Zhuge Liang's Northern Expeditions, undertaken between 228 and 234 CE, stand as some of the most ambitious and significant military campaigns in the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. These expeditions were led by Zhuge Liang, the renowned Prime Minister and military strategist of the state of Shu Han, with the strategic goal of challenging the dominance of the state of Wei in Northern China.

After successfully stabilizing the southern region through his Southern Campaign, Zhuge Liang turned his attention northward. His primary objective was to weaken the state of Wei, led by Cao Pi and later Cao Rui, and to restore the Han Dynasty by reuniting China under Shu Han rule. Zhuge Liang's Northern Expeditions were driven by both strategic necessity and a sense of fulfilling the legacy of his lord, Liu Bei, the founding emperor of Shu Han.

The expeditions, numbering six in total, were marked by a series of battles, sieges, and maneuvers against the forces of Wei. The geographical and logistical challenges of these campaigns were immense. Zhuge Liang had to navigate through the treacherous terrain of the Qinling Mountains and secure supply lines over long distances, while also facing a formidable and well-entrenched enemy.

One of the key features of the Northern Expeditions was Zhuge Liang's use of ingenious tactics and innovative technology, including the wooden oxen and flowing horses to transport supplies, and the use of psychological warfare to outwit the enemy. Despite these innovations, the expeditions faced significant challenges. The Wei forces, aware of Zhuge Liang's reputation as a master strategist, adopted largely defensive tactics, avoiding major confrontations and focusing on cutting off Shu Han’s supply lines.

The most notable battles during these expeditions included the Battle of Jieting and the Battle of Wuzhang Plains. In the Battle of Jieting, a critical defeat for Shu Han, Zhuge Liang's forces suffered due to strategic miscalculations and the loss of key positions. Conversely, the Battle of Wuzhang Plains was a prolonged standoff that demonstrated Zhuge Liang's strategic patience and ability to maintain morale over extended periods.

Despite Zhuge Liang's brilliance and the dedication of his troops, the Northern Expeditions did not achieve their ultimate goal of significantly weakening Wei or reunifying China. The campaigns were constrained by logistical difficulties, the formidable defenses of Wei, and the limited resources available to Shu Han.

Zhuge Liang's final campaign, the fifth expedition, culminated in the Battle of Wuzhang Plains, where he fell ill and passed away. His death marked the end of the Northern Expeditions and was a significant blow to the morale and military aspirations of Shu Han.