Deng Yang

Deng Yang (died 9 February 249), courtesy name Xuanmao, was an official of the state of Cao Wei in the Three Kingdoms period of China.

Life

Deng Yang was a descendant of Deng Yu, an official who lived in the early Eastern Han dynasty. He was from Xinye County (), Nanyang Commandery (), which is present-day Xinye County, Henan.

At a young age, Deng Yang was already famous in Luoyang, the imperial capital of the Cao Wei state in the Three Kingdoms period. His fame put him on par with other contemporaries such as Xiahou Xuan, Zhuge Dan and Tian Chou. He held the positions of Gentleman of Writing (), Palace Gentleman (), and Prefect () of Luoyang during the reign of Cao Rui ( 226–239), the second Wei emperor. However, he was later dismissed from office for engaging in superficial and fame-seeking behaviour.

In 239, following Cao Rui's death, Cao Fang became the new emperor. However, as Cao Fang was still too young at the time, Cao Shuang and Sima Yi ruled as regents on his behalf. Through some political manoeuvres, Cao Shuang removed Sima Yi from power and became the sole dominant figure in the Wei government, while Sima Yi claimed to be ill and remained at home. During this time, Cao Shuang appointed Deng Yang as the Administrator () of Yingchuan Commandery () and later as a Chief Clerk () under him. As one of Cao Shuang's close aides, Deng Yang was subsequently promoted to Palace Attendant () and Master of Writing ().

While Deng Yang was in office, he engaged in corrupt and nepotist practices. For example, he once gave an official appointment to Zang Ai () in return for Zang Ai giving him one of his father's concubines as a mistress. At the time, there was a saying in Luoyang which mocked Deng Yang: "Deng Xuanmao gives out official positions in return for women." Because of his status and connections to Cao Shuang, Deng Yang, together with Ding Mi and He Yan were called the "three dogs". It was also around this time when Cao Shuang was in power that a Nanyang officer Gui Tai (圭泰) offended Cao Shuang and his followers, and Deng Yang wished to severely punish Gui Tai. Sima Qi (司馬岐), son of Sima Zhi, reproached Deng Yang for exercising his power to take revenge. Deng Yang was mortified and furious, and yielded.

In 244, Deng Yang and Li Sheng advised Cao Shuang to launch a military campaign against Wei's rival state, Shu, to boost his fame and authority in Wei. Cao Shuang ultimately lost the Battle of Xingshi against the Shu forces and his prestige fell as the Wei forces suffered heavy casualties in the campaign.

In 249, while Cao Shuang and the emperor Cao Fang were away at the Gaoping Tombs, Sima Yi used the opportunity to stage a ''coup d'état'' against Cao Shuang and seized control of Luoyang. Cao Shuang surrendered to Sima Yi after the latter promised him that he and his family would be unharmed if he gave up his powers as regent. Later, Sima Yi broke his promise as he had Cao Shuang and his supporters (including Deng Yang) arrested, charged with treason, and executed along with their families. Just days before on 28 January, the diviner Guan Lu met with He Yan following He Yan's invitation. Deng Yang was with He Yan when they met, and Guan Lu predicted their deaths.(正始九年十二月二十八日，吏部尚書何晏請之，鄧颺在晏許。晏謂輅曰：「聞君著爻神妙，試為作一卦，知位當至三公不？」又問：「連夢見青蠅數十頭，來在鼻上，驅之不肯去，有何意故？」輅曰：「夫飛鴞，天下賤鳥，及其在林食椹，則懷我好音，況輅心非草木，敢不盡忠？昔元、凱之弼重華，宣惠慈和，周公之翼成王，坐而待旦，故能流光六合，萬國咸寧。此乃履道休應。非卜筮之所明也。今君侯位重山岳，勢若雷電，而懷德者鮮，畏威者眾，殆非小心翼翼多福之仁。又鼻者艮，此天中之山，〈臣松之案：相書謂鼻之所在為天中。鼻有山象，故曰：「天中之山」也。〉高而不危，所以長守貴也。今青蠅臭惡，而集之焉。位峻者顛，輕豪者亡，不可不思害盈之數，盛衰之期。是故山在地中曰謙，雷在天上曰壯；謙則裒多益寡，壯則非禮不履。未有損己而不光大，行非而不傷敗。原君侯上追文王六爻之旨，下思尼父彖象之義，然後三公可決，青蠅可驅也。」颺曰：「此老生之常譚。」輅答曰：「夫老生者見不生，常譚者見不譚。」晏曰：「過歲更當相見。」輅還邑舍，具以此言語舅氏，舅氏責輅言太切至。輅曰：「與死人語，何所畏邪？」舅大怒，謂輅狂悖。歲朝，西北大風，塵埃蔽天，十餘日，聞晏、颺皆誅，然後舅氏乃服。) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 29.

See also

* Lists of people of the Three Kingdoms
* Incident at Gaoping Tombs

Notes

References

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

{{DEFAULTSORT:Deng, Yang
Year of birth unknown
249 deaths
People executed by Cao Wei
Cao Wei government officials
Political office-holders in Henan
3rd-century executions