不如地利，地利不如人和。
Opportunities vouchsafed by Heaven are less important than terrestrial advantages, which in turn are less important than the unity among people. Mencius