This refers to Water Mirror's comment on Zhuge Liang "Finally found his lord, but not his time". I never thought too much about this comment, I think it's just a vague supernatural way to foreshadow Zhuge Liang's ultimate failure to finish his vision.

But just for fun, if we imagine the Heavens did have a proper plan for Zhuge Liang: joining Liu Bei at the right time will make Shu the ultimate winner at the end and restore Han. What would that right time be?

Mostly using 2010 show as reference, but info and context from book is also welcome.

My idea:

Joining Liu Bei when he held Xu Zhou province. Zhuge Liang spent years travelling the realms observing and waiting. Maybe by chance happen to be in Xu Zhou and felt right to join Liu Bei.

If Zhuge Liang is present, he will be able to prepare defenses better and grow their army earlier and faster (I remember there was a comment where Liu Bei was surprised they had so many men due to Zhuge Liang being good at logistics and recruitment). Their base strength would be stronger in this period, and likely snow ball into a much stronger force into later periods like Chibi and so on.

This period also has many other warlords still alive and pose a threat to Cao Cao's security. One was Lu Bu interrupting his campaign one time, and another was the potential threat by Yuan Shao. Here is where I think major deviations would occur from original timeline:

1. Zhuge Liang's presence can prevent Lu Bu from stealing control of Xu Zhou. Lu Bu might still attempt a coup, fail and get kicked out. Or he might stay until the final defense of Xu Zhou and become casualty to Cao Cao. Ultimately I think Lu Bu will die one way or another.
2. During the final defense of Xu Zhou, Zhuge Liang can mount much better defenses against Cao forces. I don't think they can outright win, but can easily last long enough for Yuan Shao's reinforcements to attack Cao Cao's home territory (include the delay caused by sick son).
   1. Best case defense scenario: Cao Cao forced to retreat to defend against Yuan Shao, Liu Bei can take this opportunity to counter attack. Cao Cao takes heavy losses or even loses to Yuan Shao. Yuan Shao will be a larger player in later periods but easier to deal with than Cao Cao overall.
   2. not good scenario: Liu Bei still loses, but not as badly as before. Escaping with some forces left intact. Liu Bei might be able to escape with Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, and Zhuge Liang. Easier to rebuild their forces or take temporary territory. If Guan Yu escape, Guan Yu will never surrender to Cao Cao in this timeline. He will never establish his fame killing Yan Liang, Wen Chou, or 6 officers through 5 passes. He will not receive red hare. Guan Yu will still be a capable fighter and commander, but much less arrogant (hopefully) and controllable down the line.

It's hard to say how exactly things will go but this time frame could work out for Zhuge Liang. I don't think Zhuge Liang can join too early in the story since he wanted to spend years observing the realm. He wouldn't have formed the strategic plan for dividing the nation by 3 if he just showed up during the time of yellow turbans for example.

IDK what other time you guys think is a possible win condition for Zhuge Liang's employment?