Family background

Fa Zheng's ancestral home was in Mei County, Youfufeng Commandery, which is in present-day Mei County, Shaanxi. His ancestor was Tian Fazhang, who is historically known as King Xiang of the Qi state in the Warring States period. Tian Fazhang's descendants changed their family name from "Tian" to "Fa" after the fall of Qi in 221 BCE.

Fa Zheng's great-grandfather, Fa Xiong, served as the Administrator (太守) of Nan Commandery (南郡; around present-day Jingzhou, Hubei) during the reign of Emperor An in the Eastern Han dynasty. Fa Zheng's grandfather, Fa Zhen, was a reclusive scholar known for his lofty character; despite being a learned scholar, he led a humble life and repeatedly rejected offers to serve in the government. Fa Zheng's father, Fa Yan (法衍), whose courtesy name was Jimou (季谋), also served as a government official and held the positions of an assistant to the Excellency over the Masses (司徒) and the Minister of Justice (廷尉).

Service under Liu Zhang

In the early Jian'an era (196–220) of the reign of Emperor Xian, when famines broke out, Fa Zheng and his friend Meng Da travelled to Yi Province (covering present-day Sichuan and Chongqing) to join the provincial governor, Liu Zhang. Although Fa Zheng served as the Prefect (令) of Xindu County and later as a Colonel Who Advises the Army under Liu Zhang. Since he didn't have any connection to local clans and was defamed by other refugees from Youfufeng, who had also moved to Yi Province. He couldn't realize his ambitions. He maintained a close friendship with his colleague Zhang Song, who shared the same views as him about Liu Zhang being an incompetent and incapable governor.

In 208, Zhang Song travelled to Jing Province (covering present-day Hubei and Hunan) to meet the warlord Cao Cao, who controlled the Han central government and the figurehead Emperor Xian. After returning to Yi Province, Zhang Song advised Liu Zhang to break ties with Cao Cao and build friendly relations with another warlord, Liu Bei. When Zhang Song recommended Fa Zheng to be Liu Zhang's representative to meet Liu Bei, Fa initially refused to accept the task but eventually relented. When Fa Zheng returned from his mission, he told Zhang Song that Liu Bei had grand ambitions and persuaded Zhang to follow him to serve Liu Bei. They wanted to help him secure Yi province but did not have the occasion to do so.

Their opportunity came in 211, when Liu Zhang became fearful upon receiving news that Cao Cao was planning to attack the warlord Zhang Lu in Hanzhong Commandery. As Hanzhong Commandery was located strategically at the northern route leading into Yi Province, Liu Zhang would be in great peril if Hanzhong fell into Cao Cao's hands. Zhang Song proposed to Liu Zhang to invite Liu Bei to Yi Province to assist them in countering the threat posed by Cao Cao. Liu Zhang agreed and sent Fa Zheng as his envoy to contact Liu Bei. When Fa Zheng met Liu Bei, he secretly told him, "General, with your brilliance, you can overcome our incompetent and weak Governor Liu. Zhang Song, as a trusted adviser (of Liu Zhang), will serve as your spy. Upon acquiring Yi Province's wealth and resources, and having its natural barriers as protection, you can easily realise your grand ambitions." Fa Zheng also saw Liu Bei's marital problems and advised him to have Lady Sun sent back to Wu. Liu Bei accepted Fa Zheng's former advice and led his forces into Yi Province, where he met Liu Zhang at Fu County (涪县; present-day Fucheng District, Mianyang, Sichuan). Liu Bei then led his troops north to Jiameng (葭萌; located about 20 km northeast of present-day Jiange County, Sichuan) before turning south to attack Liu Zhang later.

Helping Liu Bei seize Yi Province from Liu Zhang

Upon receiving news of Liu Bei's attack, Zheng Du, an assistant officer from Guanghan Commandery (广汉郡; around present-day Guanghan, Sichuan) serving under Liu Zhang, pointed out to his lord that Liu Bei's army lacked supplies and was composed of newly recruited soldiers who might not be loyal to him. He suggested that Liu Zhang adopt a scorched earth policy against Liu Bei by forcing the residents of Baxi (巴西) and Zitong (梓潼) commanderies to relocate elsewhere and destroy all the granaries and supply depots in the commanderies, and then fortify their defences while avoiding direct conflict with Liu Bei. He claimed that if this strategy was implemented, Liu Bei would run out of supplies within 100 days and retreat, and then Liu Zhang could attack him while he was retreating. Liu Bei felt frustrated when he heard about Zheng Du's plan and consulted Fa Zheng about it. Fa Zheng predicted that Liu Zhang would not heed Zheng Du's suggestion and was proven right: In response to Zheng Du's plan, Liu Zhang not only rejected it on the grounds that it would cause disturbance to the people, but also dismissed Zheng from office.

In 214, when Liu Bei's army surrounded Luocheng (雒城), one of Liu Zhang's strongholds, Fa Zheng wrote a long letter to his former lord, pointing out that Liu Zhang was already in a highly disadvantageous position and urging him to give up resistance and surrender to Liu Bei.

Fa Zheng's letter was written as such:

Later that year, when Liu Bei's forces was besieging Yi Province's capital Chengdu, Xu Jing, a commandery Administrator serving under Liu Zhang, planned to surrender and defect to Liu Bei, but his plan was leaked out and hence aborted. Liu Zhang felt that he was already at the brink of destruction so he did not punish Xu Jing. He eventually surrendered and relinquished his control of Yi Province to Liu Bei. After taking over Yi Province, Liu Bei treated Xu Jing coldly because he felt that Xu was a disloyal person. Fa Zheng advised him, "Xu Jing is someone with an exaggerated reputation. However, my lord, you've recently built your foundation and you can't possibly explain the facts to everyone. Xu Jing's name is already well known throughout the Empire. If you don't treat him respectfully, others might think that you're belittling talented and virtuous people. You should honour and respect him, and make this known to everyone, just like how the King of Yan treated Guo Wei (郭隗)." Liu Bei followed Fa Zheng's advice and treated Xu Jing generously.

Sun Sheng criticizes Fa Zheng for his advice and the comparison between Guo Wei and Xu Jing :

Pei Songzhi completely disagrees with Sun Sheng's opinion:

Service under Liu Bei

Becoming Liu Beis Chief Adviser

Liu Bei appointed Fa Zheng as the Administrator (太守) of Shu Commandery (蜀郡) and General Who Spreads Martial Might. Fa Zheng oversaw administrative affairs in the vicinity of Yi Province's capital Chengdu. While Zhuge Liang was promoted to administer internal affairs, Fa Zheng served as Liu Bei's chief adviser.

Following Liu Bei's victory over Liu Zhang, his subordinates urged him to take for wife Liu Mao's widow. However Liu Bei refused on the basics that he and Liu Mao were of the same family. Fa Zheng then to convince him said: "In the ancient times, lady Huai Ying first married the Duke Huai of Jin and later married his own brother, the Duke Wen of Jin. If the marriage of a widow between brothers happened by the past then why not for you and Liu Mao who are not close kinsman?" Liu Bei agreed with him and married Lady Wu.

During this period of time, Fa Zheng repaid all of his previous debts, good or bad. He would not forget those who showed him even a little kindness but also abused his power by taking revenge against those who offended him before. And by killing those who harmed him without the legal authority. Someone approached Zhuge Liang, another of Liu Bei's key advisers, and urged him to restrict Fa Zheng's influence by advising their lord to take action against him. However, Zhuge Liang replied, "When our lord was in Gong'an, he was wary of Cao Cao's influence in the north and fearful of Sun Quan's presence in the east. Even in home territory he was afraid that Lady Sun might stir up trouble. He was in such a difficult situation at the time that he could neither advance nor retreat. Fa Xiaozhi supported and helped him so much that he became his own wings (翼), such that he is now able to fly high and no longer remain under others' influence. How can we stop Fa Zheng from behaving as he wishes?" Zhuge Liang was aware that Liu Bei greatly favoured and trusted Fa Zheng, which was why he refused to intervene in this matter.

The historian Sun Sheng criticised Zhuge Liang's attitude towards Fa Zheng's abuse of power and called it a "lapse in justice". He felt that no subject should be above the law, regardless of how great his past contributions were. While Tang Geng (唐庚), a scholar from the Song dynasty, in his work called the Three Kingdoms Miscellaneous Cases (三国杂事; Sanguo Zashi) compared Fa Zheng to Fan Ju (范雎), Li Guang and Guo Jin (郭进). The three of them were allowed to settle their personal grudges and rendered great achievements for their States. Tang Geng commented that this is how rulers of the past made use of their outstanding and heroic individuals. That they had their own conceptions of righteousness. Tang Geng called Sun Sheng shortsighted for not seeing this.

Role in the Hanzhong Campaign

In 217, Fa Zheng urged Liu Bei to attack Hanzhong Commandery, which was originally under Zhang Lu's control but was conquered by Cao Cao in 215. He pointed out Hanzhong's strategic importance and said that it was an opportune moment for Liu Bei to seize Hanzhong from Cao Cao's generals Xiahou Yuan and Zhang He. He told Liu Bei: "Cao Cao with a single strike was able to submit Zhang Lu into surrender and acquire Hanzhong however he did not press his advantage to conquer Ba and Shu. Instead he returned North and left Xiahou Yuan and Zhang He. This cannot be a error of his part or because of a lack of strength but rather because he met some internal problems and must solve them. Now Xiahou Yuan and Zhang He can't compare against our army. If we advance, we will surely capture them. Then we can collect grains, fill our storehouse readying ourselves for any opportunities. If we are successful we can vanquish the ennemy and restore the ruling House otherwise we can expand our borders into the Liang province and in any case we would have gain a most important position to defend and prepare ourselves. Heaven is on our side, you must not lose this chance." Liu Bei accepted his plan and started the Hanzhong Campaign with Fa Zheng following him.

In 219, during the Battle of Mount Dingjun, when Xiahou Yuan led troops to attack Liu Bei's camps at Dingjun and Xingshi mountains, Fa Zheng suggested Liu Bei to strike the enemy. Liu Bei ordered his general Huang Zhong to lead his men on a charge down the mountain towards Xiahou Yuan's forces, with war drums beating in the background. Huang Zhong defeated and killed Xiahou Yuan in the midst of battle.

Later, when Cao Cao was leading his forces from Chang'an to reinforce Hanzhong, he received news about the strategy proposed by Fa Zheng to Liu Bei to attack Hanzhong. He remarked, "I know Xuande (Liu Bei) is not capable of doing this. He must be following somebody's advice." According to the Chronicles of Huayang, Cao Cao also said: "How could it be that among my army of bold heroes, none could find a strategy that would overcome this Fa Zheng?" The historian Pei Songzhi commented that Cao Cao made that former remark – which suggests that Liu Bei was not wise enough to notice Hanzhong's strategic importance – because of his personal disdain for Liu, and that it should not be taken seriously. He felt that a lord acting on his adviser's suggestion should not be interpreted as a sign that the lord was not wise enough to make his own judgment. He pointed out that Cao Cao himself also followed the advice of his adviser Guo Jia.

Death and postmortem events

In 219, after Liu Bei emerged victorious in the Hanzhong Campaign, he declared himself "King of Hanzhong" (汉中王) and appointed Fa Zheng as the Prefect of the Masters of Writing (尚书令) and General Who Protects the Army. Fa Zheng died in the following year at the age of 45 (by East Asian age reckoning). Liu Bei cried for days when Fa Zheng died and awarded Fa the posthumous title "Marquis Yi" (翼侯), which literally means "marquis of the flank". Alone, the Yi (翼) word/title is more commonly translated as "wing". Therefore, Fa's posthumous title can also be translated as "marquis of the wing".

During Liu Bei's short reign, many of his long term companions and famous generals had died. Among them were Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Ma Chao, Pang Tong and Huang Zhong; yet Fa Zheng was the only one to receive a posthumous title, such was the extent to which Liu Bei valued Fa Zheng. Fa Zheng's son, Fa Miao (法邈), received the title of a Secondary Marquis and served as a Commandant of Equipage (奉车都尉) and the Administrator of Hanyang Commandery (汉阳郡) in the state of Shu Han, which Liu Bei established in 221.

Fa Zheng and Zhuge Liang did not share the same moral beliefs but they had a good working relationship because of their common goal, which was to serve Liu Bei well. Zhuge Liang was very impressed with Fa Zheng's brilliance. In 221, before the Battle of Xiaoting, many of Liu Bei's subjects advised their lord against going to war with his former ally, Sun Quan, who seized Jing Province from Liu in 219 and executed Liu's general Guan Yu. Liu Bei ignored them and proceeded with his campaign against Sun Quan. In the following year, he lost to Sun Quan's forces at the Battle of Xiaoting and had to retreat to Baidicheng, where he died in 223. Zhuge Liang sighed, "If Fa Xiaozhi was still alive, he could have prevented our lord from going on this eastern campaign; even if our lord did go on this campaign, he wouldn't have ended up in this disastrous situation (if Fa Xiaozhi was with him)."

Zhuge Liang might be right about Fa Zheng, as inferred from an incident during the Hanzhong Campaign. During one battle, when the odds turned against Liu Bei, Liu's subjects urged their lord to retreat but he stubbornly refused. They did not dare to advise him again for fear of incurring his wrath. Fa Zheng rushed forth and stood in front of Liu Bei when Cao Cao's forces rained arrows on their camp. Liu Bei told Fa Zheng to stay under cover to avoid the arrows, but Fa insisted on braving the arrows with his lord. Liu Bei then decided to retreat together with Fa Zheng.

Appraisal

Chen Shou, who wrote Fa Zheng's biography in the Sanguozhi, appraised Fa as follows: "Fa Zheng clearly foresaw success and failure. Therefore, he had talent for all sort of unusual tactics and strategies. However, he was not known to be of good moral character. In comparison with officials from (Cao) Wei, Pang Tong would be similar to Xun Yu like a brother while Fa Zheng would be of the same nefarious kind as Cheng and Guo."

Yang Xi, who wrote the Ji Han Fuchen Zan (季汉辅臣赞; pub. 241), a collection of praises of notable persons who served in the Shu Han state, appraised him as follows: "Marquis Yi (翼侯; Fa Zheng) was talented for stratagem, could anticipate both rise and decline of the world. Entrusted with the foundation by his Lord, he answered with correct instruction and counsel. With a swift thought he managed his calculation, would observe the situation and perceive the opportunity."

In popular culture

Fa Zheng became a playable character in Koei's Dynasty Warriors 8: Xtreme Legends.

生平

怀才不遇

法正出生于176年，他的祖父法真为当代名士。其家族为战国时代田齐君主齐襄王田法章的后人。

建安初年，天下饥荒，法正与同郡孟达一同入蜀依附刘璋，多年后法正升为新都令，后召署军议校尉。但法正不受刘璋重用，又为其州邑侨客之人所诽谤，非常不得志。

益州别驾张松与法正相为友善，深觉刘璋不足以有所作为，常暗自叹息，无法施展才能。

暂思经算

建安十三年（208年），张松于荆州出使见曹操归来，劝说刘璋与曹操断绝关系，而与刘备交好结盟。刘璋问：「谁可以作为使者？」张松乃举荐法正，原本法正辞让不愿前往，因张松再三举荐才前往。法正出使回来后，向张松说刘备有雄才大略，是值得效命的英主，于是两人秘密达成奉戴刘备的共识，期望有朝一日能迎刘备入川蜀。

建安十六年（211年），刘璋听闻曹操有灭汉中张鲁之意而常怀畏惧之心，张松乘机劝刘璋应当恭迎邀请刘备入川蜀，让刘备分担抵御张鲁的责任，刘璋再次派遣法正为正使，与孟达为副使，率领四千人受命前往荆州。法正表面宣告来意，暗地里向刘备献策：「以将军之命世英才，乘刘璋之懦弱无能；张松，益州里的股肱人才，以为内应；然后以益州之殷富，凭天府之险阻，以此来成大业，易如反掌。」诸葛亮的三分天下之计须取荆州和益州二地，法正、张松倒戈实乃天赐良机。刘备听从了法正的计策，领兵沿长江逆流而上，西进与刘璋相会于涪城。

建安十七年（212年），随后刘备率军北上葭萌，接著又率军掉头南返进攻刘璋。刘璋的部下谋士郑度向刘璋点出刘备军粮草不足的问题以坚壁清野之策拖垮刘备，并进谏：「刘备领孤军远道而来进攻，百姓尚未向归附刘备，全靠临时徵集民间的粮草，军队严重缺乏物资辎重。对付他们最好的计策是把巴西、梓潼两地的百姓全部驱赶迁往至涪水以西，把两地农田里、粮仓里的粮草全部烧毁，我军沿河岸修筑城防深挖濠沟，镇静地等待他们的到来。他们来后，向我们挑战，我们坚守不出，时间久了他们就会出现粮草供给不上的问题，不出百日，必定自行撤退。刘备军一旦撤退，我军进攻追击，这样即可生擒刘备。」刘备听到消息后忧虑甚为忿恨，询问法正如何应对。法正说：「刘璋不会采用郑度的计策，不用担心。」结果如法正所言，刘璋答：「我只听说抗击敌人保护百姓，从未听说迁徙百姓来躲避敌人。」而拒绝郑度这条计策，并将郑度免职。

建安十八年（213年），刘备进攻到雒城，派人召荆州兵马诸葛亮、张飞、赵云、刘封等人入蜀支援，法正去信给刘璋说：「法正我禀性缺乏才智，现在您与左将军友好结盟受到损害，我担心您身旁的人不明事情的来龙去脉，必定会把所有过错都归咎到我一人身上，使我终生蒙受耻辱，也使您连带受辱，故而失身流落在外，不敢回去复命。怕您厌恶我的言语声音，所以这期间也不敢向您写信致意。回想起往日您对我的恩情，我常常翘首西望，心中极为悲伤惆怅；然而我考虑还是把事情的前因后果说清楚以披露自己的心迹。从事情的初始直到最终，我绝没有隐瞒任何真情，有言不尽意表白不清之处，是我愚笨拙劣，诚意没能将您打动，以致造成今天这种局面。现在国事危急，大祸临头，虽然我流落在外，张口就会增加您对我的怨恨，我觉得还是应该把心中要说的话说出来，以剖明自己的忠心。

将军你的本心，我法正是了解的，实际是谨慎小心不愿得罪左将军，而最终还是引起矛盾，是因为您身边的人不明白英雄处世从事的道理，以为可以违背信义誓约，凭著意气办事。他们长期以来，追求顺耳悦目，阿谀奉承趋炎附势，皆因他们缺乏远虑不为国家作长远打算。事变发生以后，他们又不能估量双方势力的强弱形势，以为左将军孤军远道而入，缺乏粮草储备，故想以多击少，旷日相持。而左将军自白水关到此，所过郡县全被攻破，将军您所有的关口、营寨，日益孤立衰落。雒城虽有兵马上万，但都是败阵之卒、破军之将，如果打算凭此军队争一时战斗的胜利，那么兵将势力确实不相当；打算长期相持来消耗左将军的粮草也行不通，因为左将军的营地已扎守坚固，粮草已有了积囤，而将军您的地盘日益渐少，百姓日益困穷，敌对力量越来越多，军需供应又被远远隔开。以臣愚见，真正粮草先竭、无法坚持长久的却是将军。照目前两边情况相持下去，将军实难维持。现在张益德率领数万之众，已平定巴东，进入犍为境界，并分兵平定江阳、德阳，安汉三路向前挺进，您如何抵挡得住？原来替将军谋划的人，肯定说左将军是孤军远来而缺乏粮草，运送不及，而且兵少无援。如今荆州入蜀的道路已被开通，左将军的军队比原来增强几十倍，还有孙权将军已派遣他的弟弟及李异、甘宁等领兵做后援。比较主客双方的形势变化，如果您想凭土地广大来取胜，而今对方已完全占领了巴东，广汉、犍为也大半被攻占，巴西又非将军所有了。计算起来益州所能凭依的只有蜀郡，而蜀郡已经不复完整，川蜀土地已三分失二，官吏百姓已疲惫不堪，每十户人家就有八户企图起来作乱。如果敌军离得远则百姓忍受不了长久的劳役，敌军进逼近则他们就会投降反叛。广汉各郡县就是明证。

此外鱼腹（今重庆市永安镇奉节县）与白水关（今广元市青川县营盘乡五里垭），一是东沿水路长江取鱼腹（奉节）可入蜀，二是北从陆路取（关头）白水关亦可入蜀。因而守住鱼腹、关头是福，失掉鱼腹、关头必然有祸。实在是决定益州祸福成败的门户，如今两道门户已被打开，坚固的城池皆被攻破，各路军队都被击败，能战的兵将已损失殆尽，而敌军几路进击，已攻入益州的心腹之地，而您仅能困守成都、雒城二地，谁存谁亡的局势，昭然可见。这只是大致情形，比较明显易见，至于其馀曲折隐伏的因素，就难以用文字表述清楚了。像我法正这种下愚之人，尚且明白如此局面再难扭转，何况将军您身旁聪明多智的谋士，岂能不明白事情的必然后果？他们靠暂时的苟且侥幸，乞求容身，献媚邀宠，不作长久打算，不肯尽心献上良策。如果事情危急大势已去，他们将各自谋生逃命，保全自家门户，调身转背，就会作出与现在完全不同的打算，绝不会为将军您尽忠死节，反过来您的家口还会受到他们带来的忧患。我法正虽已蒙受不忠的诽谤，但扪心自问我并未有负于您的恩德，顾念我们之间的君臣名分义务，我实在为将军疾首痛心。左将军为了国家的根本利益而举兵前来，对您的旧情依在，并无敌意，我窃以为您可以根据事情的变化而改变策略，以便保全自己的家族。」

沽名钓誉

建安十九年（214年），刘备军包围成都，蜀郡太守许靖欲弃城逃亡。事情败露并未成功。刘璋因成都即将陷落，故没有处决许靖。刘璋投降后，刘备因许靖背主之事而看不起许靖，对他不加任用。法正劝刘备说：「天下有的是博得虚名而无真正德才之人，像许靖即是如此。但是主公大业方兴，许靖的名声是四海之内皆知，如果对他不能待之以礼，天下之人则会因此说主公在轻贤慢士。所以对许靖应该敬重以待，以此昭示远近，您是在追效战国燕昭王厚待郭隗的作法。」于是刘备起用许靖，派任许靖官位高但无实权的职务。

攻下成都后，刘备占据益州后便领益州牧，从此奠定了三国鼎立的基础。眼下当务之急是需与蜀中豪强结纳关系，因此群臣劝刘备迎娶刘璋旧将吴懿之妹穆皇后吴氏，但吴氏是刘璋已故兄长刘瑁之妻，刘备认为自己与刘瑁同族，这么做有违礼法。法正进谏道：「论其亲疏，何与晋文之于子圉乎？」晋文公逃难到秦国时曾娶了亲侄晋怀公子圉的妻子怀嬴。法正认为晋文公尚且可以娶亲侄之妻而未遭到礼法的抨击，何况于刘备与刘瑁之间还不是亲戚关系。刘备遂纳吴氏为夫人。其后，刘备赐予诸葛亮、法正、张飞及关羽四人黄金各五百斤，白银千斤，钱五千万，锦千匹，作为诸将中最高赏赐。法正被任命为蜀郡太守、扬武将军。

睚眦必报

建安十九年（214年），刘备命扬武将军法正与军师将军诸葛亮、昭文将军伊籍、左将军西曹掾刘巴、兴业将军李严五人一起制定「以法治蜀」之律法《蜀科》。改变刘璋治下益州法纪松弛，德政不举，威刑不肃的局面。然而法正虽然擅长军事谋略，但在政治政见上稍差，但知因循守旧却不会变通。《蜀科》制定后，由于严法治蜀，打击了地方豪强势力，豪强十分不满，以消极态度抵触蜀汉政权，为此，法正提出用当年汉高祖入关与民约法三章之事向诸葛亮进言，认为成都初定，宜缓刑弛禁，放宽约束。但诸葛亮认为不能盲目沿用汉初的法度，应当因时制宜，懂得变通，于是写了封信《答法正书》给法正，晓以大义，告诉其更深一层的意思。

当时法正得势，在外掌握著益州首府蜀郡的行政大权（蜀郡下辖成都县），同时兼任地方官和首都的行政首长；在内为刘备出谋划策，系刘备身边的主要谋士。

然法正性格恩怨分明、睚眦必报。尤其在掌握大权后，曾给与滴水恩情的人均给予回报；反之，即便与其仅是有过小小矛盾，亦加以报复，擅杀毁伤己者数人。于是有人向诸葛亮告发，望他能禀报刘备，勿让法正作威作福。然而诸葛亮深知法正乃深得宠信的肱股之臣，且劳苦功高，遂不上报。

建安二十年（215年），孙权知道刘备已夺得益州，希望取回荆州。刘备却推托说：「当得到凉州时，便会把荆州给予。」孙权对此十分怨恨，便派吕蒙夺取长沙、零陵、桂阳三郡。鲁肃将万馀人马于益阳牵制关羽，刘备从益州带兵回援。当时随从的军师为法正，后曹操南攻汉中，威慑蜀中，刘备便迅速和孙权修和，协议平分荆州，湘江以西的三郡南郡、零陵、武陵归刘备，湘江以东的三郡江夏、桂阳、长沙则归孙权，但双方关系已趋恶化。

奇画策算

建安二十二年（217年），法正认为曹操降伏张鲁后却未继续进攻益州，反而留下夏侯渊、张合驻守汉中，一定是内部动乱，眼下正是夺取汉中的最佳时机。

且告诉刘备夺取汉中的意义：

• 「上，可以讨伐曹贼，尊崇兴复汉室。」

• 「中，可以虎视夺取雍、凉二州，开拓领土。」

• 「下，可以稳固益州巴蜀川中的安定，是持久的战略。」刘备接纳此计。

与曹军在汉中作战时形势不利，本应马上撤退，而刘备不肯，无人敢进谏。当时箭如雨下，法正见状便站到刘备前面当肉盾挡箭，刘备急忙说：「法正快去避箭！」法正回：「连主公也甘冒箭雨身先士卒，何况我呢。」刘备只好下令撤退。

睹事知机

建安二十四年（219年），正月，刘备南渡沔水，于定军山、兴势山山麓扎营，与率军前来的夏侯渊部对峙。当时夏侯渊驻守南线据点走马谷，张合驻守东线据点广石。法正采取声东击西之计，让刘备将万馀精兵分作十队，趁夜轮番进攻广石。张合率亲兵搏战，虽然没有丢失据点，但也抵挡不住刘备军的轮番攻击，于是向夏侯渊要求增援。夏侯渊将精兵分拨一半去支援张合，自己继续固守南线。随后刘备派兵偷袭走马谷，放火烧毁了曹军阵地前的防卫工事鹿角，夏侯渊亲自率四百军士出营救火、修补鹿角。此时，法正看准时机，见夏侯渊正处于劣势，提议全力进攻夏侯渊，刘备于是命黄忠居高山上奇袭临下从后方擂鼓突袭，夏侯渊措手不及被黄忠斩杀，赵云接应黄忠，将黄忠救出，曹军溃败。刘备从此奠定了汉中之战的主动权。不久，曹操亲临战綫，听闻是法正献计取汉中，因而感慨不已叹道：「吾故知玄德不辩有此，必为人所教也」，而后又说「天下贤士都被我所用，为何独缺法正？」。接下来的汉中争夺战中，曹操虽然兵力占有绝对优势，但是刘备敛众拒险，终不与曹操交锋，曹操积月不拔，亡者日多。夏，曹操不得已而引军北还，刘备遂领有汉中，效仿高祖汉王刘邦，刘备占有汉中进位为汉中王，以法正为尚书令、护军将军。

辅翼坠逝

在法正等人的辅佐下，刘备集团西取巴蜀、北收汉中，刘备进位汉中王，达到了势力的顶峰。诸葛亮对此评价：「主公之在公安也，北畏曹公之强，东惮孙权之逼，近则惧孙夫人生变于肘腋之下；当斯之时，进退狼跋，法孝直为之辅翼，令翻然翱翔，不可复制。」翌年，即汉献帝建安二十五年，建安二十四年十二月（已是公历220年）关羽败走麦城后，法正去世，享年45岁。刘备为他连日哭泣，諡号翼侯，赞誉法正生前深谋远虑。赐关内侯给其子法邈，法邈的最高职位为至奉车都尉、汉阳太守。

刘备一称帝便东征孙权欲夺回荆州、为关羽报仇，群臣大多进谏，皆不听从。章武二年，大军战败，退回白帝城。诸葛亮感叹：「倘若法孝直还活著，便能够制止主上，使之不行东征；就算无法阻止主上，也不致于大败而归呀。」

人物

法正深信「士为知己者死」，对于欣赏自己才华的主君刘备极为忠心，甚至不惜以身体为刘备阻挡箭雨，使刘备安然撤退。法正病逝后，刘备为他连日哭泣，数日间食不下咽。

法正个性恩怨分明，得势之后就算是请吃一餐的小恩也必报答，但对小小得罪或轻视自己的人也必施罪。

家庭

祖辈

• 曾祖父法雄

• 祖父法真

• 父法衍

子嗣

• 法邈

评价

• 陈寿：「诸葛亮与正，虽好尚不同，以公义相取。亮每奇正智术。……法正著见成败，有奇画策算，然不以德素称也。儗之魏臣，统其荀彧之仲叔，正其程（程昱）、郭（郭嘉）之俦俪邪？」「（法正）外统都畿，内为谋主。一湌之德，睚眦之怨，无不报复，擅杀毁伤己者数人。」

• 诸葛亮：「主公之在公安也，北畏曹公之强，东惮孙权之逼，近则惧孙夫人生变于肘腋之下；当斯之时，进退狼跋，法孝直为之辅翼，令翻然翱翔，不可复制，如何禁止法正使不得行其意邪！」「法孝直若在，则能制主上，令不东行；就复东行，必不倾危矣。」

• 曹操：「吾收奸雄略尽，独不得正邪？」 （《华阳国志·刘先主志》）

• 孙盛：「正务眩惑之术，违贵尚之风，譬之郭隗，非其伦矣。」（裴松之注引孙盛评）

• 杨戏：「翼侯良谋，料世兴衰，委质于主，是训是谘，暂思经算，睹事知机。」－－赞法孝直（《季汉辅臣赞》）

• 萧常：「统、正见理之明，料事之审，一时谋臣，无出其右。昭烈肇基王业，讫承大统，实二人之力。使天假之年，与诸葛亮同心辅政，混一之功，日月可冀。不幸蚤世，惜哉！」（《萧氏续后汉书》）

• 郝经：「初，孔明语昭烈以恢复大计，……乃抱膝长吟之日，素定之论，讨操复汉之防模也。统发其几，而法正、张松成其谋尔。……呜呼！统、正虽道义不足，而智谋亚于亮。统卒于围雒之际，正没于取汉中之明年。使二子不死，与亮左右，功烈岂止于是？天不祚汉，惜哉！」（《郝氏续后汉书》）

• 陈普：「崎岖放虎事方新，喜怒平生便见真。谁是孔明西道主，敢将东客罪西人。」（《陈普诗集》）

• 蔡东藩：「张松、法正并为璋臣，璋可辅则辅之，不可辅则去之；必卖主而求荣，殊非人臣之道，松之受诛宜也！法正特幸而脱祸耳，是可为后世之不忠者戒焉。」

艺术形象

三国演义

生平事迹与正史大体相当，是贤士法真孙子，张松之友。原为刘璋部属，与张松、孟达合谋献益州给刘备。在涪城大会上，与庞统一起策划刺杀刘璋的计划。伐蜀成功后，曾与诸葛亮讨论治法之事。后来任蜀郡太守时公报私仇，听闻诸葛亮向他人的解释后有所收敛。曹刘争汉中时，说服刘备亲征，又受诸葛亮之命助黄忠斩杀夏侯渊。刘备进位汉中王后，法正获任命为尚书令。

动漫游戏

• 真·三国无双系列/无双OROCHI系列(7代猛将传/无双OROCHI 蛇魔3开始)（光荣公司开发，桥诘知久配音）

• 《苍天航路》（王欣太）

• 《火凤燎原》（陈某）:

影视形象

• 中国大陆中央电视台电视剧《三国演义》（1994年）：分别由时莱群、张民甫饰演法正。

• 中国大陆电视剧《三国》（2010年）：由张新华饰演法正。