Contents
Biography & Historical Record
Zhuge Xu was a military official serving the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period. He served as the Inspector of Yong Province (Yongzhou Cishi). During the conquest of Shu in 263 AD, he led a force of 30,000 soldiers to block the path of Jiang Wei at Yinping. However, due to the strategic maneuvers of Zhong Hui and Deng Ai, his contribution was overshadowed and he was later accused of incompetence and lack of bravery, leading to his removal from command. Following the rise of the Sima clan, he transitioned into the Western Jin dynasty, eventually serving as the Minister of Ceremonies (Taichang).
Role in Romance of the Three Kingdoms
In Luo Guanzhong’s masterpiece, Zhuge Xu is depicted primarily as the commander tasked with intercepting the Shu forces. His inability to anticipate Jiang Wei’s tactical ruses highlights the shifting power dynamics during the final campaigns of the era. He is portrayed as a capable but ultimately cautious general whose career suffered due to the intense political and military rivalries between the Wei commanders Zhong Hui and Deng Ai.
Zhuge Xu — Historical & Literary Timeline
Campaign against Shu
Zhuge Xu is ordered by Sima Zhao to lead the Wei army to block Jiang Wei’s retreat at Yinping, playing a critical role in the strategic encirclement of Shu forces.
Key Relationships
Family
- Zhuge Chong (诸葛冲, Gia Cát Xung): Son. Senior statesman in Western Jin who served as Minister of Justice (Tingwei).
- Zhuge Jing (诸葛京, Gia Cát Kinh): Grandson (via daughter/lineage) / clan descendant. Official of Western Jin.
- Empress Zhuge (诸葛夫人, Gia Cát Phu Nhân): Daughter. Imperial consort of Prince of Langye Sima Jin and mother of Emperor Yuan of Jin (Sima Rui).
Friends
- Sima Zhao (司马昭, Tư Mã Chiêu): Regent of Cao Wei (King of Jin). Appointed Zhuge Xu as Inspector of Yongzhou (Yongzhou Cishi) and commander of the 30,000-man central column in the 263 AD invasion of Shu Han.
- Deng Ai (邓艾, Đặng Ngải): Grand General of Cao Wei. Coordinated western pincer maneuvers in 263 AD, though Zhuge Xu refused Deng Ai’s proposal to march through Yinping’s untracked wilderness due to lack of imperial orders.
Enemies
- Jiang Wei (姜维, Khương Duy): Grand General of Shu Han. When Zhuge Xu blocked the Yinping bridgehead to trap the Shu army in 263 AD, Jiang Wei executed Ning Sui’s diversionary feint toward Yongzhou; Zhuge Xu hastily pulled his army back 30 *li*, allowing Jiang Wei to slip past unscathed to Jiange Pass.
- Ning Sui (宁随, Ninh Tùy): Tactical advisor to Jiang Wei who devised the deceptive maneuver that completely duped Zhuge Xu (263 AD).
- Zhong Hui (钟会, Chung Hội): Grand General of Cao Wei. Jealous of military authority at Jiange (263 AD); Zhong Hui reported Zhuge Xu’s hesitation to Sima Zhao, stripped him of his 30,000 troops, and sent him back to Luoyang in a prisoner cart.
Others
- No information
In Novel
Chapter 116
- Zhuge Xu (诸葛绪, Gia Cát Tự): Zhuge Xu is a Wei commander serving under Zhong Hui in the invasion of Shu. He is ordered to block Jiang Wei’s retreat route. Jiang Wei uses a feigned movement to slip past the Wei forces, allowing him to escape toward Yinping while Zhuge Xu fails to prevent the withdrawal.
Chapter 117
- Zhuge Xu (诸葛绪, Gia Cát Tự): After failing to trap Jiang Wei, Zhuge Xu is relieved of his command and brought under Zhong Hui’s authority. His failure demonstrates the difficulty Wei commanders face in containing Jiang Wei during the final Shu campaign.
In History
Wei Service
- Zhuge Xu (诸葛绪, Gia Cát Tự) was a general of Cao Wei who served as Inspector of Yong Province during the final years of the Three Kingdoms.
263 AD
- During the Wei conquest of Shu, Zhuge Xu commanded troops operating from Yong Province. He was tasked with blocking the Shu forces and preventing Jiang Wei (姜维, Khương Duy) from escaping north.
263 AD
- Jiang Wei successfully avoided Zhuge Xu and moved toward Jiange. Zhuge Xu was later incorporated into Zhong Hui (钟会, Chung Hội)‘s campaign force but his command relationship with Zhong Hui became strained.
265 AD
- After the conquest of Shu, Zhuge Xu continued his career under the emerging Jin regime. He held senior civil offices including Minister of Ceremonies and Minister of the Guards.