@Jermofoot:
He created alliances when necessary but also had the keenest tactical sense out of everyone in the Three Kingdoms era
Yep, this is true, Zhuge Liang was the best tactician. Also probably was a diplomatic genius. But from a strategical point of view, both Sima Yi and Sun Quan performed better.
I mean, Zhuge Liang, as you say, managed make Shu a solid stronghold. But by then Wei was simply too big and all Shu could make was make a unstable alliance with Wu to force a draw. If Shu would focused in defense they could have a chance of surviving (after all, Jin itself collapsed in a couple of generations), if teamed right with Wu. But going with that continue series of attacks in northern plains only exausted Shu without real hope of managing a decisive victory (Wei simply could retire to east if, say, Chang An fallen to Shu)
I think that only a solid defense allied with Wu could save Shu in long race. But their only real hope of beating Wei was an exterior force that could cripple enough Wei (Xionghu?)
Anyway, not all fault goes to Zhuge Liang. Jian Wei continued the attacks after Zhuge’s death and whe have that patetic Liu Chan and his eunucs
