Deng Ai

Deng Ai
鄧艾
A Qing dynasty illustration of Deng Ai
Grand Commandant (太尉)
In office 8 February 264 (8 February 264) – March 264 (March 264)
Monarch	Cao Huan
Preceded by	Gao Rou
Succeeded by	Wang Xiang
General Who Attacks the West (征西將軍)
In office 257 (257) – 8 February 264 (8 February 264)
Monarchs	Cao Mao Cao Huan
General Who Guards the West (鎮西將軍)
In office 256 (256)–257 (257)
Monarch	Cao Mao
General Who Stabilises the West (安西將軍)
In office 9 October 255 (9 October 255) – 256 (256)
Monarch	Cao Mao
Personal details
Born	197[1][a] Xinye County, Henan
Died	March 264[1][2] (aged 66)[b] Mianzhu, Sichuan
Children	Deng Zhong at least one other son
Occupation	General, politician
Courtesy name	Shizai (士載)
Peerage	Marquis of Deng (鄧侯)

Deng Ai (197 – late March 264^[3]), courtesy name Shizai, was a Chinese military general and politician of the state of Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of China.^[1] 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.

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