Zhong Hui

Zhong Hui
A Qing dynasty illustration of Zhong Hui
General of Cao Wei
Born	225
Died	264 (aged 39)
Names
Traditional Chinese	鍾會
Simplified Chinese	钟会
Pinyin	Zhōng Huì
Wade–Giles	Chung Hui
Courtesy name	Shiji (Chinese: 士季; pinyin: Shìjì; Wade–Giles: Shih-chi)

Zhong Hui (225–264),courtesy name Shiji, was a military general, politician and writer of the state of Cao Wei in the Three Kingdoms period. He was the younger son of Zhong Yao, who served as the Grand Tutor in the Wei imperial court. He was already known for being insightful, intelligent and knowledgeable since he was young. Zhong Hui rose to prominence in the 250s when he became a close aide to Sima Zhao, the regent and de facto ruler of Wei. He advised Sima Zhao on how to deal with the Third Rebellion in Shouchun from 257–258 and was highly regarded by the latter. With Sima Zhao's help, Zhong Hui steadily moved up the ranks and became one of the key figures in the Wei government.

In 263, the Wei imperial court ordered Zhong Hui, Deng Ai and Zhuge Xu to lead separate armies to attack and conquer Wei's rival state, Shu Han. During and after the campaign against Shu, Zhong Hui framed Deng Ai and Zhuge Xu for treason and cowardice respectively, and seized command of their troops. By the time Shu surrendered to Wei in 263, Zhong Hui was in full control of all the Wei military forces in Shu territory. In 264, with backing from Jiang Wei, a former Shu general, Zhong Hui started a rebellion against Sima Zhao. However, the revolt failed when Zhong Hui's plan to purge several Wei officers – because he was worried that they would not support him – was leaked out. The officers escaped from custody, regrouped with their men, mutinied against Zhong Hui, and killed him and Jiang Wei.

Zhong Hui's ancestral home was in Changshe County (長社縣), Yingchuan Commandery (潁川郡), which is located east of present-day Changge, Henan. He was the younger son of Zhong Yao, who served as the Grand Tutor (太傅) in the Wei imperial court. At a young age, he was already known for being insightful and intelligent. His mother, Zhang Changpu, was known for being very strict with her son and for her influential role in his early education.