气宇轩昂 — “Lofty bearing; dignified and imposing demeanor”

Far back in July of 208 AD, Liu Bei suffered a defeat at Dangyang and fled to Xiakou. At that time, Sun Quan had only heard of Zhuge Liang's great reputation but had never met him in person. Although the burning of the camps at Bowang and the defense of Xinye were brilliantly executed, Zhuge Liang was, after all, only twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old. For such a major war, Liu Bei sending only him to 'ally' against Cao Cao – was he truly significant enough? Eastern Wu also had a multitude of strategists; could he compare to them?

After listening to Lu Su's report, Sun Quan said indifferently, 'Let him first see the talents of our Eastern Wu!' And he had already informed the Eastern Wu advisors to wait in the outer hall. Zhuge Liang entered calmly with Lu Su. After introductions, they sat down.

The group of Eastern Wu advisors began to scrutinize Zhuge Liang carefully. Zhang Zhao and others, seeing Zhuge Liang's graceful and refined demeanor, and his imposing and dignified bearing (this is the meaning of '气宇轩昂', the original text used this idiom: 'Zhang Zhao and others saw Kongming's elegant and flowing spirit, and his imposing and dignified demeanor...'), anticipated that this man must have come to persuade them. Thus, a fierce debate ensued. As a result, the Eastern Wu advisors were one by one defeated by Zhuge Liang's responses, which were at times humorous and eloquent, and at times righteous and stern. This is the famous historical story of 'Tongue-lashing the Scholars.'

From then on, the Sun-Liu alliance was formed, jointly resisting Cao Cao from the north, marking a significant event in the history of the Three Kingdoms.