There were so many generals in the Shu Kingdom, but Zhuge Liang only recommended one Xiang Pet to Liu Chan in the "Table of Renunciation". However, when we look closely at the life of the pet, it seems obscure. The Chronicle of the Three Kingdoms is also only a brief mention of his brother Xiang Lang's biography, saying that in the third year of Yanxi, the barbarians in the Hanjia region of the Shu kingdom rebelled, and Xiang Yu led troops to suppress it. As a result, he was killed in the melee, and the soldiers desperately tried to take his body back.
(Obscure to pet)
Even if this is the only record of his failure, why does Zhuge Liang highly praise him in the "Table of Teachers"?
Let's first take a look at how the "Table of Renunciation" evaluates Xiang Pet: "General Xiang Pet, Sexual Behavior Shu Jun, Xiao Chang Military, try to use it in the past, the Former Emperor called it Yue Neng, and it was based on the opinion of the people to raise the favor as the governor." Foolishness thinks that the affairs of the camp, if they are consulted, will be able to make peace in the line, and the good and the bad will be gained. ”
This recommended text of Zhuge Liang is really worthy of our good study in future generations. Discreet, decent, and enthusiastic. Zhuge Liang's recommendation of Xiang Pet does not just say the advantages of Xiang Pet, nor does it just say that Xiang Pet is what I recommended to you, you have to use it. He first said that Xiang Yu was the one whom Emperor Liu Bei had a crush on. Then he said that Xiang Pet is a person who is highly valued by everyone ("The House of Representatives raises the favor as the governor"). Only then did he say the reason for his recommendation ("It will be able to make harmony between the front, and the advantages and disadvantages will be good"), and then make arrangements for Liu Chan ("The affairs of the camp are consulted").
But in fact, as we said earlier, Zhuge Liang highly praised and recommended Xiang Pet, but Xiang Pet seemed to have done nothing in his life, and some actions were also a failed experience. Could it be that Zhuge Liang has lost sight of it?
(Zhuge Liang stills)
In my opinion, Zhuge Liang is not looking away, but is precisely recommended very appropriately. Xiang Pet's life is not without action, but with great deeds. Why?
Earlier we threw out a question, there are so many generals in the Shu Kingdom, Zhuge Liang and other people do not recommend, why do you recommend Xiang Pet? The reason is very simple, because zhuge Liang wrote the master's table for the purpose of how to ensure that the capital is stable and not chaotic. Although there were so many generals in the Shu kingdom, those generals all went with Zhuge Liang on the Northern Expedition, and whether they could do it or not did not need to be told to Liu Chan at all. What Zhuge Liang wanted to tell Liu Chan was the person who protected the safety of the capital. Xiang Pet, who serves as the leader of the middle, is exactly such a person.
Why did Zhuge Liang think that Xiang Yu was the best candidate to defend the safety of the palace?
First, xiang pet has a good personality and a better relationship with everyone. Such a person is not easy to contradict everyone. (Later, after Xiang Pet's sacrifice, his subordinates desperately snatched his body back, which is proof of the good relationship between others.) ）
The second is to be steady in doing things and strict military discipline. After Liu Bei organized the Battle of Yiling and was defeated by Lu Xun, everyone ran back without a life. As a result, it was the Xiang Pet Army of the Tooth Gate General at that time, although it was also on the run, but the pattern was not chaotic, so it was praised by Liu Bei.
(Liu Bei stills)
We all know that the capital is inhabited by high-ranking officials and relatives of the emperor and the state. When the commander of the city defense, if he is very flustered, the discipline is not good, and he encounters danger, how can he defend the safety of the capital?
Therefore, Zhuge Liang's choice of xiang pet is definitely very appropriate.
Then, why did Xiang, who was highly valued by Zhuge Liang, remain obscure all his life?
In fact, I think this is precisely the performance of xiang pets.
As we all know, for Shudi, Liu Bei was a foreigner, and many locals did not obey his rule. After Liu Bei's death, half of the counties rebelled, which is a proof.
However, after Xiang Pet was responsible for defending the capital, there were basically no major incidents in the capital, and there was no chaos, which was the performance of Xiang Pet's good work, which was also Xiang Pet's great achievement.
As for Xiang Pet's later participation in the pacification of the barbarian rebellion and was killed (Zhuge Liang had died at that time), it once again proved that Xiang Pet was only suitable for defending the capital and was not suitable for leading troops to fight. Zhuge Liang left him in Chengdu without taking him to the Northern Expedition, which was a manifestation of knowing people and being good at his duties.
(Reference: Romance of the Three Kingdoms)