In the late years of the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220), a peasant revolt, led by Zhao Jiao, broke out. The rebels wrapped their heads with yellow scarves, thus being known as the “Yellow Scarf Army.”
Liu Bei (161-223), a native of Zhuo County (present-day Zhuoxian in Hebei) participated in the suppression of the Yellow Scarf Army, and in the process he managed to gather a small armed force.
Over two decades after the peasant revolt had been put down, the state remained in chaos. The Han court had no effective power. Cao Cao took the emperor from Chang’an to Xuchang. He was only prime minister in name, but he was actually the most powerful figure at court. The warlord Sun Qun set up an independent regime in East Wu, basically disregarding the court. The ambitious, Liu Bei, a descendant of the Han household, was frustrated as he felt he needed some talented people to assist him in the great tasks ahead.
Someone recommended a very capable man to Liu Bei. This man was Zhuge Liang who was known as “Mr. Sleeping Dragon.” Liu Bei was eager to meet him.
Liu Bei prepared some rich gifts, and set out, with his sworn brothers Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, for Zhuge Liang’s dwelling place -the Sleeping Dragon Range in Longzhong (present-day Xiang Fan in Hubei or Nanyang in Henan).
He knocked at the rough door of the cottage and was told that Zhuge Liang had already left. They had to return in disappointment.
Some days after, Liu Bei and his brothers were told that Zhuge Liang had come back. They braved the snow again to go to visit him. But Zhuge Liang had invited a friend to go out and had not returned. Again they did not met him.
Time slipped away till spring was near. Then Liu Bei selected a propitious day for another visit to Zhuge Liang. Guan Yu said, “Brother, you have sought him twice; surely this is showing too much deference. I do not believe this man can be so great; he is avoiding you and does not dare to face you. Why do you so obstinately continue to seek him out?”
“I think you are mistaken too,”agreed Zhang Fei. “How can this villager be such a marvel of wisdom? You should not go again and, if he will not come to you, I will bring him with a hempen rope.”
Liu Bei replied, “In the past, Duke Huan of Qi paid a visit to the home of a common person five times, before finally meeting him. The man we are visiting is a true person of virtue.”
When the three stood again at the door, Zhuge Liang was asleep. Liu Bei and his two brothers waited at the door quietly until he woke up.
Liu Bei cordially asked Zhuge Liang for his analysis of the current situation in China. After making some modest remarks, Zhuge Liang gave a shrewd analysis of the situation and made a telling contrast between the various parties of the time. He proposed a feasible strategic plan for Liu Bei: Jingzhou to be taken first as a base, and the Western Land of Rivers next for the foundation of an empire. By reforming domestic politics, and allying with Sun Quan, making peace with the foreigners to the south and making peace with the Rongs to the west, he pointed out how Liu Bei could consolidate his support and rally more people to his banner. Then when the time was right he showed how Liu Bei could march north against Cao Cao and take power.
Liu Bei invited Zhuge Liang to join his leadership. This proved to Zhuge Liang the sincerity of his desire. Zhuge Liang left Longzhong and joined Liu Bei. Thus began the glorious political career of Zhuge Liang.
