mtlumby2d Chapter 244 Cao Cao's Test of Deng Ai
Chapter 244 Cao Cao's Test of Deng Ai
A look of shock flashed in Cao Cao's eyes, and he asked incredulously, "Deng Ai of Xinye, are you a member of the Deng clan of Nanyang?"
The Deng family of Nanyang was a prominent clan in the land. Their ancestor was Deng Yu, the Marquis of Gaomi and the leader of the Twenty-Eight Generals of Yuntai under Liu Xiu. Deng Yu's granddaughter was the second empress of Emperor He, Liu Zhao.
This Empress Deng was extraordinary. She ruled as a female ruler for sixteen years, making her the most virtuous of the six empresses of the Eastern Han Dynasty and the first empress dowager of both the Eastern and Western Han Dynasties. Her reputation was even higher than that of Empress Lü.
It is no exaggeration to say that during the years when Deng Sui was in power, the Deng family of Nanyang was even more glorious than the Yuan family of Runan, which was known for having produced three dukes for four generations.
Although the Deng family has declined in recent years, it is still one of the most prominent clans in the country. Deng Zhi, the Wu Commandery Prefect recently appointed by Guan Yu, is from the Deng family of Nanyang.
The Deng Ai in front of me is actually a member of the Deng clan of Nanyang. He comes from a prestigious family, doesn't he?
But with such a good background, how come he's still just a lowly grain transport officer?
It shouldn't be.
Deng Ai quickly explained to Cao Cao, still stammering, "I am from a branch of the Deng... clan, and I... lost my father at a young age, and wandered with my mother, so... therefore..."
"Your subject currently serves as the Academician of the Agricultural Commandant... and this time, I am entrusted by the Agricultural Commandant... to transport grain..."
As the name suggests, the Agricultural Commandant was an official in charge of managing military farms, roughly equivalent to a county magistrate. Deng Ai was a subordinate of the Agricultural Commandant, and strictly speaking, he was not even an official, but at most a clerk.
But it's no wonder, with a stutter when he speaks, what boss would value him?
Before transporting the grain, Deng Ai was responsible for guarding the straw under the command of the tenant farmer captain. When the war in Longxi became urgent, Cao Cao ordered the counties around Luoyang to collect grain. The tenant farmer captain did not want to come, so Deng Ai was pulled out to fill the quota.
In other words, if Cao Cao hadn't been collecting grain, Deng Ai would still be sleeping soundly on a pile of straw.
Cao Cao glanced at the grain transport team that was entering the camp and said speechlessly, "Your tenant farmer commander actually appointed someone like you who understands warfare as a scholar. You are truly blind."
"You don't need to belittle yourself about your background. Look at that big-eared thief. He lost his father when he was young, just like you, and was so poor that he made a living by weaving mats and selling shoes. But now he's doing pretty well, isn't he?"
Deng Ai: "..."
Are you trying to comfort me?
Your Majesty, your way of comforting people is truly unique.
However, what merit or ability do I, Deng Ai, possess to compare myself to the Big Ear Thief? Are we even in the same league?
As Deng Ai complained, a warm feeling welled up in his heart. In all his life, apart from his mother, he had never been comforted like this before.
But today, Cao Cao, the King of Wei, actually advised him not to underestimate himself, which made Deng Ai, who was constantly looked down upon, feel a lump in his throat and inexplicably want to cry.
Men are easily moved; sometimes a kind word is enough to bring tears to your eyes.
Cao Cao saw the tears welling up in his eyes, yet being forcefully held back, and changed the subject, asking, "Have you been to school? Have you ever practiced martial arts?"
Deng Ai nodded hastily. After all, he came from the Deng family of Nanyang. Although he didn't live a very good life, he had received an education.
These days, if you're educated, you've already surpassed 99% of people.
Cao Cao became interested again and laughed, "Xu Chu, test his martial arts. Be careful not to hurt him. Deng Ai, go all out and let me see how much better you up-and-coming talents are than your predecessors."
Overjoyed, Deng Ai quickly bowed and said, "Yes."
Then he turned and bowed to Xu Chu, saying, "This...this humble official greets General Xu...Please...General, bestow your...instructions..."
What a talented person like him lacks most is not ability, but a platform to utilize his abilities.
In other words, he lacks the appreciation of a mentor. If he could gain the support of a mentor, he would definitely use his abilities to prove to the mentor that the other party is a qualified mentor.
Now the opportunity has come. As long as he proves his ability to Cao Cao, his later life will surely be incredibly exciting. Therefore, Deng Ai is taking this competition very seriously.
This is his chance to defy fate.
Xu Chu, however, didn't share this mindset. He yawned and said casually, "Let's skip the nonsense and get started. It's exhausting to listen to you talk."
Deng Ai clasped his hands in a bow, then charged forward and swung his sword at Xu Chu. Xu Chu swung his sword in retaliation, and the two swords collided fiercely in mid-air, sparks flying as they carried immense force towards both of them.
Deng Ai stood still, while Xu Chu was forced back two steps by the blow, which made Xu Chu's old face turn bright red with embarrassment.
He didn't take Deng Ai seriously, so he only used 30% of his strength just now. Little did he know that he had underestimated this stutterer.
Xu Chu, his face burning, said, "Again."
After saying that, he took the initiative to charge forward. Deng Ai swung his sword and counterattacked without saying a word. The two quickly clashed, and the aftershocks of the battle forced Cao Cao to retreat several steps.
Cao Cao was not angry but pleased. He retreated to a safe distance, sat cross-legged, and patiently observed the situation.
Under Cao Cao's watchful eye, Deng Ai and Xu Chu exchanged blows for nearly a hundred rounds before Deng Ai finally succumbed and was struck to the ground by the back of Xu Chu's blade.
He was ultimately no match for Xu Chu.
But Xu Chu wasn't having an easy time either. Panting, he retreated to Cao Cao's side and shamelessly comforted himself, saying, "I'm getting old after all. If it were a dozen years ago, this kid definitely wouldn't have lasted fifty rounds against me."
Cao Cao rolled his eyes at him and scolded, "Why are you arguing with a young man?"
At the same time, Deng Ai struggled to his feet, approached Cao Cao, and bowed, saying, "Your subject... Your subject has lost..."
Cao Cao laughed and said, "But it depends on who you lose to. This is my Tiger Fool Xu Chu. Apart from Lü Bu and those few beasts under Liu Bei's command, no one can match him. It's not shameful for you to lose to him."
"To be honest, your martial arts skills are much better than mine were when I was young. Sit down and have a chat with me."
Deng Ai nodded to Xu Chu and sat cross-legged to Cao Cao's lower right.
Cao Cao waited until he was seated before asking, "I am very satisfied with your martial skills. Now, let me test your abilities. What is your view on the current situation?"
Deng Ai said nervously, "What...what's the situation right now? I...know absolutely nothing..."
He's just a grain transporter, what does he know about the situation? He has no idea what's happening at the front.
Cao Cao did not blame him. Instead, he told him in detail about the recent events and bluntly stated his strategic intention to attack Hanzhong and cut off Bashu and Longxi.
Deng Ai tentatively asked, "Uh...can I say anything?"
Cao Cao laughed and said, "That's right, speak freely."
After pondering for a long time, Deng Ai said, "I believe that Your Majesty's intention to attack Hanzhong is correct, but it may not be effective. What you can think of, Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang must have thought of as well. The Shu army in Longxi must have already begun to return to Hanzhong to provide reinforcements."
"The terrain around Hanzhong is too treacherous, and the road to Hanzhong is too rugged. As long as we send a few troops to guard the road, they can stop our army, which is ten times larger."
When the topic of war came up, Deng Ai surprisingly stopped stuttering.
Deng Ai continued, "Therefore, I believe we should still focus our attack on Longxi and drive the Shu army back to the bottom of the Bashu Basin. However, we cannot attack from Jieting again, as Jieting is definitely heavily guarded. If we want to enter Longxi, we must break through from other places."
Cao Cao raised an eyebrow and quickly asked, "Where?"
Deng Ai said, "We should break the deadlock in the Hetao region, that is, in Longdong."
“The two prefectures of Anding and Beidi in Longdong have been fertile lands with abundant water and grass since ancient times. Dongzhiyuan on the Longdong Plateau is an important grain-producing area. There is even a saying that the eight hundred li of Qin Chuan is not as good as one side of Dongzhiyuan. Your Majesty can take advantage of the troops and grain in Longdong to cross the Liupan Mountains and enter Tianshui. Then send another army to enter Jieting through the Longshan Road. At the same time, launch an attack and take back Jieting in one fell swoop.”
Cao Cao frowned and said, "The idea is good, but Longdong has been occupied by the Hu people and is no longer in the hands of the imperial court."