Preface
In the long course of history, Deng Ai was endowed with brilliant military exploits, but his death also left a thought-provoking mystery. Deng Ai's death is not simply the end of life, but also a contest between emotions, morals, and desires. He was born with "original sin", however, whether he is really positioned by society and whether he has the opportunity to change his destiny is all worth digging into.
This story is not only about the life and death of ancient characters, but also an examination of human nature. In the complicated world of desires, can Deng Ai reasonably restrain his inner desires and embark on a more open royal road? Let us unveil the veil of history, explore the true connotation of Deng Ai's death, and explore the wisdom and lessons behind it.
1. The son of a poor family has extraordinary ambitions
"The rise and fall of the world is the responsibility of the husband", this sentence is placed in any era and place, and some people will deeply believe it. When a country is on the verge of destruction, many people can't help but ask themselves: Should I also bear part of the responsibility for this catastrophe?
Deng Ai, a tragic figure who fought bloodily for decades, but finally ended up in death, once asked himself the same question. When Shu Han was destroyed and he became famous, did he ever think that he would usher in such a tragic ending?
Deng Ai was born in the Jian'an period of Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty, and his family background was not prominent, so he could only be regarded as a poor family. His father died at an early age, leaving Deng Ai and his mother to depend on each other. However, this difficult living environment did not detract from the teenager's pride.
The name he gave himself "Fan Shize" shows that he wants to be a model for the world. Although it later had to be renamed, this ambition did not change. He devoted himself to the study of the art of war and constantly enriched himself. As if to verify the sentence "There is Yan Ruyu in the book", by a coincidence, Deng Ai was appreciated by Sima Yi, who was the great Sima at the time, and was promoted to the Taiwei Mansion by him.
This is undoubtedly a major turning point in Deng Ai's life. Since then, he has ushered in the high-speed ascent of his career and began his career as a general.
Second, ten years of armor, eventful years
Deng Ai's first military exploits were when he defended against the Shu Han general Jiang Wei to attack Yongzhou. At that time, Jiang Wei occupied favorable terrain and built a city, which seemed to be entrenched for a long time. Deng Ai saw that Jiang Wei's army's marching route was too long, and the supply must be a problem. So he decisively advocated organizing a fierce attack to cut off the transportation and water sources of the Shu army. In the end, he won a big victory and repelled Jiang Wei.
This battle spread Deng Ai's name in one fell swoop. The land of Longyou in the northwest of Cao Wei was often invaded by the Qiang barbarians and the Shu Han. Deng Ai took the lead and made many miraculous achievements, and was soon promoted from Nan'an Taishou to Runan Taishou. Later, he was transferred to the key Yanzhou Assassin History.
When Jiang Wei, who attacked Yongzhou for the second time, was defeated again and retreated. Deng Ai was finally appointed as the general of Zhenxi and commanded the whole army. At this time, Deng Ai's meritorious brilliance can be compared with the "five good generals" of Wei. However, to achieve such an achievement, how many eventful years have passed!
Deng Ai is well aware of the barbarians and terrain in the northwest region, and he always gives advice and responds freely. In order to strengthen war preparedness, he actively advocated stationing troops in strategically important areas and stockpiling sufficient strategic materials. At the same time, water conservancy was built to develop the local economy in order to consolidate the rear of the theater. Under his management, the land of Longyou gradually stabilized. The people live and work in peace and contentment, and the army and the people are in full swing. In this way, Deng Ai was finally promoted step by step and became the master of the party.
3. A fateful battle
By 262 AD, the Wei state was unprecedentedly strong, and Shu Han was already in turmoil. At this time, Sima Zhao plotted to usurp the throne and was determined to solve the great problem in the west first. He then ordered Zhong Hui to be the commander and led a large army to attack Shu. Deng Ai is responsible for containing Jiang Wei in the middle of the river and preventing him from returning to the rescue.
Deng Ai was very dissatisfied with this. He repeatedly protested to Sima Zhao that the arrangement was inappropriate. thinks that Shu Han is already weak, and he can completely bypass Jiang Wei's army, take Chengdu directly, and directly annihilate Shu. However, his advice was to no avail, and Sima Zhao still insisted on his deployment.
At this time, Sima Zhao sent the officer in charge of the military to urge Deng Ai: even if he does not obey, he must obey. Deng Ai no longer insisted on his own opinion and acted according to orders. However, this subtle change of attitude has planted a hidden danger in his heart. Soon, when Zhong Hui easily broke through the Sword Gate and occupied Hanzhong, Deng Ai couldn't bear it anymore and decided to compete with Zhong Hui head-on.
Fourth, make a desperate bet and make a successful bet
Facing Zhong Hui, who won easily, Deng Ai had a lot of grievances in his heart. Although Hanzhong is easy to defend and difficult to attack, the Shu army is obviously at the end of the strong crossbow, and this battle Zhonghui is not outstanding. As the so-called heroes love hardship, Deng Ai chose to take a desperate gamble and take risks to go deeper.
He chose to head south from Hanzhong, but all roads had been blocked by Zhonghui. At this time, Deng Ai decided to take a hidden path that almost no one dared to take - Yinping Road. It is difficult to march here, and no one has cared about it since ancient times. However, because of this, Deng Ai's bet on the Shu army must be defenseless.
This is undoubtedly a big gamble. The march was difficult, almost incapacitated. In case it is discovered by the Shu army, there is only one way for the whole army to be wiped out. However, what heroes love is not to win in danger! Deng Ai gave up everything he had, just to become famous in one fell swoop.
As a result, this big gamble was successful! Shu Han was weak and powerless, and no one dared to stop Deng Ai wherever he passed. Soon he invaded Chengdu, and the Shu lord Liu Chan surrendered to him. Deng Ai won the Shu Kingdom in one fell swoop and completed the eternal feat!
It seems to be a smooth step, but there is nowhere to find it when you step on iron shoes. The helpless boy back then, after a long time of waiting and struggle, finally got humiliated and realized his ambition of being the best in the world. However, before the joy of this victory could be savored, the punishment of fate was already brewing in secret.
Fifth, at the peak moment, happiness and sorrow
Shu Han subdued, Deng Ai became the first hero, famous all over the world. However, victory can easily get carried away in a person's head. Deng Ai relied on his great achievements, and began to disobey military orders, accept official titles without authorization, and buy people's hearts. He even asked Liu Chan to stay in Chengdu, hoping to use this puppet to consolidate his dominance in Shu.
This series of measures undoubtedly offended Sima Zhao's rebellion. Zhong Hui and others took the opportunity to slander in front of him, bluntly saying that Deng Ai intended to rebel. In addition, when Deng Ai argued with Sima Zhao afterwards, there were many dissatisfaction in his words, which gave Zhong Hui an opportunity to take advantage of. Zhong Hui went so far as to tamper with Deng Ai's recital, making it seem lawless and intent on causing chaos.
Finally, Sima Zhao ordered the arrest of Deng Ai and his son. Deng Ai, who originally wanted to use it for his own purposes, once lost power, he was immediately escorted to Luoyang for execution. And all his families in Shu were wiped out, and none of them were spared. Deng Ai, who has achieved fame, has come to a tragic end.
6. Conclusion: Desire is inevitable, contentment and self-preservation
When asked about Deng Ai's death, I have to admit that he is indeed at fault. However, how can a person from a humble background avoid the accumulated desires and dissatisfaction? How can he resist the dazzle brought about by money and status? Standing at the pinnacle of power, how many people can keep their minds undisturbed and keep their original intentions?
Perhaps, we should not criticize an ordinary person for not being reserved in the face of high positions. On the contrary, Deng Ai's death teaches us that no matter how rich or low, learning to be content and happy is the foundation of life. Don't disregard the overall situation and your life for your own selfish desires.
Everyone carries more or less the psychological baggage brought about by the upbringing environment and life experience. These baggage tend to explode at a particular moment, driving a person to extremes. Deng Ai's life from prosperity to decline is a microcosm of this universal law.
We cannot expect all people to be moral models. However, basic rationality and temperance are still qualities that everyone should have. Regardless of gains and losses, loyalty to duty is the foundation of life. The enlightenment of Deng Ai's death to future generations is undoubtedly worth pondering, but criticizing the mistakes of an ordinary person does not seem to make much sense. Because in this world, how many people are truly perfect?