Preface
Zhong Hui, with Zhang Liang's strategy, commanded more than 200,000 soldiers, and had a huge momentum, but suffered an irreversible defeat on the journey of rebellion. The reasons for the failure of such a legendary historical figure have become one of the focuses of discussion among historians.
This champion has superb strategic talents, and he has brought Zhang Liang's plan into full play, and the scale of the army is even larger, almost unstoppable. Why, however, did he fail to sustain his plans for rebellion for three days before collapsing?
Perhaps beneath Zhong Hui's ambitions and ambitions, there are a series of intricate reasons hidden. Was it internal and external difficulties, or was it a contradiction between strategists? Was it the discouragement of the military or the interference of external forces? The failure of the Zhonghui may not be caused by a single reason, but by the intertwining effects of various forces.
1. The proud son of Wei and Jin, the young man
Zhong Hui was born in 208 and lost his parents at an early age, so he is a typical down-and-out teenager. However, the late Eastern Han Dynasty, whose family background was not rigid, provided an opportunity for his career development.
Zhong Hui has been smart since he was a child, and he has a bit of a cold personality. At the age of 16, he passed the imperial examination to serve in the county government, and later served as several county magistrates. During this period, Zhong Hui showed an all-round talent in civil and military governance.
For example, there was a large-scale bandit attack in this county. Zhong Hui was not afraid of a strong enemy, personally led the team to counterattack, and set up an ambush to annihilate them. Since then, the fight against traitors has made a good start.
Another example is the incident of harassment by ethnic minorities in the border. Zhong Hui went to the imperial court and politely but resolutely proposed to strengthen the local war preparation forces. Soon, his proposed defensive measures restored stability to his precinct.
By analogy, whether it is a neat sentence or a resolute defense, he has gradually entered a better situation in his career. Even when he was transferred to Wei County Taishou, he was already a second-rank official wearing court clothes. The bell meeting in this period is basically a typical example of a smooth career and a bright future. Of course, ambition is also germinating in his heart.
2. Cao Wei used troops from Long Xiangtu
After the establishment of the Three Kingdoms, Cao Cao died, Cao Pi usurped the Han Dynasty, and the imperial power of Wei was established. In the following decades, Sima Yi and others successively took power, and the national strength became stronger and stronger. In contrast, the strength of Eastern Wu is basically at a bottleneck, while Shu Han is suffering from internal and external troubles and gradually declining.
In this context, the ambition to eliminate Shu Han and complete the unification of the Northern Expedition is also becoming more and more inflated. In 260, Sima Zhao deposed Cao Huan and allowed the puppet emperor Cao Chao to ascend the throne. At this time, the Wei State was the best time to keep an eye on Shu Han.
In the winter of 261, Deng Ai wrote to Sima Zhao, exerting the importance of destroying Shu. Sure enough, in the spring of that year, Emperor Wen of Wei Cao Huan ordered a war. This crusade also gave Zhonghui a great opportunity to display his ambitions.
At that time, Zhong Hui was already the minister of Wei and was reused by Sima Zhao. He also advocated the use of troops in the DPRK and China, and actively appealed for opening up the war situation. Now that the army is pressing, he will naturally not miss the opportunity to make meritorious contributions.
So in the autumn of 262, Zhong Hui asked for a hundred thousand foot cavalry to take Hanzhong, a key place in the rear of Shu Han. In view of his extensive experience in the use of troops against distant ethnic minorities, Sima Zhao readily approved.
In this way, after more than 20 years of training, Zhong Hui, who attaches equal importance to Wen Taowu and Wu strategy, has also ushered in the most important battle of his life, and it will also determine the victory or defeat of his fate.
3. Wen Tao Wu strategy, take Shu meritorious service
In the first month of 263, armies from all walks of life gathered in Chang'an to prepare for the westward expedition. At the same time, the Shu Han court also realized that the Wei state was menacing, and urgently mobilized the border troops to try to defend it.
Zhong Hui led the vanguard army to cross the mountains and mountains in the extremely cold weather, and entered the hinterland of Bashu through hardships. In March, he captured several small cities under the rule of Shu Han. Soon, Zhong Hui's army was killed at the key pass of the Sword Pavilion, and the main force of the Shu army also came to resist.
Here and now, it is the threshold of a decisive victory. Jiang Wei, the general of Shu Han, also personally commanded and swore to fight to the death. The two armies faced each other, and the atmosphere was solemn to the extreme. Zhonghui was not in a hurry to attack, but carefully discussed countermeasures. He sent light cavalry to reconnoiter the enemy, and he himself climbed the hill to look at the Shu army's position.
After the analysis, Chung Hui decided to take a surprise plan. He took advantage of the night cover to cover the main force from the trail and personally led a group of crossbowmen around the flank to launch a surprise attack. The next day, Zhong Hui unexpectedly attacked Jiang Wei's camp from three sides. The Shu army was caught off guard and left in defeat. In this way, the key passes were conquered by the Wei army, and the Shu Han defense line gradually collapsed.
The bad news of the loss of the Sword Pavilion also made the people in Chengdu panic. Then the lord Liu Chan made a surrender, and the destruction of the country was a foregone conclusion. Subsequently, Hanzhong and the remaining cities were also lost one after another under the attack of the Wei army.
After this battle, it can be said that Zhong Hui's ability to use troops has been fully demonstrated: he is not only good at taking charge of the overall situation, but also can personally lead the vanguard and respond to the situation. Presumably, no one will doubt his status as a hero.
Fourth, the darkness is Chen Cang, and the plot is wrong
However, just behind the success, our protagonist Zhong Hui began to secretly have different intentions. He realized that this victory had made him unrivaled in the army. If it can be further strengthened, the seizure of power is not impossible.
As a result, Zhong Hui began to have a private relationship with Shu Han. He co-opted Jiang Wei and others to accumulate power and prepare to launch a coup d'état when the time was ripe. At the same time, Zhong Hui maliciously slandered Deng Ai in a report to Sima Zhao and framed the other party for rebellion.
Sure enough, Deng Ai was soon arrested and imprisoned by Sima Zhao. Zhong Hui then rightfully took over Deng Ai's army, holding more than 200,000 troops scattered in Hanzhong.
At the same time, in the name of the emperor's secret decree, he asked the whole army to return south to attack the hinterland of Wei. As soon as the news came out, the whole army was in an uproar. However, due to various concerns, no one dared to openly question Zhonghui.
In this way, Zhonghui naturally controlled a powerful army group, ready to launch a rebellion at any time. For him, who has made great achievements in the military, this is undoubtedly a great opportunity to win a thousand miles.
Zhong Hui thinks that he will definitely be able to make great achievements if he has talents. Who knows, the great joy of this time has actually achieved the prelude to the future destruction.
The Fifth Army was disheartened and failed in its rebellion
Zhong Hui, who had a mountain of military orders, immediately turned the spearhead and led the army to Chang'an. However, before he could rejoice, he suffered his first blow.
It turned out that the people of Shu Han, who were about to perish, would really turn to the new Wei commander? Not to mention, Zhong Hui's subordinates were also mixed with veterans of Wei under Deng Ai's command. They have a grudge against the boss and are even more reluctant to raise troops to the homeland of Hanzhong.
As a result, the already mixed brigade of miscellaneous armies immediately showed serious infighting. Not to mention, there are still the remnants of Shu Han making trouble behind their backs.
On the other hand, Zhong Hui's rash behavior also caused him to lose all his allies in an instant in the Wei officialdom. Sima Zhao immediately went around and arranged for his henchmen to guard the key passes and Chang'an.
Sure enough, just three days after the start of the campaign, Zhonghui's army was intercepted in all directions. And with no help behind enemy lines, he also chose to surrender when he learned that the general trend had gone.
At this point, Zhong Hui's betrayal plan ended as quickly as possible. The lesson of failure also made him understand that in the face of the rivers and lakes, he was always just a novice.
6. In the valley of vain death, a tragic life
The failed ending made Zhonghui fall from the clouds to the bottom overnight. What's even more cruel is that before he could face the situation, he was escorted to Luoyang Lingchi to be executed.
At the age of 55, he died with the entire rebel group. Of course, those who died together with Zhong Hui were also former henchmen and new allies, such as Jiang Wei and others.
Many people sigh for the supernatural enlightenment and the rising bell; Some people also think that he is to blame and that he is innocent of death. No matter what the evaluation is, Zhong Hui is indeed a novice in the political arena, and he has not yet learned to save himself in the whirlpool.
In fact, as early as the moment he decided to betray, Zhonghui was already doomed. Because in that era, no powerful group would tolerate a sudden turn of face on its henchmen. In the end, it is nothing more than a praying mantis that has disappeared in the hands of those with the highest power.
But on the other hand, the bell meeting under failure is also worthy of consideration. As a careerist, how can he not serve the country and dominate the world? It can only be said that if the times are not good, careerists can only become outcasts.
And for our Zhonghui, it was the temptation of power that made him gradually destroy himself. First underestimating the enemy, then paralyzing carelessness, all kinds of blind spots made him unstable in the rebellion. After all, he can't escape the mockery of fate.
VII. Conclusion
As a historical figure, Zhong Hui and his brief rebellion have indeed left a good story for the ages. It is also a warning to future generations not to repeat the mistakes of the past.
Many careerists fall from the moment they become famous. When the power in front of you is greater, the easier it is to get drunk and forget about the political whirlpool under your feet.
Steadiness is always the most important thing. Otherwise, even if you gain momentum for a while, it will be difficult to gain a firm foothold in the competition. In the company of traitors and villains, they are destined to harm themselves and others. A true ally is the best partner on the road.
In any case, Zhong Hui is such an all-rounder, he could have made a difference. Just because he is not shocked by the changes, he is willing to be a dog and sheep at the Hongmen banquet. I hope that you and I who see this will never repeat the mistakes of the past. As an ordinary person, plainness is the right way; Even if you are in a high position, you must remember that the law is not merciful!