Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong were great celebrities who were equally famous in the Three Kingdoms period, and they were both national soldiers with the ability to establish a state and a state. It's just that Pang Tong is not as lucky as Zhuge Liang. From his job search to his entry, he experienced many twists and turns and tribulations, and later he was hardly appreciated and reused by Liu Bei, but he died young.
Zhuge Liang's life was completely different, all the way smooth sailing, and finally achieved shu Han Cheng Xiang. After Liu Bei's death, he took power in Shu Han and made several northern expeditions against Cao Wei, but unfortunately, in a confrontation with Sima Yi, he eventually failed and died of illness. Some people may ask, since Zhuge Liang is not an opponent, what will be the result of Replacing Pang Tong against Sima Yi? Can Sima Yi still be victorious?
In the author's opinion, if Pang Tong played, Sima Yi's situation would inevitably be much more severe. Why? In fact, we can see it from the differences between Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong.
First, the difference in ability.
Although Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong were equally famous at that time, this did not mean that their talents were the same. In fact, the two of them have a big difference in their strengths. Although Zhuge Liang's talents in all aspects are relatively balanced, what he is best at is not military strategy, but internal affairs and logistics.
When Liu Bei pacified Jingzhou, where was Zhuge Liang? Was it to accompany Liu Bei on the expedition to make suggestions? The answer is not, according to the Chronicle of the Three Kingdoms: "The first lord took Jiangnan, made Liang a general in the military division, and made the three counties of Lingling, Guiyang, and Changsha, and adjusted their taxes to replenish the army." That is to say, at that time, Zhuge Liangzhi was responsible for the taxes and grain salaries of each county under the appointment of Liu Bei, and to put it bluntly, he was mainly responsible for the work of logistical support.
After the pacification of Yizhou, did Zhuge Liang's work focus change? The answer is still unchanged, the "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" said: "The first lord went out, Liang Chang town guarded Chengdu, enough food and enough soldiers." "Why did Liu Bei always arrange for Zhuge Liang to be in charge of the grain and grass logistics of the Shu Han Dynasty?" Because Zhuge Liang is best at doing this, the military is not prominent.
Pang Tong, on the other hand, was the opposite of Zhuge Liang, who was good at military strategy. When helping Liu Bei go to Xichuan, Pang Tong offered Liu Bei three strategies, each with its own characteristics and could be freely chosen by Liu Bei. The key is these three strategies, no matter which one Liu Bei chooses, he can successfully achieve his goal. From here, it is enough to see that Pang Tong's analysis of strategy is very thorough, and he takes into account various situations and their countermeasures, compared with Zhuge Liang, who cannot do this.
Second, the difference in personality.
Although both of them have outstanding talents, their personalities are indeed very different. Zhuge Liang's principle of doing things will never go beyond these two words: prudence. This was the most principle he had ever pursued in his life, and if he was not sure of doing something, he would never choose to take risks. Zhuge Liang is well aware of this personality of his own, and frankly said in the "Table of Teachers" that "the former emperor knows the caution of the subjects", that is to say, not only does he have a correct understanding of his own personality, but Liu Bei is also well aware of this. Therefore, Liu Bei arranged Zhuge Liang in the most suitable position for him, that is, in terms of logistics and internal affairs.
Pang Tong, on the other hand, was a very courageous man. When Liu Bei marched into Shuchuan, when Liu Zhang came to Fucheng to meet Liu Bei, Pang Tong suggested that Liu Bei take the opportunity to take Liu Zhang directly, so that he could take Yizhou without any effort. However, Liu Bei hesitated, fearing that he would lose faith in the world. Pang Tong, on the other hand, did not think so, he felt that when the war was chaotic, there were still so many rules and regulations, and it was the same since ancient times to be strong and weak.
Therefore, if Pang Tong commanded the Northern Expedition of the Shu army, with his character, he would largely adopt Wei Yan's surprise attack strategy. Moreover, with Wei Yan's personality, he would definitely be able to merge with Pang Tong. Wei Yan's ability is well known, he is an absolute general talent, and with the perfect cooperation of Pang Tong, his talent will be brought into full play to a greater extent, and the Northern Expedition of the Shu Kingdom will be completely different. So is it possible to succeed?
The answer is still not optimistic, and the probability of defeating Sima Yi is not large. Why? In fact, it is very simple, although Pang Tong's leadership of the Northern Expedition can change some situations, but it cannot change the fact that Shu Han's strength is weak. Because the two armies fought and fought for comprehensive strength, and the strength of the Wei state was strong, it was difficult for Shu Han to look back on it, and coupled with the difficulty of solving the problem of grain and grass transportation in Shu Han. Therefore, even if the manager is changed, the result of the Northern Expedition is still difficult to change!