At the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty and in the Three Kingdoms period, continuous military conflicts broke out. The focal point was the battles and alliances among the three major warlords: Cao Cao, Sun Quan, and Liu Bei, with the leading generals being Zhuge Liang, Lu Bei, and Zhao Yun.
Living in a turbulent time during the late Eastern Han Dynasty, these legendary figures have left behind enduring legacies. Although not frequently appearing, the talents of these three individuals are indeed rare and remarkable.
So, who are they?
First, Zhuge Liang
Zhuge Liang is a famous strategist during the Three Kingdoms era.
Zhuge Liang, known as the “Sleeping Dragon” or “Kongming,” is a legendary figure renowned for his extraordinary wisdom and knowledge in military strategy, diplomacy, and governance. According to the Records of the Three Kingdoms, Zhuge Liang is depicted as a person of great intelligence and outstanding insight. When Liu Bei sought to recruit him, he was already in the service of Liu Bei and played a crucial role in the establishment of the Shu Han state.
In Records of the Three Kingdoms, Zhuge Liang’s appearances are relatively sparse, but his dialogues demonstrate his remarkable foresight and innate strategic talent.
When Liu Bei was in dire need of assistance, Zhuge Liang famously said, “Longyang and Shiyuan are two who can help us in dire times.“
Longyang and Shiyuan in this context refer to Zhao Yun and Xuande, respectively.
However, after Liu Bei introduced Zhao Yun to him, Zhuge Liang lamented, stating, “Longyang may be strong, but he is not wise.“
While Zhao Yun may exhibit bravery, he lacks the wisdom required in critical moments. The situation during that time was indeed quite precarious.
Of course, after Liu Bei had recruited Zhuge Liang, he wholeheartedly supported Liu Bei in establishing the Shu Han state, forming a significant historical alliance in the Three Kingdoms era. However, it is regrettable that Zhao Yun later passed away during the Northern Expedition while the campaign was still ongoing, leaving behind an indelible mark on history.
A brief statement from Zhuge Liang carries profound meaning, revealing his insight and foresight in assessing people and the strategic capabilities of this legendary figure.
Second, Pang Tong
Pang Tong is recognized as one of the eminent strategists.
Pang Tong, also known as “The Phoenix,” hailed from Jingzhou. He was a prominent strategist with exceptional talents and understanding, especially during the late Eastern Han period. During his time, Pang Tong had significant connections with Zhuge Liang, Zhao Yun, and others…
According to the Records of the Three Kingdoms by Chen Shou, Pang Tong is credited with promoting Zhuge Liang as “Longyang,” while Zhao Yun is referred to as “Shiyuan.”
Pang Tong is regarded as influential in the rise of the two eminent strategists, Zhuge Liang and Zhao Yun. Zhuge Liang held him in high esteem.
Governor Liu Bei often sought Pang Tong’s counsel but was frequently turned down. Liu Bei, after realizing his importance, opted to recruit him, but they never had a meeting.
Later, Pang Tong took his leave to reside in the mountains of Lushan. Those who passed by could not meet him.
Third, Li Yi
According to the Legend of the Immortals by Cai Hong, Li Yi resided in the region of Shu (now known as Chengdu, Sichuan Province). He was born during the Han Wendi era but lived through the Three Kingdoms period. There are also accounts that he was the 17th generation descendant of the philosopher Laozi, renowned for his profound wisdom.
Li Yi possessed remarkable forecasting abilities. Legend has it that before the campaign at Diliang, Liu Bei wanted to consult the commander of the Shu Han army, and he had once summoned Li Yi to inquire about the future. Li Yi promptly produced a piece of paper and drew 40 prophetic diagrams regarding military strategies, yet in the end, he chose to remain silent.
Liu Bei disregarded the advice, resulting in a significant failure at Diliang.
Li Yi was a figure of great importance on the battlefield, yet he remained low-key and elusive, which led Liu Bei to doubt his reliability. Eventually, Liu Bei had to establish a military strategy based on his predictions.
In fact, the predictions made by Li Yi turned out to be far too accurate. He had drawn 40 prophetic diagrams concerning the military encampments of Liu Bei along the river, but these diagrams were disregarded, leading to the destruction of those camps. One significant figure remained on the battlefield, while another, who was nearby, faced an inevitable downfall due to the failures and the death of Liu Bei. The term “Bach” in the diagrams symbolized Liu Bei’s loss at the city of Chengdu. Before his passing, Liu Bei had sent his son, Liu Tian, to Zhuge Liang for assistance.
What remains critical is that the military predictions of Li Yi were proven true, revealing his exceptional talents.
Source: Sohu, 163, Baidu
