In the chaotic world of the Three Kingdoms, the fall of many talents has strangled future generations. Among them, the most unbearable is Pang Shiyuan, who inexplicably died under the arrows of the enemy army.
Compared with Zhuge Liang, Pang Shiyuan was not inferior in both military talent and character. However, it was because of his tragic fate that he died suddenly in the early days of the Revival of the Shu Han Dynasty and disappeared into the long river of history like a short flower.
In the novel, Sima Hui gave the two "Wolong Fengchi" a fairly high evaluation. These two talents can make one of them devote himself to his life, and he can "settle the world", what a praise!
So, which of these two talents is more excellent, Liu Xuande has both, why has he failed to complete the great cause of "an world"?
Let's take a look at a few talents who were active in the upper echelons of the Shu Han Dynasty at that time: Zhuge Liang, Pang Tong, Xu Shu, and Cheng Yu. These are all related to Mr. Water Mirror, and the relationship between them is very harmonious.
In the novel, the appearance time of these four courtiers is different, and the meritorious achievements established for the Shu Han are also different. Zhuge Liang plotted to take Jingzhou, Pang Tong took Xichuan, Cheng Yu pacified Dong'a, and Xu Shu planned to take Fancheng.
Judging from the territory at that time, the strategic position of Jingzhou and Dong'a was significantly higher than that of Xichuan and Fancheng.
So, why are Kong Ming and Cheng Yu's achievements more dazzling than those of the other two?
This is because the strategic approach adopted by the four strategists and their opportunities are different. Let's also focus on the two "Wolong Phoenix Chicks" to see how their strategic approach is different.
We know that Pang Tong was quite loyal to Liu Bei, and the reason why he went to Eastern Wu was to join Liu Bei. In order not to embarrass the lord, Pang Tong did not ask for a high position, but started from the most basic level.
Sure enough, after the Battle of Yuyang, Pang Shiyuan immediately came to the fore and showed his strength to the world. Kong Ming, who was equally famous, was also impressed by the wisdom of the phoenix chicks, believing that he was not as good as Pang Tong.
From here, we can see that since Pang Shiyuan identified Liu Bei, he began to act for the public everywhere and never had selfish intentions. However, we can see the selfish side in Zhuge Liang.
No one can deny Mr. Kong Ming's loyalty after the death of Shu Han's foundation, but in this loyalty, there is also a selfish heart of "only I can save Shu Han". At the time of his fledgling, Mr. Kong Ming had already made himself the core of Shu Han's courtiers. In his plan, the conquest of Jingzhou was only the first part, and Nishikawa was also in his calculation.
However, Kong Ming was weak after all, so it was necessary for him to ask a colleague who was comparable to his own ability to complete this strategic deployment together. Obviously, Pang Tong was the best choice, so Kong Ming would take advantage of the fact that the lord went to Eastern Wu to introduce Pang Tong, making Feng Yan another pillar of Shu Han.
Although Pang Tong joined the Shu army, Kong Ming's plan was implemented. However, there are major differences in the overall strategic approach of the two men. Pang Tong advocated that Liu Bei should focus all his energy on "entering the river", and Kong Ming believed that entering the river at this time was not a good strategy. In order to prevent the two conspirators from disagreeing, the lord Liu Bei wanted to retreat to Jingzhou.
After some time, Pang Tong had an accident at Luofengpo and died in this ambush. Only then did Kong Ming regret it too late, and began to deploy into Sichuan according to Pang Tong's strategy before his death. During this period, Zhuge Liang went to Xichuan and ordered Guan Yu to stay in Jingzhou, which also laid the groundwork for the fall of Jingzhou.
It can be said that the death of Shu Han began with this accident that occurred in Pang Tong. Although Kong Ming destroyed Liu Zhang after entering Sichuan, he implemented the new policy and successfully completed the initial plan of "three points under the heavens". However, the hidden dangers of Jingzhou destroyed the foundation of Shu Han, and after Guan Yu's death, the situation of Shu Han took a sharp turn for the worse. Kong Ming alone gave all his efforts for Jiangshan, and he was unable to turn the tide after all.
Imagine if Kong Ming had identified with this colleague with the same name as himself as soon as possible, the history of the Shu Han Dynasty would have been rewritten. From here, we can also see that Pang Tong's ability in his short life is higher than that of Kong Ming.
Of course, whether it is Pang Shiyuan or Zhuge Kongming, these advisers who were active in the Three Kingdoms era are all good boys, never shrinking back in the face of mission, and only seeking to repay the Lord with their lives. However, the original intentions of these courtiers are different, their wisdom is different, and their ideas are different, so such differences will occur between them.
Finally, let's look at this question again: Why did Liu Bei have both the Dragon and phoenix chicks, but he could not stabilize the world?
The author believes that in the chaotic world, opportunity is the most important factor. Historically, the Shu Han did not have a heavenly time. In fact, Mr. Shui Jing's statement that "two people get one, but the world can be safe" is just an exaggerated praise. Any capable talent can increase the possibility of the chaotic rulers unifying the Central Plains, and perhaps compared with other courtiers, Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong can increase the success rate of the lord more.
However, after all, the argument that only one person can secure the world is too exaggerated, and we do not need to dwell on Sima Hui's assertion.
Resources:
【Romance of the Three Kingdoms" and "Romance of the Three Kingdoms"】