Pang Tong - Personal Overview Pang Tong (179-214), courtesy name Shiyuan, was born in Xiangyang (now Xiangfan, Hubei) and was a famous counselor and general under Liu Bei during the Three Kingdoms period.
When Pang Tong was young, he was simple and blunt, without any knowledge. But his uncle, the great celebrity Pang Degong, valued him very much and thought he was unusual. At that time, Sima Huiqing, a native of Yingchuan, was elegant and upright, and had a reputation for being good at discerning character. Pang Tong went to pay him a visit. When they met, Sima Hui was picking mulberries from a tree, so Pang Tong sat under the tree and started talking to him. The more the two talked, the more they became more and more speculative. They talked on one tree and under the other until late at night. Sima Hui felt that Pang Tong was truly extraordinary, and sincerely praised Pang Tong as the leading talent in Nanzhou. He also praised: "Pang Degong is indeed good at knowing people, and Pang Tong is indeed unique!" From then on, Pang Tong's reputation gradually became prominent. Pang Degong ranked him with Zhuge Liang and Sima Hui, saying that Kong Ming was Wolong, Pang Tong was Fengxiao, and Sima Hui was Shui Jing. Soon, the county appointed Pang Tong as a meritorious official. Pang Tong has a good understanding of people. He likes to judge the quality of people and cultivate the reputation of others. However, when he praises others, he often goes beyond the person's actual talent and uses many flattering words. At that time, people felt strange and asked why. Pang Tong said: "Nowadays, the world is in chaos, elegance and Taoism are late, there are few good people and many bad people. If you want to promote customs and develop Taoism, if you don't have a beautiful story, you will not have a good reputation, and there will be few people who do good things without admiration. Today, ten If you lose five, you still get half of it, but you can worship the world's teachings and let those who are determined to do it on their own, isn't it?" ("Three Kingdoms·Shu·Pang Tongzhuan")? Zhou Yu, the general of Wu State, helped Liu Bei capture Jingzhou and served as the governor of Nanjun. Pang Tong was still a meritorious official. Zhou Yu died and Pang Tong was buried in Wu. Many people in Wu heard of his name, so when he was about to return west to Jingzhou, many famous people gathered at Changmen to see him off. Lu Ji, Gu Shao, and Quan Cong all attended the gathering. Pang Tong began to comment on people again. He said: "Lu Zi can be said to be a slave horse with the power to relax, and Gu Zi can be said to be a slave ox capable of carrying heavy loads and traveling far." Then he said to Quan Cong: "You are good at giving and admire people, just like Runan. Although Fan Zizhao is not very intelligent, he is still good for a while. "Lu Ji and Gu Shao said to Pang Tong: "To make the world peaceful, we should communicate with you about the people from all over the world" ("Three Kingdoms·Shu·Pang Tongzhuan") . Therefore, Pang Tong became deeply acquainted with them and returned. Afterwards, someone asked Pang Tong: "In your opinion, is Lu Ji better than Gu Shao?" Pang Tong said: "Although the horse is excellent, it can only carry one person. The ox can travel thirty miles a day, and it can only carry one person." Where is the weight of a person?" It is said that Gu Shao went to see Pang Tong and stayed at Pang Tong's place, and the two started talking. Gu Shao asked, "You have a reputation for being good at understanding people. Tell me, who is better between you and me?" Pang Tong said, "When it comes to cultivating the world and identifying people, I can't compare to you. But when it comes to the role of emperors, I can't compare with you." Secret strategy, the most important thing is to rely on me, I am a little better than you." Gu Shao thought that Pang Tong's words were reasonable and got close to him. Liu Bei occupied Jingzhou and served as pastor of Jingzhou, and Pang Tong served as a trial magistrate of Leiyang County. He ignored county affairs while in office, performed poorly and was dismissed from office. Wu general Lu Su wrote a letter to Liu Bei, recommending Pang Tong. The letter said: "Pang Shiyuan is not a hundred-mile talent. He should be given the task of handling the affairs of the country and others before he can show his talents." ("Three Kingdoms·Shu·Pang Tong Zhuan" 》). Zhuge Liang also talked about Pang Tong to Liu Bei. So Liu Bei summoned Pang Tong. The two discussed ancient and modern times, and Liu Bei thought highly of him and appointed him to govern the country. Since then, Liu Bei relied heavily on Pang Tong second only to Zhuge Liang. Pang Tong and Zhuge Liang were both military advisors. Once, Liu Bei had a chat with Pang Tong and asked him: "You once served as Zhou Yu's meritorious officer. I heard that when I went to Wu State, Zhou Yu sent a secret letter to Sun Quan and asked Sun Quan to detain me. I wonder if this is true? Whose? Of course you should be loyal to someone, you don't have to hide it." Pang Tong replied: "Indeed, I have something to ask for from Sun Quan, so I had to go see him, but I almost fell into Zhou Yu's hands!" Liu Bei also said: "The world. Wise men have the same opinion. Kong Ming also advised me not to go, and he insisted again and again, presumably because he was afraid that Sun Quan would detain me. However, I thought that what Sun Quan wanted to be wary of was Cao Cao in the north, and he should hope to have me as his helping hand. , so I insisted on meeting him without any doubts. Now that I think about it, this is indeed a risky move and not a foolproof plan." In the 16th year of Jian'an (211), Fazheng went to Jingzhou on the orders of Yizhou Mu Liu Zhang to welcome him. Liu Bei entered Yizhou and refused Zhang Lu. Fazheng secretly presented his secret plan to Liu Bei and asked Liu Bei to take the opportunity to capture Yizhou. Liu Bei hesitated again and again and could not make a decision.
Pang Tong spoke up and said: "Jingzhou is desolate and ruined, and all its people have been lost. With Sun Quan in the east and Cao Cao in the north, it is difficult to achieve great development. Yizhou has a household registration of one million, fertile land and abundant products. If we can really capture this place, it will be our foundation." , I can accomplish great things." Liu Bei was still worried: "The one who is different from me now is Cao Cao. If Cao Cao is anxious, I will be generous, if Cao Cao is cruel, I will be kind, and if Cao Cao is cunning, I will be loyal. It is possible to win the hearts of the people and achieve success. Now, in order to win Yizhou, is it possible to break the trust of the world?" Pang Tong said: "Now is the time of chaos, everything cannot be adhered to, and it is better to annex the weak and attack the dark. Being obedient and repaying someone with righteousness is what the ancients valued. As long as you return a piece of land to him after the matter is settled, who can say that you have betrayed your trust? If you don't capture Yizhou now, you will do it later. Others took advantage of him." Liu Bei believed that Pang Tong was right and decided to leave Zhuge Liang, Guan Yu and others to guard Jingzhou, while he led Pang Tong and led tens of thousands of soldiers into Yizhou. Yizhou herdsman Liu Zhang and Liu Bei met in Fucheng, and Pang Tong offered his advice: "Now that we have met, we can hold it, and the general can settle down in a state without having to use troops." Liu Bei said: "When you first enter another country, you have no kindness and trust. "This is impossible" ("Three Kingdoms·Shu Shu·Pang Tongzhuan"). Liu Zhang entertained Liu Bei and his men ceremoniously, allocated a lot of additional troops, food, grass, and military supplies to Liu Bei. Even the strategic pass of Baishui Pass was given to him for supervision, and he was ordered to lead his troops to attack Zhang Lu. After Liu Zhang finished explaining, he returned to Chengdu, while Liu Bei led his troops to Jiameng Pass. At this time, Liu Bei's strength had greatly increased. He had more than 30,000 troops, his chariots and horses were in order, his soldiers and armor were bright, there was sufficient food and fodder, and his morale was boosted. But he did not attack Zhang Lu immediately. Instead, he stopped at Jiameng and cultivated kindness to win the hearts of the people. In December of the seventeenth year of Jian'an (212 years), Liu Bei had been stationed at Jiameng Pass for a year. Regarding strategic issues, Pang Tong presented Liu Bei with three secret plans: "Yin selects elite troops, marches day and night, and attacks Chengdu. Zhang is neither powerful nor prepared. When the army arrives, he can decide it in one fell swoop. This is the best plan." Yang Huai , Gao Pei, Zhang's famous general, each had strong troops and guarded the key points. After hearing several notes to admonish Zhang, he sent the general back to Jingzhou. Before the general arrived, he heard that there was an emergency in Jingzhou and wanted to rescue him. They dressed up and returned to their original appearance. The two sons were impressed by the general's reputation and liked the general's departure. They planned to come to see him on light cavalry. The general therefore took hold of them and advanced his troops to Chengdu. This was a plan to return to the White Emperor. He even led to Jingzhou, and Xu returned to it. This is a plan. If he doesn't go there, he will be in great trouble and won't last long." ("Three Kingdoms·Shu·Pang Tongzhuan"). Liu Bei believed that the plan was reasonable and acted accordingly. He killed Yang Huai and Gao Pei, and sent his troops directly towards Chengdu. He made great progress all the way, successfully conquering all the places he passed, and soon reached Fucheng (see the Battle of Yizhou). In Fucheng, Liu Bei gathered his soldiers, drank wine and had fun, feeling satisfied. He took advantage of his drunkenness and said to Pang Tong: "Today's meeting can be said to be a joy." Pang Tong said: "To attack the country of others for the sake of joy is not a benevolent soldier." Liu Bei was already drunk at the time, and said angrily: "King Wu is attacking Zhou. Singing before and dancing later, is this not a good thing? Your advice is inappropriate, should you get up quickly?" So Pang Tong stood up and retreated. Liu Bei immediately regretted it and asked him to come back. Pang Tong returned to his original position and sat down, without looking at Liu Bei or apologizing, and eating and drinking freely. Liu Bei said: "Who is at fault in Xiangzhe's theory?" Pang Tong said: "Both the emperor and his ministers are at fault" ("Three Kingdoms·Shu Shu·Pang Tong Zhuan"). Liu Bei laughed, and the joyful atmosphere returned to the banquet. Soon, Liu Bei surrounded Luocheng (today's Deyang and Guanghan areas). Pang Tong led his troops to attack the city, but was shot by a flying arrow and died. He was thirty-six years old. Liu Bei felt very sorry for him and shed tears whenever he mentioned Pang Tong. In recognition of his meritorious service, his father was appointed Yilang and later promoted to the post of Admonishment Officer. Liu Bei posthumously granted Pang Tong the title of Marquis of Guannei and his posthumous title of Marquis of Jing. After Pang Tong died, he was buried in Luofengpo. The cemetery was only lightly maintained. It is said that this was the cemetery chosen by Liu Bei himself. But looking to the north of the house and to the south, it is a geomantic treasure land with a tombstone.
Pei Songzhi commented on the debate between Liu Bei and Pang Tong: "Although the plan to attack Liu Zhang was based on Tong, it was successful because it violated justice. It was due to deception. Since the heart felt guilty, it was joyful to restrain itself. Therefore, When I heard Bei's words of praise, I didn't realize that I was right. When I was preparing for a feast, I was happy and misfortune. , to cover up the slanderous words. "Pang Tong is good at understanding people, and he has many brilliant ideas. His words are sure to hit the mark. He is truly a talented person of his generation. It is a pity that he died young and failed to achieve great success, which is regrettable.