Pang Tong
Pang Tong , courtesy name Shiyuan, was a Chinese politician who served as a key adviser to the warlord Liu Bei in the late Eastern Han dynasty of China. In his youth, Pang Tong was disregarded because he was plain-looking. The hermit scholar Sima Hui, however, held him in high esteem and called him the "Crown of Scholars in Jing Province". Pang Tong studied under Sima Hui along with Zhuge Liang, Xu Shu and Xiang Lang, and he was given the nickname "Fledgling Phoenix". Owing to his friendly attitude, he worked as an appraiser in Nan Commandery. When he reviewed someone, he would prioritise their virtues over their abilities and encourage them to help others.
Pang Tong briefly served under Zhou Yu and befriended Lu Ji, Gu Shao and Quan Cong before joining Liu Bei after Liu Bei became the governor of Jing Province in 210. Through the recommendation of Lu Su and Zhuge Liang, Pang Tong was appointed by Liu Bei as an Assistant Officer and subsequently promoted to Military Adviser General of the Household. Pang Tong advised Liu Bei to take over Yi Province and accompanied him on his campaign against the warlord Liu Zhang, but was killed by a stray arrow during a battle at Luo County in 214.
Early life
Pang Tong was from Xiangyang Commandery, Jing Province. In his youth, he looked plain and simple, so aside from his uncle, Pang Degong who valued him, he was not highly regarded by others. When he reached adulthood, he visited the hermit scholar Sima Hui, who was famous for spotting and recommending men of talent. They came to a mulberry tree, where Sima Hui climbed up to get the fruit while Pang Tong sat below, and they chatted for a whole day until nightfall. Sima Hui felt that Pang Tong was an extraordinary person and called Pang the "Crown of Scholars in Jing Province". Furthermore, he remarked, "Pang Degong really knows how to judge people. This is truly a boy of majestic moral character." Subsequently, Pang Tong started gaining more recognition among the scholar-gentry. Like Zhuge Liang and Sima Hui who were respectively nicknamed “Crouching Dragon” and “Water Mirror” by the scholar-gentry, Pang Tong was nicknamed "Fledgling Phoenix" by his uncle Pang Degong.Service as appraiser
Pang Tong later served as an Officer of Merit in Nan Commandery. By nature, Pang Tong was sociable with people and diligent in fostering and mentoring others. Hence, he was nominated to be an appraiser. When he reviewed people, he focused more on their personal virtues rather than their abilities. He was fond of ethical lessons and consistently strove to maintain high moral standards. He usually overpraised when he was asked to assess a person.At times, people were puzzled so they questioned him on why he did that, to which he replied:
Service under Zhou Yu
In 209, Zhou Yu, a general under the warlord Sun Quan, occupied Nan Commandery after the Battle of Jiangling. After Zhou Yu was appointed as the Administrator of Nan Commandery, Pang Tong served as an Officer of Merit under him. When Zhou Yu died in 210, Pang Tong escorted his coffin back to Jiangdong and attended his funeral. Many of the officials in Jiangdong heard of his reputation. When he returned to Jing province, they all accompanied him as he left the city. Among them, Pang Tong met and befriended Lu Ji, Gu Shao and Quan Cong. He also appraised each of them separately and described Lu Ji as "a horse that cannot run fast but has strong willpower", and Gu Shao as "an ox that is physically weak but capable of bearing burdens over great distances". He also compared Quan Cong to Fan Zizhao of Runan describing him as someone generous who admire respectable men.Someone then asked Pang Tong: "Does that mean Lu Ji is better than Gu Shao?" Pang Tong replied: "Although a horse can run fast, it can only bear the weight of one person. An ox can travel 300 li a day; it can certainly bear more than just the weight of one person!" Gu Shao later asked Pang Tong: "You are also known for being a good judge of character. Between us, who do you think is the better one?" Pang Tong replied: "I am not as good as you in associating with people and assessing their characters. However, when it comes to politics and strategy, it seems that I am one day ahead of you." Gu Shao agreed with Pang Tong and developed a closer bond with him. Before Pang Tong left, Lu Ji and Gu Shao told him: "When peace is restored in the Empire, we want to have a good discussion with you about famous people." Both of them became close friends with Pang Tong.
Serving Liu Bei in Jing Province
Pang Tong became a subject of Liu Bei after the latter became the Governor of Jingzhou in 210. He initially served as an Assistant Officer and as the county magistrate of Leiyang, but was later dismissed from office due to poor performance. Sun Quan's general Lu Su wrote to Liu Bei, recommending Pang Tong as a great talent that should be employed to important tasks and not managing a small territory. Liu Bei's strategist Zhuge Liang also recommended Pang Tong, so Liu Bei met with him, was greatly impressed and entrusted him with important matters. He recruited Pang to be an Assistant Officer in the Headquarters Office. Liu Bei's treatment towards Pang Tong was second to that of Zhuge Liang. He later appointed both Pang Tong and Zhuge Liang as Military Adviser Generals of the Household.While making merry during a feast, Liu Bei asked Pang Tong: "You once worked as Zhou Gongjin’s Officer of Merit. Before when I went to Wu, I heard that he secretly pressed Zhongmou to detain me. Is it true? When a man is with his lord, he must be utterly honest with him." Pang Tong admitted that it was true. Liu Bei then sighed and said: "At this moment, I was in danger and they rescued me hence I could not refuse their invitation and almost failed to escape Zhou Yu's grasp! In this world, men of talent and wisdom can see through each other's plan. Before I left, Kongming protested against this with all his will. He has seen through this. However I didn't listen because I was thinking that I was Zhongmou's defense against the north and that he would need my help. I had no doubts about him. This was truly entering into the tiger's den and a very risky plan."
Assisting Liu Bei in the conquest of Yi Province
Around 210s, Pang Tong convinced Liu Bei to seize Yi Province and use its resources to compete with his rival Cao Cao for supremacy over China. Pang Tong said : Liu Bei answered : Pang Tong replied : Liu Bei heeded Pang Tong's suggestion.In 211, Liu Bei led an army from Jing Province into Yi Province on the pretext of helping Yi Province's governor, Liu Zhang, counter an invasion from the warlord Zhang Lu in Hanzhong Commandery. Zhuge Liang remained behind to guard Jing Province while Pang Tong followed Liu Bei to Yi Province. Liu Zhang received Liu Bei at Fu County. Pang Tong urged Liu Bei to use the opportunity to capture Liu Zhang and force him to hand over Yi Province, but Liu Bei refused because he was new to Yi Province and had not established a strong foundation there yet. Liu Zhang later returned to Yi Province's capital, Chengdu.
Advising Liu Bei against Liu Zhang
Pang Tong outlined three plans for Liu Bei to choose from:- The upper plan: Select the best soldiers to form an elite force and advance quickly towards Chengdu, and force Liu Zhang to surrender and hand over Yi Province. Pang Tong also believed that Liu Zhang was not competent in military affairs and was unprepared, so the chances of success were high. Pang Tong considered this to be the best plan.
- The middle plan: Yang Huai and Gao Pei were famous generals who led strong troops defending Baishui Pass, and that in the past they had advised Liu Zhang to send Liu Bei back to Jing Province. Before advancing, spread false news that Liu Bei was returning to Jing Province by claiming that the region was in danger and needed rescue. With Liu Bei's reputation and wanting to see him leave, Yang and Gao would certainly come see him off with light cavalry, away from the fortified mountain passes they were defending. Then seize the opportunity to kill them and take control of their positions and troops, and finally advance towards Chengdu.
- The lower plan: Retreat to Baidicheng and wait for another opportunity to attack. Pang Tong considered this to be the worst plan.
Disagreement over Liu Bei's behavior during the campaign
When Liu Bei expressed joy during a banquet in Fu County to celebrate his success saying that today should be a merry day, Pang Tong chided him, saying that "celebrating the invasion of others' territory isn't what a man of ren should do". The drunk Liu Bei retorted angrily, "King Wu of Zhou also rejoiced after his victory over King Zhou of Shang. Is he not an example of a man of ren? You're wrong, so get out now!" After Pang Tong left, Liu Bei regretted what he said so he invited Pang back. Pang Tong returned to his seat and did not say anything, acting as usual, so Liu Bei asked, "When that quarrel happened just now, whose fault do you think it was?" Pang Tong replied, "It was both yours and mine." Liu Bei laughed and the banquet continued.Xi Zuochi commented on this event and said :
Pei Songzhi added :
Death
Pang Tong later participated in a battle against Liu Zhang's forces at Luo County. He died after being hit by a stray arrow in the midst of battle. He was 36 years old at the time of his death. Liu Bei was deeply saddened by Pang Tong's death and he would weep whenever Pang Tong was mentioned. Pang Tong was posthumously made a Second Class Marquess after Liu Bei became emperor and established the state of Shu Han in 221. In October or November 260, Liu Bei's son and successor, Liu Shan, honoured Pang Tong with the posthumous title "Marquess Jing", and bestowed upon his heir the title of Marquess Jingxi.Liu Bei had a shrine and tomb constructed for Pang Tong near Luo County. The shrine and tomb is located in present-day Baimaguan Town, Luojiang County, Sichuan. On 25 May 2006, it became a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level.