In Romance of the Three Kingdoms Chapter 37, Liu Bei embarks on one of the most iconic quests in Chinese literary history: his relentless pursuit of Zhuge Liang, the reclusive genius destined to shape the fate of Shu Han.
Fueled by loss, hope, and unwavering resolve, Liu Bei’s journey to Longzhong is not merely a search for a strategist – it is a test of character, humility, and vision. While historical records offer a more restrained account, Luo Guanzhong’s novel transforms these visits into a mythic rite of passage, where perseverance meets providence. This chapter marks the threshold between Liu Bei’s wandering years and the dawn of his imperial ambition.
Sima Hui’s endorsement: Elevating Zhuge Liang to mythic stature
After Xu Shu’s departure, the hermit-scholar Sima Hui (styled “Water Mirror”) visits Liu Bei’s camp. When Liu Bei laments losing Xu Shu, Sima Hui smiles and says:
“Xu Shu’s talents are but those of a county magistrate. But Zhuge Kongming? He is no mere official – he is the equal of Jiang Ziya and Zhang Liang!”
By comparing Zhuge Liang to Jiang Ziya (the legendary strategist who helped found the Zhou dynasty) and Zhang Liang (the mastermind behind the Han dynasty’s rise), Sima Hui places him in the pantheon of China’s greatest statesmen. This endorsement ignites Liu Bei’s imagination and deepens his conviction: only Zhuge Liang can restore the Han.
Historically, Sima Hui did praise Zhuge Liang and his circle – calling them “sleeping dragons” – but the dramatic dialogue in the novel is largely fictional, crafted to heighten anticipation.
First Visit: An empty cottage and unshaken resolve
Liu Bei, accompanied by Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, journeys to Longzhong in Nanyang. But upon arrival, he learns Zhuge Liang is away on a leisurely tour. Disappointed yet respectful, Liu Bei leaves a handwritten letter expressing his admiration and intent, then departs.
On the return path, he meets Cui Zhouping, one of Zhuge Liang’s close friends. Cui warns that “the Mandate of Heaven has shifted; even sages cannot reverse fate.” Yet Liu Bei remains undeterred. His mission is not just political – it is moral: to uphold righteousness in a collapsing world.
This encounter, while absent from historical texts like the Sanguozhi, serves the novel’s theme: true leadership persists even when wisdom advises surrender.
Second Visit: Through snow and scepticism
Undaunted, Liu Bei returns – this time in the dead of winter, with heavy snow blanketing the hills. Zhang Fei grumbles, calling the effort foolish:
“A country bumpkin isn’t worth such trouble!”
But Liu Bei rebukes him:
“If you don’t come in person, how can you expect sincerity in return?”
They arrive only to find Zhuge Liang out again, this time visiting friends. They meet his younger brother, Zhuge Jun, who confirms his absence. Liu Bei leaves another message, still hopeful.
Historically, Chen Shou’s Records of the Three Kingdoms states simply:
“Liu Bei visited Zhuge Liang three times before he finally met him.”
The novel expands this terse note into a narrative of trials, emphasizing Liu Bei’s humility, patience, and moral superiority over warlords like Cao Cao or Sun Quan, who relied on force or inheritance rather than virtue.
The meaning of the Three Visits: Beyond history
Though the Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage are rooted in fact, their legendary embellishment reflects deeper cultural values:
- Respect for talent over rank
- The ruler as servant of virtue
- Destiny forged through sincerity
For Liu Bei, each failed visit was not a setback, but a step toward legitimacy. By humbling himself before a young recluse, he proved he was no ordinary warlord – he was a true heir to the Han ideal.
And when he finally meets Zhuge Liang in Chapter 38, the Longzhong Plan will unfold – a blueprint that reshapes the Three Kingdoms.
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