Deng Ai

Deng Ai (197 – late March 264Vol.04 of ''Sanguozhi'' and vol.02 of ''Jin Shu'' both indicated that Deng Ai was arrested in the 1st month of the 1st year of the ''Xianxi'' era. The month corresponds to 15 Feb to 14 Mar 264 in the Julian calendar. Volume 78 of ''Zizhi Tongjian'' dated Deng Ai's arrest to the ''renchen'' day of that month, but there is no ''renchen'' day in that month. The next ''renchen'' day is in the 2nd month, and corresponds to 16 Mar 264 in the Julian calendar. All sources agree that Deng Ai died after Zhong Hui, who died on 3 Mar 264.), courtesy name Shizai, was a Chinese military general and politician of the state of Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of China. He is best known for his pivotal role in the Wei conquest of its rival state, Shu, in 263. He was described as a very loyal subject who made great contributions to Wei, but was also noted for his arrogance and audacity, which led to his downfall and death.

Born in a peasant family, Deng Ai started his career as a minor agricultural officer. Sometime between 235 and 239, he met Sima Yi, who recognised his talent and gave him a higher position in the civil service. Around this time, he also wrote a proposal on starting agricultural works in the Huai River region, and received credit for his ideas. Deng Ai gained greater prominence in Wei from 249 onwards after he joined the Wei general Guo Huai in stopping a Shu invasion. He also advised the regent Sima Shi on some issues. In 255, he participated in the suppression of a rebellion started by the generals Guanqiu Jian and Wen Qin, and was promoted to the status of a top general. From 255 to 262, he defended Wei's western borders in present-day Gansu from multiple incursions by the Shu forces led by the general Jiang Wei.

Deng Ai reached the pinnacle of his career in 263, when he led Wei forces to conquer Shu. By leading a strike force through a shortcut across dangerous mountainous terrain, Deng Ai showed up in the vicinity of the Shu capital, Chengdu, and took the enemy by surprise. After a failed attempt by the Shu general Zhuge Zhan to stop Deng Ai at Mianzhu, the Shu emperor Liu Shan voluntarily surrendered to Deng Ai and brought an end to the Shu state. Following his success in the Shu campaign, Deng Ai became arrogant about his achievements and showed disregard for the Wei government's authority. The Wei general Zhong Hui exploited and manipulated Deng Ai's arrogance to great effect. In 264, Deng Ai was arrested by Wei Guan and Zhong Hui, who were acting under order by the Wei regent Sima Zhao. He was placed in a prison cart and escorted to the capital Luoyang, but was killed en route by soldiers sent by Wei Guan. His sons were executed as well. His surviving family members were exiled but allowed to return in 266 after the Jin dynasty was established.

Early life and career

Deng Ai was from Jiyang County (棘陽縣), Yiyang Commandery (義陽郡), which is around present-day Xinye County, Henan. He was born towards the end of the Eastern Han dynasty and lost his father at a young age. When the warlord Cao Cao conquered northern Jing Province in 208, Deng Ai moved to Runan Commandery (汝南郡; in present-day southern Henan), where he lived as a farmer and raised cattle. When he was 11 years old, he and his mother passed by Chen Shi's tomb in Yingchuan Commandery (潁川郡; around present-day Xuchang, Henan). He read two lines engraved on Chen Shi's tombstone: "his writings became examples of excellent prose; his conduct served as a role model for scholar-officials" (文為世範，行為士則). He was so inspired that he wanted to change his given name to ''Fan'' (literally "(role) model") and his courtesy name to ''Shize'' (literally "for scholar-officials to emulate"). However, since the names ''Fan'' and ''Shize'' were already used by members of his extended family, he could not change his names as such because it would violate naming taboo.(鄧艾字士載，義陽棘陽人也。少孤，太祖破荊州，徙汝南，為農民養犢。年十二，隨母至潁川，讀故太丘長陳寔碑文，言「文為世範，行為士則」，艾遂自名範，字士則。後宗族有與同者，故改焉。) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 28.

Deng Ai later became an academician () under the Commandant of Xiangcheng (襄城; present-day Xiangcheng County, Henan). However, he was not too successful in his career because he stuttered in his speech. He then switched his job to an agricultural officer in charge of grain and fodder. The locals pitied him for his poor family background and often provided him with financial aid. Deng Ai initially did not show any form of gratitude towards them. Whenever he saw mountains and lakes, he started gesturing and pointing out how and where he believed army camps should be laid out, but was scorned by others. Later on, he was promoted to a clerical position which put him in charge of maintaining records of agricultural output.(為都尉學士，以口吃，不得作幹佐。為稻田守叢草吏。同郡吏父怜其家貧，資給甚厚，艾初不稱謝。每見高山大澤，輙規度指畫軍營處所，時人多笑焉。後將典農綱紀，上計吏， ...) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 28.

Deng Ai had an acquaintance, Shi Bao (), who was about the same age as him. They were quite close to Guo Xuanxin (), who served as an Internuncio (). When Ji Ben, an imperial physician, started a rebellion in Xu (許; present-day Xuchang, Henan) in 218, Guo Xuanxin was implicated and initially placed under house arrest until an officer came to escort him to the imperial capital for trial. Deng Ai and Shi Bao were among the escorts. While travelling for about ten '' li'', Guo Xuanxin chatted with them along the way and remarked that the two of them would become very capable officials in the future. Deng Ai was later promoted to the rank of an Agricultural Officer of Merit ().(世語曰：鄧艾少為襄城典農部民，與石苞皆年十二三。謁者陽翟郭玄信，武帝監軍郭誕元弈之子。建安中，少府吉本起兵許都，玄信坐被刑在家，從典農司馬求入御，以艾、苞與御，行十餘里，與語，恱之，謂二人皆當遠至為佐相。艾後為典農功曹，奉使詣宣王，由此見知，遂被拔擢。) ''Shiyu'' annotation in ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 28.

Sometime between 235 and 239, he was sent as a messenger to the capital, Luoyang, where, by chance, he met Sima Yi, who was then serving as the Grand Commandant () under the Wei government. Sima Yi felt that Deng Ai was an extraordinary person so he recruited him and promoted him to the position of a Gentleman of Writing ().(... 因使見太尉司馬宣王。宣王奇之，辟之為掾，遷尚書郎。) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 28.

Agricultural and irrigation projects

Around the time, the Wei state was planning to promote agriculture and stockpile food resources in preparation for military campaigns against its rival states, Shu and Wu. Deng Ai was sent to survey the lands from the east of Chen () and Xiang () commanderies (around present-day Zhoukou, Henan) to Shouchun (壽春; around present-day Shou County, Anhui), and assess their suitability for agriculture. He saw that the lands were fertile but lacked moisture, so they were not fully utilised. He suggested to dig irrigation channels to irrigate the land, and open up new canals for transporting goods by water.(時欲廣田畜糓，為滅賊資，使艾行陳、項已東至壽春。艾以為「田良水少，不足以盡地利，宜開河渠，可以引水澆溉，大積軍糧，又通運漕之道。」) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 28.

Deng Ai wrote a proposal, the ''Ji He Lun'' (濟河論; ''Discussion on the River''), to explain his ideas:(乃著濟河論以喻其指。) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 28. Sima Yi agreed with Deng Ai's proposal and implemented his ideas.(宣王善之，事皆施行。) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 28.

In 241, the agricultural projects were complete. Whenever there were battles in the southeast between Wei and Wu, the Wei forces could sail down the river towards the Huai River region to counter the enemy. This was because they had plenty of food supplies stockpiled upstream and had the water pathways to their advantage. Deng Ai received credit for his proposal.(正始二年，乃開廣漕渠，每東南有事，大軍興衆，汎舟而下，達于江、淮，資食有儲而無水害，艾所建也。) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 28.

Battle of Tao River

Deng Ai later became a military adviser to the Wei general Xiahou Xuan and served as the Administrator of Nan'an Commandery (南安郡; around present-day Longxi and Wushan counties, Gansu). In 249, he followed Xiahou Xuan's successor Guo Huai to resist an invasion led by the Shu general Jiang Wei. After the Shu forces were repelled, Guo Huai advanced west to attack the Qiang tribes. Deng Ai cautioned him: "The enemy did not retreat far. They might turn back to attack us again, so we should split up our forces in case they attack us again."(出參征西軍事，遷南安太守。嘉平元年，與征西將軍郭淮拒蜀偏將軍姜維。維退，淮因西擊羌。艾曰：「賊去未遠，或能復還，宜分諸軍以備不虞。」) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 28.

Guo Huai then ordered Chen Tai, Xu Zhi and Deng Ai to lead Wei forces to attack the fortresses at Qushan and cut off their food and water supplies. Ju An and Li Xin led their men to taunt Deng Ai to attack them, but Deng Ai ignored them. As time passed, the two fortresses gradually ran out of supplies. Jiang Wei led his troops from Mount Niutou (牛頭山; west of present-day Zhaohua District, Guangyuan, Sichuan) to reinforce the fortresses. They encountered Chen Tai and his troops along the way. Chen Tai said: "''The Art of War'' says that the best way to win a battle is to win without fighting. If we manage to occupy Mount Niutou, Jiang Wei's return route will be sealed off and he can be easily captured by us." He then ordered his troops to build forts to resist Jiang Wei's forces but refrain from engaging the enemy. At the same time, he also wrote to Guo Huai and requested his help in attacking Mount Niutou. Guo Huai did so and led his troops across the Tao River in preparation for attacking Mount Niutou.(淮從泰計，使泰率討蜀護軍徐質、南安太守鄧艾等進兵圍之，斷其運道及城外流水。安等挑戰，不許，將士困窘，分糧聚雪以稽日月。維果來救，出自牛頭山，與泰相對。泰曰：「兵法貴在不戰而屈人。今絕牛頭，維無反道，則我之禽也。」勑諸軍各堅壘勿與戰，遣使白淮，欲自南渡白水，循水而東，使淮趣牛頭，截其還路，可并取維，不惟安等而已。淮善其策，進率諸軍軍洮水。維懼，遁走，安等孤縣，遂皆降。) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 22.(淮乃使泰率討蜀護軍徐質、南安太守鄧艾進兵圍麴城，斷其運道及城外流水。安等挑戰，不許，將士困窘，分糧聚雪以引日月。維引兵救之，出自牛頭山，與泰相對。泰曰：「兵法貴在不戰而屈人。今絕牛頭，維無反道，則我之禽也。」敕諸軍各堅壘勿與戰，遣使白淮，使淮趣牛頭截其還路。淮從之，進軍洮水。) ''Zizhi Tongjian'' vol. 75.

Deng Ai remained behind and garrisoned at the north of Baishui County. Three days later, Jiang Wei sent Liao Hua to lead a force to approach Deng Ai's camp from the south of Baishui. Deng Ai told his officers: "Jiang Wei has turned back to attack us. We have few troops. Ideally, we should cross the river and not build a bridge. I believe Jiang Wei must have sent Liao Hua to hinder us so that we are forced to remain here, while he would attack Taocheng (洮城) from the east." Taocheng was located north of the river and was about 60 '' li'' away from Deng Ai's position. Deng Ai immediately dispatched troops to travel overnight to Taocheng to defend the fortress. As he expected, Jiang Wei crossed the river to attack Taocheng, but failed to capture the fortress because Deng Ai had already strengthened its defences. For his achievements, Deng Ai was enfeoffed as a Secondary Marquis (), awarded the rank of General Who Attacks Rebels (), and subsequently appointed as the Administrator of Chengyang Commandery (城陽郡; around present-day Zhucheng, Shandong).(於是留艾屯白水北。三日，維遣廖化自白水南向艾結營。艾謂諸將曰：「維今卒還，吾軍人少，法當來渡而不作橋。此維使化持吾，令不得還。維必自東襲取洮城。」洮城在水北，去艾屯六十里。艾即夜潛軍徑到，維果來渡，而艾先至據城，得以不敗。賜爵關內侯，加討寇將軍，後遷城陽太守。) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 28.

Military advisor service

Around the time, the Xiongnu prince Liu Bao, who was nominally a vassal under the Wei government, was gradually building up his military forces in Bing Province. Deng Ai wrote a memorial to the Wei imperial court:(是時并州右賢王劉豹并為一部， ...) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 28.

Deng Ai also suggested: "We should gradually segregate those Han Chinese living with barbarians, inculcate moral values such as integrity in them, so as to prevent them from resorting to unlawful actions." Sima Shi, the General-in-Chief () who had recently taken over the reins of power as the regent of Wei, accepted Deng Ai's suggestions. He also appointed Deng Ai as the Administrator of Runan Commandery (汝南郡; in present-day southern Henan), where Deng lived in his younger days. Upon arriving in Runan to take office, Deng Ai sought a man who generously helped his father before because he wanted to repay that man for his kindness. However, he was disappointed to learn that the man had already died, so he sent his subordinates to pay respects at the man's tomb on his behalf. He also gave many gifts to the man's mother and recruited the man's son to be an accounting officer under him. During his tenure, Deng Ai developed wastelands in Runan and ensured that his soldiers and the common people had their basic needs fulfilled.(又陳：「羌胡與民同處者，宜以漸出之，使居民表崇廉恥之教，塞姦宄之路。」大將軍司馬景王新輔政，多納用焉。遷汝南太守，至則尋求昔所厚己吏父，乆已死，遣吏祭之，重遺其母，舉其子與計吏。艾所在，荒野開闢，軍民並豐。) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 28.

When the Wu regent Zhuge Ke retreated after a failed attempt to capture the Wei-controlled fortress at Hefei, Deng Ai approached the Wei regent Sima Shi and said:(諸葛恪圍合肥新城，不克，退歸。艾言景王曰： ...) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 28. As Deng Ai foresaw, Zhuge Ke was ousted from power not long after he returned to Wu and was killed along with his family.(恪歸，果見誅。) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 28.

Deng Ai was appointed as the Inspector of Yan Province () and promoted to General Who Inspires Might (). He wrote a memorial to the Wei imperial court:(遷兖州刺史，加振威將軍。上言曰： ...) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 28.

Suppression of Second Shouchun rebellion

Deng Ai was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Fangcheng Village () after Cao Mao became the new Wei emperor in 254. In the following year, when the Wei generals Guanqiu Jian and Wen Qin started a rebellion in Shouchun (壽春; around present-day Shou County, Anhui), they sent messengers to other areas to incite the people to join their rebellion. Deng Ai arrested and executed the messengers, and then led troops to suppress the rebellion. His force occupied Yuejia (樂嘉; present-day Xiangcheng, Henan) and started building pontoon bridges. When the main Wei army led by Sima Shi showed up, Deng Ai rendezvoused with him and they advanced towards Shouchun together. The rebels were subsequently defeated. Deng Ai pursued the fleeing Wen Qin to Qiutou (丘頭; southeast of present-day Shenqiu County, Henan), but Wen Qin still managed to escape and defect to Wei's rival state, Wu.(高貴鄉公即尊位，進封方城亭侯。毌丘儉作亂，遣健步齎書，欲疑惑大衆，艾斬之，兼道進軍，先趣樂嘉城，作浮橋。司馬景王至，遂據之。文欽以後大軍破敗於城下，艾追之至丘頭。欽奔吳。) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 28.

The Wu general Sun Jun led thousands of troops and crossed the Yangtze to support the rebels. The Wei general Zhuge Dan ordered Deng Ai to resist the enemy at Feiyang (), but Deng saw that if he was stationed in Feiyang he would be in a disadvantageous position, so he relocated his troops to a neighbouring village. He then sent Zhuge Xu to attack the remaining rebels and Wu forces at Lijiang Village (黎漿亭; southeast of present-day Shou County, Anhui), where they defeated the enemy.(吳大將軍孫峻等號十萬衆，將渡江，鎮東將軍諸葛誕遣艾據肥陽，艾以與賊勢相遠，非要害之地，輒移屯附亭，遣泰山太守諸葛緒等於黎漿拒戰，遂走之。) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 28.

In the same year, Deng Ai was promoted to Colonel of Changshui (). Later on, for his contributions in suppressing the rebellion, he was further promoted to acting General Who Stabilises the West () and his marquis rank was increased by one grade to Marquis of Fangcheng District ().(其年徵拜長水校尉。以破欽等功，進封方城鄉侯，行安西將軍。) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 28.

Defending Wei territory

Around 255, the Shu general Jiang Wei led forces to attack Wei and besieged Wang Jing, the Inspector of Yong Province, in Didao (狄道; southwest of present-day Lintao County, Gansu). The Wei imperial court appointed Deng Ai as General Who Stabilises the West () and Colonel Who Protects the Eastern Qiang () to lead troops to lift the siege. By then, Jiang Wei had withdrawn to Zhongti (鍾提; south of present-day Lintao County, Gansu), so many of Deng Ai's subordinates thought that Jiang Wei was exhausted and would not attack Didao again. However, Deng Ai held a different opinion and he said:(解雍州刺史王經圍於狄道，姜維退駐鍾提，乃以艾為安西將軍，假節、領護東羌校尉。議者多以為維力已竭，未能更出。) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 28. As Deng Ai predicted, Jiang Wei led his forces to attack Mount Qi later but were repelled by the defences set up by Deng. Jiang Wei retreated to Dong Village (董亭; south of present-day Wushan County, Gansu), while Deng Ai stationed his troops at Mount Wucheng (). Jiang Wei tried to seize control of the mountainous terrain from Deng Ai, but was driven back. That night, Jiang Wei attempted to cross the Wei River to attack Shanggui (上邽; present-day Tianshui, Gansu). Deng Ai intercepted Jiang Wei at Duan Valley (段谷; southwest of present-day Tianshui, Gansu) and defeated him.(頃之，維果向祁山，聞艾已有備，乃回從董亭趣南安，艾據武城山以相持。維與艾爭險，不克，其夜，渡渭東行，緣山趣上邽，艾與戰於段谷，大破之。) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 28.

In 256, the Wei imperial court issued an edict as follows:

In the following year, Jiang Wei advanced to the Mang river in his attempt to attack the position of Deng Ai and Sima Wang. However, both Wei generals refused to engage and held their position.

Deng Ai defeated Jiang Wei in battle again along the Great Wall and forced him to retreat back to Shu. He was further promoted to General Who Attacks the West (), and had the number of taxable households in his marquisate increased to 6,600.

In 262, he defeated Jiang Wei in battle at Houhe (). Jiang Wei retreated to Tazhong (沓中; northwest of present-day Zhugqu County, Gansu) and garrisoned there.(二年，拒姜維於長城，維退還。遷征西將軍，前後增邑凡六千六百戶。景元三年，又破維於侯和，維却保沓中。) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 28.

Conquest of Shu

Strategic planning and opening moves

In the autumn of 263, the Wei imperial government started mobilising troops in preparation for a campaign against Shu. Sima Zhao, who oversaw the campaign, ordered Deng Ai to lead 30,000 troops(四年秋，乃下詔使鄧艾、諸葛緒各統諸軍三萬餘人， ...) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 28. to Tazhong (沓中; northwest of present-day Zhugqu County, Gansu) to harass Jiang Wei and keep him occupied, while Zhuge Xu, the Inspector of Yong Province, would lead forces to block Jiang Wei's retreat route back to Shu.(四年秋，詔諸軍征蜀，大將軍司馬文王皆指授節度，使艾與維相綴連；雍州刺史諸葛緒要維，令不得歸。) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 28. Before Deng Ai embarked on the campaign against Shu, he dreamt of himself sitting on a mountaintop with water flowing near him. He asked an official, Yuan Shao (), who was well-versed in the '' Yijing'', to explain to him what his dream meant. Yuan Shao told him that he would successfully conquer Shu, but would not return to Wei. Deng Ai felt gloomy after hearing this.(初，艾當伐蜀，夢坐山上而有流水，以問殄虜護軍爰邵。邵曰：「按易卦，山上有水曰蹇。蹇繇曰：『蹇利西南，不利東北。』孔子曰：『蹇利西南，往有功也；不利東北，其道窮也。』往必克蜀，殆不還乎！」艾憮然不樂。) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 28.

Deng Ai sent Wang Qi () to lead troops attack Jiang Wei's camp directly, with Qian Hong leading another force to clear the path, and Yang Xin () to attack the enemy positions at Gansong (甘松; around present-day Songpan County, Sichuan).(艾遣天水太守王頎等直攻維營，隴西太守牽弘等邀其前，金城太守楊欣等詣甘松。) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 28.

When Jiang Wei received news that another Wei army led by Zhong Hui had occupied Hanzhong Commandery, he led his troops from Tazhong back further into Shu territory, but was pursued by Yang Xin to Qiangchuankou (彊川口; the intersection of the Bailong and Jialing rivers), where he was defeated. Jiang Wei learnt that Zhuge Xu had blocked his retreat route at the bridge of Yinping, so he led his men through Konghan Valley (孔函谷; south of present-day Xigu District, Lanzhou, Gansu) to the northern road in an attempt to bypass Zhuge Xu's position. When Zhuge Xu heard about it, he retreated back by 30 '' li''. By then, Jiang Wei and his troops had travelled about 30 ''li'' on the northern road when they heard that Zhuge Xu had lifted the blockade at the bridge. Jiang Wei ordered his troops to quickly turn back and cross the bridge. Zhuge Xu tried to turn back to block Jiang Wei again but arrived at the bridge one day too late. After crossing the bridge, Jiang Wei moved to the mountain pass of Jiange and garrisoned there. Zhong Hui attacked Jiang Wei at Jiange several times but was unable to breach the defences.(維聞鍾會諸軍已入漢中，引退還。欣等追躡於彊川口，大戰，維敗走。聞雍州已塞道屯橋頭，從孔函谷入北道，欲出雍州後。諸葛緒聞之，却還三十里。維入北道三十餘里，聞緒軍却，尋還，從橋頭過，緒趣截維，較一日不及。維遂東引，還守劒閣。鍾會攻維未能克。) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 28.

Capture of the Shu capital

Deng Ai proposed:

Zhong Hui approved Deng Ai's idea and even ordered his subordinate Tian Zhang () to join Deng Ai on the expedition. Some time between 18 November and 17 December 263, Deng Ai led a strike force from Yinping through the shortcut, bypassing the west of Jiange and heading straight towards Jiangyou. The shortcut covered a distance of more than 700 '' li'' and cut across mountainous terrain. Deng Ai and his men had to construct several bridges along the way. The mountains were high and the valleys were deep, which made the journey extremely dangerous. After some time, they were completely cut off from their supply train. Deng Ai wrapped himself in a large piece of felt and rolled down the mountain. His men climbed trees and scaled cliffs in single file.( ��元四年��十月，艾自陰平道行無人之地七百餘里，鑿山通道，造作橋閣。山高谷深，至為艱險，又糧運將匱，頻於危殆。艾以氊自裹，推轉而下。將士皆攀木緣崖，魚貫而進。) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 28. 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.(鄧艾追姜維到陰平，簡選精銳，欲從漢德陽入江由、左儋道詣緜竹，趣成都，與諸葛緒共行。緒以本受節度邀姜維，西行非本詔，遂進軍前向白水，與會合。會遣將軍田章等從劒閣西，徑出江由。未至百里，章先破蜀伏兵三校，艾使章先登。遂長駈而前。) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 28. Deng Ai and his vanguard showed up at Jiangyou. Ma Miao (), the Shu-appointed administrator of Jiangyou, gave up resistance and surrendered to Deng Ai.(先登至江由，蜀守將馬邈降。) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 28.

The Shu general Zhuge Zhan led an army from Fu County to Mianzhu, where they engaged Deng Ai and his troops in battle. Deng Ai ordered his son Deng Zhong () to flank the enemy from the right, and Shi Zuan () to flank the enemy from the left. Both Deng Zhong and Shi Zuan were driven back by Zhuge Zhan, and they told Deng Ai: "The enemy cannot be defeated.". Deng Ai sternly replied: "This battle will determine whether we live or die. What do you mean when you say the enemy cannot be defeated?" He wanted to execute them, but they turned back and hastily readied their troops for battle again. They defeated the Shu forces and killed the enemy officers Zhuge Zhan, Zhuge Shang and Zhang Zun.(蜀衞將軍諸葛瞻自涪還綿竹，列陳待艾。艾遣子惠唐亭侯忠等出其右，司馬師纂等出其左。忠、纂戰不利，並退還，曰：「賊未可擊。」艾怒曰：「存亡之分，在此一舉，何不可之有？」乃叱忠、纂等，將斬之。忠、纂馳還更戰，大破之，斬瞻及尚書張遵等首， ...) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 28.

Deng Ai and his men then pressed on further to Luo County (雒縣; north of present-day Guanghan, Sichuan). Liu Shan, the Shu emperor, sent an emissary to present his imperial seal to Deng Ai and indicate his wish to surrender.(... 進軍到雒。劉禪遣使奉皇帝璽綬，為箋詣艾請降。) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 28.

Managing post-war Shu

When Deng Ai arrived in Chengdu, Liu Shan tied himself up and led an entourage of over 60 people to officially surrender. Deng Ai freed Liu Shan from his bonds and treated him kindly. He also forbid his soldiers from plundering and pillaging the city, and ordered that daily activities in the city resume as per normal. Many former Shu officials were so impressed with Deng Ai that they willingly submitted to him; the people of Shu also praised Deng Ai for his kindness. Deng Ai used his acting imperial authority granted by the Wei government to appoint Liu Shan as acting General of Chariots of Cavalry () and grant titles to many former Shu nobles and officials; some of them became his subordinates. Deng Ai also appointed Shi Zuan as the Inspector of Yi Province and put Qian Hong in charge of overseeing the former Shu commanderies. A memorial was constructed at Mianzhu to glorify Deng Ai's victory over Zhuge Zhan, and the fallen Wei soldiers were buried alongside their Shu counterparts.(艾至成都，禪率太子諸王及群臣六十餘人靣縛輿櫬詣軍門，艾執節解縛焚櫬，受而宥之。檢御將士，無所虜畧，綏納降附，使復舊業，蜀人稱焉。輙依鄧禹故事，承制拜禪行驃騎將軍，太子奉車、諸王駙馬都尉。蜀群司各隨高下拜為王官，或領艾官屬。以師纂領益州刺史，隴西太守牽弘等領蜀中諸郡。使於緜竹築臺以為京觀，用彰戰功。士卒死事者，皆與蜀兵同共埋藏。) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 28.

Deng Ai became arrogant about his achievements in conquering Shu. He once bragged to the former Shu officials: "All of you are lucky to have encountered me, which is why you are where you are today. If you encountered someone like Wu Han, you would have been destroyed." He also said: "Jiang Wei is a short-lived hero. He pales in comparison with me." Some people scorned him for his boastfulness.(艾深自矜伐，謂蜀士大夫曰：「諸君賴遭某，故得有今日耳。若遇吳漢之徒，已殄滅矣。」又曰：「姜維自一時雄兒也，與某相值，故窮耳。」有識者笑之。) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 28.

On 8 February 264, the Wei imperial court issued an edict praising Deng Ai for his successful conquest of Shu and comparing him to famous generals such as Bai Qi, Han Xin, Wu Han and Zhou Yafu. Deng Ai was promoted to the position of Grand Commandant () in the imperial court and had the number of taxable households in his marquisate increased by 20,000. His two sons were made village marquises () and given 1,000 taxable households each in their marquisates.(十二月，詔曰：「艾曜威奮武，深入虜庭，斬將搴旗，梟其鯨鯢，使僭號之主稽首係頸，歷世逋誅，一朝而平。兵不踰時，戰不終日，雲徹席卷，蕩定巴蜀。雖白起破彊楚，韓信克勁趙，吳漢禽子陽，亞夫滅七國，計功論美，不足比勳也。其以艾為太尉，增邑二萬戶，封子二人亭侯，各食邑千戶。」) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 28.

Downfall and death

Correspondence between Deng Ai and Sima Zhao

Deng Ai wrote to Sima Zhao, suggesting that they let the weary troops rest and recuperate while concurrently making preparations for a future campaign against Wei's other rival state, Wu. He also proposed that Liu Shan be treated generously by making him a prince and showering him with luxuries. The purpose of doing so was to induce and tempt Sun Xiu, the Wu emperor, into voluntarily surrendering to Wei. He wrote:

Sima Zhao sent Wei Guan to reply Deng Ai that his proposal would be submitted to the Wei imperial court for further deliberation before it could be implemented.(文王使監軍衞瓘喻艾：「事當須報，不宜輙行。」) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 28. Deng Ai grew impatient and argued that they would be wasting time if they had to wait for further instructions from the imperial court before taking action. He quoted lines from the ''Spring and Autumn Annals'' and ''The Art of War'' to hint that he was justified in ignoring standard protocol and acting autocratically as long as what he did was to Wei's benefit. He wrote:

Zhong Hui's role in Deng Ai's arrest

Zhong Hui, Hu Lie (), Shi Zuan () and others accused Deng Ai of showing disrespect for the Wei imperial court's authority, and claimed that he was likely to start a rebellion.(鍾會、胡烈、師纂等皆白艾所作悖逆，變釁以結。) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 28. The ''Shiyu'' mentioned that Zhong Hui was skilled in imitating people's handwriting. After getting his hands on a letter written by Deng Ai to Sima Zhao, he edited it to make it sound arrogant and demanding. At the same time, he also destroyed a letter from Sima Zhao to Deng Ai to increase Sima's suspicions towards Deng.(世語曰：會善效人書，於劒閣要艾章表白事，皆易其言，令辭指悖傲，多自矜伐。又毀文王報書，手作以疑之也。) ''Shiyu'' annotation in ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 28.

Sometime in late February or early March 264,(春，正月，壬辰，詔以檻車徵鄧艾。 ...) ''Zizhi Tongjian'' vol. 78. Note that there is no ''renchen'' day in that month. the Wei imperial court then issued an edict ordering Deng Ai to be arrested and transported back to the capital, Luoyang. Wei Guan and Zhong Hui went to Deng Ai's camp, where they used Sima Zhao's letter to order Deng Ai's men to put down their weapons. Deng Ai was arrested and placed in a prison cart for his journey to Luoyang.(會內有異志，因鄧艾承制專事，密白艾有反狀，於是詔書檻車徵艾。司馬文王懼艾或不從命，勑會並進軍成都，監軍衞瓘在會前行，以文王手筆令宣喻艾軍，艾軍皆釋仗，遂收艾入檻車。) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 28. When he was arrested, Deng Ai exclaimed: "I am a loyal subject, yet I meet with such a fate! Whatever that happened to Bai Qi in the past has just happened to me in the present."(魏氏春秋曰：艾仰天歎曰：「艾忠臣也，一至此乎！白起之酷，復見於今日矣。」) ''Wei Shi Chunqiu'' annotation in ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 28.

Death

After Deng Ai was escorted away, Zhong Hui started a rebellion against Wei in Chengdu on 1 March 264, but the rebellion failed when some Wei officers, who were unwilling to participate, mutinied against Zhong Hui and killed him on 3 March 264. After Zhong Hui's death, Deng Ai's subordinates caught up with the convoy escorting their general, freed him, and brought him back to Chengdu. When Wei Guan heard about it, he ordered Tian Xu to lead troops to attack Deng Ai.(艾父子旣囚，鍾會至成都，先送艾，然後作亂。會已死，艾本營將士追出艾檻車，迎還。瓘遣田續等討艾， ...) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 28.

Tian Xu had initially served under Deng Ai during the campaign against Shu. During an earlier battle at Jiangyou, Deng Ai wanted to execute Tian Xu for delaying his advance against the enemy, but spared him eventually. When Wei Guan sent Tian Xu to attack Deng Ai, he told Tian, "You can now take revenge against Deng Ai for how he humiliated you at Jiangyou."(漢晉春秋曰：初艾之下江由也，以續不進，欲斬，旣而捨之。及瓘遣續，謂曰：「可以報江由之辱矣。」) ''Han Jin Chunqiu'' annotation in ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 28.

Tian Xu and his soldiers intercepted Deng Ai at the west of Mianzhu and killed him along with his son, Deng Zhong (), and Shi Zuan.(世語曰：師纂亦與艾俱死。纂性急少恩，死之日體無完皮。) ''Shiyu'' annotation in ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 28. After Deng Ai's death, his other son(s) in Luoyang was/were also rounded up and executed, while his surviving family members were exiled to the Western Regions.(... 遇於緜竹西，斬之。子忠與艾俱死，餘子在洛陽者悉誅，徙艾妻子及孫於西域。) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 28.

When the Wei general Du Yu heard about what Wei Guan told Tian Xu, he remarked that Wei Guan, as a man of high social status, should not behave in such a petty and spiteful manner. When Wei Guan heard about Du Yu's remarks, he immediately went to meet Du Yu to thank him.(杜預言於衆曰：「伯玉其不免乎！身為名士，位望已高，旣無德音，又不御下以正，是小人而乘君子之器，將何以堪其責乎？」瓘聞之，不俟駕而謝。) ''Han Jin Chunqiu'' annotation in ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 28.

Posthumous rehabilitation

In 265, after the Jin dynasty replaced the Wei regime, Sima Yan (Emperor Wu) issued an imperial edict to pardon Deng Ai's descendants and allow them to return from exile. He noted that Deng Ai was fairly punished for his arrogance and audacity, but the "redeeming" factor was that Deng Ai did not resist arrest and willingly resigned to his fate.(泰始元年，晉室踐阼，詔曰：「昔太尉王淩謀廢齊王，而王竟不足以守位。征西將軍鄧艾，矜功失節，實應大辟。然被書之日，罷遣人衆，束手受罪，比於求生遂為惡者，誠復不同。今大赦得還，若無子孫者聽使立後，令祭祀不絕。」) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 28.

When Deng Ai was stationed in Yong and Liang provinces, he strengthened the parapets in the area and had some forts constructed for defensive purposes. During the mid-Taishi era (265–274) in Emperor Wu's reign, the Qiang tribes in Yong Province rebelled against Jin rule and killed the Inspector of Liang Province. The surviving officials and local residents found safety in the forts built by Deng Ai about a decade earlier.(艾在西時，修治障塞，築起城塢。泰始中，羗虜大叛，頻殺刺史，涼州道斷。吏民安全者，皆保艾所築塢焉。) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 28.

Legacy

Family and descendants

Deng Ai had at least two sons. Two of his sons – one of whom was Deng Zhong () – held village marquis titles and owned marquisates of 1,000 taxable households. Deng Zhong was killed along with his father. Deng Ai's other sons who were in Luoyang were arrested and executed in the aftermath of their father's death. Deng Ai's surviving family members were exiled and allowed to return only in 265 after Emperor Wu of the Jin dynasty issued an imperial edict pardoning them.

In 273, Emperor Wu appointed Deng Ai's grandson, Deng Lang (), as a ''langzhong'' ().(九年，詔曰：「艾有功勳，受罪不逃刑，而子孫為民隷，朕常愍之。其以嫡孫朗為郎中。」) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 28. Deng Lang served as the Prefect of Danshui County (丹水縣; around present-day Xichuan County, Henan) and then as the Prefect of Dingling County (定陵縣; around present-day Qingyang County, Anhui). He had at least one son, Deng Tao (). During the Yongjia era (307–313) in the reign of Emperor Huai, Deng Lang was appointed as the Administrator of Xindu Commandery (新都郡; around present-day Guanghan, Sichuan). However, before he left to assume office, he died in a fire in Xiangyang Commandery along with his mother, wife and children. Only his grandson Deng Xing (), Deng Tao's son, survived the fire.

Deng Qianqiu (), another grandson of Deng Ai, was recruited to serve under Wang Rong, a prominent Jin dynasty official. He died before Deng Lang while his two sons also perished in the Xiangyang fire.(先是以艾孫朗為丹水令，由此遷為定陵令。次孫千秋有時望，光祿大夫王戎辟為掾。永嘉中，朗為新都太守，未之官，在襄陽失火，朗及母妻子舉室燒死，惟子韜子行得免。千秋先卒，二子亦燒死。) ''Shiyu'' annotation in ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 28.

Appraisal

Chen Shou (233–297), who wrote Deng Ai's biography in the '' Sanguozhi'', commented on Deng Ai as follows: "Deng Ai was upright and strong. He achieved many successes, but failed to protect himself from hidden pitfalls and dangers, which resulted in his eventual downfall. He could envision what would happen to Zhuge Ke, yet ironically could not foresee his own fate. This was probably what the ancients called 'lack of self-awareness and narrow-mindedness'."(評曰： ... 鄧艾矯然彊壯，立功立事，然闇於防患，咎敗旋至，豈遠知乎諸葛恪而不能近自見，此蓋古人所謂目論者也。) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 28.

In 267, Duan Zhuo () wrote a memorial to Emperor Wu of the Jin dynasty to speak up for Deng Ai. In the memorial, Duan Zhuo discussed Deng Ai's contributions to Wei and argued that Deng had no intention of rebelling against Wei. He also mentioned that Deng Ai had been deeply misunderstood because of his boorish and uncouth behaviour, which made him likely to offend people easily. Duan Zhuo also compared Deng Ai to Bai Qi and Wu Zixu, two generals in the Spring and Autumn period who made great contributions to their respective states but were forced to commit suicide.(三年，議郎段灼上疏理艾曰：「艾心懷至忠而荷反逆之名，平定巴蜀而受夷滅之誅，臣竊悼之。惜哉，言艾之反也！艾性剛急，輕犯雅俗，不能恊同朋類，故莫肯理之。臣敢言艾不反之狀。 ... 赦寃魂於黃泉，收信義於後世，葬一人而天下慕其行，埋一魂而天下歸其義，所為者寡而恱者衆矣。」) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 28.

During the mid-Xianning era (275–280) in Emperor Wu's reign, Fan Zhen (), a general who previously served under Deng Ai during the Wei campaign against Shu, had an audience with the emperor. When Emperor Wu asked about Deng Ai, Fan Zhen became very emotional and he recalled that Deng Ai was a very loyal subject to Wei.(世語曰：咸寧中，積射將軍樊震為西戎牙門，得見辭，武帝問震所由進，震自陳曾為鄧艾伐蜀時帳下將，帝遂尋問艾，震具申艾之忠，言之流涕。) ''Shiyu'' annotation in ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 28.

In popular culture

Deng Ai is first introduced as a playable character in the seventh instalment of Koei's ''Dynasty Warriors'' video game series. In the game, he is erroneously associated with the Jin dynasty faction; historically, he died one year before the Jin dynasty was established.

See also

* Lists of people of the Three Kingdoms

Appendix

Notes

References

;Citations from the ''Sanguozhi''

;Citations from the ''Sanguozhi zhu''

;Other citations

Primary sources

* Chen, Shou (3rd century). '' Records of the Three Kingdoms'' (''Sanguozhi'').
* Pei, Songzhi (5th century). '' Annotations to Records of the Three Kingdoms'' (''Sanguozhi zhu'').

Secondary sources

*
*
* Sima, Guang (1084). ''Zizhi Tongjian''.
*

{{DEFAULTSORT:Deng, Ai
197 births
264 deaths
Cao Wei generals
Cao Wei politicians
Generals from Henan
Political office-holders in Shandong
Politicians from Nanyang, Henan
Three Kingdoms people killed in battle
Stuttering
Three Rebellions in Shouchun