In ancient times, only a high-ranking minister could have a title among ministers. There are many ministers in the three countries, but in terms of proportion, they are very small. In particular, the State of Shu, from the year 214 AD when Liu Bei occupied Yizhou, there were only a dozen or so people with nicknames in the history of fifty years. Since it is a name, there is a distinction between beauty, middle and ugly. Like Zhuge Liang, who played an important role in the Shu Kingdom and was well evaluated in later generations, his nickname was definitely excellent. After Zhuge Liang's death, he was posthumously honored as the Marquis of Zhongwu, which was the best title given to the chancellor by the emperor of feudal society, and few people in history had ever received it.
Zhuge Liang can be called a loyal watch of all the worlds, and the nickname "Zhongwu" is very appropriate
It is worth noting that Sima Shi, a minister of the Wei state, was also the Marquis of Zhongwu, like Zhuge Liang's. This is arguably the greatest satire of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period.
Let's first see where the high-end of the "Chungmuro" nickname is? The dangerous body is dedicated to The Loyalty, the Mighty Rui De, the Martial Arts. Zhuge Liang is a civilian official, if the word "loyalty" is added to the title, everyone is convinced, after all, Zhuge Liang is the representative of ancient loyalty. However, with the addition of a "wu", many people wondered, and they did not see how much martial arts Zhuge Liang had established, and the five Northern Expeditions basically failed. I think that the main reason is that the Strength of the Shu State was the weakest at that time, but it had the upper hand in the momentum of using troops, which was already very rare, and as for success or failure, the ancients believed in Providence and would not be too demanding.
Liu Chan posthumously honored Zhuge Liang with a lofty title
Therefore, Zhuge Liang was posthumously honored as the Marquis of Zhongwu, which was very close to his life's deeds, and even if he was elevated, it was in line with public expectations. Of course, the reason why the nickname "Zhongwu" has become the best should be related to Zhuge Liang. When future generations use this title, they will inevitably compare the people who enjoy the title with Zhuge Liang.
In 251, Sima Yi died and handed over power to his eldest son Sima Shi, who controlled the wei dynasty. In 255, Sima Shi died of illness, and he actually held power for four years. It was also during these four years that he deposed the Wei emperor Cao Fang and replaced him with Cao Fu as emperor, and he quelled the second rebellion launched by the Huainan generals, and he defeated the Northern Expedition of Zhuge Ke, the assistant chancellor of the State of Wu. Logically, how could Sima Shi not have similarities with Zhuge Liang's deeds, and why was he also posthumously referred to as "Zhongwu"?
Xiahou Xiahou's title of "Zhong" Hou was slightly inferior to "Zhongwu"
First of all, when Sima Shi died, although the power belonged to the Sima family, it was not completely victorious, and the Sima family still had to pretend. We know that Sima Yi launched a coup d'état to monopolize power in the posture of the Duke of Zhou of the State of Wei, and he began to pretend, pretending to be very similar, and many people took the initiative to surround him and take Cao Wei's life. After the success of the coup, The Young Emperor Cao Fang of the State of Wei wanted to make Sima Yi a chancellor and add Jiu Xi, but Sima Yi resolutely refused. After Sima Shi came to power, his means were thunderous, but his stature was often bent very low, he did not take credit, dared to admit his mistakes, and many people still thought that he was the heir of the Duke of Zhou.
Sima Shi's title "Zhongwu" is a great irony of the Three Kingdoms
Secondly, Sima Shi controlled the overall situation, but Sima Shi did not replace Cao Wei after all, and if he still appeared as a loyal subject of Wei at this time, he could alleviate many contradictions. From Sima Yi to Sima Zhao, the Sima clan was mainly practical and did not pay attention to false names. Raising sima shi's position very high was more beneficial to Sima Shi's subsequent power. Although Sima Shi was not a loyal vassal of the State of Wei, his exploits were there.
Then there is the fact that the nickname can be changed. Sima Shi's younger brother was later created King of Jin and posthumously honored as King Jing. His nephew Sima Yan was proclaimed empress dowager and posthumously honored him as Emperor Jing. The nickname "Zhongwu" is no more high-end, nor is it as high-end as the imperial title.
Illustrations from the web.