Zhuge Liang
181–234 · Chinese (Shu Han, Three Kingdoms) · Three Kingdoms Period, Ancient China
Known for: 'The Sleeping Dragon'—China's greatest military strategist and the Merlin of the Three Kingdoms era
Zhuge Liang is the most revered strategist in Chinese history—a genius advisor who served Liu Bei and transformed the tiny kingdom of Shu Han into a credible rival to the much larger Wei and Wu kingdoms. His tactical innovations, diplomatic maneuvers, and administrative reforms are legendary.
He's the central figure of Romance of the Three Kingdoms—depicted as a near-supernatural sage who could predict the weather, create automatic crossbows, and outwit armies through pure intelligence. He died on campaign, trying to conquer Wei.
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