Anti-War Game: Starting from Normandy Campaign-Chapter 723 - 349: Deng Ai: Humble Origins Are No Disgrace...
The Blue Star viewers in the livestream were frowning at Zhong Hui, whose arrogance and cunning were laid bare after gaining power.
However, with Jiang Wei's appearance and his initiative to join, Zhong Hui seemed enchanted, almost eager to pour out his heart to Jiang Wei, which truly astonished people.
Zhong Hui craved recognition too much.
Especially given the environment he grew up in.
When he was born, Zhong Hui's father was already 74 years old.
A man of that age may have been past caring about life and death, but he wouldn't pay much attention to Zhong Hui either.
After all, his father knew he wouldn't live to see Zhong Hui grow up, and Zhong Hui, being a concubine's son, wasn't the center of attention—his father's focus was naturally on the legitimate son.
So at the tender age of six, Zhong Hui's father passed away naturally due to old age.
Then the Zhong family came under the control of his elder brother.
At this time, Zhong Hui's status became awkward; after all, he was a concubine's son, his father was dead, and his elder brother was in charge of the Zhong family.
Zhong Hui, growing up in such an environment.
Naturally desired to prove himself and gain recognition.
Yet, he not only felt inferior because of his status as a concubine's son, but when he mustered up the courage to recruit talented individuals, he was rejected due to this same status.
So, after gaining power, the first thing he did was take revenge on the talented people who had rejected him over a decade ago.
After living half a lifetime, Zhong Hui was accustomed to being overlooked.
Yet for the first time, someone actively sought him out.
That someone was the illustrious Jiang Wei, the Great General of Shu Han.
This naturally opened up the long-sealed heart of Zhong Hui, and all those past fantasies resurfaced in his mind.
Without much thought, he confided in Jiang Wei.
Imagining the great achievements he could accomplish with Jiang Wei's assistance.
The Blue Star viewers watching the livestream were also bewildered, seeing such an insidious and cunning person acting so naïvely like a child at this moment.
However, considering Zhong Hui's life experiences, Jiang Wei appeared like a beacon of light shining in.
This made it somewhat understandable.
After the viewers discussed it in the livestream comments, Fang Ming then found another viewing version for [Deng Ai]:
"Brothers."
"Let's take a look at this one."
"Deng Ai."
"This is the person both Jiang Wei and Zhong Hui regarded as a major enemy, and used methods to bring down."
After speaking.
Fang Ming clicked play.
The comments in the livestream decreased as everyone watched attentively.
Since Deng Ai appeared relatively rarely in the viewing versions of [Jiang Wei] and [Zhong Hui], yet he significantly disadvantaged Jiang Wei, destroyed Shu, and was someone Zhong Hui envied bitterly.
The Blue Star viewers in the livestream were also curious about Deng Ai's life experiences.
As the screen lit up
A modest household came into view.
Though not impoverished to the extremity, it didn't have much either.
Yet from the demeanor of the tall man, it was evident.
Deng Ai's family had seen better days, but by his father's generation, it had long declined.
Although still slightly better off than an ordinary family.
In the images, young Deng Ai received good guidance from his father, but the good times were short-lived..... Shortly after, the scene turned to one of mourning clothes.
Orphaned at a young age.
Living with only his mother.
In those turbulent times, the hardships of life were imaginable.
In the 13th year of Jian'an (208 AD).
Right after Cao Cao captured Jingzhou, forcibly relocating the local people as tuntu field residents.
Deng Ai and his mother were among those people, forcibly moved to Runan.
At the age of twelve.
Deng Ai followed his mother to Yinchuan, seeking shelter with relatives.
Yet life did not improve, they survived by nurturing cattle for their host family.
Despite the hardships, Deng Ai never abandoned his studies.
Among the tuntu residents, he was one of the few learned individuals, and for this reason.
Deng Ai was recommended as a typographer scholar for governing agriculture.
If he made further contributions in the future, he could gradually ascend the ranks, a bright path for a farmer's child.
Unfortunately.
Due to Deng Ai's stammering problem.
Officials above deemed him unfit for important roles and appointed him to a trivial minor official position instead.
However, it was precisely these early experiences of cattle herding and serving as a minor official.
That shaped Deng Ai's practical, no-nonsense approach.
His stammering encouraged him to replace words with silent diligence.
At this point.
The Blue Star viewers in the livestream were greatly impressed.
Though in the game's storyline, people from ancient times in [Huaxia] matured early.
But Deng Ai, who was diligent and hardworking from a young age.
Even turning the problem of stuttering into a merit of quiet diligence.
He could certainly be called an extreme pragmatist.
The Blue Star viewers in the livestream could see the reasoning behind later developments, understanding it wasn't accidental.
It was precisely because he was too pragmatic.
That he wasn't particularly invested or concerned with the political machinations of the officialdom.
In essence, those adept at deeds were overshadowed by those skilled in words.
Both lost their fathers young.
But Deng Ai and Zhong Hui became two extremes: one was pragmatic and silent from a young age, the other sought to showcase himself.
It's no wonder they found themselves on opposing paths.
In the scene.
Deng Ai focused on pragmatic work, overseeing agriculture and producing significant results for a long time.
Finally, in [AD 240], he gained the appreciation of Sima Yi, rising to the position of an official under the Grand Commandant's office, managing agriculture—at this time, Deng Ai was 43 years old.
It could be called a late bloom.
Later, Deng Ai suggested "The Treatise on the River" advocating the digging of river channels in the Huai River basin and the broad establishment of tuntu fields, laying the foundation for the eastern and southern grain reserves of the Wei Kingdom.
From everything shown in the scene.
Deng Ai was too straightforward, not skilled in political maneuvers, working diligently until 43 before being recognized and promoted.
If not, he might have continued in the same position indefinitely.
Subsequently.
The scenes kept switching until the year 249 AD, when Deng Ai participated in quelling the Huainan rebellion. Due to his military achievements, he was promoted to the Governor of Nan'an.
It was at this time that the Wei state began to notice Deng Ai's military prowess.
At this time,
Deng Ai was already 52 years old.
Who would have thought that Deng Ai, who had been engaged in practical farming in the Wei state for over thirty years, was actually a capable general?
Subsequently.
In 253 AD,
Deng Ai resisted Jiang Wei's attack on Longxi and repelled the Shu army.
In 255 AD,
After the battle of Taoxi, he was appointed as the General of Anxi in a critical situation to defend Didao together with Chen Tai and Guo Huai.
Deng Ai proposed the strategy of "dividing forces to sever the Shu army's retreat," and significantly defeated Jiang Wei at Duangu (Tianshui, Gansu), annihilating thousands of enemies.
In 257 AD,
He participated in suppressing the two Huainan rebellions (the rebellion of Zhuge Dan), offered strategies to dissolve the rebel forces, and was promoted to General of Zhenxi, overseeing all military affairs in Longyou.
In 262 AD,
After defeating Jiang Wei again at the Battle of Houhe, forcing him to retreat to Tazhong, completely reversing the offensive and defensive situation between Wei and Shu.
In the scene.
In the deep autumn valley, two armies face off against each other.
On one side is the neat formation of Deng Ai, the Great General of Wei, and on the other side, on the mountain ridge, the flags of the Shu army flutter, with hundreds of soldiers crowding around several yellow oxen, making piercing noises:
"Cowherd boy! Go back to Wei and herd cows!"
"Exactly! Just an old farmer plowing fields who unexpectedly became a general!"
"Our Great General has a whole herd of yellow oxen! We came today to 'reward' General Deng! Lest you covet them on the battlefield!"
"Would the oxen herded by the generals of Wei be stronger than others?"
"Hahahahaha!"
The bells around the yellow oxen's necks jingled crisply.
The laughter grew louder, and the Shu soldiers deliberately led the oxen to slowly pass before the formation of the Wei army.
Seeing the soldiers so insulting their Great General, many Wei soldiers gripped their gun barrels tightly, while Deng Ai's son, Deng Zhong, was even more furious:
"This is too much!"
He suddenly drew the sword at his waist, the blade pointing directly at the Shu formation, ready to command the army to charge, but Deng Ai grabbed him with a firm hand:
"Where are you going?"
Deng Zhong turned his head back in a rush, crashing into the gaze of his father, Deng Ai.
In that gaze, there was no imagined fury, but an extraordinary calmness that stalled Deng Zhong's anger:
"Father."
"It's hateful that this Jiang Wei kid insults you in every way, I must capture Jiang Wei alive!"
However, Deng Ai said nothing but held Deng Zhong tightly, staring into his eyes, watching as Deng Zhong's fury gradually dissipated until he lowered his eyes, unable to meet his gaze.
Only then did Deng Ai nod, looking towards the Shu army mocking with the yellow oxen, and said slowly to Deng Zhong:
"It's rare for Jiang Wei to exert his mind."
"He inquired thoroughly about my past."
Deng Zhong looked up, still unsatisfied.
But Deng Ai smiled, with a hint of recollection in his eyes, and continued:
"I lost my father when I was young."
"At the age of twelve, I herded cattle for a farming family to support my mother, and fervently studied, only to achieve today's standing."
"I made a living by herding cattle, naturally cherishing livestock."
"Considering the circumstances, it's almost human nature, and not an insult."
Deng Ai looked at his son, a smile on his lips.
But as a son, seeing his father insulted in such a way, how could Deng Zhong not be angry, yet looking at Deng Ai's calm demeanor and tone, Deng Zhong eventually lowered his head unwillingly:
"Yes, Father."
Deng Ai looked at Deng Zhong, nodded, glanced at the still-mocking Shu army opposite, and slowly said:
"Being born in poverty is not disgraceful."
"Being able to adapt makes a true man."
In an instant.
The valley seemed to quiet down.
The shame and agitation on the faces of the Wei soldiers gradually faded, replaced by the dignity and determination inspired by Deng Ai's mountain-like stable demeanor.
Meanwhile, in the livestream on Blue Star, the spectators instantly got goosebumps:
[Holy crap!!!]
[I've got goosebumps all over! This vision!]
[Such mental resilience, such stature... the Shu army on the other side must be bewildered, right?]
[This taunt had zero harmful effect, and the insult... Deng Ai is completely immune!]
[Imagine the Wei soldiers, initially feeling aggrieved, hearing their commander's words, instantly transform their shame to admiration, with their morale not lowering but rising instead! This leadership is outstanding!]
[This is the mindset of a true strongman, their realm already a few layers above their opponents.]
[No wonder Jiang Wei failed, honestly... with Deng Ai's steadiness, how could he not?]
[Indeed, the more anxious Jiang Wei is to battle Deng Ai, the less hurried Deng Ai becomes...]
[This scene reminds me of Zhuge Liang and Sima Yi of those years... a cycle of fate.]
In the visual display, Deng Ai's army instantly underwent a mental shift, looking at the Shu army on the opposite side with contempt.
Seeing their taunts ineffective.
Over the course of several days, the Shu army's spirit was gradually exhausted.
When Jiang Wei was no longer eager to fight.
Deng Ai finally made his move, once again defeating Jiang Wei's forces.
Upon reaching this point,
The viewers in the livestream on Blue Star couldn't help but click their tongues in amazement.
No wonder Jiang Wei hated Deng Ai so much.
In several of Jiang Wei's northern expeditions that followed, Deng Ai was the one to defeat him.
Especially after the battle of Taoxi,
The awareness and praise for Deng Ai, who decisively defeated Jiang Wei's Shu forces while entrusted in a critical situation, spread throughout the Wei state's court and public, firmly establishing him as the main General in opposing Shu.
And due to Deng Ai's pragmatic nature,
His steady approach effectively yielded results.
The time had come for a counterattack.
In 263 AD,
Deng Ai proposed the "Strategy for Conquering Shu," advocating for dividing troops to pin down Jiang Wei's main forces (with Zhong Hui leading the main forces against Han Zhong) while he led a special force out of Didao to directly strike the heart of Shu.
At this moment,
The main forces of Jiang Wei's Shu army had already been pinned down by Zhong Hui at Jian'ge.
