Lai Zhong

Historical Record

Lai Zhong's father was Lai Min, styled Jingda, a man of Xinye in Yiyang and a descendant of the famous Han minister Lai Xi. Lai Min's father Lai Yan once rose to the office of Han Minister of Works; according to Hua Qiao's Book of the Later Han, Lai Yan loved learning and humbled himself before scholars, opened a hall to raise disciples, and held distinguished posts from a young age^[1]. During the great chaos at the end of the Han, Lai Min followed his brother-in-law Huang Wan (a nephew of Liu Zhang's grandmother) to Jing Province. Later, because Liu Zhang sent men to welcome Huang Wan's wife, Lai Min went into Shu together with his sister and often was an honored guest of Liu Zhang. Lai Min read widely, was especially expert in the Zuo Tradition of the Spring and Autumn, mastered the exegetical learning of the Cang and the Ya, and was devoted to correcting the texts^[1].

After Liu Bei pacified Yi Province, he appointed Lai Min Colonel in Charge of Learning. When the heir apparent Liu Shan was established, Lai Min was appointed Household Director. After Liu Shan ascended the throne, Lai Min was promoted to General of the Rapid Tigers. When the Chancellor Zhuge Liang was garrisoned at Hanzhong, he invited Lai Min to serve as Libationer of the Army and General Who Assists the Army, but Lai Min was later dismissed for cause. According to Zhuge Liang's account, Lai Min had once made the remark to Shangguan Xian, "What merit or virtue does this newcomer have, that my honors and station should be taken from me and given to him? Everyone hates me together — why is it so?" Zhuge Liang considered him "old and perverse, breeding such resentful words," and pointed out that when Liu Bei had first settled Chengdu, he had not employed Lai Min prominently because the critics held him to be "one who disturbs the company." When Liu Zichu chose him as the heir apparent's Household Director, the late Emperor too was displeased. Zhuge Liang blamed himself as "blind in judging men," for going against the man the late Emperor had distanced, and for failing to use Lai Min to reform crude customs, so in the end he memorialized to remove him from office and have him shut his door to reflect on his faults^[1].

After Zhuge Liang died, Lai Min returned to Chengdu and served as Grand Steward, but was once again dismissed. Thereafter he was repeatedly promoted to Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, yet was again removed for a fault. Throughout his life Lai Min was repeatedly demoted, all because his "speech was unrestrained and his conduct deviated from the norm"^[1]. At the time Meng Guang too was careless about confidential matters and meddled in current affairs through his talk, but compared with Lai Min, Meng Guang's case was somewhat better. Lai Min and Meng Guang were both venerable elder scholars and were treated with courtesy by their contemporaries. Because Lai Min came from a famous clan of Jing-Chu and was a former servitor of the Eastern Palace, he received special favor and could be reinstated even after being cast out. Later Lai Min was appointed General Who Acts with Caution, the intent being to make him admonish himself through the dignity of office. Lai Min lived to ninety-seven and died during the Jingyao era^[1].

Lai Zhong, as Lai Min's son, also read the classics widely and inherited his father's talent and bearing. Together with the Master of Writing Xiang Chong and others, he assisted the Grand General Jiang Wei. Jiang Wei thought highly of Lai Zhong and appointed him Adviser to the Army^[1].

In the Novel

Romance of the Three Kingdoms does not give Lai Zhong any separate literary portrayal, and his deeds are not clearly recorded in the novel. Therefore, regarding Lai Zhong's image, words, or specific episodes in the novel, there is no historical record. The novel focuses mainly on the major figures and great historical events of the Three Kingdoms period, and for some characters mentioned in the sources but of relatively minor influence, it often chooses to omit them or pass over them briefly. Although the sources contain a detailed record of his father Lai Min and mention his assisting Jiang Wei, within the narrative framework of the novel these details were not adopted or expanded^[1].

Key Relationships

* Jiang Wei: Together with the Master of Writing Xiang Chong and others, Lai Zhong assisted the Grand General Jiang Wei. Jiang Wei greatly admired Lai Zhong's talent and learning and appointed him Adviser to the Army, showing that Lai Zhong played an important role as an aide under Jiang Wei, taking part in the planning of military or governmental affairs^[1].
* Lai Min (father): Lai Zhong was the son of Lai Min. Lai Min was a famous scholar and official of Shu Han, known for his erudition and unconventional temperament. Lai Zhong inherited his father's habit of reading the classics widely and was recorded in the histories as "having Min's bearing," indicating that in learning and certain other respects he resembled his father^[1].

Iconic Scenes

* Assisting Jiang Wei: Lai Zhong's most notable contribution and scene was his joint assistance, together with the Master of Writing Xiang Chong and others, of the Grand General Jiang Wei. In this period, Jiang Wei was the military mainstay of Shu Han in its later years and launched repeated northern expeditions; as his Adviser to the Army, Lai Zhong must have taken part in the discussion and decision of important military and governmental affairs, offering counsel to Jiang Wei and contributing his learning and wisdom^[1]. Jiang Wei's high regard for him also reflects Lai Zhong's standing and ability at the time. Although the sources do not record his specific words and deeds in detail, his assistance of Jiang Wei as Adviser to the Army was without doubt a high point of his career. This scene embodies the image of Lai Zhong as an erudite man who devoted his utmost effort to serve the state in the time of national peril in the later years of Shu Han.