Zhuge Liang was renowned for his brilliant foresight in the Three Kingdoms era, and following this, Liu Bei embarked on a formidable journey. Regarding Zhuge Liang, the common folk have passed down various tales about his character, many of which paint him as a figure of great wisdom, originating from the legendary figure, Hoang Nguyet Anh.
Hoang Nguyet Anh is often described as exceptionally intelligent, graceful, and capable, almost like an ideal woman. Yet, ironically, in the eyes of others, she was frequently characterized as unattractive.
Is the legacy of Zhuge Liang truly marred in history?
The legacy of Zhuge Liang, known primarily as the daughter of Hoang Thua Ngan, does not hold a significant place in official history; she is often referred to simply as Hoang Thuy. Hoang Nguyet Anh is a name that has become part of popular folklore.
According to historical accounts, Hoang Thuy has been recognized as one of the ten most unattractive women in ancient China.
One commentator noted this, referencing La Quan Trung: “Zhuge Jin, son of Zhuge Liang, is from the Tư Viện. His mother, Hoang Thuy, is the daughter of Hoang Thua Ngan. She is described as unattractive, yet possesses great talent: excelling in both literature and martial arts, she was well-versed in all kinds of books. When Zhuge Liang was in the south, it was known that Hoang Thuy was capable of great feats.”
The mother of Zhuge Jin is also the daughter of the renowned scholar Hoang Thua Ngan. Hoang Thuy is credited with remarkable abilities, but is often described as “unattractive, sharp-witted, and resourceful,” thus lacking a prominent historical legacy.
La Quan Trung’s viewpoint is derived from the text “Tư Dương ký“, which contains the following observations:
“Tư Dương ký” mentions: Hoang Thua Ngan conversing with Kong Ming (Zhuge Liang): “I heard that you are in a difficult situation; there is a girl known for her poor appearance with dark hair and skin, but with extraordinary talent.” At that time, everyone was in awe of her, leading to the saying: “The girl in question resembles Kong Ming, but you will not find someone like A Thuy.”
This “A Thuy” refers specifically to the unattractive daughter of Hoang Thua Ngan. The label of “unattractive” for Hoang Thuy arises from her father’s description of her in relation to Zhuge Liang.
But what does having dark hair and skin imply about her attractiveness? It seems that this does not hold much weight. We must consider the personality, character, and circumstances surrounding the individuals involved.
As a prominent figure in Jingzhou, Hoang Thua Ngan was well-known in the Jiangnan region, frequently interacting with notable individuals such as Bao Duc Cong, Thuy Kinh, and other prominent figures. It is said that she had a sharp intellect, which would lead Zhuge Liang to often speak highly of her.
Furthermore, historical texts have long recorded Hoang Thua Ngan’s character as “bright and carefree,” depicting her as a free-spirited figure, unbound by societal norms. Hoang Thua Ngan had gifted her daughter to Zhuge Liang. Given the circumstances, her self-description as “an unattractive girl” should be taken lightly, as it reflects a humorous nature.
Chinese culture has historically emphasized modesty, often referring to themselves with phrases like “unworthy” or “humble.” At that time, Hoang Thua Ngan had “brought forth a daughter of noble lineage,” hence she must have been even more modest.
Zhuge Liang established a deep connection with her, and after this, Hoang Thua Ngan dedicated her daughter to Zhuge Liang, not requiring any formal title or position. From this, we can see that Hoang Thua Ngan was quite free-spirited and carefree.
Thus, focusing solely on Hoang Thua Ngan’s words, believing that her daughter Hoang Thuy was truly unattractive is unjustifiable.
How did Hoang Thuy truly appear?
Hoang Thua Ngan herself was a prominent figure in Jingzhou, known for her beauty and coming from a wealthy family in Tư Dương. Liu Bei (the first emperor of the Three Kingdoms) married the youngest daughter of the wealthy family after he seized Jingzhou and became the first to establish power. This indicates that the mother of Zhuge Liang was primarily a daughter of the Liu family. According to historical records, Liu Bei’s wife had a striking appearance, and Liu Bei “fell in love with the beauty of her father”…
The beautiful younger sister, being the daughter of a wealthy family, could not have been ordinary. As a figure of noble descent, Hoang Thuy would not have needed to worry about her garments, so why would she be labeled as unattractive?
Why does folklore persist in labeling Hoang Thuy as Hoang Nguyet Anh, believing that she has always been unattractive for centuries?
Zhuge Liang, from Kong Ming, and the name “Kong Ming” suggests brilliance; his name, Hoang Nguyet Anh, implies brightness and clarity, reflecting the meaning of both names.
Folklore emphasizes that while Hoang Nguyet Anh might appear unattractive externally, she was extraordinarily talented, often serving as a strategist in various battles, greatly benefiting Zhuge Liang in his military strategies.
Chinese culture tends to value the balance of aesthetics. Zhuge Liang was able to balance both intelligence and spirit; thus, he could not have been with someone unattractive. Life often does not revolve around appearances, and being overly perfect might lead to a superficial existence.
Regarding Hoang Nguyet Anh, despite being labeled unattractive, she possesses a unique talent, proving to be a balance of beauty and intellect. Scholars regard inner beauty as paramount. The fact that Zhuge Liang loved Hoang Thuy despite her lack of conventional beauty reflects the extraordinary nature of their relationship.
The conclusion is that the folklore surrounding Hoang Thua Ngan’s daughter, Hoang Thuy, has been burdened with the label of “unattractive” for centuries, overshadowing her remarkable talents.
