"Besides farming, what else do you do?"
"I...I...I also read...a military book!"
"You are the only one who has read military books? I don't believe it!"
"If you don't believe it... we can... compare!"
Looking at the two people facing each other, Yang Ling stopped them with a smile.
"Since you two are not convinced by each other, how about you compete with each other as Shi Zai said?"
Jiang Wei's eyes lit up, he nodded and said,
"The teacher is right, we can compete!"
Deng Ai also readily agreed and asked,
"Teacher, I...how can we compare?"
Cao Ren on the side muttered,
"Why don't we let them use the sand table to have a competition."
Yang Ling shook his head,
"Since they are competing, let's have a real exercise."
Since the sand table was invented by Yang Ling, military exercises were mostly conducted on the sand table.
Although this can reduce consumption and avoid casualties, it also has corresponding disadvantages, that is, it is easy to talk on paper.
Historically, Jiang Wei was never a match for Deng Ai, and was even attacked by Deng Ai in Chengdu, directly destroying the country.
But to a large extent, it was also because the national power of Shu was far inferior to that of Wei.
Because of this, Yang Ling deliberately let Jiang Wei and Deng Ai have a real exercise.
Firstly, it is to let the two of them compete to avoid quarrels in the future, and secondly, it is also to see who of the two is more talented!
When Cao Ren, Cao Tai and others heard this, they all laughed and laughed.
For the sake of the dispute between two children, it is necessary to mobilize the army to conduct a real military exercise?
In their opinion, Yang Ling was making too much of a fuss!
But as the general who conquered the south, Yang Ling controlled all affairs.
Although Cao Ren disagreed, he could only nod in agreement.
It's getting late today, and even if we prepare now, it's too late to start acting.
Therefore, Yang Ling took the people back to Duyang City for the time being and planned to perform again the next day.
Cao Ren had already ordered people to prepare a banquet in the city to welcome Yang Ling and his party.
At the banquet, the atmosphere was warm and everyone was enjoying themselves as guests and hosts.
At this moment, Deng Ai suddenly stood up, walked to Yang Ling, and said respectfully,
"The students have their own experience of farming. Now they have written a work and asked the teacher to read it."
Yang Ling took it and looked at it carefully, and his eyes suddenly lit up!
In this work called "On the River," Deng Ai first emphasized the importance of farming, and then elaborated on how to farm in terms of land and rivers in the Han Dynasty.
Judging from the views and data he gave, if we follow his suggestions, we can produce at least 5 million more dendrobium grains every year!
Although Yang Ling once made requests to Cao Cao, such as reclaiming wasteland and providing free farming tools and seeds to the people, he was not good at how to implement them.
The talents shown by Deng Ai are exactly what Yang Ling is not good at!
I really found a treasure now!
Yang Ling sighed in her heart, her eyes full of approval.
"Shi Zai's talents in internal affairs are not inferior to those of being a teacher!"
Hearing him praise Deng Ai like this, Cao Ren was a little surprised.
"Why did the general say this?"
"General Zixiao, see for yourself."
Yang Ling smiled and handed Deng Ai's work to Cao Ren.
After reading the contents of "Jihe Lun", Cao Ren's expression changed!
Although he is a military general, he often trains in the fields and has considerable experience in the field.
Deng Ai's views and vision in "Jihe Lun", not to mention Cao Ren himself, even the four ministers Zao Zhi, Han Hao, Ren Jun, and Yuan Huan under Cao Cao who were responsible for farming were probably no more than this!
"Fortunately, there is a general with a keen eye, otherwise such a talent would have been almost buried!"
Cao Ren breathed a sigh of relief and glared viciously at Cai Kun, the captain of Diannong School.
Cai Kun was trembling with fear, but he felt quite aggrieved.
Who made the world pay more attention to family background? A farming tribesman like Deng Ai who came from a poor family and suffered from a stutter. Even if Cai Kun had the intention to recommend him, it would be difficult for Deng Ai to be reused!
"If you hadn't been accepted as a student by the general, I would have suggested to the King of Wei that you should be re-employed."
Cao Ren smiled and said to Deng Ai,
"But this is good. Under the general's command, you can also show off your talents!"
Deng Ai smiled shyly and said no more.
Looking at Deng Ai who was the center of attention at the banquet, Jiang Wei pursed his lips and his eyes were firm.
In tomorrow's drill, he must defeat Deng Ai and prove to the teacher and everyone that his talent is far superior to Deng Ai!
…
After a night's rest, Yang Ling, Cao Ren and others arrived outside Duyang City early the next morning.
At this time, a simple high platform had been set up outside the city, and a group of soldiers were waiting in line.
According to the rules of the exercise, Jiang Wei and Deng Ai each led three thousand troops and fought within a radius of twenty miles.
The first to capture the opponent's flag or annihilate the opponent's army will be the winner.
The combat effectiveness of the troops on both sides is the same, but if there is an ambush or surprise attack, it will be decided by an arbitration panel headed by Yang Ling.
After Jiang Wei and Deng Ai understood the rules of engagement, Yang Ling nodded towards Zhou Cang.
Zhou Cang took a step forward knowingly and said in a deep voice,
"The acting begins!"
Jiang Wei and Deng Ai, who were wearing smaller armors, each got on their horses.
"Wait a minute, don't lose too quickly."
Jiang Wei said provocatively.
"I... I think so... too, Junior Brother Boyue."
Deng Ai said with a smile on his face.
"Hmph, let's see."
Jiang Wei pinched the horse's belly, turned around and left with his soldiers.
Deng Ai said nothing more and led his troops away.
On the high platform.
Gan Ning said with a smile while drinking tea,
"General, General Zixiao, who do you think will win?"
"I think it should be Boyo."
Cao Ren stroked his beard and said thoughtfully,
"He is the great general's close disciple and has been with the great general for a long time. Although Shizai is talented, he is only self-taught after all."
"What do you think?"
Gan Ning looked at Zhao Yun, Ma Chao and others again.
"I also think Boyo has a better chance of winning."
"I'm equally optimistic about Boyo."
Whether it's Zhao Yun, Ma Chao, Gao Shun or Gao Rou, they all feel that Jiang Wei has a higher chance of winning.
After all, Jiang Wei showed outstanding military talent as early as when he put down the Liangzhou rebellion.
"Since you are all optimistic about Boyue, then I will be optimistic about Shizai."
Yang Ling shrugged his shoulders.
"Why?"
Gan Ning wondered.
"I can't tell."
Yang Ling shook his head.
Jiang Wei and Deng Ai were both his students, so he couldn't be said to be partial.
But for some reason, he was more optimistic about Deng Ai.
Maybe it's because in history, Jiang Wei was defeated by Deng Ai many times!
"Then let's wait and see!"
Cao Ren smiled.
