Zhuge Liang’s Legacy – Chengdu’s Three Kingdoms Temple (Vlog)

2.28. China is torn in the bloody civil war of the Three Kingdoms era. The strategist Zhuge Liang must defend his city against a huge invading army with only a handful of soldiers. So what does he do? He orders the city gate to be opened wide, sits calmly atop the ramparts, and begins playing his guqin in front of the bewildered invading army. Convinced that Zhuge Liang had laid out an elaborate trap, the invading general Sima Yi decided to withdraw all his troops. The defender had just brilliantly employed the empty fort strategy. While this story comes from the fictional Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Zhuge Liang was a very real person, and 18 centuries after his death, his legacy is still revered. Behind me is the Wu Hou Ci, the shrine to the Marquis of Wu, the posthumous title granted to Zhuge Liang for his loyal services to the kingdom of Shu Han, one of the Three Kingdoms, whose capital was right here in Chengdu. But who was the man behind the legendary strategist? Zhuge Liang came from a family of government officials, but quickly embraced a more carefree life of travelling, reading and reflecting. Liu Bei, the soon-to-be founder of the kingdom of Shu Han, famously sought him out personally three times to recruit him as an advisor. From that point on, Zhuge Liang became one of the key architects of Liu Bei's rise to power. Besides leading armies and administering territories, the advisor helped forge the famous alliance with Sun Quan against Cao Cao, leading to the Battle of the Red Cliffs, one of the turning points of Chinese history. When Liu Bei declared himself emperor and founded the kingdom of Shu Han, he made Zhuge Liang his Cheng Xiang, or chancellor. With dedication and skill, Zhuge Liang became an epitome of loyalty and competent government. But Liu Bei fell gravely ill only two years later and appointed Zhuge Liang as a regent for his underage son Liu Shan. Zhuge Liang would accomplish many more deeds as a regent before his death in 234, at around 53, ultimately earning the title of Wu Hou, Marquis of Wu. But he was not buried here in Chengdu. Rather, the Wu Hou Ci is a shrine dedicated to his legacy, built centuries after his death, but its spot was not chosen randomly, as it sits right next to the Huiling, Liu Bei's own tomb. Today, both structures are part of a large temple complex. Indeed, the Wu Hou Ci is the result of centuries of restorations and enlargements, with the oldest parts excluding the mausoleum itself, tracing back to a large reconstruction under the Kangxi Emperor in 1672. But what's inside the shrine to the Marquis of Wu? While the exterior is splendid in and of itself, these buildings are full of treasures. Despite being called the shrine to the Marquis of Wu, Zhuge Liang isn't actually the first figure we meet inside. We are first met with a shrine for Liu Bei, housing the largest statue of the complex. Towering over the hall, the founder of Shu Han is depicted surrounded with loyal attendants, but he is rarely represented alone. On either side, he is forever surrounded by his two famous brothers-in-arms, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei. The former, having himself been elevated from a general to a deity of war, stands in the eastern hall along with his legendary Green Dragon Crescent Blade and his sons. Zhang Fei can be found in the western hall. As we continue deeper in the complex, we reach Zhuge Liang's actual shrine in the next hall, housing a statue of the legendary strategist. The Marquis of Wu is represented holding his famous Eagle Feather Fan and surrounded by his own sons. People still come to pay their respects for this epitome of wisdom and loyalty. But besides these eminent figures, the Wu Hou Ci upholds the memory of many more people of the Kingdom of Shu Han, including dozens of officials and generals. These helped keep the state alive and prospering for the 42 years of its existence, until its conquest by its northern neighbour, the Kingdom of Wei. The complex also contains various artefacts, sculptures and inscriptions from many dynasties across the times. However, the Wuhotse is much more than a complex of buildings and altars. As in many shrines and temples, nature is also contemplated here. Between the halls, the complex opens into carefully cultivated gardens, where ponds, trees and sculptures create a very relaxing atmosphere. An elaborate bonsai garden notably sits on the north side of Liu Bei's mausoleum, a peaceful microcosm in contrast with the bustling city surrounding it. Chengdu has obviously transformed considerably across the centuries, now standing as one of China's most populated cities and most developed. However, in its heart, the legacy of Zhuge Liang and the founder of Shu Han, Liu Bei, is still preserved to this day. Thanks for watching this historical vlog. 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