The Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage (三顾茅庐 Sāngù Máolú) is one of the most celebrated episodes of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Liu Bei, having heard of Zhuge Liang’s talent from Xu Shu and Sima Hui, travels to Longzhong to invite him. Twice he finds the master absent or resting; only on the third visit does Zhuge Liang receive him and present the Longzhong Plan (隆中對): take Jing and Yi Provinces, form an alliance with Sun Quan in the south, and when the time is right march north to restore the Han.
In the Romance
The first two visits emphasise Liu Bei’s humility and Zhuge Liang’s reluctance. Zhang Fei and Guan Yu grow impatient; Liu Bei insists on showing the utmost respect. On the third visit Zhuge Liang is asleep; Liu Bei waits until he wakes. Zhuge Liang then analyses the realm, recommends securing Jing and Yi and allying with Wu, and agrees to serve Liu Bei. The scene established the trope of “three invitations” (三顾) for the recruitment of a great adviser.
History and sources
The Records of the Three Kingdoms state that Liu Bei visited Zhuge Liang three times (sān wǎng 三往) and that Zhuge Liang presented the Longzhong Plan. The Romance expands this into the full “three visits to the thatched cottage” with vivid detail and dialogue. The historical core—Liu Bei’s repeated visits and Zhuge Liang’s strategic outline—is preserved; the cottage, the naps, and the exact conversations are literary embellishment.