Khuong Duy (202-264), self-proclaimed Ba Uoc, from Thien Thuy district, Luong Son district (now in Gansu province) was a famous military man of the Three Kingdoms period. Khuong Duy was originally Cao Cao’s lieutenant general in Thien Thuy district, following surrendering to Shu Han, was Zhuge Liang respected and admired as a student. After Zhuge Liang died, Khuong Duy took over the leadership of the Shu Han army, 11 times brought troops to punish Wei but failed.
Shaping Khuong Duy when he is old on film.
Khuong Duy is famous as a filial son, his father was a mandarin in Thien Thuy, died in battle, Khuong Duy lived with his mother and often made friends with a number of geniuses. The Three Kingdoms Chi – Khuong Duy’s story says: From a young age, Duy read books by the great Confucian family Trinh Huyen, so he was deeply influenced. That is probably the reason why he “wants to make a name for himself, keep the Han dynasty in mind” and always cook with the thought of Han Dynasty revival and Trung Nguyen restoration later.
When the late owner Luu Thien surrendered, Thuc Han perished, Khuong Duy surrendered to Chung Hoi with the intention of taking advantage of Chung Hoi to restore the country but failed, dying in the rebellion when he was 62 years old. Evaluation of Khuong Duy, many historians believe that Thuc Han died by his hand, the main reason is that Zhuge Liang made a big mistake in choosing a successor, because Khuong Duy did not have any outstanding skills but a little talent. on military. What is the truth regarding Khuong Duy? Will he be responsible for the demise of Shu Han?
Zhuge Liang’s “wrong” choice?
In 228, Zhuge Liang sent the generals of Zhendong, Zhao Yun, and the generals of Yang Wu, Deng Chi, to occupy Coc, ready to attack Mi (Shaanxi).
Wei Ming Emperor Cao Due appointed great admiral Cao Chan as commander, placing heavy troops to defend in Mi land. Khong Minh took the opportunity to lead his main army to attack Ky Son.
The Thuc army was great, and at the same time, the 3 districts of Thien Thuy, Nam An, and An Dinh of Wei were ready to “leave Wei to Thuc”.
Khuong Duy was a Lieutenant General in Thien Thuy district at the time, and he was with the Crown Prince Ma Tuan accompanying the governor of Ung Chau Quach Hoai to patrol the regions. Hearing that the three districts betrayed Wei, Quach immediately returned to the land of Thuong Khue (Gan Tuc) to defend.
Ma Tuan doubts Khuong Duy intending to create treason, so he also left Duy and ran back to Thuong Khue. When Khuong Duy and his subordinates arrived at Thuong Khue, Quach and Ma decided not to open the gate.
Khuong Duy to the last step, forced to turn to Zhuge Liang’s army.
Zhuge Liang and Khuong Duy on the screen.
Khong Minh got Khuong Duy, he was very happy, in a letter to the army, Chiang Uyen wrote – “Kuong Ba Uoc is sharp in military affairs, has a sense of courage, has an understanding”.
That year, Khuong Duy was 27 years old and was named General Phung Nghia by Khong Minh as Duong Dinh Hau. Promoted by Zhuge Liang, not long following Duy was promoted to Lieutenant General, Chinh Tay was a general.
Khuong Duy’s talent was outstanding in the period of Thuc’s decline, but he tended to lead the military without showing his ability to rule.
Therefore, many people think that the fact that Khong Minh chose Khuong Duy as his successor “cannot be considered a success”.
From the very beginning, Zhuge Liang considered that Ton – Luu was in a weak position compared to Cao Wei, and the only countermeasure was “inter-wu resisting Cao”. Even Khong Minh considered this as the “national policy” of Thuc and planned to “divide” Wei and Dong Ngo.
However, in the future, although Ngo – Thuc still maintained an alliance relationship, in reality the two sides might not agree on a common stance on military cooperation.
For example, not once has the Shu-Wu army combined to carry out the task of punishing Wei successfully. However, over the decades, Khuong Duy still might not be aware of the reality of the “crash” in the Ngo – Thuc relationship.
Have talent but don’t have the time
Political talent is the most controversial. Many people believe that Khuong Duy is very poor in politics, does not know the internal affairs, and is powerless before the raging of evil spirits like Hoang Hao. It sounds reasonable, but it’s actually quite absurd. Khuong Duy’s status as a general, a step to the peak of power above the generals of Thuc, such a clever road, if there is no talent, is it okay? The court of Thuc was very chaotic, in fact, in addition to the eunuch Hoang Hao, Khuong Duy also had to deal with Chiang Uyen, Phi Vi and Zhuge Liang, his teacher’s son because of jealousy and envy.
Khuong Duy was actually just a “sticker in the bag”, the situation of Thuc Han at that time might not be changed even to Zhuge Liang, internal fights took place continuously. It is necessary to know, the fate of the gods who came like Ma Sieu with such great merits of Thuc Han had to return to their hometown and die in melancholy. To avoid suspicion, Khuong Duy might not participate in the government, Luu Thien was a military officer, near the small people, shunned the sages, refused to listen to the middle language, leading to the weakening of Thuc Han. Evil gods like Hoang Hao stood behind to control Luu Thien, unless they were abolished, no one might support such a king. Therefore, it is not advisable to place all the blame on Khuong Duy for the downfall of Thuc Han.
Loyalty to the Han Dynasty
Khuong Duy.
Khuong Duy tells the story: Zhuge Liang said to Chief historian Truong Due, joined the army of Chiang Uyen: “Kuong Ba Uoc was loyal, hardworking, thoughtful, Ly Thieu, Ma Luong also might not compare. Luong Chau”. Again commended, “Kuong Ba Uoc has military knowledge, is brave, understands morals, and is popular with soldiers. This person has a heart for the Han family, more talented than other people. First let him train 5, 6 thousand elite troops, assign him military work, and then lead him back to the palace to meet the Son of Heaven.” From there, it can be seen that, following carefully observing Khuong Duy, he realized that he was more intelligent than people, so he used it. Khuong Duy’s story records that following surrendering, Zhuge Liang talked with him for one night, met talented people, rejoiced, fell in love, accepted as a student, taught military books …
In 234, following Zhuge Liang died in Wuzhang Yuan at the age of 54; At that time, when the 32-year-old Khuong Duy knew that if the news spread, not only would the army be in turmoil, but Sima Yi would also immediately attack, so he ordered the sad news to be kept secret, not mourning, and quietly withdrew. But “paper cannot wrap coal”, news reached the ears of Sima Yi, who had faced Zhuge Liang for a long time, so Italy immediately attacked with joy. Khuong Duy adjusted the formation, raised Zhuge Liang’s flag, pushed the drum, and set up a welcome stance. Sima Yi was skeptical, saw the order of the Shu army, was afraid that Zhuge Liang’s death was just a trap, so he quickly retreated; and Khuong Duy calmly took the remains of the teacher and the army to evacuate safely to Thuc.
After returning to Chengdu, he became the Huu warlord, and Fu Han general, commanded the armies, and was awarded the title of Prince of Binh Tuong. In 238, he followed General Jiang Wan (the successor of Zhuge Liang) to Hanzhong. Not long following, Chiang Uyen was promoted to Dai Tu Ma, so he assigned Khuong Duy to be Sima, many times brought troops to the West. In 234, Khuong Duy was promoted to the position of Tran Tay Great General, leading Thich Su Luong Chau. In 247, he was promoted to General Wei, equal to General Fei Wei. That year, the Man Binh Khang army in Wenshan rebelled. Khuong Duy stabilized the army. Then led troops to Lung Tay, Nam An, and Kim Thanh to fight with generals Wei Quach Hoai and Ha Hau Ba. In 249, Luu Thien accepted Khuong Duy’s performance and assigned him to pacify the West, but they had not yet won a great victory and had to withdraw. Every time Khuong Duy wanted to leave the army, Fei Wei didn’t listen, only giving him regarding 10,000, so he mightn’t make a turning point on the battlefield.
Khuong Duy’s grave photo.
In 253, Phi Vi was stabbed to death by General Quach Tu, Khuong Duy began to hold military power, continued to bring Northern troops to punish Cao Wei, many times fought with generals Dang Ngai, Tran Thai, and Quach Hoai. Khuong Duy Bac punished a total of 11 times, there were 2 big wins, 3 small wins, 4 times of resistance, 1 big defeat, 1 small defeat. Later, due to the great ministers of Thuc Han repeatedly protesting once morest Mr. Bac’s punishment, eunuch Hoang Hao abused his power, Khuong Duy wanted to kill Hao but might not finish, had to return to Dap Trung to establish a plantation to avoid disaster. Later, Sima Chieu divided 5 lines to punish Thuc, Khuong Duy defended Kiem Cac and prevented Chung Hoi’s army, but Dang Ngai sneaked through Yin Binh to attack Chengdu, killing Zhuge Liang; Luu Thien surrendered and ordered Khuong Duy to surrender. Khuong Duy’s soldiers all drew their swords and cut stones to express their anger but might not do anything, Khuong Duy led the army to Chung Hoi. Chung Hoi asked Khuong Duy: “Why are you so late?” Duy cried: “This is too fast, not slow!” Hoi was amazed and respected Khuong Duy, allowing him to continue to dominate his army.
Who counted not by heaven calculated
After surrendering, Khuong Duy knew that Chung Hoi had treasonous intentions, so he advised Hoi to find a way to kill the Wei generals. Chung Hoi on the one hand falsely accused Dang Ngai, causing Sima Chieu to send someone to arrest Ai; On the other hand, Chung Hoi returned to Chengdu, and led Ich Chau to prepare to launch a rebellion. Chung Hoi planned for Khuong Duy to lead 50,000 troops as the vanguard to fight Sima Chieu; and Khuong Duy intends to borrow Chung Hoi’s hand to kill all Wei generals and then return to kill Hoi and restore Thuc Han.
Khuong Duy was a general who separated from two top Wei generals, incited Chung Hoi to rebel once morest his fortunes, must have been a man with such great charisma that made Chung Hoi decide to destroy them. To betray Wei, he agreed to re-establish Liu Shan as emperor, and rebuilt the Shu Han flag to fight Wei. At that time, Khuong Duy was full of hope for the restoration of the country, so he wrote a secret letter to Luu Thien, “I hope your majesty tries to suffer humiliation for a few days, I will make the commune of danger turn into peace, the sun and moon will fade and then dawn”.
Khuong Duy Temple.
Unfortunately, the news of Chung Hoi’s rebellion plot was revealed, Sima Chieu immediately dispatched 10,000 cavalry to Thuc, Khuong Duy and Chung Hoi decided to take a dangerous move: Arrest all Wei generals and puppets. create a will of the Empress Dowager and present the resignation of Sima Chieu; But Chung Hoi ruled out, respecting and not willing to kill the Wei generals, giving them the opportunity to rebel, causing both Chung Hoi, Khuong Duy and General Thuc Truong Duc to be killed.
Regarding his death, Luo Guanzhong described that while he was fighting and killing the Wei generals once morest in Chengdu with Chung Hoi, he suffered from severe stomach pain and might no longer fight, so he became exhausted and committed suicide. La Quan Trung also described that when Khuong Duy died, his stomach was cut open by the Wei army, and the honey was as big as a chicken egg.
La Quan Trung has a poem to visit Khuong Duy as follows:
“A talented man from Ky district
Proud land of Liangzhou
Descendants of the Khuong Thuong lineage
Learn in the way of the Martial Monarch
Big bile, whose liver is the enemy?
One-color loyalty
Pity when suicide
How much grief!”
“Kuong Duy Tu, Han die” (Kuong Duy died, Han Dynasty died). History records like that, but looking back at the situation at that time, might Khuong Duy do anything else? The later generations only know nostalgia, “Europe is also the Han Dynasty’s luck to go there.