Zhong Hui

In Novel

Chapter 110

• Zhong Hui (钟会, Chung Hội): Zhong Hui appears as a court official serving Sima Shi during the Huainan rebellion. When Sima Shi is deciding how to respond to Guanqiu Jian and Wen Qin, Zhong Hui warns that the rebels are strong and that entrusting the campaign to another commander could be dangerous. His advice helps convince Sima Shi to personally lead the punitive expedition.

Chapter 112

• Zhong Hui (钟会, Chung Hội): When Zhuge Dan and the Wu army attack Wei, Zhong Hui proposes the central deception that breaks the relief attempt. He argues that Zhuge Dan's forces should not be crushed immediately from every side; instead, Wei should leave the southern gate of Shouchun open, lure the defenders into believing they can escape, and then strike the Wu forces from behind. Sima Zhao praises him as a strategist comparable to Zhang Liang. The plan contributes to the defeat and dispersal of Zhuge Dan's allies.

Chapter 115

• Zhong Hui (钟会, Chung Hội): When Sima Zhao discusses a future campaign against Shu, Zhong Hui correctly realizes that Shu, rather than Wu, is the intended target. He presents a detailed map of Shu showing routes, forts, supply positions, and lines of advance and retreat. He proposes dividing the invasion between himself and Deng Ai because Shu can be attacked by several routes. Sima Zhao appoints Zhong Hui as commander of one of the principal armies. Zhong Hui is given 100,000 troops for the Shu campaign and deliberately creates the appearance that he is preparing to attack Wu by collecting ships, thereby preventing Wu from intervening on Shu's behalf.

Chapter 116

• Zhong Hui (钟会, Chung Hội): Zhong Hui leads the main Wei invasion force into Shu. He commands 100,000 troops and has Wei officers including Wei Guan and Hu Lie under his command. At Yangping Pass he threatens the Shu defenders with destruction if they refuse to surrender. When Phu Thiem attacks with 3,000 troops, Zhong Hui withdraws, then turns back with the Wei army and defeats the Shu force after Tưởng Thư surrenders and opens the pass. Zhong Hui also personally takes the field at the dangerous approaches, and after his horse becomes trapped at a collapsing bridge he escapes on foot while his officer Xun Kai saves him by shooting Lư Tốn. Zhong Hui then captures the position and executes Xu Yi for violating military orders. At Mount Dingjun he is frightened by supernatural signs associated with Zhuge Liang's tomb, performs a sacrifice, and afterward orders his army to protect civilians and avoid killing indiscriminately.

Chapter 117

• Zhong Hui (钟会, Chung Hội): Zhong Hui continues the invasion from Hanzhong toward Jiange. When Zhuge Xu suffers defeat against Jiang Wei, Zhong Hui rebukes him and orders him arrested and sent to Luoyang. He then meets Deng Ai and asks for advice about taking Jiange. Deng Ai proposes the difficult Yinping route toward Chengdu, but Zhong Hui dismisses the plan and instead prepares a direct assault on Jiange with siege equipment. His rivalry with Deng Ai becomes increasingly visible as both commanders compete for credit for conquering Shu.

Chapter 118

• Zhong Hui (钟会, Chung Hội): After Jiang Wei announces a false surrender, Zhong Hui receives him with honor and treats him as a distinguished guest. Jiang Wei praises Zhong Hui's military talent and claims that he surrendered because of Zhong Hui rather than Deng Ai. Zhong Hui is flattered, breaks an arrow as a token of their oath, and becomes sworn brothers with Jiang Wei. He allows Jiang Wei to retain command of his troops, giving Jiang Wei the opportunity to influence him from inside the Wei camp.

Chapter 119

• Zhong Hui (钟会, Chung Hội): Zhong Hui follows Jiang Wei's advice to have Wei Guan arrest Deng Ai. He humiliates Deng Ai after the arrest, takes control of Deng Ai's troops, and openly admits to Jiang Wei that he wants to accomplish something greater than retirement. Jiang Wei encourages his ambition, and Zhong Hui decides to rebel against Wei. He fabricates a supposed edict from the late Empress Dowager Guo, forces the Wei generals to sign a declaration, and imprisons them in Chengdu. When he considers killing all of the prisoners, Hu Lie secretly learns of the plan through Qi Jian and sends a warning through Hu Lie's son Hu Yuan. The imprisoned generals and outside troops then organize a revolt. Zhong Hui attempts to have Jiang Wei kill the prisoners, but the revolt erupts before the plan can be carried out. Wei soldiers storm the palace, Zhong Hui fights back with his sword, and he is killed by a storm of arrows. His head is cut off by the mutineers. The novel then explicitly laments his death as the tragic result of ambition and greed for fame.