After meeting Lu Zhi and Xin Chang, Qin Liang walked outside the attic door and stopped just now.
The next person to see was Deng Ai. Deng Ai did not come to see him on his own initiative, but Qin Liang specially sent someone to invite him. Moreover, when King Qin's army entered the city that day, among the officials who greeted him outside Xuanyang Gate
, and there is no Deng Ai.
The Wang family's residence is not an official residence, and it is indeed inconvenient for people to come and go. Qin Liang also thought of some empty residences outside the General's residence that used to be occupied by officials, but after some consideration, he gave up. If he moved there, maybe
It will appear that you have your eye on the general's position early on.
Anyway, Wang Ling and the others are probably arriving in Luoyang soon, so we will wait for a few days first.
... When Deng Ai was taken to the gatehouse of the Wang family's front hall by the guards, he also met Lu Zhi and Xin Chang. They greeted each other and exchanged greetings. Deng Ai stuttered, and people would feel a little uncomfortable talking to him, so Lu
Zhixinchang was polite on the surface and didn't want to say much.
After entering the gatehouse, Deng Ai soon saw a young and handsome man waiting outside the door on the platform. Deng Ai and Qin Liang had met several times before, so they naturally recognized him quickly.
That person is none other than Qin Zhongming.
Although Qin Liang is young, Deng Ai has no contempt for him. Deng Ai understands very well that some young people with good backgrounds can also have high positions of power. What's more, Qin Liang's power and position does not depend on his birth, but on his courage to fight Sima Yi.
of.
Qin Zhongming took a few steps forward, and Deng Ai also quickened his pace, but his steps were not chaotic, but evenly faster than before.
When the two approached, they bowed to each other. Qin Liang spoke first: "If I don't invite Shizai, will Shizai not come to see me?"
Deng Ai didn't speak fluently, so he didn't explain. He simply said: "My servant, I pay my respects to General Qin."
Deng Ai is such a person, and he is self-aware. He knows that he is not good at making friends, and because of his stuttering problem, he simply tries to reduce the number of friends he makes. In the past, when he was a small official looking after straw, because his family was poor, an old man in the local area kept supporting him.
He has never been to the door to express his gratitude; but he has kept it in mind for so many years, just waiting to go back when he has time to repay that elder generously.
Qin Liang turned around and said, "Let's go into the room and talk."
In fact, Deng Ai and Qin Liang only got along for a long time once. Several years ago, the two talked for a night in a pavilion in Huaibei. After that, they met several times, but they were all in a hurry. However, Qin Liang's performance,
It felt like I had met an old friend. Judging from how long we had known each other, it was indeed quite a long time.
But it's probably because of that secret letter.
A few days before the Battle of Yique Pass, someone put Qin Liang's secret message in a bamboo tube and threw it into Deng Ai's house. The person who sent the message must have had doubts, fearing that Deng Ai would capture him and present him to Sima Yi.
, that’s why I used this method to send letters.
The letter stated the pros and cons and advised Deng Ai not to make enemies of King Qin's army. Later, Deng Ai contracted a cold and became seriously ill, so he was unable to participate in the battle.
What Deng Ai has been thinking about recently is his illness. This is the key thing he is facing now, and there are problems no matter how you say it.
Unexpectedly, Qin Liang didn't mention those things, but instead talked about Shi Bao.
There is not much age difference between Shi Bao and Deng Ai, and they are both nearly fifty now. Moreover, their experiences are somewhat similar. Both of them had poor family backgrounds and were depressed in their early years. Later, they were appreciated and promoted by the Sima family.
Moreover, Deng Ai and Shi Bao had known each other for at least twenty years. When Shi Bao was selling iron in Yecheng to make a living, Deng Ai had been in contact with him, and they once drove together for the visitor Guo Xuanxin. At this time, the situation between the two people happened.
Variety.
Because Shi Bao was better at making friends, through the eunuchs, he successively gained the attention of the county governors Zhao Yuanru, Xu Yun and others. However, Deng Ai, who drove the eunuchs together, continued to remain unknown.
Now Shi Bao also showed more loyalty to Sima Yi. He had already led the Xuzhou Army into Qiao County, hoping to threaten the Yangzhou Army's food routes and retreat.
Deng Ai and Qin Liang probably talked about Shi Bao's past. He thought for a while and simply said: "Pu and Shi Bao are indeed... we are only close friends, but their friendship is limited. If General Qin thinks... it is necessary, Pu and Shi Bao
You can send a letter to persuade...him to come back."
Qin Liang was noncommittal.
When Deng Ai saw this, he said again: "I... if I am Shi Bao, I will go to Soochow."
When Qin Liang heard this, he smiled immediately, nodded and said: "The heroes have the same view. It seems that it is really unnecessary. Wait two days, maybe you can hear the news of Shi Bao's escape."
Shi Bao had nothing to do at this time. Not only did he have few soldiers, but as long as the imperial court sent a large army, most of his subordinates would mutiny. And he had already raised an army, so he must be afraid. The best option was of course to run away. It would be very difficult for Shi Bao to run away.
It's easy. There is a river in Xuzhou called Zhongdu Water. The waterway is very smooth this season. He can take a boat directly down the river to the river. After crossing the river, he will reach Soochow. No one can stop him in time.
So Qin Liang no longer mentioned Shi Bao, but still didn't ask about Deng Ai's illness. He knelt down at the banquet, but suddenly took off the sword from his waist to play with it, and pulled out a piece with a "swish" sound.
Only then did Deng Ai notice that the sword was his gift to Qin Liang!
Deng Ai rarely fought in battles and used very few weapons, so he could still recognize them after many years. Except for the familiar pattern carved on the hand guard, there was a gap on it, which Deng Ai broke by himself.
.
I remember that night several years ago, because Deng Ai and Qin Liang had been talking for a long time and they got along very well, they gifted each other weapons on a whim. It was just a courtesy, not a rare thing. Qin Liang seemed to have given him a ring head.
Deng Ai had thrown the knife somewhere long ago.
Qin Liang actually kept the sword for so many years, and Deng Ai was slightly moved for a moment.
He did not have much contact with Qin Liang, but he could feel that Qin Liang admired him very much. Otherwise, why did he send someone to send a secret message before?
The two of them looked at each other silently, Qin Liang was also observing Deng Ai's expression, and then he put the sword back into the scabbard with a crisp "Cheng" sound.
It was a bit difficult for Deng Ai to talk to others. There was no need to say more about what he could express with his body movements. Both of them probably already understood the meaning.
Important questions cannot be avoided after all. Qin Liang asked at this time: "I heard that Shi Zai is ill and is in good health?"
Deng Ai stumbled and said: "It was just a cold, but it has recovered now."
He hesitated for a moment, took out a letter from his sleeve pocket, and gently placed it on the low table in front of him. Qin Liang naturally noticed his action, and the two were silent again.
Deng Ai knew exactly what Qin Liang wanted to ask. But it was indeed a difficult question to answer.
Sima Yi was kind to Deng Ai. If Deng Ai said that he deliberately contracted the disease and acted wisely to protect himself, it would appear that he had a problem with his character and was unwilling to repay the kindness. Especially when compared with Shi Bao.
On the other hand, if you are tired from the journey and just don't like the climate, you may be able to get through it, but others may not believe it and may be somewhat suspicious.
Deng Ai glanced at the sword in front of Qin Liang, sighed, and simply told the truth: "I...I contracted the disease on purpose."
Qin Liang immediately turned his head and looked over, his eyes a little surprised, maybe he didn't expect Deng Ai to admit it.
Deng Ai's face was already flushed, his emotions were gradually rising, and his words were even more stumbling, "Before the battle of Xuchang, the outcome was not yet determined. I was willing to repay Taifu for knowing me, so I rushed back to Luoyang from Nan'an without stopping. But at the time of Yique Pass
, Taifu's army cannot win the battle and cannot retreat, it is inevitable to lose. I also have the secret trust of General Qin, so I want to survive!"
Qin Liang's eyes stayed on Deng Ai's face, listening carefully but saying nothing.
Deng Ai stammered again: "A servant has had a rough life. He finally became the governor of the county. I am not willing to accept it."
His voice changed due to emotion.
In a daze, he seemed to recall the scene when his late mother was still alive.
Deng Ai lost his father when he was a child, and his family was impoverished. His mother worked hard to raise him, and he suffered a lot of hardships and grievances. He was not good-looking, had a dull personality, and had a stutter. He was constantly ridiculed and ridiculed since he was a child. Only his mother gave him hope.
High hopes gave him an innate ambition to be extraordinary. His mother also told him that the Deng family's ancestors were also from a wealthy family, and that he should achieve something and honor his ancestors.
Later, when Deng Ai got older, he suffered too many setbacks. Sometimes he also wondered whether his pretentiousness was an illusion. People like him were destined to be mediocre. Life had rounded off the edges, and he became much calmer.
.
But that vague obsession with unwillingness to be mediocre has still been suppressed deep in his heart for many years. It was not until his farming strategy was recognized by Sima Yi that his abilities finally had a place to display.
Moreover, Deng Ai quickly became the governor of the county. This was a hurdle. As long as he kept his official position and reputation, it would be easy for the descendants of the Deng family to become officials. The goal of honoring the ancestors has been achieved.
Unexpectedly, there were huge changes in the DPRK one after another. Deng Ai vaguely felt that he would still end up as a sinner after all?
At this time, Deng Ai's mood had quickly calmed down. He exhaled slowly, turned to look at Qin Liang, and said calmly: "I can't help Master Sima, but I can do it.
The only thing you can do is protect yourself.”
Qin Liang suddenly said: "If I were Shi Zai, I would make the same choice as you."
When Deng Ai heard this, he couldn't help but look at Qin Liang in surprise.
Although Deng Ai has known Qin Liang for many years, he does not have a close relationship with him. He seems to have begun to understand him only today.
Qin Liang said: "Sima Zhao was caught in Xiegu and was on his way back to Luoyang. At that time, they pretended to be a caravan. They were interrogated by patrolling soldiers on the way and were exposed. Sima Zhao had only one follower left and fled.
Also, because the Shu Han learned about the civil strife in the Wei Dynasty, they were stationing troops in Hanzhong to wait for the opportunity, and the scouts went deep into the Xie Valley. The Sima Division quickly encountered the Shu Han army's guerrillas in front, and they were lucky enough to escape."
He paused for a moment and continued: "However, the Sima family has nothing left, especially the power in the court will be completely collapsed, leaving only Sima Shi alone. Shi Zai rushed back to Luoyang from Nan'an. He had already exhausted his benevolence and righteousness, and he did not think about being loyal anymore.
The Sima family will do nothing. I admire Shizai's talent very much. I wonder if Shizai is willing to advance and retreat with me?"
When Deng Ai heard this, he felt happy. After so many years of experience, he had already understood that it was not easy for him to be appreciated by noble people, and there were some problems in talking to him in the first place. Now that he was immediately appreciated by Qin Liang, Deng Ai was not willing to give up.
Chance.
He wanted to be a little more reserved, but it was very troublesome to speak. Deng Ai stood up from the banquet, clasped his fists and knelt down and said: "General Qin... If you don't give up, your servants are willing to serve, and it will be the work of dogs and horses!"
Qin Liang stood up and walked over, bent down to help Deng Ai up with both hands, and said happily: "Very good!"
The two people should have thought that they needed each other before they met. They tried it out and wanted to talk about some friendship, but they couldn't explain it clearly. In the end, they just hit it off in a confused way, which was very direct.
…
…
(Thanks to the book friend "Shuyou Jian" and the leader of "Fruo's Milan".)