Don't misunderstand Zhuge Liang! The truth about burning Sima Yi

History & Culture of East
Oct 9, 2026

Shangfang Valley – the final glorious achievement in Zhuge Liang's life – nearly annihilated his greatest enemy on his northern campaign, Sima Yi. However, fate had decreed the downfall of Shu Han. Nine months without rain in Qishan, then just as Zhuge Liang was setting up his formation, heavy rain fell, sweeping away his dream of unifying the Central Plains and restoring his empire. So why didn't Zhuge Liang order his troops to fire arrows into the valley, or organize an ambush to kill Sima Yi? Let's find out in today's video from Battlecry.