In "Romance of the Three Kingdoms", Pang Tong is a wise and brave strategist who made significant contributions to Shu under Liu Bei's rule. However, before Pang Tong died, he said a puzzling sentence to Liu Bei: "The lord is controlled by Kong Ming. This sentence aroused people's curiosity and doubt, what exactly does it mean?
Pang Tong was a man of great wisdom and talent, and he played an important role in the politics and military affairs of Shu. He and Zhuge Liang are known as the "two pearls" of Shu, and Liu Bei has high expectations. However, Pang Tong had a premonition of the internal and external difficulties of Shu politics at the beginning of the establishment of Shu.
Pang Tong knew that Liu Bei's relationship with Zhuge Liang was inseparable, Zhuge Liang was Liu Bei's important advisor, and it was his wisdom and strategy that enabled Liu Bei to establish the Shu State. However, Pang Tong also understood that Zhuge Liang's influence on Liu Bei was huge, and it could even be said to be indispensable.
At the beginning of the establishment of the Shu Kingdom, Pang Tong observed the relationship between Zhuge Liang and Liu Bei, and he clearly saw that Zhuge Liang had great influence on Liu Bei's decisions and policies.
Pang Tong predicted that the future politics of Shu would mainly unfold between Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang, and Liu Bei would be subject to Zhuge Liang's strategy.
Pang Tong said to Liu Bei that "the lord is controlled by Kong Ming", which was actually to tell Liu Bei about the future political situation. He hoped that Liu Bei would be aware of Zhuge Liang's restraint on him, and maintain independent thinking when dealing with government affairs and decision-making, and not blindly rely on Zhuge Liang's advice.
Pang Tong's warning is not to question Zhuge Liang's talent and loyalty, but a reminder and vigilance. He was well aware of Zhuge Liang's intelligence and strategy, but he also knew that Zhuge Liang's goals and ideals were not necessarily in line with Liu Bei's goals and ideals.
Therefore, Pang Tong hoped that Liu Bei could maintain independent thinking and decision-making ability, and not be limited by Zhuge Liang's influence.
Pang Tong's words also aroused Liu Bei's attention and thinking. As a wise and far-sighted monarch, Liu Bei was well aware of Pang Tong's wisdom and loyalty, and he obeyed Pang Tong's words.
Pang Tong's warning made Liu Bei realize the special relationship between himself and Zhuge Liang, as well as Zhuge Liang's influence and control over him.
Liu Bei did not feel that Pang Tong was questioning Zhuge Liang's ability and loyalty, on the contrary, he saw Pang Tong's words as a reminder and warning. He understood that Pang Tong would say such things out of concern and loyalty to himself, and he also appreciated Pang Tong's quality of speaking out.
After Pang Tong's death, Liu Bei continued to govern the Shu state. He did not blindly rely on Zhuge Liang's advice, but maintained independent thinking and decision-making on government affairs.
Although Zhuge Liang's intellect and strategy continued to give him important support and help, Liu Bei insisted on maintaining his judgment and decision-making power at critical moments.
Liu Bei attached great importance to Pang Tong's warning, and he constantly maintained communication and exchanges with Zhuge Liang, sharing his thoughts and judgments. He made it clear that he wanted Zhuge Liang to clearly state his views and opinions, and give himself sufficient authority and voice in decision-making.
This relationship of honesty and mutual respect between Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang allowed the two to work together to advance the development and governance of Shu.
Pang Tong's words became the basis for the tacit understanding and balance between Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang. Their mutual trust and understanding enabled Shu to continue to rise in the midst of difficulties and crises, and left a great legacy in history.
Pang Tong's deathbed warning has become a classic scene in "Romance of the Three Kingdoms", telling us an important truth: the relationship between the monarch and the strategist needs to be based on mutual understanding, open communication, and independent thinking.
Only in this way can we get rid of excessive dependence on a certain individual and maintain the stability and development of the regime.
Although Pang Tong has passed away, his wisdom and loyalty have been admired and praised by people in the history of Shu. With his wisdom and courage, he established a successful governance model for Liu Bei and Shu, and became a model Xi for later generations to learn from and emulate.