Three Kingdoms: I, Liu Feng, do not want to die

Chapter 9 Deng Fan is not Deng Ai, the wise man takes the initiative to surrender
The peddler returned to the crowd and proudly raised his head to the scholar like a victorious rooster: "I just want to say that I didn't lie, right?"

The scholar smiled awkwardly.

The peddler's shocking behavior just now almost scared the scholar to death.

I’ve seen people who were stunned, but I’ve never seen someone who was so desperate!

The moment the peddler rushed out, the scholar felt a bone-chilling chill from head to toe and from toe to head, and even felt despair, thinking "my life is over".

How could a scholar who had been on the brink of death dare to have anything to do with the vendor in front of him?
After bowing to the vendor and apologizing, the scholar hurriedly blended into the crowd.

If I can't afford to offend you, can't I just hide away?

Just after avoiding the hawkers, the scholar looked at Liu Feng who continued to "patrol the city", his eyes shining.

"I didn't expect that the adopted son of King Hanzhong would actually stay in Shangyong for a long time!"

"Could it be true as the rumors say: the King of Hanzhong was worried that his adopted son would threaten the position of the Crown Prince, so he sent his adopted son to Shangyong?"

"If this is true, the adopted son of the King of Hanzhong must be in need of a wise man to give him advice. This is my chance to advance!"

The scholar's surname was Deng and his given name was Fan. He was not from the same family as Fangling prefect Deng Fu, but was from a large Deng family in Xinye, Nanyang.

In his early years, he was influenced by Cao Cao's southern expedition and fled to Shangyong to avoid disaster, where he made a living by growing melons.

As a son of a noble family, Deng Fan was naturally unwilling to spend his whole life growing melons in Shangyong.

Surrender to Cao Cao?
Although the Deng family is a big family in Xinye, they are now just a group of farmers in Cao Cao's territory.

Take the initiative to go to Runan to trace your roots and become a farmer?
Unless Deng Fan is crazy!

Deng Fan also did not think that with his talents he could advance under Cao Cao.

Submit application?
The Shen family is just a small family in Shangyong, not much stronger than the former big family Deng in Xinye.

Deng Fan didn't think Shen Dan could achieve anything.

And in fact it is true, although Shen Dan has many titles, no one dares to provoke Shen Dan now.

He thought he could only spend the rest of his life growing melons in Shangyong, but after a brink of life and death today, Deng Fan saw an opportunity to advance.

If you think of it, do it.

Deng Fan immediately returned home to wash and bathe, and then changed into the Confucian robe, cap, and shoes that he had not worn for a long time but had washed and dried every year.

Then he concentrated very hard on writing on the invitation, "Xinye Deng Fan and Deng Shizhe seek to see Deputy Army General Liu" and other words.

After the ink dried, Deng Fan carefully put the invitation into a cloth bag, and then strode to the outside of Liu Feng's mansion to wait.

Normally, Deng Fan should have submitted the invitation first, and if Liu Feng was willing to meet Deng Fan, he would have made an appointment with Deng Fan. There was no need for Deng Fan to wait in front of Liu Feng's mansion at all.

However, Deng Fan was worried that Liu Feng would look down on the letter.

So Deng Fan wanted to take a shortcut and wait until Liu Feng was about to return home to submit the invitation, so that he would have the opportunity to become familiar with Liu Feng.

If Liu Feng could remember the vendor selling coarse grain cakes, there was no reason why he couldn't remember the Confucian scholar who came to him to pay him a visit!

What Deng Fan didn’t expect was that Liu Feng’s patrol of the city lasted until dusk!

Deng Fan could only suppress his hunger and wait in front of Liu Feng's mansion until dusk.

After finally seeing Liu Feng returning, Deng Fan quickly tidied his appearance and walked towards the gate of Liu Feng's mansion with the steps of a Confucian scholar.

He then handed the letter to the gatekeeper and bowed, saying: "Xinye Deng Fan wishes to see the deputy general. This is my letter, please pass it on to me."

Then, Deng Fan turned around at the right time and collided head-on with Liu Feng who had just returned.

"I am Deng Fan from Xinye, greeting the Deputy Army General." Deng Fan bowed, secretly delighted.

The soldier at the door stepped forward and handed Deng Fan's letter to Liu Feng, and then whispered to Liu Feng: "General, this person came at noon and has been wandering back and forth across the street until he ran over to deliver the letter. I suspect that this person is most likely a spy, waiting for the general's return."

Liu Feng glanced at the information about his origin, family background, etc. on the invitation and was slightly surprised.

Xinye Deng Fan Deng Shize?
Could this person be the Deng Fan, whose name is the same as Deng Ai’s old name?

According to historical records, when Deng Ai followed his mother to Yingchuan, he read the inscription on the stele of the late Taiqiu Chang Chen Shi, "His writing is a model for the world, and his conduct is a model for scholars." He was moved by admiration, so he named himself Deng Fan, with the courtesy name Shi Ze. Later, when there was someone in the clan with the same name and courtesy name, Deng Ai changed his name to Ai, and his courtesy name to Shi Zai.

Liu Feng also heard the soldiers report that Deng Fan was wandering outside the mansion at noon, and he guessed Deng Fan's intention.

It is not known whether he is a spy, but it is true that he is waiting for Liu Feng.

Liu Feng put away the invitation and returned the favor to Deng Fan, saying, "It is better to do it today than to wait for another day. Since Mr. Deng is here, why don't you come in and have a chat?"

Deng Fan had this intention in mind, and he did not refuse: "I dare not ask, but it is my wish!"

Liu Feng brought Deng Fan into the mansion and then had someone take Deng Fan to the banquet.

Deng Fan had just sat down for a while when the attendant brought him some simple food and said, "General, you have to go take a bath and change clothes, so you will be back later. I have been ordered to prepare some simple food for you to fill your stomach first. Please forgive me."

Deng Fan was already hungry, so he didn't care about being reserved and humble at this moment.

After Deng Fan finished eating, the attendants came forward and cleaned the table, and then put out the usual banquet drinks and snacks.

After the attendants were ready, Liu Feng laughed and said "You are so late".

When he saw Deng Fan, he bowed and apologized: "I patrolled the city during the day and was sweaty and didn't dare to come to see you. I just took a bath and wasted some time. I hope you don't mind my impoliteness."

Deng Fan knew it very well and kept saying "I dare not".

Liu Feng didn't even go to take a bath or change his clothes. He just noticed that Deng Fan was hungry and deliberately found an excuse to take a bath and change his clothes.

Otherwise, it would be very easy to make a fool of yourself by drinking on an empty stomach at the banquet.

Liu Feng's courtesy also strengthened Deng Fan's determination to advance his career.

After drinking several bottles of wine, Deng Fan stood up and bowed, saying, "Please forgive my frankness. Shangyong is in danger of collapse. I wonder if the deputy general has noticed it?"

The art of lobbying is to gain the upper hand.

Seeing Deng Fan's serious face in determining that Shangyong was in danger of collapse, Liu Feng could not help but become interested and asked with a smile: "Sir, you are joking. Cao Cao lost in Hanzhong, and the former general has laid siege to Xiangfan. Shangyong has no rebels inside and no strong enemies outside. How can it be in danger of collapse?"

Deng Fan said loudly: "General, you don't know. It is the rainy season now. Although sending troops during the flood season can catch the enemy by surprise, if we cannot quickly capture the city, we will be hindered by the heavy rain."

"If the former general retreats due to the heavy rain, Cao Ren will surely lead his troops to seize Shangyong after the rain."

"Shangyong is a small city with little food, few people and no loyal support. How can it stop Cao Ren's army?"

"General, you must be on guard!"

Liu Feng was slightly surprised.

Deng Fan's intelligence is not low.

Liu Feng pretended to be moved: "Sir, what you said makes sense. I wonder what you think I should do to prevent it?"

Deng Fan was even more delighted when he saw Liu Feng's interest, and he said proudly: "I have a plan that can help you, General."

(End of this chapter)