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Zhuge Liang Analysis

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Zhuge Liang Analysis

The three kingdoms were an exemplary division of China that led to the understanding of

the social economic and political structure of the Chinese people. The Han historical dynasty

dates back to a time when kings never headed the three states but emperors who amassed great

wealth and honor during their rulership (Luo & Roberts, 2004). Therefore, the most crucial

aspect of the three kingdoms was not the emperors. Sinologists argue that various characters

shaped the existence of the kingdoms. One most important character is Zhuge Liang (Kongming)

who many people remember for most of the unique abilities (De, 2008). A feel of the Chinese

cultural beliefs remains embedded in the character, coupled with his appreciation of intricate

duties such as politics and historical creatures. This character colonized the Chinese historical

past, and it is why the three kingdoms remain in memory in his absence. The character analysis

exposes the most vital details about him, as a diplomat, regent and a believer in the Confucian

and Tao beliefs. Further, it advances his background as having influenced his later life as a

staunch believer in the Chinese history and religion. Also, the paper looks at his personality

concerning his political life in a bid to expose his relationships with others and the guiding

principles that influenced his beliefs. The great Chinese respect for nature also remains exhibited

by this character. They include the patterns of weather but most importantly their influence in the

overall life of every Chinese as concens their advancement among other nations (De, 2008).

Therefore, Zhuge Liang emerges first as a Daoist figure and then as an ideal politician who

helped in shaping the prospects of the Chinese.

Background Analysis

Zhuge Liang was also famous as a Kongming and people considered him as one of the

most accomplished and most eared strategists in the Chinese history. In the turbulent era of the

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three kingdoms, his character came in handy in the solving of problems through exemplary

advice and solutions and his impeccable mastery of the Daoism and sometimes with a lace of

Confucianism. For this reason, Liang was known as a patron of the martial arts and a respected

believer in philosophy (De, 2008). People nicknamed him the hidden dragon or sleeping dragon

because of his unpredictability and nature of hiding away from the populations of normal

Chinese leaders. They also considered Liang as one of the most popular statesmen despite his

desire to maintain a low profile. It, thus, exposed him to the public administration, rising to the

ranks of a regent. Even in his time, a word about his exemplary skills, character and

philosophical beliefs spread through word of mouth. Leadership is one of the attributes that

determined the success of a nation. Looking back at the story of the three kingdoms, it is evident

that had they lacked exemplary leadership qualities and advice, they would not have stood the

test of time. It is also attributable to Kongming, a leader of many traits. Liang emphasized

strategic leadership and politics that catered on the needs of the Chinese. This character advised

on the need or analysis of options to develop the best approach that suited the means and

capabilities of the kingdoms. When Liu Bei listened to him, the Han dynasty became the last

surviving of the three (Luo & Roberts, 2004). Therefore, it is evident that the character of

Kongming was not only founded on the beliefs of Daoism but also the mingling with

Confucianism ideals (De, 2008). Kongming, thus, enshrined his beliefs within the philosophical

and religious beliefs, brought pride and glory to the Han dynasty and people remember him as a

great and ideal political leader. These aspects made him respectable among his people and thus a

political figure that influenced the politics and decisions of the Han dynasty.

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Daoism and Religion

Daoism refers to one of the central philosophies of the Chinese. The life of Zhuge Liang

reveals many Daoism beliefs. It depicts the search of meaning in a lie in a bid to finds

consolation for the natural happenings such as life itself. It primarily hinges on the desire to find

inner peace and harmony with oneself to achieve happiness. They regard it as a religion that

covers the soul and spiritual state of an individual. Zhuge's background draws back to the

reasons for the beliefs in Daoism. Kongming grew with his brothers Zhang Jun and Zhang Jin

whose great skills in the military made him to become a devoted political leader. Throughout his

early life, Kongming prided himself of the idea of obtaining self-psychological balance

throughout is conquests on behalf of the Han dynasty (De, 2008). It was among the principles of

Daoism that called on individuals to understand themselves on the precincts of psychology, that

they could solve the challenges that life presented. His Daoist beliefs were strong and Liang

always wore the priestly Tao robe to signify his reverence for the philosophical beliefs.

Moreover, as a philosophical and religious idea, Kongming enshrined his life on these

confines to deal with the praise and honor that the people poured on him. One can argue that

Kongming's life in the Han dynasty pointed towards action yet political inaction in a mystical

manner to stay in line with the universal order and the natural pursuit of human integrity. At first,

Liang thrived in the shadows of his brothers because his integrity beliefs did not allow glory and

praise to elate him. Liang had hoped to stay in his line of duty to make the Han dynasty one of

the best in the three kingdoms. Kongming was a man of mystery following his preference to stay

anonymous and most people during his time had not fully comprehended his appearance (De,

2008). As a young man fighting to maintain the prospects of the dynasty, Liang gave himself to

esoteric rituals of spiritual refinement all to maintain his pure state of mind and spirit. One of the

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great leaders still water reiterated that among the men who had given up themselves to the

Daoism, only Kongming had devoted himself fully to the to the doctrines. It speaks volumes

about this character. His charismatic nature did not stop him from pursuing the spiritual Taoism

belief. It was known all over that this was his overall guiding principle and thus he gained more

respect among the men of his time. One of the features of Daoism is that is the universal origin

of the universe and the law on which men should get their sense of direction and mystical

understanding of rationality. It was the guiding principle of Kongming, and as his praise rents

across the air. Nonetheless, Liang maintained a rather rational spirit in his life (De, 2008). At one

time, people likened his character to those of Guan Zhan and Yue Yi, Chinese men who were

great believers of the philosophy of the soul.

Pride of the Han Dynasty

Kongming brought pride and glory to the Han dynasty. There was a saying that stars

filled the sky of the Han dynasty, which symbolized great leaders. They praised Kongming as

one of the stars around the Han dynasty, and there was no man with great integrity and personal

respect for him. The high and mighty filled their lips with his praise because for many years his

great advice, coupled with the diplomatic and Daoism beliefs, made him to bring glory to the

Chinese (De, 2008). Liang was thus a man of great realms and some compared him to Jiang Ziya

who had helped in the founding of the 800-year Zhou dynasty. At one time, songs were

composed in praise of Kongming,

The sky's curving fault of the blue,

Level earth a chessboard,

Where men their black and white divide,

Disgrace or glory to decide,

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For winners, peace, and comfort,

For the losers tiring soul,

In Nanyang, someone lies secluded,

Securely Sleeping Stay a Bed

Liang was also unpredictable. When people visited him, this person was seldom there

perhaps on a journey to rejuvenation. According to the Laozi, the primary source of Daoism now

referred to as Taoism, and Tao is the way that guides all questions and pursuits (De, 2008). They

deem it as the supra-rational character that makes men revered with great intellectual skills of

leadership. It also underscores that Tao is superior to reason and this could explain why

Kongming's lie was different and why people regarded him as a man whose character exceeded

the natural realms. Although strange, Kongming mastered the Tao knowledge and used it in the

passing of most of its judgments and decisions. According to him, knowledge is distinguisher of

things, and it enabled him to exercise rationality and reluctance when it came to certain aspects

of life. His visions were thus clear, Liang saw the vibrancy of ideas and thoughts, and this gave

him an upper hand when it came to the understanding of the dynasty, its people and its politics.

For instance, where there was good, Liang saw that there were aspects that needed change, where

there was beauty, some aspects of ugliness that needed rectification (De, 2008). Therefore, his

rationality enabled him to understand various nuances that people did not see. For this reason,

Liang depended on the physical word or most of his ideals and perception of life.

Ideal Politics and Confucianism

People remember Kongming as a great and ideal political leader. However, it points back

to his beliefs in the Dao. When the empire was often in shambles and lack of allegiance, they

sought after Liang for guidance (De, 2008). However, the life of Kongming was also laced with

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some beliefs on Confucianism that concerned social matters. It enabled him to exercise his

political ideas in the life of its people. Liang established social characteristics that helped him to

understand their needs regarding empire rulership and war conquests. Although self-avowed

legalist, Liang believed that the social dimension of life was equally crucial in the advancement

of his ideals as a man but most importantly as a leader of his people. This person thus attached

great importance and value on the social dimensions of the Han dynasty and later rising to the

top ranks of eldership due to this reason. One major thing about him is the refusal to indulge in

local elites but rather adopted a rather strict, fair and precise ways of governance. In fact, to

enhance his Confucianism, Liang developed close relations with the members of the literati who

further sharpened his skills. The Confucian beliefs enabled him to solve some of the most

difficult conflicts. For instance, in the conflict between Sun Quan and Cao Cao, he proposed two

incredible solutions for the sake of peace and prosperity of the two warring sides. Liang oared

the solutions of attacking earlier if sun Quan was sure of defeat or surrendering if his army was

deficient. The leaders on sun Quan side agreed with this great advice, and after a series of

analysis of options, it was deliberated that the two were to become allies to prepare for the

upcoming war. It is therefore evident that the life of Kongming was marred by a series of

successful and hard decisions that had to be made for the sake of harmony (De, 2008). These,

therefore, spread his name among many other regions and Liang became a respectable leader of

the Chinese Han dynasty. Due to this scenario, he was later appointed an advisor and personal

officer in the office of the general to assist as a logistics officer and an advisor in times of need.

Also, Kongming was intelligent with an undisputed character. It can be attributed to the

manner in which his Confucian belies married well with the Daoism philosophy thus producing

an overall respected man of integrity and influence. However, despite the respect for the Tao, his

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knowledge base is traced back to science and the arts that enabled him to coin various

perceptions of challenges in the era of the three dynasties. Through his own processes of

learning, research and self-teaching, he was able to add onto what he had already known from

Tao. Therefore, Liang had diverse skills that made him traverse the ranks of respect in leadership

and politics (De, 2008). As an ideal politician, Liang pushed for law enforcement activities

through the adoption of strict disciplinary measures. Liang also sought to engineer rewards and

punishment because his character compelled him to seek justice and good deeds all the time.

This person hoped for an apolitical government that would avoid bad influence and rather sticks

to the Confucian beliefs of effective development of agriculture and handicraft thereby

increasing the power and resilience of the kingdoms. Liang was also sincere and believed in the

need to develop a quality relationship among his subjects but also with the leaders of the

kingdom. It is why he was referred to as ideal because unlike most politicians of his time, and he

wanted to create an environment for equity and respect for philosophy. Liang detested

opportunistic relationships with people and therefore maintained a low profile throughout his

life. Liang admonished his people to maintain the characters of self-cultivation and devotion to

the call of duty in any leadership rank (De, 2008). These qualities and achievements, therefore,

made him one of the great leaders of the Chinese through wisdom and intelligence.

Conclusion

Zhuge Liang, also known as Kongming, is depicted first a staunch Daoist figure and then

as an ideal politician who helped in shaping the prospects of the early dynasty of China, the Han

dynasty. Thus, with the military foundation of Kongming, Liang was able to draw various

understandings of the people and kingdoms around him. Liang developed love and reverence for

the Taoism philosophy with a lace of Confucianism. One would think that his clash of

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philosophical beliefs would render him confused, but instead, he turned at as an intelligent, self-

cultivated individual with respect for social aspects of life. Taoism enabled him to understand

himself, his spiritual needs and the meaning of life while Confucianism exposed him to social

matters. Also, Confucianism made him one of the ideal politicians of his time continually

championing or social change and adherence to social beliefs like equity and constructive

politics.

Furthermore, with religious overtones to both philosophies, Kongming believed in se

preservation of character and integrity, and this made him amass greatness all over China. The

beliefs served as guides in his life, through decision-making processes and in the leading of his

people. Also, his determination to become a scholar made him to embark on self-teaching o both

science and the arts. These later made him a great scholar and intelligent man. The life of Zhuge

was, therefore, a mirror through which the Han dynasty could see its prospects. It made Liu Bei

to trust the decisions of the dynasty with Kongming being that he had previously guided other

successful advances. Overall, Zhuge Liang (Kongming) was of great character because of his

beliefs in Taoism. They, therefore, remember him as a great Daoist figure and an ideal politician

of the Chinese Han dynasty.

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References

De, B. W. T. (2008). Sources of East Asian tradition: 1. New York: Columbia University Press.

Luo, G., & Roberts, M. (2004). Three kingdoms: A historical novel, complete and unabridged.

Berkeley: University of California Press.

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