Novel scene
Pang Tong Plans to Take Western Shu 龐士元議取西蜀
About this event
Pang Tong Plans to Take Western Shu is the scene from the chapter title of Chapter 60 of the Romance, "Pang Shiyuan Discusses Taking Western Shu," and it marks the beginning of Liu Bei's takeover of Yi Province. After Zhang Song presents a map and Fa Zheng brings a letter from Liu Zhang, Pang Tong uses the argument of expediency to persuade Liu Bei, who hesitates on the grounds that he cannot attack a kinsman of the same clan, to raise troops for Xichuan, and at the meeting at Fu he urges him to kill Liu Zhang on the spot. Romance, Ch. 60 §34 · 45 · 48–51 · 67–68
Chen Shou's text also records the plans of Zhang Song and Fa Zheng, and Pang Tong's advice to attack Liu Zhang by surprise at the meeting at Fu County, in the Biography of the First Sovereign, the Biography of Pang Tong and the Biography of Fa Zheng. Records, Shu 2 §27–29Records, Shu 7 §7 · 15–16
In the Romance
In Chapter 60 of the Romance, Zhang Song, entering the border of Jing Province, is welcomed by Zhao Yun and Guan Yu, and Liu Bei comes out in person with Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong and feasts him for three days without ever raising the matter of Xichuan. When Liu Bei sheds tears on the day of his departure, Zhang Song urges him to make Xichuan his base first and then plan for Hanzhong and the Central Plains, presents the map of Xichuan, which records its terrain, distances, strategic points and granaries, and introduces Fa Zheng and Meng Da as trusted confidants. Romance, Ch. 60 §22–35
At Zhang Song's word, Liu Zhang rejects the remonstrances of Huang Quan and Wang Lei and sends Fa Zheng to Jing Province. When Fa Zheng urges him to take Yi Province, Liu Bei says that Liu Zhang is a kinsman of the same clan and he cannot bring himself to plot against him, and that he succeeds only by doing everything the opposite of Cao Cao, so he cannot lose the trust of the realm for a small gain. Pang Tong persuades him, saying that failing to decide when one should decide is foolish; that absorbing the weak, attacking the benighted, taking by going against the norm and holding by following it was the way of King Tang and King Wu; and that once matters are settled he can enfeoff Liu Zhang with a large state. Romance, Ch. 60 §38–51
Liu Bei calls these words as precious as metal and stone, entrusts Jing Province to Zhuge Liang, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei and Zhao Yun, makes Pang Tong his military adviser, and that winter sets out for Xichuan with Huang Zhong and Wei Yan. After Liu Bei meets Liu Zhang at Fu, Pang Tong proposes that at a feast the next day they hide axe-and-sword men behind the curtains, kill Liu Zhang at the signal of a thrown cup and sweep into Chengdu, and Fa Zheng backs him. Liu Bei refuses, saying that he has just come to the land of Shu and has not yet established kindness and trust. Romance, Ch. 60 §51–54 · 63–70
Where the Romance differs
Zhang Song and Liu Bei: In Chapter 60 of the Romance, Zhang Song stops at Jing Province on his way back from Xuchang, presents the map of Xichuan to Liu Bei and recommends Fa Zheng and Meng Da as allies on the inside. In the Biography of Fa Zheng in the Records, Zhang Song returned and urged Liu Zhang to ally with Liu Bei, recommending Fa Zheng as envoy, and when Fa Zheng came back praising Liu Bei's heroic strategy, the two secretly plotted to serve Liu Bei. Chen Shou's text does not say that Zhang Song met Liu Bei in person. Romance, Ch. 60 §29–35Records, Shu 7 §15Records, Shu 1 §15
The plan at Fu: In Chapter 60 of the Romance, Pang Tong proposes killing Liu Zhang at the feast. In the Biography of Pang Tong in the Records, Pang Tong said that if they seized Liu Zhang at this meeting they would pacify a whole province without using troops, and the Biography of the First Sovereign records that Zhang Song had Fa Zheng put the proposal to Liu Bei and that Pang Tong also advised it. Liu Bei refused, saying that he had just entered another man's state and his kindness and trust were not yet known. Romance, Ch. 60 §67–68Records, Shu 7 §7Records, Shu 2 §28–29
Huang Quan and Wang Lei: In Chapter 60 of the Romance, Huang Quan bites the hem of Liu Zhang's robe in remonstrance and breaks two front teeth, and Wang Lei hangs himself upside down from the city gate to remonstrate, then cuts the rope and falls to his death. The biography of Liu Zhang in the Records records only that Huang Quan set out the advantages and dangers and Wang Lei hung himself upside down from the gate of the provincial seat to remonstrate, but Liu Zhang accepted none of it. Romance, Ch. 60 §55–60Records, Shu 1 §16
Written by 3KDEX (not yet reviewed) — The tags at the end of each paragraph link to the exact passage in the Records volume or Romance chapter it is based on.