Three Kingdoms: Prince of the Great Wei, Prime Minister Cao

Chapter 9: With Deng Ai Captured, Can Jiang Wei Remain Distant?

A Meeting of Like Minds! A Fortunate Encounter with a Mentor!

These eight words encapsulate Deng Ai’s most profound feelings as he faces Cao Ju.

Gazing upon Cao Ju, the person who could potentially alter the course of his life and destiny. Unwilling to lead a mediocre existence in the fields of Anqiu, Deng Ai makes a resolute decision.

“Ai… Deng Ai pays his respects to the Young Master!”

Under Cao Ju’s attentive gaze, Deng Ai, deeply impressed by him, bows directly to Cao Ju.

“Hahaha! Shizai, please rise!”

Seeing Deng Ai’s display of deference, Cao Ju, amidst his delight, quickly steps forward and supports Deng Ai’s shoulders, assisting him to stand. Appraising Deng Ai’s youthful countenance.

The more he looks, the more overjoyed he becomes. With Deng Ai now under his command, can Jiang Wei be far away?

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Suppressing his inner excitement, Cao Ju addressed Deng Ai, “Shizai, on my journey here, I heard that Deputy Commander of Agricultural Affairs, Wang Hongyan, mentioned your mother is also here.”

Deng Ai was undoubtedly to be taken along to Huifei City, to Cao Cao’s presence. Because the esteemed mentor and renowned general he was about to seek for Deng Ai were also there. However, before that, Cao Ju intended to ensure Deng Ai’s mother was well taken care of, relieving Deng Ai of any worries.

“Sir. Young Master! A’s. Ai’s mother is indeed here.”

Deng Ai responded, but due to his eagerness to reply quickly to Cao Ju, he stumbled over his words even more. This elicits a slight chuckle from Cao Ju. No wonder Wang Hongyan, the Deputy Commander of Agricultural Affairs, demoted Deng Ai from an academic official to a mere straw overseer. After all, listening to him speak was truly an ordeal.

Even someone encountering Deng Ai for the first time, like Cao Ju, found it challenging, not to mention those who communicate with Deng Ai daily. Although he thought this way in his heart, on the surface, Cao Ju didn’t show the slightest hint of impatience. The more flawed a person was, the more sensitive they tend to be. Cao Ju certainly didn’t want Deng Ai to feel uncomfortable due to what he considered a minor flaw, like stuttering.

Furthermore, history only mentions Deng Ai stuttering during his youth; it doesn’t say that he continued to stutter after becoming a skilled general. Evidently, over the years, Deng Ai overcame his stuttering problem.

“Shizai, I won’t hide it from you. In the near future, I will be taking you southward to the frontline at Hefei. It might be inconvenient to bring your mother along.”

“If she continues to stay in the fields of Anqiu, it wouldn’t be suitable. How about this.”

Cao Ju pondered for a moment, then suggested, “I will have someone send her to Shouchun City for now. Once the battles on the Hefei frontline are over, I will find a good place for you and your mother.”

Deng Ai hadn’t anticipated Cao Ju’s thorough consideration, even planning for his mother’s arrangements. This thoughtful gesture not only touched Deng Ai’s filial heart but also deepened his sense that Cao Ju was his benefactor.

“Ai! I will follow. follow Young Master’s arrangements!”

Seeing Deng Ai’s lack of objections, Cao Ju smiled. “Shizai, it’s good that you’re agreeable.”

Subsequently, Cao Ju led Deng Ai to where Dian Man and Deputy Commander of Agricultural Affairs Wang Hongyan were waiting. Upon learning that Deng Ai had a stutter, Dian Man was genuinely surprised. He could never have imagined that the heroic figure with the bearing of a general, as described by his master earlier, would have a stutter.

Can such a person truly command the troops in the future? Dian Man had his doubts.

In contrast to Dian Man’s skepticism, Wang Hongyan, the Deputy Commander of Agricultural Affairs, is envious of Deng Ai. To have climbed up the high branch of the Prime Minister’s son, such an opportunity was a rare gift. How did someone like Deng Ai, a mere straw overseer, encounter it?

Truly, it’s a matter of timing and destiny!

And so, when Wang Hongyan heard that Cao Ju intended to have him send Deng Ai’s mother to Shouchun under Xun Yu’s care, he had no intention of refusing. Not only did he not decline, but Wang Hongyan also vowed earnestly to personally escort Deng Ai’s mother, Lady Chen, to Shouchun.

Cao Ju couldn’t help but understand Wang Hongyan’s intentions. He didn’t expose them but rather kept them in mind, considering a potential promotion for him when the opportune time arose.

Next, Cao Ju didn’t linger much longer in the fields of Anqiu. After welcoming Deng Ai into his ranks and arranging for Deng Ai’s mother, Lady Chen, to be sent to Shouchun, he, along with Deng Ai and Dian Man, set out southward towards Hefei.

Huainan Commandery’s capital, Hefei City, was on the expedition’s southern front, inside the study of the county magistrate’s residence. As Cao Cao traveled southwards towards Hefei, having finished dealing with military affairs, he was now attentively listening to the report from the Chief of Staff about the recent events in Shouchun. However, Cao Cao fell silent as he heard the detailed account of what transpired in Shouchun. He could never have anticipated that the one who would disrupt his plans would be his seemingly inconspicuous son, Cao Ju.

After dismissing the reporting officer, Cao Cao sat alone in his study and burst into laughter.

“Brandishing his sword to eliminate Zhao Da!”

“Rescuing Xun Yu.”

“Hehe! Old Eight, my dear, you’ve truly surprised your father!”