Although Liu Bei already had many fierce generals under his command, he lacked someone who could devise strategies. As Cao Cao's sphere of influence continued to expand and Sun Quan stabilized his position in Jiangdong, Liu Bei grew anxious and began seeking recommendations for advisors everywhere. At that time, Xu Shu and Sima Hui were widely recognized as learned and talented individuals, but unfortunately they could not follow Liu Bei. However, the two of them recommended to Liu Bei a wise hermit living in seclusion in the countryside. Liu Bei was delighted and eagerly asked for this person's name.
The person praised as a worthy scholar by Xu Shu and Sima Hui was named Zhuge Liang, styled Kongming, who in his early years followed his uncle to Longzhong (southwest of present-day Xiangyang, Hubei), built a small house on Wolong Ridge, and supported himself through farming. After his uncle passed away, Zhuge Liang lived alone on Wolong Ridge; having been well-read since childhood, he aspired to assist a ruler in governing the realm, just like Guan Zhong and Yue Yi.
After learning some general information about Zhuge Liang, Liu Bei hurriedly took Guan Yu and Zhang Fei to Wolong Ridge. Near Zhuge Liang's residence, there was a rice field, and as the three passed by, they heard farmers singing while working in the fields. The songs were quite interesting, and Liu Bei had never heard them before. He approached and asked who had written the songs. The farmer smiled and told him that they were taught by Mr. Kongming, who lived on Wolong Ridge. Surprised, Liu Bei bid farewell to the farmer and continued on his way with Guan Yu and Zhang Fei. Arriving at Wolong Ridge, they saw a young page standing outside Zhuge Liang's gate. Liu Bei bowed and told the page he wished to see Mr. Zhuge. The page shook his head, saying that the master had gone out that morning and had not yet returned. Disappointed, Liu Bei asked when he might return, but the page replied that he did not know—perhaps soon, perhaps very late. The three had no choice but to return empty-handed.
In fact, Zhuge Liang deliberately went out when Liu Bei came to visit him; he already knew the purpose of Liu Bei's visit, and he did this to test Liu Bei's sincerity and see if Liu Bei was a wise ruler worthy of his assistance.
A few days later, Liu Bei made preparations and, accompanied by Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, set out once again for Wolong Ridge. This time, Liu Bei still failed to meet Zhuge Liang, as Zhuge Liang had gone out with friends before their arrival. Because the weather was extremely harsh that day, with a biting cold wind and heavy snowflakes falling like goose feathers, and having failed to see Zhuge Liang twice in a row, Zhang Fei's fiery temper flared up. He angrily shouted that they should tie Zhuge Liang up with a rope and bring him before Liu Bei. Guan Yu was also furious, thinking that since Liu Bei had personally come to visit, Zhuge Liang's refusal to show face was utterly insulting. Seeing the two men fuming with rage, Liu Bei continuously tried to calm them down and decided to come back for another visit in a few days.
On the third visit, Zhuge Liang finally did not come out, but Liu Bei had arrived at an inconvenient time—the attendant said the master was taking a nap. Afraid of leaving empty-handed again, Liu Bei quickly said to wait until Zhuge Liang woke up before announcing their arrival. So Liu Bei and his two companions stood outside the door, waiting for Zhuge Liang to wake up. Two hours passed, and the hot-tempered Zhang Fei could no longer contain himself; he paced back and forth outside the house, shouting, "Let me set this thatched cottage on fire and see if he comes out!" Liu Bei and Guan Yu both tried to restrain Zhang Fei.
Zhuge Liang finally woke up. Hearing the servant report that Liu Bei had been waiting outside for a long time, he quickly ordered the servant to invite him in. After these several observations, Zhuge Liang understood that Liu Bei was sincerely visiting him and no longer harbored any suspicion toward him. Once inside, Liu Bei got straight to the point, inviting Zhuge Liang to be his military strategist and laying out his desire to restore the Han dynasty and unify the realm. Zhuge Liang admired Liu Bei's grand ambitions and was moved by his sincerity. The two sat closely together, engaging in a detailed discussion of the world's affairs. Liu Bei was deeply impressed by Zhuge Liang's vast knowledge and talent. In history, Zhuge Liang's analysis of the world situation is known as the "Longzhong Plan."
Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang found their conversation increasingly congenial, both regretting they had not met each other earlier. Subsequently, Zhuge Liang left his mountain retreat with Liu Bei and his companions, officially becoming Liu Bei's military strategist, offering him plans and advice, ultimately helping Liu Bei become one of the three dominant rulers of the Three Kingdoms period.
The story of Liu Bei making three visits to Zhuge Liang's thatched cottage has been passed down through the ages as a tale of sincere respect, and it is also recorded in historical texts; even today, the phrase "three visits to the thatched cottage" is still widely used to describe one person's heartfelt invitation to another.