Preface
Zhuge Zhan, a controversial historical figure, his indecision makes people wonder whether he inherited his father's wisdom, and also makes people sigh that he inherited loyalty and blood.
So, does history only record the light of the victors, and bury the regrets of those losers in the long river of time? Why is Zhuge Zhan the last guardian of Shu Han, but it is difficult to inherit the wisdom of his father Zhuge Liang?
What kind of tragic end did his indecision make? Let's step into this long-forgotten history and re-examine this controversial last famous minister of the Shu Han dynasty.
The dilemma of the second generation of Shu Han
Since the establishment of Liu Bei, Shu Han has experienced the rule of three generations of monarchs. However, compared with the founding monarch Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang in his heyday, the later Liu Chan and Zhuge Zhan were controversial. The reason for this lies in the cultivation and teaching of the next generation.
Although Liu Bei is a generation of heroes, he knows that his heir Liu Chan is not a talent, so he has always hoped to use Zhuge Liang as an assistant to jointly govern Shu Han. He personally selected a virtuous person like Kong Ming to assist Liu Chan, in an attempt to cultivate a Ming Jun through his teachings. In this way, you can not only continue your career, but also ensure the long-term peace and stability of Shu Han.
In contrast, Zhuge Liang was relatively negligent in the education of his son Zhuge Zhan. Although he instructed Zhuge Zhan on his deathbed to study humbly and not be complacent, he did not wholeheartedly cultivate his successor like Liu Bei. may be because of Zhuge Liang's own character of worrying about the country and the people, making it difficult for him to spend too much energy on his son's education.
As a result, when Zhuge Liang died, although Liu Chan had Zhuge Liang's earnest teachings, he was still indulged in lust after all, and could not shoulder the heavy responsibility of Shu Han. Although Zhuge Zhan came from a prominent background, he could not fully inherit his father's wisdom and courage, and appeared indecisive in the face of crisis.
This also confirms a truth: the cultivation of talents is not achieved overnight, and requires long-term immersion and sharpening. Although Zhuge Zhan came from a prominent background, if he lacked practical experience and adaptability, how could he inherit his father's qualifications? When Shu Han fell into crisis, Zhuge Zhan's hesitation eventually led to an irreparable tragedy.
Over the years, we have been extolling the exploits of Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang while ignoring their sons. In fact, Liu Chan and Zhuge Zhan also had a bright future, but because of the problem of succession, Shu Han eventually went to ruin. This also shows us that the rise and fall of a dynasty often depends on the quality of its heirs.
Deng Ai attacked Shu Han
In 263 AD, Deng Ai, a general of Wei, led an army to attack Shu Han. As the last prime minister of Shu Han, Deng Ai's invasion of Shu was undoubtedly the biggest challenge facing Zhuge Zhan. Although Deng Ai, a veteran who is sixty-seven years old, does not show any fatigue, but has become more sophisticated and wise because of his years of combat experience.
The troops led by Deng Ai this time can be described as the elite of the elite. They repeatedly defeated the Shu army on the front line, paving the way for Deng Ai to attack Shu Han. These experienced veterans, all of whom have been resting in Fucheng for a long time, have already overcome various difficulties in battle. In contrast, although Shu Han also has famous generals such as Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, he has not been able to cultivate enough backbones after all.
This undoubtedly increased Zhuge Zhan's burden. As a young man who had never experienced actual combat, he was naturally difficult to deal with in the face of a seasoned general like Deng Ai. Moreover, at that time, Shu Han was in danger of internal and external troubles, and Liu Chan failed to fully trust Zhuge Zhan's ability.
Under Deng Ai's attack, the key passes were captured one by one. Even when encountering the natural danger of Jiangyou, Deng Ai also skillfully used the trick of deception and easily overcame this obstacle. This battle not only hit the morale of the Shu army, but also added a lot of problems to Zhuge Zhan.
When Deng Ai entered Fucheng, Liu Chan once again ordered Zhuge Zhan to go and block it. But Zhuge Zhan made a big mistake in military command. Instead of decisively occupying the favorable terrain, he abandoned Fucheng and allowed Deng Ai to march. This not only caused a military defeat, but also greatly damaged the morale of the Shu army.
As a result, the Shu army was defeated and retreated, and Zhuge Zhan could only lead the army to retreat to Mianzhu Pass. This Xiongguan was considered a natural danger at that time, as long as Zhuge Zhan could defend it, Deng Ai would be difficult to break. But Zhuge Zhan was indecisive again and failed to give full play to the geographical advantages of Mianzhuguan. This put Shu Han in danger and was full of dangers.
Deng Ai's agitation plan
In the face of Zhuge Zhan's passive defense, Deng Ai also played his own strategy. He knew very well that although Zhuge Zhan was from a prominent background, he lacked actual combat experience, and it was difficult to win by blindly defending the city. So he came up with a "radical plan" and decided to force Zhuge Zhan to a dead end in a radical way.
Deng Ai's strategy can be said to be watertight. He knew that Zhuge Zhan was from a prominent background, but he was desperate to prove his ability to make up for his father's last wish. Therefore, Deng Ai's temptation to Zhuge Zhan to be knighted as the king of Langya has become the best choice to provoke Zhuge Zhan's vanity.
Sure enough, Zhuge fell for Deng Ai. He was furious and led his army into battle, which was exactly what Deng Ai expected. At this time, Deng Ai's army was already well-trained on the front line, and all of them were veterans who were old and sophisticated. In contrast, although Zhuge Zhan had his father's resourcefulness, he lacked actual combat experience and soon fell into a siege.
In the fierce battle that followed, Zhuge Zhan's army retreated. Even if Huang Chong and other famous ministers of Shu came to help, it would be difficult to resist the onslaught of Deng Ai's troops. In the end, Zhuge Zhan was surrounded and fell into a desperate situation.
At this time, although Zhuge Zhan had made a number of major mistakes, he still did not succumb to Deng Ai's temptation. He calmly thought about his past and said: "I can't cut off the villain Huang Hao internally, I can't balance Jiang Wei externally, and I can't keep Jiangyou, with these three crimes, what kind of face do I have to betray Shu?" These bold words undoubtedly demonstrated Zhuge Zhan's loyalty to death.
Although Zhuge Zhan failed to exert his due wit at the critical moment, he at least retained the blood and loyalty of the Zhuge family. In contrast, although Deng Ai is a generation of famous generals, his methods are not noble. He not only used the means of deception, but also did not hesitate to use Zhuge Zhan's vanity to persecute the other party. I am afraid that this kind of practice of winning by wit will hardly be praised by future generations.
The fall of Shu Han
Zhuge Zhan's death undoubtedly accelerated the process of Shu Han's destruction. The fiasco at Mianzhu Pass completely destroyed the last resistance of the Shu army. Liu Chan was no longer able to resist Deng Ai's attack, and finally had to go and surrender in person.
This once glorious Shu Han Dynasty embarked on the road of decline with Zhuge Zhan's heroic sacrifice. Liu Bei's painstaking business collapsed in the hands of his son and grandson, which made people sigh.
Whether Shu Han can reverse the situation under Zhuge Zhan's hands is probably destined to be a mystery that can never be solved. Although he failed to become his father's successor, he at least at the last moment embodied the courage and loyalty of the Zhuge family.
This may be the only honor he can win for his father. Zhuge Zhan's tragic fate undoubtedly reflects the fall of the Shu Han dynasty.
Although they have a generation of heroes Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang, who is both resourceful, it is difficult to find a suitable successor in the end. This also shows that the rise and fall of any dynasty depends on the ability to cultivate excellent heirs.
Perhaps, Zhuge Zhan's regret is that he cannot fully inherit his father's wisdom. But he at least possessed the loyalty and integrity of the Zhuge family, and stood up for Shu Han at the last moment. Although this could not save the fall of Shu Han, it became the most glorious page in Zhuge Zhan's life.
epilogue
History always leaves us with many regrets. Zhuge Zhan's tragic fate may have been predestined, but this does not erase his last heroic sacrifice. Although he failed to inherit his father's wisdom, he still maintained the loyalty and bloodiness of the Zhuge family.
Perhaps, this is the final answer that history has given to this controversial minister. Let us mourn in silence for Zhuge Zhan's feat, and also sigh for the tragic journey of Shu Han.