Zhuge Liang had to lament “My life is over” when which old general appeared?
During the Three Kingdoms period, it was said that the total production output, total population and military force of Shu was not even one-third of that of Wei.
In such a situation, Zhuge Liang’s persistence in sending troops to the North was a waste of manpower and resources.
But who says that a small population and low GDP cannot lead troops to attack other countries? If that were the case, the Huns, Mongols or Manchus would not have been able to invade Central China.
Image of Zhuge Liang character in the movie.
Is it because after comparing those economic indicators, if a country cannot fight, it can only sit there and wait to die? This point shows Zhuge Liang’s devotion and wholeheartedness to the Shu Dynasty and his military talent.
In order to help Liu Bei fulfill his last wish, Zhuge Liang spared no expense in leading his army to the North six times, and fought many times with the Wei state at Qishan and Guanzhong… Although he could not achieve complete victory, the Shu state always had the upper hand in each Northern expedition.
In 234 AD, Zhuge Liang once again personally led more than 100,000 troops to Qishan. The Shu army, under the command of the Prime Minister, marched straight to the banks of the Wei River.
When the news of defeat continued to reach the capital Luoyang, Wei Ming Emperor Cao Rui urgently summoned his ministers to discuss strategies. Originally, the Wei army had Cao Zhen commanding the troops on the front lines. After decades of dedication, he had gained the trust of three emperors: Cao Cao, Cao Pi and Cao Rui. He himself had also done his best to prevent Zhuge Liang’s many attacks, but unfortunately, Cao Zhen had passed away by then.
Wei Ming Emperor had no choice but to ask Sima Yi – a famous strategist who had been in hiding for decades – to come forward.
But when Sima Yi arrived at the front line, he realized that if he fought Zhuge Liang, he would surely lose. However, as long as he continued to be patient and not fight, Zhuge Liang’s evil schemes would not be able to do anything.
Even when Zhuge Liang sent Sima Yi a set of women’s clothes, Sima Yi happily and comfortably wore them.
But faced with the fierce fighting spirit of the Wei generals, Sima Yi could no longer resist and requested permission to lead his troops into battle. As a result, Cao Rui assigned the veteran general Xin Pi to take the position of Grand Marshal and set up camp at the Wuzhang Plain.
Tan Ti did not say much, placed the token the Emperor gave him in front of the camp and said that whoever wanted to fight would have to step over his dead body.
Exhausted, Zhuge Liang died at Wuzhang Hill during his 5th Northern Expedition. Image of Zhuge Liang in the movie.
When Zhuge Liang heard this, he looked up to the sky and lamented: “With just Sima Yi, I could still motivate him to go to battle, but now with Xin Pi coming, I’m afraid it will be difficult for me to gain any achievements in the Northern Expedition. My life is over here!”
Later, Zhuge Liang fell seriously ill and died in the Wuzhang Plain. Emperor Ming of Wei rewarded Xin Pi’s great achievements, promoted him to the position of Wei Wei, and granted him the privilege of being worshiped at Cao Cao’s ancestral temple after his death.