Zhuge Liang, courtesy name Kongming, is one of the most important figures on the Shu Han side of Romance of the Three Kingdoms. He is celebrated for extraordinary strategy, political ability, and loyalty.
After Liu Bei visits him three times at his rural retreat, Zhuge Liang agrees to enter his service. He presents a broad strategy based on alliance with Eastern Wu, resistance to Cao Cao, and the acquisition of Jing and Yi territories, helping define the political path that leads toward the tripartite division of the realm.
Around the period of the Battle of Red Cliffs, Zhuge Liang plays an important role in the formation of the Sun–Liu alliance. After Liu Bei secures Yi Province and establishes Shu Han, Zhuge Liang becomes increasingly central to the administration of the state.
Following Liu Bei’s death, Zhuge Liang serves Liu Shan and becomes the dominant political and military leader of Shu Han. After stabilizing the southern regions, he repeatedly launches northern expeditions against Cao Wei in the hope of restoring the Han cause. He eventually dies while with the army at Wuzhang Plains.
Romance of the Three Kingdoms further transforms Zhuge Liang into a near-legendary symbol of intelligence through stories such as borrowing arrows with straw boats, calling the southeastern wind, and the Empty Fort Strategy. Within Celestial Generals, he is an essential Person Subject linking Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, and the later Shu network, rather than a Deity figure defined by personal martial combat.
