Zhuge Liang (181 - 234), who named hismself Kong Ming and Wo Long, was an outstanding statesman and strategist.

He was born in Yangdu, Langya (today's Yinan, Shandong province), and later settled in Longzhong where he devoted himself to acquiring knowledge, and his reputation for wisdom spread far and wide. Zhuge Liang did not concern himself with doing textural research into every sentence or chapter like most people did at that time, but to grasp the gist of the articles. Through great efforts, he was familiar with astronomy, geography, and well-versed in the tactical art. He ambitiously hoped to reunify the nation with his own strength. Zhuge Liang also paid great attention to social observation and analysis, and accumulated a wealth of experience in running the country.

Meanwhile, after uniting the north, Cao Cao prepared to march south for the dream of a completely united China. At that time, Sun Quan controlled the middle and lower reaches of Yangtze River, and Liu Bei, the weakest of the three antagonists, was stationed in Jingzhou. Liu Bei went to visit 27-year-old Zhuge Liang three times to ask for the latter's assistance. Zhuge Liang analyzed the situation in the country in detail for Liu Bei, and recommended that he ally with Sun Quan against Cao Cao, By listening to Zhuge Liang's incisive analysis, Liu Bei became suddenly enlightened. He thought that Zhuge Liang was a talent hard to come across, and therefore, he earnestly requested Zhuge Liang to go with him, helping him to complete the great cause of vitalizing Han Dynasty.

Later, Liu Bei adopted Zhuge Liang's suggestion and defeated Cao Cao in the battle of Red Cliff, his forces emerging as a much stronger power.

Not long after he proclaimed himself the emperor, Liu Bei died of illness in Baidicheng. Before he died, he handed over the state power of Shu to Zhuge Liang, to be wielded on behalf of Liu Bei's son, Liu Chan, the new emperor. The southwestern minorities exploited the situation to start an armed revolt. In 225, Zhuge Liang led an army south, and pacified the rebellious tribes there peacefully with his outstanding wit. The leader of the local tribes thus had faith in him. His strategy was to govern through the local chieftains, which greatly improved relations between Shu government and minorities people. Meanwhile, he also carried out far-reaching internal reforms employing people with ability, stressing agricultural production and the construction of irrigation works, and strengthening discipline in the army, which helped Shu quickly overcome a series of crise.

Later, Zhuge Liang launched six expeditions northward in an attempt to overthrow Wei and unify the country, but failed. On his last northern expedition, he died of overworking in Wuzhangyuan military camps (in today's Qishan county, Shaanxi province).

In the eyes of Chinese, Zhuge Liang is the incarnation of wit, and his stories are wide spread.