Deng Zhi
| Deng Zhi | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Official of Shu Han | |
| Born | (Unknown) |
| Died | 251 |
| Names | |
| Traditional Chinese | 鄧芝 |
| Simplified Chinese | 邓芝 |
| Pinyin | Dèng Zhī |
| Wade–Giles | Teng Chih |
| Courtesy name | Bomiao (Chinese: 伯苗; pinyin: Bómiǎo; Wade–Giles: Po-miao) |
Deng Zhi (died 251), courtesy name Bomiao, was an official of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period.
Deng Zhi was a native of Xinye (新野; in present-day Nanyang, Henan), and went to Yi Province (益州; covering the Sichuan Basin) to avoid the turmoil of central China. He was not recognized in the area and was not even respected, so he became concerned with his prospect and asked the local fortune-teller, Zhang Yu (張裕), about his future. Zhang Yu told him that he would become the Grand General and a marquis, but only after 70 years old. Still, Deng Zhi could not gain a sense of security from Zhang Yu, and when he heard the Grand Administrator of Western Ba, Pang Xi, was fond of guests, he quickly joined the later and took shelter under him.
When the warlord Liu Bei invaded Yi Province, Pang Xi surrendered, and Deng Zhi was made a low-ranking official after Liu Bei took over the province. Once, Liu Bei passed by Picheng (郫城), where Deng Zhi held his post, and discovered the latter's talent after a conversation. Thus, Deng Zhi soon ascended to Grand Administrator of Guanghan, and worked hard on proving himself. As a result, Guanghan received good governance, and Deng Zhi was ordered to join the central politics in Shu's capital of Chengdu.
When Liu Bei died soon after his catastrophic defeat at the Battle of Xiaoting, the regent, Zhuge Liang, was so worried that chief ally, Eastern Wu, would alter its diplomatic policy. At the time, the residents in the southern part of Shu openly severed ties with the regime and had Zhuge Liang's representative, Zhang Yi, bound and sent to Wu, so Zhuge Liang became more worried and did not know what to do. Deng Zhi walked up to Zhuge Liang and proposed, "his Highness, being newly ascended, is young and weak, we should send an envoy to Wu to renew our good relationship." Zhuge Liang responded, "then it'll be you to be the envoy!" Thus, Deng Zhi went east, but the Wu ruler Sun Quan deliberately refused to see him. It was after Deng Zhi personally presented a memorial to Sun Quan was he allowed a meeting. Sun Quan excused by saying the nature of Shu emperor, Liu Shan, made him hesitant and he was concerned that the smaller Shu might be taken advantage by its rival state of Cao Wei. Deng avoided to mention Liu Shan, but said, "your Majesty is a dynastic hero, but Zhuge Liang is also a hero of the time. Considering the geographic advantages of our states, if we could combine them and work together, then we can take all lands under heaven if we proceed; or remain our positions if we recede. On the contrary, if you send your son as a hostage to Wei, then you will be asked to go north also. When you refused, they will claim you as a rebel and attack your position, and Shu will also follow the flow to go downstream and take your land. Thus, the land of Jiangnan will no longer be yours." Sun Quan was thrown into deep thought by Deng Zhi's speech. After a long while of silence, Sun Quan finally decided on severing ties with Wei, and at the same time released the inmate Zhang Yi. Finished with his mission, Deng Zhi went back to Shu with Sun Quan's representative, Zhang Wen. When Zhang Wen needed to go back, Deng Zhi was again sent to Wu a second time, and Sun Quan remarked that "Deng Zhi was the only person who could harmonize the two countries"!
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