生平

博学获誉

锺会出生时，父亲锺繇已经七十多岁。生母张昌蒲是锺繇的妾，但非常有学问。张昌蒲在教育方面颇为严厉，锺会四岁时便已教他《孝经》，七岁诵读《论语》，八岁诵《诗》，十岁诵《尚书》，十一岁诵《易》，十二岁诵《春秋左氏传》、《国语》，十三岁诵《周礼》、《礼记》，十四岁读其父锺繇所撰写的《易记》，十五岁就让他进入太学进行深造。

锺会年轻的时候敏惠夙成。有才数技艺而博学，精练名理，以夜续昼，甚得名誉。二十岁左右时与王弼齐名，当时还有荀融参与弼、会论《易》、《老》而知名。

正始五年(244年, 时年二十岁)，起家担任秘书郎的职务。正始八年(247年，时年二十三岁)，升迁为尚书郎。嘉平元年(249年，二十五岁)锺会当上了中书侍郎。该年发生高平陵之变时，锺会随侍在皇帝曹芳身边。

宫府近臣

高贵乡公曹髦登上帝位时(254年，三十岁)，赐与他关内侯的爵位。此时锺会之兄锺毓担任廷尉法办了夏侯玄，锺会则在跟随大将军司马师讨伐毌丘俭叛乱时，掌管机要。

接著司马师在许昌过世(255年，三十一岁)，于是由时任卫将军的司马昭接掌军权，锺会在军中规划战略。乱事刚平定不久，朝中就有诏书传来，敕令尚书傅嘏率领军队，卫将军司马昭则暂时留守许昌等候调度。锺会与傅嘏谋画，让傅嘏上表给皇上，直接就让司马昭一起率军，回到雒水南部驻屯。于是曹魏朝廷拜司马昭为大将军、辅政，锺会迁任黄门侍郎、并受封东武亭侯的爵位，有三百户的食邑。

司马师曾问锺会如何评价皇帝曹髦，锺会回答：「文同陈思，武类太祖」意思是称赞曹髦文采如同陈思王曹植，武能比太祖曹操。后来曹髦常与锺会及司马望、王沈、裴秀等人在皇宫中的东堂讲宴，并替他们各取了绰号。

魏高贵乡公甘露二年(257年，三十三岁)时，锺会为生母服丧在家，听闻朝廷徵召诸葛诞为司空，锺会认为诸葛诞必不会从命，赶去找司马昭，司马昭回应说事情已经施行不会再更改。后来诸葛诞就起兵反叛了。魏帝曹髦御驾亲征，驻军项城，命令时任黄门侍郎的锺会和散骑常侍裴秀跟随大将军司马昭一起前去讨伐在寿春叛乱的诸葛诞。锺会使用计谋，诱使东吴将领全怿出降，让寿春城内各将领彼此分裂，最后顺利攻下寿春。大军凯旋后，朝廷晋升锺会为太仆，但坚辞不受，于是任命为中郎在大将军府管记室事，意思是以皇帝近侍官的身份掌管大将军府文书机要。又因讨伐诸葛诞有功，朝廷封其为陈侯，但又多次不受，于是皇帝下诏表扬他功成不居的处事态度。

大约在魏元帝景元元年(260年，三十六岁)年末，锺会被转迁为司隶校尉。司隶校尉虽然不是宫中职位，但此时锺会的政治影响力很大，比如计画了诛杀嵇康一事。

挥军入蜀

魏元帝景元三年(262年，三十八岁)，司马昭任命锺会当镇西将军，假节钺，并且掌管关中的所有军事。

263年八月，受司马昭之命，与邓艾和诸葛绪等人以十八万兵力，分东中西三路攻蜀，意图灭蜀。锺会率主力十馀万人，再分三路分别从斜谷、骆谷、子午谷进军汉中，不久攻陷阳平关。其间夺了诸葛绪的权，并吞并其兵力。姜维不得已放弃汉中最后二要镇，退守剑阁。锺会大军攻打剑阁，却被姜维绊住，久攻不下。

这时，邓艾奇袭进军向成都，击杀诸葛瞻，刘禅率众投降。邓艾遣使敕姜维等令降于锺会。姜维得知消息后归降于锺会。锺会于是禁止士兵抢夺侵扰，向蜀汉官员释出善意，与姜维建立交情。在此之前，已经在阳平关派人祭拜了诸葛亮的坟墓，又从蒋琬的儿子蒋斌处问到蒋琬葬在涪县，又去涪县祭拜了蒋琬。

十二月，魏帝曹奂下诏任命锺会为司徒，并且进封他为县侯，增加一万户的食邑，另外还封他的两个儿子为亭侯，各给予一千户的食邑。

四日的「谋反」

平蜀后，锺会意图起事，密报司马昭说邓艾居功自傲、想要谋反，司马昭便命令锺会把邓艾关进囚车解押回朝。于是锺会进军成都，监军卫瓘先行，把司马昭的手谕传达给邓艾的士兵，于是邓艾的士卒皆放下武器，并将邓艾押入囚车。而后，锺会又收到司马昭书信，说怕锺会收服不了邓艾，已派中护军贾充率领步兵骑兵万人通过斜谷、屯军乐城，司马昭自己则率领十万兵士屯军长安。

魏元帝景元五年（264年）正月十六日，锺会集合了护军、郡守、牙门骑督以上武将官员及蜀汉故官，在蜀汉朝堂为刚逝世的郭太后发丧，同时宣称自己手握太后遗诏，决意起兵灭掉司马昭，把武将官员们都关在城中，自认能把军队控制在自己手中。锺会似乎原本打算派姜维率蜀兵出斜谷，占领长安，再派骑兵经陆路、步兵经水路会合于洛阳，就能翻转天下局势；又或者，打算据守蜀地。但护军胡烈藉著饮食传送的机会，与城外的儿子联络，用计致使城外诸军混乱。《晋书》又有一说，是监军卫瓘装病，到城外联络诸军。正月十八日，军队突然围攻进城，锺会与姜维及一众蜀汉官员一起死于兵乱之中，终年四十岁。

轶事

锺氏兄弟

• 《世说新语· 言语篇》中有描写锺会小时机敏的故事。记曰锺毓与锺会年少时即有美名，因此锺毓13岁时，魏文帝曹丕听说了此事，就对他们的父亲锺繇说：「可以叫这两个孩子来见我。」锺毓、锺会于是奉旨晋见。文帝见锺毓脸上有汗，便问：「你脸上为什么有汗？」锺毓回答：「战战惶惶，汗出如浆。」但见锺会脸上无汗，便问：「那你为什么不出汗？」锺会回答：「战战栗栗，汗不敢出。」然历史上曹丕驾崩时（226年），锺会不满二岁，故此轶事当为小说家所杜撰。

• 《世说新语·言语篇》还有另一篇关于锺毓锺会兄弟的故事，话说锺毓兄弟小时候，父亲午睡时，一起偷喝了药酒。这时父亲其实已经醒来，只是假睡好观察两人。锺毓拜而后饮，锺会饮而不拜。事后父问锺毓为什么拜，锺毓说：「酒以成礼，不敢不拜。」又问锺会为什么不拜，锺会回答：「偷本非礼，所以不拜。」同样在《世说新语·言语篇》，也有另一篇讲孔融的儿子偷酒喝不行礼的故事，但并没有对比两兄弟的表现。

• 锺会为其母张昌蒲作传。其中写到，张昌蒲怀孕时，另一位夫人孙氏在其饮食中暗中下药。后来锺繇发觉，将孙氏赶出家门。《三国志》注引《魏氏春秋》写，锺繇因宠爱锺会的母亲而休妻，此事连卞太后都出面说话让魏文帝曹丕下诏要锺繇迎回妻子，锺繇不肯甚至闹自杀自残，曹丕只好放弃。最后张昌蒲没有被扶正，而是另立贾氏为正妻。《通典》记载有锺毓为被休的母亲服丧的议论。似乎可以推论，孙氏就是原本锺繇正妻，而孙氏可能是锺毓的母亲。

• 《世说新语·巧艺篇》写，荀勖的母亲是锺会堂姊，荀勖早年丧父依附锺氏，锺会却与这个堂甥交情不合。荀勖有价值百万的宝剑寄放在母亲锺夫人处。锺会擅长书法，模仿荀勖笔迹写信向锺夫人取剑，偷走了就不还了。荀勖知道是锺会却没办法，想办法报仇。后来锺氏兄弟用千万建了一个宅子，盖得很精致，还没搬进去住。荀勖很会画画，就偷偷跑进新宅门堂画了锺繇画像，衣冠状貌栩栩如生。锺氏兄弟进门看见画像，非常悲伤，新宅就此空废了。又，锺会〈蒲萄赋序〉写到：「余植蒲萄于堂前，嘉而赋之，命荀勖并作。」似乎可见锺会与荀勖两人的亲近。

名士之交

• 《三国志》写锺会弱冠时与王弼名声并列。《三国志》注引何劭为王弼作传提到，王弼与锺会有交情，锺会论议以校练考核名实为主，但常佩服王弼高尚的志趣。

• 《三国志》写傅嘏喜欢讨论「才性同异」的问题，锺会作《四本论》进行整理探讨。《三国志》注引《傅子》记载，傅嘏论才性很精妙，很少人能达到他的高度。锺会虽然年纪较轻，傅嘏认同他观察判断的能力，而与他有交情。

• 《三国志》注引《世语》中描写夏侯玄卷入政争被收押时，锺毓当时担任执法的廷尉。锺毓哭著替夏侯玄写罪状，而锺会则藉机想与夏侯玄结交，却遭到夏侯玄严正拒绝。

• 《三国志》写，锺会是杀害名士嵇康的主谋，但并没有说明原因。《三国志》注引《嵇氏谱》、及《晋书》写，锺会曾率众拜访嵇康却不被嵇康理会，因而怀恨在心，所以藉著吕巽吕安兄弟的案件，劝司马昭杀死嵇康。在《世说新语·文学篇》描写了锺会与嵇康的交流，锺会写成了《四本论》后，想给嵇康看，又害怕他的问难，就从门外把《四本论》丢进去自己跑掉了。

• 《晋书》也描写，锺会常常询问阮籍时事问题，想要挑出毛病定罪，而阮籍因总是酣醉而幸免。北宋晁载之《续谈助》中有这样一段文字，写锺会曾向人说：「吾年少时一纸书，人云是阮步兵书，皆字字生义，既知是吾，不复道也。」

• 《晋书》写，山涛与锺会、裴秀都有交情，尽管锺裴二人争权不和，山涛居中与两人关系如故。

• 《世说新语·赏誉篇》写锺会评价王戎和裴楷：「裴楷清通，王戎简要。」《晋书》写，锺会将裴楷推荐给司马昭。裴楷对锺会的评价则是：「如观武库森森，但见矛戟在前。」另又载，锺会伐蜀前曾拜访王戎，王戎提醒锺会：「道家有言，『为而不恃』，非成功难，保之难也。」

• 《三国志·蒋琬传》中写，锺会伐蜀时路经阳平关，派人祭拜诸葛亮的坟墓。并且写信给驻守汉城的蒋琬之子蒋斌，信中写道：「巴蜀贤智文武之士多矣。至于足下、诸葛思远，譬诸草木，吾气类也。桑梓之敬，古今所敦。西到，欲奉瞻尊大君公侯墓，当洒埽坟茔，奉祠致敬。愿告其所在！」诸葛思远，即诸葛瞻。随后蒋斌也回信告知了父亲的坟墓在涪县。之后锺会路过涪县的时候，也真的去祭拜了蒋琬。

• 《三国志·姜维传》写，锺会灭蜀后与蜀汉将领姜维交好，曾向杜预说出对姜维的评价：「以伯约比中土名士，公休、太初不能胜也。」公休即诸葛诞，太初即夏侯玄。

司马家族

• 《三国志》注引《世语》写，司马师命中书令虞松作表，几经修改不能满意，锺会帮助虞松更改了五个字，司马师因此认识到锺会的才能。而锺会为了应付虞松口中「博学明识，无所不贯」的司马师，闭门精思了十天。两人见面谈了一整天，结束后司马师拍手叹息说：「此真王佐材也！」裴松之不认同这篇记载，他认为锺会的名声应该不需要透过虞松引荐给司马师。

• 《世说新语·贤媛篇》中写许允卷入政争被司马师杀害，司马师派锺会拜访许允的妻儿，许允的妻子认为儿子们的才能不高，嘱咐儿子们平常心面对即可。锺会回去后，许允的儿子们并没有被牵连。

• 《世说新语·排调篇》写司马昭与陈群的儿子陈泰、陈矫的儿子陈骞同车，呼唤锺会上车，还没等他来就先开车了，后来碰面的时候司马昭说：「与人期行，何以迟迟？望卿遥遥不至。」意思是因锺会父亲锺繇的「繇」与「遥」同音，故意拿父讳的谐音戏弄他。锺会不甘示弱回答：「矫然懿实，何必同群？」用八个字讲出三人父亲的名字。司马昭不放弃直接明zh-cn:着;zh-tw:著;来，问：「皋繇何如人？」锺会又答：「上不及尧、舜，下不逮周、孔，亦一时之懿士。」同样在《世说新语·排调篇》，也有另一篇讲锺毓被司马师、陈泰以及武周的儿子武陔等人戏弄的故事，锺毓同样用「古之懿士」「君子周而不比，群而不党」回答。

• 《三国志》注引《汉晋春秋》、及《晋书》写，锺会死后尸体无人殓葬，向雄便出面收葬锺会。原来数年前王经因曹髦事被杀，向雄曾为王经哭丧，向雄事后因别的事件而被关押，时任司隶校尉的锺会任命在监狱中的向雄为都官从事，即司隶校尉属官。司马昭责问向雄：「王经去世，你在东市哭他，我不问罪。锺会叛逆，你又安葬，我若宽容你，那还有王法吗？」向雄说：「从前先王掩埋刑人的尸体，仁流朽骨，当时难道先占卜功过后才安葬吗？现在法已施行，依法已完备。我因道义所感化而收葬他，道义上也没有过错。法立于上，敎弘于下，为什么一定要让我立身于违背生死常理呢？殿下把他的枯骨弃在荒野，作为将来的贤人的口实，不太可惜吗？」司马昭听后款待并放过了向雄。

• 《晋书》写，西晋时冯紞意图阻碍张华的仕途，向司马炎进言表示，锺会之乱司马昭也有责任，因司马昭太过重用锺会。司马炎问：「当今难道有像锺会的人吗？」冯紞给予暗示。日后张华果然不被司马炎重用。

瘟神同名

• 干宝《搜神记》卷五「散骑侍郎王佑疾困」故事中有：「上帝以三将军赵公明、锺士季各督数鬼下取人。」南宋天心派道士路时中所撰《无上玄元三天玉堂大法》卷十三论述瘟神行瘟之源由和制瘟之法，云：「但今末世，时代浇薄，人心破坏，五情乱杂……东方青瘟鬼刘元达，木之精，领万鬼行恶风之病；南方赤瘟鬼张元伯，火之精，领万鬼行热毒之病；西方白瘟鬼赵公明，金之精，领万鬼行注气之病；北方黑瘟鬼锺士季，水之精，领万鬼行恶毒之病；中央黄瘟鬼史文业，土之精，领万鬼行恶疮痈肿。」之后瘟神锺士季的名字，又转变为锺仕贵、锺士秀等形音相近的名字。没有直接证据说明瘟神锺士季源于锺会，但有人认为锺会封神一事与六朝崇拜败军死将为鬼神的信仰有关，如项羽演变为项王神，苏峻演变为苏侯神的例子。

著述

学术主张

• 《三国志》记载，锺会死后，在锺会家中找到有书二十篇，名曰《道论》，而书的内容属于「刑名家」；又提到锺会曾论才性同异、易无互体。《隋书·经籍志》、《旧唐书·经籍志》及《新唐书·艺文志》记有《周易尽神论》、《周易无互体论》、《周易论》、《老子道德经注》、《刍荛论》、《锺会集》等著作流传至隋唐。牟宗三认为锺会兼论才性与注老易，可谓从「才性名理」至「玄学名理」的转关人物。

• 锺会曾就「才性同异」问题作《才性四本论》，简称《四本论》。才性之辩是当时受到重视的议题。《四本论》的内容已经散佚，只知道以下大纲。《世说新语》注引《魏志》提到:「会论才性同异传于世。四本者，言才性同，才性异，才性合，才性离也。尚书傅嘏论同，中书令李丰论异，侍郎锺会论合，屯骑校尉王广论离。」

• 锺会主张「易无互体」，也就是反对把二至四、三至五爻推为新的卦象。当世荀顗曾就互体这个题目与锺会辩论。与锺会友好的王弼，在《周易略例》中也曾批评互体。

• 关于锺会的《老子道德经注》，近代研究者从《文选》李善注、陆德明《老子音义》及宋朝道士李霖的《道德真经取善集》中找出二十四条锺会《老子注》的内文，锺会的《老子注》中似乎可以见到汉代宇宙论的影响，且具有汉代章句之学的特点，另又以内外关系诠释有无，与王弼的以无为本有所不同。

文学遗篇

• 《昭明文选》收录锺会〈檄蜀文〉。刘勰《文心雕龙》评论：「锺会檄蜀，徵验甚明；桓温檄胡，观舋尤切，并壮笔也。」

• 明张溥所编《汉魏六朝百三家集》，辑有《锺司徒集》。张溥题词中对锺会文章评价为：「览其遗篇，彬彬儒雅，则犹魏文七子馀泽矣。」《全三国文》收录有锺会诗赋及著作的片段。

书法成就

• 锺会之父为著名书法家锺繇，而锺会本身在书法上亦有相当造诣，唐朝时尚有作品传世。

　• 唐张彦远《法书要录》引梁庾元威《论书》目锺会为九品中的「上品之下」。

　• 唐张怀瓘《书议》评价锺会的书法为「真书第五」，「章书第六」「草书第七」。将钟会的隶书、行书、章草和草书置于妙品中，仅次于神品。称其为：「稍备筋骨，美兼行草，尤工隶书。遂逸致飘然，有凌云之志。」「蔡邕、张昶、荀勖、皇象、韦诞、钟会。度德比义，崔、张之亚也，可微劣右军（王羲之）行书之价。——以上六人第二等。」引窦臮《述书赋》赞锺会之书法「观士季之轨辙，审锺家之超越。将遗古而偕能，与象贤而蹈拙。如后生之可畏，实气盖于前哲。」

　• 南齐王僧虔《论书》曰：「张芝、索靖、韦诞、钟会、二卫，并得名前代。古今既异，无以辨其优劣，惟见笔力惊绝耳。」

　• 梁武帝萧衍《古今书人优劣评》称「钟会书有十二意，意多奇妙。」

　• 《杜工部草堂诗笺》注引袁昂《论书》云：「钟书有十二种意外巧妙，实亦多奇。」

　• 梁庾肩吾《书品论》，分书法家上中下品，有十七人为上品、另有四十八人为中品，五十六人为下品。取三人为上品之上（张芝、钟繇、王羲之），五人为上品之中（崔瑗、杜度、师宜官、张昶、王献之），……索靖（幼安）、梁鹄（孟皇）、韦诞（仲将）、皇象（休明）、胡昭（孔明）、钟会（士季）、卫瓘（伯玉）、荀舆（长胤）、阮研（文几）此九人为上品之下。 「士季之范元常，犹子敬之禀逸少。而功拙兼效，真草皆成。」

　• 唐李嗣真《书后品》载：「……始于秦氏，终唐世，凡八十一人，分为十等。上中品七人。蔡邕、索靖、梁鹄、钟会、卫瓘、韦诞、皇象……钟、索迹虽少，吾家有小钟正书《洛神赋》，河南长孙氏雅所珍好，用子敬草书数纸易之。」可见，唐朝之时还有钟会书法作品《洛神赋》，今不可见也。

　• 唐韦续《墨薮》曰：「上古创意制字，务在形质。自夏禹之后，乃精妙间生，体操屡移，实难具美。今继真约古，晶藻录其长，分为三等，皆旁通上中下，总一百九人，列之于后。」钟会八分被归为上下类。

　• 唐卢元卿《法书录》云：「贞元十一年正月，于都官郎中窦众兴化宅见王廙书、钟会书各一卷。」钟会书法作品此时仍存于世。

　• 但有人认为钟会的书法离钟繇的书法还有很大距离。唐武平一《徐氏法书记》日：「先贤所评，子敬之比逸少，犹士季之比元常，言去之远矣。」

• 锺会又善于效仿他人书法，伐蜀胜利后，曾伪造邓艾书信使司马昭对邓艾产生怀疑下令收押邓艾。锺会趁机兼并了邓艾的军队。《世说新语》亦记载有锺会假冒外甥荀勖笔迹，骗取荀勖的宝剑之事。

评价

当世评价

• 蒋济：「非常人也。」（《三国志·锺会传》）

• 曹髦：「会典综军事，参同计策，料敌制胜，有谋谟之勋，而推宠固让，辞指款实，前后累重，志不可夺。」（《三国志·锺会传》）

• 傅嘏：「子志大其量，而勋业难为也。可不慎哉！」（《三国志·傅嘏传》）

• 锺毓：「会挟术难保，不可专任。」（《三国志·魏书二十八·锺会传》）

• 陈寿：「寿春之破，会谋居多，亲待日隆，时人谓之子房。」（《三国志·锺会传》）；「王凌风节格尚，毌丘俭才识拔干，诸葛诞严毅威重，锺会精练策数，咸以显名，致兹荣任，而皆心大志迂，不虑祸难，变如发机，宗族涂地，岂不谬惑邪！」（《三国志·王毌丘诸葛邓锺传第廿八评》）

• 司马师：「此真王佐材也！」（《三国志·锺会传》注引《世语》）

• 夏侯霸：「有锺士季，其人管朝政，吴、蜀之忧也。」（《三国志·锺会传》注引《世语》）又曰：「有锺士季者，其人虽少，终为吴、蜀之忧，然非非常之人亦不能用也。」（《三国志·锺会传》注引《汉晋春秋》）

• 辛宪英：「会在事纵恣，非特久处下之道。」（《三国志·锺会传》注引《世语》）

• 姜维：「闻君自淮南已来，算无遗策，晋道克昌，皆君之力。今复定蜀，威德振世，民高其功，主畏其谋，欲以此安归乎！夫韩信不背汉于扰攘，以见疑于既平，大夫种不从范蠡于五湖，卒伏剑而妄死，彼岂暗主愚臣哉？利害使之然也。今君大功既立，大德已著，何不法陶朱公泛舟绝迹，全功保身，登峨嵋之岭，而从赤松游乎？」（《汉晋春秋》）

• 裴楷：「如观武库森森，但见矛戟在前」。（《世说新语．赏誉》《晋书·裴楷传》）

• 王元姬：「会见利忘义，好为事端，宠过必乱，不可大任。」（《晋书》）

• 荀勖：「锺会虽受恩，然其性未可许以见得思义，不可不速为之备。」（《晋书》）

后世评价

• 李石：「苍龙甲戌岁，修筑周公殿。文翁至高君，学校已再变。顺考兴平年，寔纪汉之献。或云锺会书，入木字隐见。自献而至会，朔历斗杓转。会初入蜀时，意不止弱禅。有如猿猱系，百巧欲伺便。杀女不作难，机锋剧刀箭。会书固出繇，家法素所善。至学艾笔迹，暮夜走邮传。老昭岂易欺，真僞猝难辨。欺昭尔尚可，蜀士多秀彦。当其下笔时，宁不愧颜面。虽蒙黼藻文，不揜粪土贱。周公傥有灵，白日下雷电。」(〈殿柱记〉)

• 陈普：「身在成都已孟津，霎时飞首过函秦。子房智勇裁如此，不悟诛秦灭项人。」「诸葛风流尚未休，山川为斩邓锺头。至今青史忧吴蜀，莫把知人责夏侯。」（《陈普诗选》）

• 罗贯中：「汉时良将后，幼作秘书郎。当世夸英俊，时人号子房。寿春多赞画，蜀郡逞轩昂。不学陶朱法，游魂返故乡。」

• 王夫之：「（评郭崇韬）蹑钟会之已迹而益以贪，则必罹卫瓘之网罗而弗能辩，诛死在眉睫而不悟，其工也，正其愚矣。」（《读通鉴论》卷二十九）

• 张溥：「锺士季弱冠与王辅嗣并知名，其论易无互体、才性异同，厥㫖不殊。然山阳易注，光列学宫，而颍川𤣥辨，寂尔不显，岂才地经营，方期功业，无暇立言，或者身族糜覆，䇿书烟销，微言妙义，莫得而闻也。志云：道论二十篇系士季文笔；今不获见，其他亡轶，可以类推。命妇传善言母徳，宗述教训，在齐女傅母、鲁季敬姜之间；乃鸣鹤白茅、枢机慎密，母诲至勤，胡为破蜀以后，顿忘执手之戒，自取灭门？夫司马专国，䀝睨魏鼎，奄有西土，势必自帝；魏亡于司马与亡于士季等亡尔。使反谋果成，步骑并发，缚文王父子，告庙衅鼓，奠安大魏，功岂在闳、散以下；即不然，同为簒臣，割地而守，未知谁雌雄也。时违其才，倾跌须臾，乱兵登城，英雄骈死；天相司马，非尽士季之失。抑览其遗篇，彬彬儒雅，则犹魏文七子馀泽矣。」(《汉魏六朝百三家集》 )

• 余嘉锡：「观其赏誉人者，如钟会、王戎、王衍、王敦、王澄、司马越、桓温、郗超、王恭、司马道子、殷仲堪之徒，并典午之罪人。被赏誉者，若乐广、郭象、刘舆、祖约、杨朗、王应之类，亦金行之乱贼。则其高下是非，又恶可尽信哉！」（《世说新语笺疏：赏誉第八》）(句中「典午」是「司马」之隐语，「金行」则指晋朝因晋为金德。)

• 吕思勉：「魏武帝亡殁了，继之而得志的，却是司马氏父子。忠君爱民的心地，光明磊落的行为，全都看不见了，......几千年来，封建社会的道德，真个就此完了么？不，任何一种社会现象，都没有突然而兴，也没有突然而绝的。虽然在其衰败垂绝之时，也总还有一两人，出而为神龙掉尾的奋斗。这正和日落时的馀晖一般，流连光景的人，更觉得其可爱了。」「锺会为什么要造反呢？他是司马师、司马昭的心腹，人家称他为张子房的。......这时候的司马氏，是不容易推翻的，他岂有不知之理？况且他也向来是个文臣，如何会忽有野心，想要推翻司马昭呢？我们看这个，就知他一定有大不得已的苦衷。」「钟会是个文人，很有学问的，不是什么不知义理的武人，他要尽忠于魏朝，是极合情理的。所以钟会可说和王凌，毌丘俭，诸葛诞一样，都是魏朝的忠臣，并不是自己有什么野心。而他的谋略，还在这三人之上，亦且兵权在手，设使没有北兵的叛变，竟从长安而下，直指洛阳，这时候司马氏的大势如何，倒是很可担忧的了。」「钟会的效忠于魏。姜维的效忠于汉，又可称封建道德之下的两个烈士了。」(《三国史话》〈姜维与锺会〉)

家庭

曾祖父

• 锺皓，字季明，东汉名士。于《后汉书·卷六十二》有传。锺氏是颍川大族，家族擅长于刑律。锺皓终生未仕，以诗律教授门徒千馀人。与荀淑受当时士大夫所归慕，李膺常叹曰：「荀君清识难尚，锺君至德可师。」

祖父

• 锺迪，曾任颍川郡主簿，因党锢不仕。

父

• 锺繇，字元常，东汉末年为司隶校尉，镇守关中，被曹操誉为萧何。曹魏时为廷尉、太尉，曹睿即位后封定陵侯、升迁为太傅，死时魏帝曹睿素服吊唁。諡号「成侯」。也是著名书法家。

母

• 张昌蒲，锺繇的妾，太原兹氏人。甘露二年二月病死，年五十九。

• 贾氏，嫡母。孙氏被锺繇休妻后，钟繇更纳贾氏

兄弟

• 锺毓，字稚叔，锺会的异母兄。太和二年(228年)为黄门侍郎。继承锺繇爵位定陵侯，后历任曹魏廷尉、尚书、后将军，都督徐州、荆州军事。死后追赠车骑将军，諡「惠侯」。

• 锺劭。《三国志‧锺繇传》：「初，文帝分毓户邑，封繇弟演及子劭、孙豫列侯。」可以解释为锺繇的儿子，也可以解释为锺繇弟弟锺演的儿子。如果当作是锺繇的儿子，是锺会的异母兄。

其他

• 锺毅，锺毓子，锺会养子。锺会败亡后被诛。

• 荀勖，锺会的堂甥，也就是堂姊的儿子。祖父是荀爽。西晋时官至中书监、尚书令，封济北郡侯，死后追赠司徒，諡「成侯」。擅长于音乐和绘画。因早年丧父成长在锺家，和锺会颇有互动。

• 锺琰，锺繇曾孙女，也就是锺会某个兄长的孙女。有才德，嫁给西晋将领王浑，生王济。

艺术形象

三国演义

小说《三国演义》中，锺会的登场与史书中大致相同，但有一些细节上的差异。锺会的名字第一次出现是在一百零七回夏侯霸奔蜀，提及魏国有将才锺会邓艾二人正在妙龄，其中对锺会的描述是「喜读兵书，深明韬略。司马懿与蒋济皆称其才。」在征毌丘俭、诸葛诞的章回中，具体化描写了锺会向司马师、司马昭的建策，令司马昭说出：「君真吾之子房也！」。可看出《三国演义》更强调于锺会的军事能力、作为司马氏谋主的身分，以及与邓艾的对立。

《三国演义》中锺会形象颇为复杂。一方面他相当有文化素养，战略上提出「全国为上」的概念，在寿春主张放归东吴降卒显示宽仁，在汉中受到诸葛亮幽灵嘱托对百姓秋毫无犯。但另一方面小说也加重描写其恶劣的行径，如在收邓艾一节，写锺会「以鞭挞邓艾之首而骂曰：『养犊小儿，何敢如此！』」但作者亦将锺会与邓艾、姜维并列，作诗感叹三人的才干与命运。

影视

• 1994年电视剧《三国演义》：管越

• 2017年电视剧《军师联盟》：刘岳

游戏

• 真三国无双系列（光荣公司开发，会一太郎配音）

漫画

• 志水明《异乡之草》（全一册）中有以锺会为主角的短篇〈睑之乐土〉，是基于锺会与母亲张昌蒲之关系的创作。

Early life and career

Zhong Hui's ancestral home was in Changshe County, Yingchuan Commandery (颍川郡), 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.

The Wei official Jiang Ji wrote in one of his works that one can tell what a person's character is like by observing his/her eye pupils. When Zhong Hui was four years old, his father sent him to meet Jiang Ji, who noted that the boy was extraordinary. By the time Zhong Hui reached adulthood, he was already famous for being hardworking, well read, and versed in different types of arts. During the Zhengshi era (240–249) of the reign of Cao Fang, he served as a Gentleman Cadet of the Imperial Library (秘书郎) and was later promoted to Attendant Gentleman of the Palace Writers and Masters of Writing (尚书中书侍郎). He was awarded the title of a Secondary Marquis when Cao Mao ascended the throne in 254.

Zhong Hui studied the Yijing. After his death, a 20-volume book titled Dao Lun (道论) was discovered in his house. The book, which was believed to be written by Zhong Hui, discussed either Legalist or Logician philosophy even though its title suggests it was about Taoism. When he reached adulthood, his fame placed him on par with the philosopher Wang Bi, who was about the same age as him.

Gaining the attention of Sima Shi

The Shiyu recorded an incident about how Zhong Hui came to the attention of the Wei regent Sima Shi. Sima Shi instructed Yu Song (虞松), the Prefect of the Palace Writers (中书令), to draft a memorandum. He was not satisfied after reading Yu Song's draft and ordered him to rewrite. Yu Song was unable to think of a better way to write the memorandum after racking his brains and felt gloomy. Zhong Hui noticed Yu Song looked troubled, so he offered to help him and changed five words in the memorandum. Yu Song was pleased after looking through Zhong Hui's edits and he presented the revised draft to Sima Shi later. After reading it, Sima Shi asked him, "You didn't make these changes. Who edited it?" Yu Song replied, "Zhong Hui. I've been wanting to recommend him to you, my lord. Now that you asked, I shan't keep him to myself anymore." Sima Shi said, "He's capable of shouldering greater responsibilities. Summon him." When Yu Song informed Zhong Hui that Sima Shi wanted to meet him, Zhong asked him about Sima's abilities, to which Yu replied, "He's learned, wise and multi-talented." Zhong Hui stayed at home for about ten days, during which he refused to meet any visitors and carefully thought about what he would say to Sima Shi. On the day he met Sima Shi, he entered Sima's residence early in the morning and left only at midnight. After Zhong Hui left, Sima Shi remarked, "He's truly a great talent capable of assisting rulers."

Pei Songzhi cast doubts on the Shiyu account. He felt that it was unlikely that Yu Song had to recommend Zhong Hui to Sima Shi, because Sima would most probably have already at least heard of Zhong due to the following reasons. First, Zhong Hui came from an elite family background. Second, he was already famous when he was still a youth. Third, he started serving in the Wei government as soon as he reached the age of adulthood. Pei also believed that it was impossible for anyone to be able to tell, simply by reading a piece of writing, that a person who edited a few words in it is capable of shouldering greater responsibilities.

Role in the Shouchun rebellions

Sima Zhaos rise to power

In 255, when the Wei generals Guanqiu Jian and Wen Qin started a rebellion in Shouchun (寿春; present-day Shou County, Anhui), Sima Shi led Wei imperial forces to suppress the revolt, with Zhong Hui accompanying him as an assistant officer. Sima Shi's younger brother, Sima Zhao, followed behind with another army to support them. Sima Shi died in Xuchang after the rebellion was suppressed. He was succeeded by Sima Zhao, who took over command of his troops. At the time, the Wei emperor Cao Mao ordered Sima Zhao to remain in Xuchang and Fu Jia to lead the armies back to the imperial capital, Luoyang. Zhong Hui conspired with Fu Jia to urge Sima Zhao to disregard the emperor's order and lead the troops to a garrison at the south of the Luo River (雒水) near Luoyang. Sima Zhao became the new regent and continued to remain in control of the Wei government as his brother did before him. Zhong Hui was appointed as a Gentleman of the Yellow Gate and awarded the title "Marquis of Dongwu Village" with 300 taxable households in his marquisate.

Helping to suppress Zhuge Dans rebellion

In 257, the Wei imperial court summoned the general Zhuge Dan, who was stationed in Shouchun, to return to Luoyang to serve as the Excellency of Works (司空). At the time, Zhong Hui was practising filial mourning because his mother recently died. However, he immediately stopped mourning and went to warn Sima Zhao when he foresaw that Zhuge Dan would disobey the order. Sima Zhao felt that it was troublesome to change the order since it had already been sent out so he did not take any action. Zhuge Dan started a rebellion in Shouchun later. Zhong Hui accompanied Sima Zhao as he led imperial forces to attack the rebels.

When Zhuge Dan rebelled in Shouchun, Sun Chen, the regent of Wei's rival state Eastern Wu, ordered the general Quan Yì (全怿) and others to lead Wu forces to support Zhuge Dan. Quan Yì had disagreements with his relatives Quan Hui (全辉) and Quan Yí (全仪), who were in the Wu capital, Jianye (建业; present-day Nanjing, Jiangsu). Quan Hui and Quan Yí brought along their families and followers and defected to Wei. When Zhong Hui received news about their defection, he suggested to Sima Zhao to ask Quan Hui and Quan Yí to write a secret letter to Quan Yì and lie to him that Sun Chen was displeased by Quan Yì's failure to conquer Shouchun and wanted to execute Quan Yì's family, hence they decided to defect to Wei. Quan Yì became fearful so he brought along his troops and surrendered to Sima Zhao. Without support from Wu, Zhuge Dan's rebels were defeated by Sima Zhao's forces and Shouchun was taken back by Wei. Zhong Hui was more highly regarded than before by Sima Zhao due to the success of his plan. His contemporaries also compared him to Zhang Liang, a strategist who served under the Han dynasty's founder, Emperor Gao.

After Zhong Hui returned to Luoyang, the Wei imperial court offered him the position of Minister Coachman (太仆), but he turned down the offer and chose to be a clerk in Sima Zhao's office. He was one of Sima Zhao's close aides. Later, the imperial court wanted to enfeoff him as the "Marquis of Chen" to honour him for his contributions in suppressing Zhuge Dan's rebellion, but he declined to accept the marquis title. The court respected his decision and appointed him as the Colonel-Director of Retainers (司隷校尉) instead. Zhong Hui was still heavily involved in politics in the imperial court even though he did not serve in the court. He also played a major role in instigating Sima Zhao to execute Ji Kang.

Conquest of Shu

Strategic planning and opening moves

Between 247 and 262, Jiang Wei, a general from Wei's rival state Shu Han, led a series of military campaigns to attack Wei's western borders, but failed to make any significant territorial gains. Sima Zhao felt that Shu was growing weak and lacking in resources after all the campaigns, hence he wanted to launch a large-scale invasion of Shu to eliminate it. Among those he consulted, only Zhong Hui agreed that Shu could be conquered. Zhong Hui assisted Sima Zhao in formulating a strategy for the conquest of Shu.

In the winter of 262–263, Zhong Hui was appointed General Who Guards the West and granted imperial authority to manage military affairs in the Guanzhong region. Sima Zhao also mobilised military forces from the various provinces in Wei and ordered Tang Zi to oversee the construction of warships in preparation for an invasion on Wei's other rival state, Eastern Wu.

In the autumn of 263, the Wei imperial court issued an edict ordering Deng Ai and Zhuge Xu to lead 30,000 troops each and attack Shu from two directions: Deng Ai's force would pass through Gansong (甘松; southeast of present-day Têwo County, Gansu) and Tazhong (沓中; northwest of present-day Zhugqu County, Gansu), and engage Jiang Wei's army; Zhuge Xu's force would pass through Wujie Bridge (武街桥; northwest of present-day Wen County, Gansu) and block Jiang Wei's retreat route. Zhong Hui led another army, numbering some 100,000 men, and entered Shu territory via the Xie Valley (斜谷; southwest of present-day Mei County, Shaanxi) and Luo Valley (骆谷; southwest of present-day Zhouzhi County, Shaanxi).

Zhong Hui ordered Xu Yi, a son of the veteran Wei general Xu Chu, to oversee the construction of a road leading into Shu. However, when the road turned out to be poorly built, Zhong Hui disregarded Xu Yi's background and had him executed for failing his mission. The Wei army was shocked at Zhong Hui's audacity.

Engagements with Shu forces

In response to the Wei invasion, the Shu government ordered its armed forces to refrain from engaging the enemy and instead retreat to Hancheng (汉城; east of present-day Mian County, Shaanxi) and Lecheng (乐城; east of present-day Chenggu County, Shaanxi) and hold their positions. Liu Qin, the Administrator of the Wei-controlled Weixing Commandery (魏兴郡; around present-day Ankang, Shaanxi), led his army through the Ziwu Valley (子午谷; east of present-day Yang County, Shaanxi) towards the Shu-controlled Hanzhong Commandery. The Shu officers Wang Han (王含) and Jiang Bin (蒋斌) defended Hancheng and Lecheng respectively with 5,000 troops each. Zhong Hui ordered his subordinates Xun Kai (荀恺) and Li Fu (李辅) to lead 10,000 men each to attack Hancheng and Lecheng, while he led his main army towards Yang'an Pass (阳安口; also known as Yangping Pass, in present-day Ningqiang County, Shaanxi). Along the way, he sent his men to pay respects on his behalf at Zhuge Liang's tomb (at the foot of Mount Dingjun, Mian County, Shaanxi). When he arrived at Yang'an Pass, he ordered Hu Lie (胡烈) to lead the attack on the pass. Hu Lie succeeded in capturing the pass and the supplies stored there by Shu forces.

Jiang Wei retreated from Tazhong towards Yinping (阴平; northwest of present-day Wen County, Gansu), where he rallied his troops and prepared to reinforce Yang'an Pass. However, he retreated to a fort at Baishui (白水; in present-day Qingchuan County, Sichuan) when he heard that Yang'an Pass had been captured by Wei forces. He rendezvoused with the Shu generals Zhang Yi, Liao Hua and others and moved to defend their position at the fortified mountain pass Jiange (劒阁; also known as Jianmen Pass, in present-day Jiange County, Sichuan). Zhong Hui wrote a long address to the Shu forces, urging them to give up resistance and surrender to Wei.

Deng Ai pursued Jiang Wei to Yinping, where he formed a group of elite soldiers from among his troops and took a shortcut to Jiangyou (江由; north of present-day Jiangyou, Sichuan) through Deyang Village (德阳亭; northwest of present-day Jiange County, Sichuan), and approached Mianzhu, which was near the Shu capital Chengdu. He asked Zhuge Xu to join him. Zhuge Xu had received orders to block Jiang Wei's advance and was not authorised to join Deng Ai in his mission, so he led his force to Baishui County to rendezvous with Zhong Hui. Zhong Hui ordered Tian Zhang (田章) and others to lead a force to bypass the west of Jiange and approach Jiangyou. Along the way, they encountered three groups of Shu ambushers, defeated them and destroyed their camps. Deng Ai let Tian Zhang lead the vanguard and clear the path.

Fall of Shu

When Zhong Hui and Zhuge Xu arrived near Jiange, Zhong Hui desired to seize control of Zhuge Xu's command, so he secretly reported to the Wei imperial court that Zhuge Xu displayed cowardice in battle. As a result, Zhuge Xu was stripped of his command and sent back to the Wei capital Luoyang, while Zhong Hui took command of his army. Zhong Hui then ordered an attack on Jiange but failed to conquer the mountain pass because the Shu forces put up a strong defence, so he retreated.

In the meantime, Deng Ai and his men reached Mianzhu, where they defeated a Shu army led by Zhuge Zhan, who was killed in action. When Jiang Wei learnt of Zhuge Zhan's death, he led his forces east towards Ba Commandery (巴郡; present-day Chongqing). Zhong Hui led his army to Fu County (涪县; present-day Mianyang, Sichuan) and ordered Hu Lie (胡烈), Tian Xu, Pang Hui and others to lead troops to pursue Jiang Wei. At the same time, Deng Ai and his men had arrived outside Chengdu. The Shu emperor Liu Shan surrendered to Deng Ai without putting up a fight, and then gave orders to Jiang Wei to surrender to Zhong Hui. Jiang Wei headed to Fu County, where he ordered his men to lay down their arms and surrender to Zhong Hui.

Following the successful conquest of Shu, Zhong Hui wrote a memorial to the Wei imperial court to report his contributions and urge the government to pacify and restore peace in Shu through benevolent governance. He also gave strict orders forbidding his troops from plundering and pillaging the Shu lands, and treated the former Shu officials in a respectful manner. He got along very well with Jiang Wei.

In the winter of 263–264, the Wei imperial court issued a decree to praise Zhong Hui for his contributions in the conquest of Shu. Zhong Hui was appointed Minister over the Masses, promoted from a village-level marquis to a county-level marquis, and had the number of taxable households in his marquisate increased to 10,000. His two (adoptive) sons were each granted a village marquis title and 1,000 taxable households in their marquisate.

Downfall and death

Arresting Deng Ai

Zhong Hui had long harboured the intention of rebelling against Wei. When he saw that Deng Ai behaved in an autocratic manner even though his military command was authorised by the Wei imperial court, he secretly reported to the court that Deng was plotting a rebellion. He was skilled in imitating people's handwriting. After intercepting a report written by Deng Ai to the Wei imperial court, he edited the report to make it sound arrogant and demanding. At the same time, he also destroyed a letter from Sima Zhao to Deng Ai. The Wei government fell for Zhong Hui's ruse and ordered Deng Ai to be arrested and transported back to Luoyang in a prison cart. Sima Zhao was worried that Deng Ai would not submit, so he ordered Zhong Hui and Wei Guan to arrest Deng Ai. With Zhong Hui and his troops following behind, Wei Guan went to Deng Ai's camp in Chengdu and used Sima Zhao's letter of authorisation to order Deng's soldiers to put down their weapons. Deng Ai was arrested and placed in a prison cart.

Planning

Zhong Hui had been wary of Deng Ai, so after Deng was arrested, he immediately assumed command of the Wei forces in the former Shu territories. He was overwhelmed by feelings of megalomania after seeing that he wielded great power in his hands, so he decided to rebel against Wei. He came up with a strategy for capturing the Wei capital, Luoyang, in the following sequence:

• Jiang Wei would lead a vanguard force out of the Xie Valley (斜谷) to attack the city of Chang'an. Zhong Hui would follow behind with the main army and provide support.

• After capturing Chang'an, the army would be split into two groups – infantry and cavalry. The infantry would sail along the Wei and Yellow rivers towards Meng Ford (孟津) near Luoyang while the cavalry would ride towards Luoyang on land. Zhong Hui estimated that the journey would take five days.

• The infantry and cavalry would rendezvous outside Luoyang and attack the city together.

Zhong Hui received a letter from Sima Zhao, which read: "I fear Deng Ai might not submit. I have ordered Jia Chong to lead 10,000 infantry and cavalry into the Xie Valley and station at Lecheng. I will lead 100,000 troops to garrison at Chang'an. We will be meeting each other soon." After reading the letter, Zhong Hui was shocked and he told his close aides, "When His Excellency ordered me to arrest Deng Ai, he knew I was capable of accomplishing the task alone. However, now, since he has brought his troops here, he must be suspecting me. We should take action quickly. If we succeed, the Empire is ours. If we fail, we can retreat back to Shu Han and do as Liu Bei did before us. It is widely known that my plans have never failed once since the Shouchun rebellions. How can I be contented with such fame?"

Mutiny

Zhong Hui arrived in Chengdu on 29 February 264. The following day, he summoned all the high-ranking officers and former Shu officers to the old Shu imperial court in the name of holding a memorial service for the recently deceased Empress Dowager Guo. During the service, he showed them an imperial decree and claimed it was issued by the empress dowager before she died. In the decree, Empress Dowager Guo wanted all those who were loyal to Wei to rise up against Sima Zhao and remove him from power. The decree was actually a fake one written by Zhong Hui. Zhong Hui sought the officers' opinions, asked them to sign on a list if they agreed to carry out the empress dowager's dying wish, and then instructed his close aides to take over command of the various military units. He then had all the officers detained in their respective offices with the doors shut, and ordered the gates of the city to be closed and tightly guarded.

Qiu Jian (丘建), an officer serving under Zhong Hui, used to be a subordinate of Hu Lie (胡烈). Hu Lie recommended him to Sima Zhao. Zhong Hui favoured and regarded Qiu Jian highly and requested for him to be transferred to his unit. Qiu Jian sympathised with Hu Lie, who was detained alone inside a room, so he approached Zhong Hui and said that each of the detained officers should have a servant to attend to their personal needs. Zhong Hui agreed. Hu Lie lied to his servant and wrote a letter to his sons, in which he claimed he heard from Qiu Jian that Zhong Hui was planning to purge the officers not from his own unit by luring them into a trap and killing them. The rumour spread like wildfire among all the detained officers. When Zhong Hui's men received news about the rumour, they suggested to their superior to execute all the officers holding the rank of Cavalry Commandant of the Standard and above. Zhong Hui could not decide on what to do.

Around noon on 3 March 264, Hu Lie's sons and subordinates started beating the drums and their soldiers followed suit. After that, they rushed towards the city gates in a disorderly manner because they had no one to lead them. Around the time, Jiang Wei was collecting his armour and weapons from Zhong Hui when they heard shouting and received news that a fire had broken out. Moments later, it was reported that many soldiers were crowding near the city gates. Zhong Hui was surprised and he asked Jiang Wei, "Those men are causing trouble. What should we do?" Jiang Wei replied, "Kill them." Zhong Hui then ordered his men to kill the officers who were still detained in their offices. Some of the officers used pieces of furniture to block the doors. Zhong Hui's men rammed the doors but could not force them open. A while later, there were reports of people climbing up the city gates on ladders and of people setting fire to buildings. Chaos broke out and arrows were fired in all directions. The detained officers broke out of captivity, regrouped with their men, and attacked Zhong Hui and Jiang Wei. Zhong Hui and Jiang Wei fought the mutinying soldiers and slew about five or six of them, but were eventually overwhelmed and killed by them. Zhong Hui was 40 years old (by East Asian age reckoning) when he died. Hundreds of lives were lost in the mutiny.

Sima Zhaos foresight

Initially, when Sima Zhao wanted to put Zhong Hui in charge of leading the Wei army to conquer Shu, Shao Ti (邵悌) warned him that Zhong Hui might rebel against Wei because he was in command of an army of thousands, was single, and had no family to worry about. Sima Zhao laughed and said he understood Shao Ti's concern very well, but chose to let Zhong Hui lead the Wei army because he had faith in Zhong's ability to conquer Shu. He also predicted that Zhong Hui would not succeed even if he rebelled because of two reasons. First, the people of Shu would not support Zhong Hui because they were already fearful after witnessing the fall of Shu. Second, the Wei forces would not support Zhong Hui because they were already exhausted and homesick after the campaign.

Later, after Zhong Hui secretly accused Deng Ai of plotting a rebellion, Sima Zhao wanted to lead his forces to station at Chang'an. Shao Ti told Sima Zhao that there was no need for him to go to Chang'an because Zhong Hui was capable of arresting Deng Ai on his own since he had five to six times more troops than Deng Ai. Sima Zhao replied, "Have you forgotten what you said previously? Why are you asking me not to go (to Chang'an) now? Please keep secret what we spoke about. I treat people with trust and respect. As long as they remain loyal to me, I will not doubt them. Jia Chong recently asked me, 'Are you suspicious of Zhong Hui?' I replied, 'If I send you on a mission today, do you think I doubt you?' He could not respond to my reply. Everything will be settled when I arrive in Chang'an." By the time Sima Zhao reached Chang'an, Zhong Hui had already been killed in the mutiny, just as Sima Zhao foresaw.

Family and relatives

Zhong Hui's father, Zhong Yao, was a prominent politician and calligrapher who held the position of Grand Tutor (太傅) in the Wei imperial court. Zhong Hui's mother, Zhang Changpu, was one of Zhong Yao's concubines and was known for her virtuous conduct, wisdom, and influential role in her son's early education.

Zhong Hui's elder half-brother, Zhong Yu (锺毓), died in the winter of 263. Zhong Hui made no response to the death of his brother. Zhong Yu had four sons: Zhong Jun (锺峻), Zhong Yong (锺邕), Zhong Yi (锺毅) and Zhong Chan (锺辿). Zhong Yi was raised as Zhong Hui's adoptive son because Zhong Hui was single and had no children. Zhong Yong was killed along with his uncle Zhong Hui during the mutiny and his family members were executed. In the aftermath of Zhong Hui's failed rebellion, Zhong Jun, Zhong Yi and Zhong Chan were implicated, arrested and placed on death row for their relations to Zhong Hui. However, Sima Zhao took into consideration that Zhong Yao and Zhong Yu had rendered meritorious service to Wei, hence he decided to let them preserve their posterity. He made the Wei emperor Cao Huan issue an imperial decree, which pardoned Zhong Jun and Zhong Chan and restored them to their original official positions and titles. Zhong Yi, however, was executed because he was Zhong Hui's adoptive son and was hence not eligible for the pardon.

It is believed that Sima Zhao decided to spare Zhong Jun and Zhong Chan because Zhong Yu once warned him that Zhong Hui was manipulative and should not be placed in positions with great power. Sima Zhao laughed, praised Zhong Yu for his honest advice, and promised that he would spare Zhong Yu's family if Zhong Hui really did commit treason.

Appraisal

Chen Shou

Chen Shou, who wrote Zhong Hui's biography in the Records of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguozhi), praised him as "elite and skilled with numerous strategies", then lumped Zhong Hui together with Wang Ling, Guanqiu Jian, and Zhuge Dan in his criticism: "They were famous for their various talents, which helped them rise to high positions. It was a pity that

they were overly ambitious, had morally crooked ideas, and failed to recognise the hidden pitfalls around them. These resulted in their downfalls and the extermination of their families. Can it be any more fatuous than this?"

Xiahou Ba

The Shiyu recorded that when the Wei general Xiahou Ba defected to Shu, the Shu officials asked him, "What does Sima Yi do best?" Xiahou Ba replied, "Solidifying his family's position in Wei." They asked him again, "Who are the talents in the Wei capital?" Xiahou Ba replied, "There's one Zhong Shiji. Wu and Shu should be worried if he's in charge of the Wei government."

The Han Jin Chunqiu mentioned that the Shu general Jiang Wei also asked Xiahou Ba, "Now that Sima Yi is in control of the Wei government, is he still planning to launch any campaigns against Shu and Wu?" Xiahou Ba replied, "He focuses on strengthening his family's control of the Wei government and doesn't have time to bother about external affairs. However, there's one Zhong Shiji. He may be young, but he'll definitely become a threat to Wu and Shu in the future. Despite so, even the most extraordinary people can't control him." Xiahou Ba was proven right 15 years later because Zhong Hui was one of the key figures in the Wei conquest of Shu.

Pei Songzhi added the Shiyu account to support what Xi Zuochi wrote in the Han Jin Chunqiu.

In popular culture

Zhong Hui is first introduced as a playable character in the seventh instalment of Koei's Dynasty Warriors video game series.