The temptation of fame, profit, and power can make many people unrecognizable. Even someone as wise as Zhuge Liang could not escape this fate.
Mr. Zhuge transformed from a carefree scholar wandering the lands to a military advisor whose every word was heeded by his lord, and finally into a prime minister with great authority. His mindset and demeanor changed drastically throughout this journey.
Before Zhuge Liang came out of seclusion, he was indifferent to fame and fortune, living freely and easily. Even though the enlightened lord Liu Bei visited him repeatedly, Zhuge avoided meeting him each time, determined to "preserve his life in the chaotic world and not seek prominence among the feudal lords." "Not seeking prominence" meant not pursuing fame or profit, thus allowing him to confidently remain asleep in his humble cottage, turning over and asking his young servant: "Are there any worldly visitors?" When I do not seek you, O Uncle Emperor, what can you do to me?
At that time, Zhuge Liang was just over twenty years old, full of youthful arrogance. Once he joined Liu Bei's army and was respected as a military advisor, having accepted their salary, he sought to demonstrate his strength by helping his lord achieve dominance through risky ventures, thereby losing his former ease and freedom.
As for profit, Mr. Zhuge was not greedy; he never accumulated wealth until his death. However, for the sake of achieving success and gaining prominence among the feudal lords, Zhuge Liang devised plans such as provoking Zhou Yu three times, showing favor to Guan Yu at Huarong Road, and suppressing Wei Yan during campaigns against Cao Wei. The Battle of Red Cliffs marked the beginning of the Sun-Liu alliance. Knowing that the overall commander Zhou Yu was wary of Liu Bei using this opportunity to rise, Zhuge insisted on demonstrating his prowess through exaggerated actions like "borrowing arrows with straw boats" and "borrowing the east wind," inciting jealousy in Zhou Yu. Such audacious behavior and lack of elegance were far from the image of a Confucian gentleman.
When Liu Bei entrusted his son in the White Emperor City, he originally arranged for two ministers, Zhuge Liang and Li Yan, to support his successor, Liu Shan. Of course, there was a distinction between them, with Zhuge Liang being the primary advisor because the dying Liu Bei instructed all three Liu brothers to treat the prime minister as a father, showing no disrespect. He also said that if the heir could be assisted, then assist him. If not, the advisor could proclaim himself King of Chengdu.
Afterward, Prime Minister Zhong Liang, despite having no intention of seizing the throne and remaining loyal, held the status of regent due to the late emperor's decree allowing him to replace the emperor if necessary. This level of prestige is something that, among thousands of prime ministers throughout history, probably only Mr. Zhuge achieved alone.
Examining Zhong Liang's life, it appears he pursued profit the least and cherished his reputation greatly. However, whether he was entirely unmoved by power is worth investigating.
First, Zhong Liang found an excuse to eliminate Li Yan. Transporting military provisions along the difficult Sichuan roads was already challenging, yet Zhong Liang deliberately placed Li Yan in charge of logistics, disregarding his status as a co-regent. Mistakes were made, leading to Li Yan being demoted to commoner status.
Despite the late emperor's warning not to heavily rely on Ma Su, Zhong Liang ignored it and gave him significant responsibilities, resulting in the loss of Jieting. Later, Liu Shan became a student being lectured: "Now Your Majesty does not match the High Emperor, and your strategists are not as capable as Zhang Liang and Chen Ping. Yet you wish to win with long-term strategies and stabilize the empire without moving, which is something I fail to understand." Furthermore, "There should be no favoritism between the palace and the government." All matters, big or small, within the palace must be discussed with officials like Guo Youzhi, Fei Yi, and Dong Yun.
Every matter, regardless of its size, required the emperor to report to ministers trusted by Zhong Liang. How could Emperor Liu Shan be considered an emperor under such conditions?
By this point, Zhong Liang had become overly meticulous, meticulously instructing the emperor and handling military affairs in detail. Even minor punishments of twenty military lashes required his personal attention.
Zhong Liang monopolized major powers while refusing to delegate minor ones, ultimately dying exhausted at Wuzhang Plains.
Disliking money but loving power too much can also lead to tragedy in life.