I want to know about Pang Tong in the Three Kingdoms

Pang Tong (179-214), courtesy name Shiyuan, was born in Xiangyang (now Xiangfan, Hubei Province). He 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 the 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, and praised: "Pang Degong does have the ability to know 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.

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 evil 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")?

Wu general Zhou Yu 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 your reputation, 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 slave horse is excellent, it only carries one person. The slave ox can travel thirty miles a day. , how can it carry only the weight of one 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 made sense and got close to him.

Liu Bei occupied Jingzhou and served as pastor of Jingzhou, and Pang Tong served as the magistrate of Leiyang County on a trial basis. 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 don't know if Is this true? You should be loyal to whomever you serve. You don't have to hide it." Pang Tong replied: "It is true." Liu Bei sighed with emotion: "I was in crisis at that time, so I had to ask for help from Sun Quan. I went to see him. I almost fell into the hands of Zhou Yu!" Liu Bei also said: "All the wise men in the world had the same idea. Kong Ming also advised me not to go, and he insisted again and again, thinking that he was afraid that Sun Quan would detain me. .

At that time, I thought that what Sun Quan wanted to be wary of was Cao Cao in the north, and he should want me to be 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 Shepherd Liu Zhang to welcome Liu Bei to Yizhou and resist Zhang Lu. Fazheng privately presented his secret plan to Liu Bei, please Liu Bei took the opportunity to seize Yizhou. Liu Bei hesitated and could not make a decision. He said: "Jingzhou is desolate and ruined, and all its people have been lost." Moreover, with Sun Quan in the east and Cao Cao in the north, it was difficult to achieve great development. Yizhou has a household registration of one million, fertile land and abundant products. If we can really seize this land and use it as the foundation, we will be able to achieve great things. Liu Bei was still worried: "The one who is different from me now is Cao Cao. Cao Cao is anxious, so I am lenient, Cao Cao is tyrannical, so I am kind, and Cao Cao is cunning, so I am loyal." If you go against him in everything, it is possible to win the hearts of the people and achieve success. Now, for the sake of Yizhou, is it possible to break one's trust in the world?" Pang Tong said: "Now is the time of chaos and separation, and we cannot stick to the rules in everything. We must adapt to the shackles. Moreover, annexing the weak, attacking the dark, submissive and defensive, and repaying with righteousness are exactly what the ancients valued. As long as the matter is settled and a piece of land is returned to him, who can say that you have breached your trust? If you don't take advantage of Yizhou now, others will take advantage of you. 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 tens of thousands of soldiers into Yizhou.

Yizhou herdsman Liu Zhang and Liu Bei met in Fucheng. Pang Tong offered advice: "Now that we have gathered together, we can take control of it. Then the general can sit down and secure a state without the effort of using troops. "Liu Bei said: "When I first entered another country, I have not yet expressed my kindness, so this is not possible." ("Three Kingdoms·Shu·Pang Tongzhuan"). Liu Zhang entertained Liu Bei and his men grandly, and allocated many more men, horses, food, grass and military supplies to Liu Bei. , even the strategic pass Baishui Pass was given to him for supervision, and he was ordered to lead his troops to attack Zhang Lu. After Liu Zhang finished the task, he returned to Chengdu, while Liu Bei led his troops to Jiameng Pass.

At this time. Liu Bei's strength increased greatly, and he had more than 30,000 troops. His chariots and horses were in order, his troops were well-equipped, his supplies were sufficient, and his morale was boosted. However, he did not attack Zhang Lu immediately. Instead, he stopped at Jiameng to build a tree of kindness. Winning the hearts of the people.

In December of the 17th year of Jian'an (212), Liu Bei had been stationed at Jiameng Pass for a year. Pang Tong offered Liu Bei three secrets on strategic issues: "Yin selects elite soldiers. He attacked Chengdu day and night. Zhang was neither armed nor prepared. When the army arrived, he made a decision in one fell swoop. This was the best plan. Yang Huai and Gao Pei, Zhang's famous generals, each had strong troops and guarded the key points. After hearing several notes advising Zhang, they sent the generals back to Jingzhou. Before the general arrived, he heard that there was an emergency in Jingzhou and wanted to rescue him. He dressed up and made his appearance. The two sons not only admired the general's reputation, but also liked the general's departure. They planned to come on a light horse to see him. The general therefore Hold on to it and advance its troops towards Chengdu, which is a trick. Return to Bai Di, even lead to Jingzhou, Xu Huantu, this is a plan. If you don't stop brooding, you will be in great trouble and you won't be able to survive for a long time" ("Three Kingdoms·Shu·Pang Tongzhuan").

Liu Bei believed that the plan was reasonable and acted accordingly. He killed Yang Huai and Gao Pei and waved his hand. The troops headed straight for Chengdu, conquering all the places they passed, and soon reached Fucheng. In Fucheng, Liu Bei met with his soldiers, drank and had fun, and said to Pang Tong in the excitement of the wine: "Today's victory." Yes, it’s a joy. But Pang Tong said: "It is not a benevolent soldier to attack the country of others for the sake of joy." Liu Bei was already drunk at that time, and said angrily: "King Wu is attacking Zhou, singing in front and dancing in the back, is this not a benevolent person?" Your words are inappropriate, should you speak out quickly? "So Pang Tong stood up and left. Liu Bei immediately regretted it and asked him to come back. Pang Tong sat down in his original position without looking at Liu Bei or apologizing, and he was eating and drinking freely. Liu Bei said: "As for the commentator, who is wrong? ? "Pang Tong said: "Both the king and his ministers are lost" ("Three Kingdoms·Shu·Pang Tongzhuan"). Liu Bei laughed, and the joyful atmosphere returned to the banquet.

Pei Songzhi commented on the dispute between Liu Bei and Pang Tong He said: "Although the plan to attack Liu Zhang was based on Tong's rule, it was successful because it was contrary to justice. The reason was deceitful. When the heart was guilty, it was joyful and self-defeating. Therefore, when I heard Bei's words of praise, I didn't realize that I was straightforward and right. When preparing for a hearty banquet, when things go wrong, I enjoy misfortunes together. Since I competed with the King of Martial Arts, I have no regrets. His words, "Both the king and his ministers are in trouble," cover up the slanderous words.

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Soon, Liu Bei surrounded Luocheng (today’s Guanghan area of ??Deyang). 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 deplored it very much. Pang Tong burst into tears. In recognition of his merits, he appointed his father Yilang, and later he was promoted to the posthumous title of Jianyi. , was buried in Luofengpo. The cemetery has only simple maintenance. It is said that this is the cemetery chosen by Liu Bei. Looking south from the north of the house, it is a geomantic treasure and there is a tombstone in Pang Tong's tomb.

About 2 kilometers away, there is the ancestral temple built by Liu Bei. It is arranged in three sections and four sections, with stone and wood structures (stone walls, stone pillars, stone columns, stone colonnades, and stone windows). It is simple, honest, solemn and solemn, with a mountain gate, a mountain gate, and a stone window. The "Dragon and Phoenix" Second Master Hall, the "Qifeng" Hall, and Pang Tong's Mausoleum contain sculptures of Pang Tong and Zhuge Liang, as well as a large number of precious cultural relics and historical materials such as plaques and couplets, inscriptions, calligraphy and paintings. The scholar Lu You of the Song Dynasty once wrote a poem when he passed by Pang Tong's tomb. One poem:

Passing the tomb of Pang Shiyuan on Lutoushan Mountain

Shiyuan has been dead for thousands of years, and the mourning is passing through the temple.

It is often difficult to reconcile in the sea, how can it be easy to understand the heart of heaven. .

Heroes are hated through the ages, and their fathers are thought of when they are old. He was a talented man who made many surprising plans and always hit the mark. It is a pity that he died young and failed to achieve great success.