My younger brother Zhuge Liang

Chapter 596 Pang Tong and Fa Zheng Helped Carry the Sedan
The reason why Fa Zheng dared to make it clear was that he was willing to take the blame for the breakdown of the relationship between the two families in the future.

Of course, it was because Fa Zheng knew too well that you were temporarily demoted to save face for the boss because you were taking the blame for him. But in the future, the boss would definitely give you a promotion, and your future would definitely be limitless.

In the imperial era, the rulers had you in their hearts, which was more important than anything else. What was the big deal about the ups and downs of official positions?
Of course, this kind of thing also has a big premise, that is, the ruler must be someone who knows good from bad and is considerate.

If he met someone like Chongzhen, who would kill anyone who took the blame for him, then no one would take the blame for him the second time.

But Liu Bei was clearly the ruler with the highest emotional intelligence and loyalty throughout history, and Fa Zheng knew this very well, so he was not worried at all.

Pang Tong realized this and rolled his eyes. He considered it again and again and finally said, "Xiaozhi can do this. I know his intentions. If this is the case, there is another way forward.

But it would be too abrupt to let Liu Zhang offend the Grand Commandant rashly. I happen to have some other information here that may be useful. You can take it back and discuss it with Xiaozhi before making a decision."

Meng Da was also very excited to hear that Pang Tong finally gave in. He immediately bowed and listened: "I would like to hear the details!"

Pang Tong did not hide it and told Meng Da directly: "In fact... as early as two or three months ago, our army in Wuchang, Changsha and other places learned a piece of news from the merchants from Xiangyang that Liu Jingsheng of Jingzhou was seriously ill.

I won't go into detail about what the disease was and how severe it was, as it's not important. At that time, someone advised the Taiwei to be wary of the pro-Cao faction in northern Jing.

Unfortunately, the Taiwei was kind and righteous, and felt that being distant was not the right thing to do, so he did not want to interfere in the internal affairs of other clan members and prefects in advance. In addition, Duke Jingsheng's illness had not yet reached that stage, and even Master Liu Qi himself was not concerned about this matter and could not make up his mind. Naturally, the Taiwei could not make up his mind without Master Liu Qi, so he delayed it...

Now, to be honest, Lord Jingsheng's illness has been delayed and has not worsened."

Pang Tong first laid the groundwork for the previous situation so that Meng Da, who was completely out of touch, could digest the background knowledge.

Liu Bei did not immediately make arrangements for the situation in northern Jing at that time, indeed because he considered that estrangement would not alienate close relatives, and the Zhuge brothers also felt that such a solution was fine for the time being.

Because if Liu Qi wanted to seize power and Liu Bei helped him, then Liu Qi would bear the bad reputation. Liu Bei only restored order and prevented the internal strife of other clan members from hindering the great cause of unity and rebellion. Liu Bei gained 100% of the good reputation.

But if Liu Qi himself cares about his reputation and feathers and doesn't want to be even slightly known for being "arbitrary and arbitrary, executing first and reporting later", then it would be a bit ridiculous to expect Uncle Xuande to help him.

Wouldn't that mean "Liu Bei violated the wishes of Liu Biao and Liu Qi at the same time and forcibly changed the status quo in Jingbei"? At that time, it would be difficult to use one faction as a shield, and Liu Qi could still reap the benefits without any bad reputation.

This is different from the original situation in history when Zhuge Liang persuaded Liu Bei and Liu Qi to seize power when Liu Biao died. In history, Liu Bei had already surrendered to Liu Biao and was a guest general beside Liu Biao. He was an insider and it was certainly justified for him to suppress the rebellion and restore order. But in this life, Liu Bei was doing too well. In Jingbei, he was an outsider, so his excuse and claim to intervene were much weaker.

However, the situation in Jingzhou has been stabilized and it is impossible to take action this year. This news is known to everyone outside, but the civil and military officials in Liu Zhang's camp, whose Shu area is blocked by Liu Bei, may not know it.

Pang Tong knew very well that as long as he wanted, he could exaggerate Liu Biao's illness to make it sound more serious or less serious, and the situation in Jingzhou to make it sound more tense or more relaxed. He could control all of this freely.

Just look at which kind of propaganda can best match the current changes in the relationship between Liu Bei and Liu Zhang's camps and promote the situation that Liu Bei needs.

It took Meng Da quite a while to completely understand the relationship between them, and some admiration appeared in his eyes. He had already vaguely guessed what Pang Tong was going to do.

Pang Tong saw the confusion in his eyes gradually dissipate, and then continued to analyze: "So, if Xiaozhi needs it, we can cooperate in military intelligence. Release some false military intelligence that can arouse Liu Zhang's toughness.

Given Liu Zhang's temper, I don't think he would dare to directly clash with our army, but he might use the excuse that our army is in a bad situation to negotiate a more favorable condition for him. It all depends on how Xiaozhi wants to operate.

I can give you an example first. For example, if Xiaozhi needs it, our army can pretend that "Liu Biao's condition is getting worse, Cao Cao is hoarding heavy troops in the north of Jingbei, and is also in tension with our army on other fronts in Guandong. Our army has no time to take care of other things and must deal with Cao Cao. At the same time, we need Liu Zhang to support more food, fodder and weapons, and even borrow some troops to help in the battle."

As for what Liu Zhang thinks, whether he will believe it, what details he needs to add, and what requests he will make after believing it, it all depends on Xiaozhi's ability."

Upon hearing this, Meng Da finally understood Pang Tong's idea and quickly bowed to indicate that he would definitely pass on his message.

……

It would take at least three or four days for Meng Da to go back to Fucheng and then come to Zitong next time.

If we take into account the need to avoid human sight, find another excuse to leave the city, and also give Fa Zheng time to make counter-arrangements, seven or eight days is possible.

After Pang Tong sent Meng Da away, he no longer worried about this matter. After all, as the chief officer of the Taiwei Mansion, Pang Tong was actually in charge of the affairs of Zitong County, and also managed some internal affairs and military dispatches in Hanzhong. Wang Ping often had things to ask him, so Pang Tong was still very busy.

After Meng Da left, later that day, Pang Tong had just finished his official duties when he heard an attendant come in and report that a letter had arrived from Lord Zhuge in Jiangzhou.

Of course, Pang Tong put aside other trivial matters and immediately took Zhuge Liang's letter to read it carefully.

The content of the letter, of course, said that the lord and the prime minister in Jingzhou had recently promoted the minting of new coins, the recycling of reward copper coins and replaced them with silver coins, as well as various other economic construction work, and had done a good job, which was quite consistent with the new method of replacing labor service money in Yizhou, ensuring that they would win over the hearts of the people in Shu and form a sharp contrast with the rule of Liu Zhang.

At the end of the letter, Pang Tong was also asked about the implementation of the new law in Zitong County, whether many people responded to the offer of money in exchange for labor service, and whether people from Fucheng and other places under the rule of Liu Zhang were being attracted to come over to earn money to perform labor service.

This year, Linyi rice was officially planted in most areas of Shu County, and nearly half of the people in Shu finally enjoyed the increase in grain production brought by double-season rice.

Considering that Pang Tong's jurisdiction was closer to Chengdu, only 300 to 400 miles away, Zhuge Liang asked Pang Tong to pay more attention to the impact of this good policy on the people's hearts, so as to observe whether the situation was becoming more and more favorable to Liu Bei's army, and then cooperate with new propaganda to see when the hearts of the people in Shu County could be won over.

I hope Pang Tong can figure out these issues and write a reply as soon as possible, so that Deng Zhi can take it back and report to the lord.

After reading the letter, Pang Tong put it down and couldn't help but think of Meng Da who had just left in the afternoon.

It seems that when Meng Da comes back next time, he will be able to facilitate the situation and then report to his lord!

My lord loves reputation and justice. For some things, he and Fa Zheng can only act first and report later, creating some established excuses and opportunities.

An increasingly clear strategy gradually took shape in Pang Tong's mind.

……

On the other hand, after two days of travel, Meng Da successfully returned to Fucheng and met Fa Zheng.

He shared the latest information from Pang Tong with Fa Zheng, and also told Fa Zheng about Pang Tong's expectations and Liu Bei's concerns.

After Fa Zheng had thoroughly grasped the latest situation, he couldn't help but get excited, realizing that the opportunity was getting closer and closer.

Fa Zheng couldn't help but think to himself: "Liu Biao is so seriously ill, but we don't know it... If the general suddenly shows weakness to Liu Zhang and hopes to concentrate his forces to the east to prevent Cao Cao from fighting for Jingzhou, Liu Zhang may really take the opportunity to be tough and want to get more conditions back to reduce the scale of subsequent losses...

After all, according to the previous agreement, as long as the Taiwei stationed troops in Hanzhong and helped Yizhou defend the Qinling line, Liu Zhang would have to be responsible for the food shortage of the troops stationed in Hanzhong.

Although the Hanzhong Basin was fertile and the fields were enough to produce grain to support 100,000 soldiers, Cao Cao attacked Zhang Lu, and the Taiwei attacked Cao Cao again. The war lasted for two or three years, and Hanzhong lost at least 100,000 households, leaving less than 100,000 households.

There are too few people farming, so there are not many soldiers to support. The Taiwei can use this excuse to ask Liu Zhang for a lot of food every year. As long as there are 10,000 fewer troops stationed, Liu Zhang will be relieved. It is impossible for him not to care about such a thing...

It has been decided. After obtaining Pang Shiyuan's approval, I will write to Liu Zhang, advising him to seize this opportunity, force the Taiwei to withdraw more troops, and sign a new alliance to reduce the food supply to the garrison by half every year!

Moreover, Zhuge Lingjun promoted Linyi rice in Shuzhong, and it was not just the Chengdu Plain that had increased grain production? In Ba County and Jiangzhou, and even along the Fu River in Zitong, the fertile plains could grow Linyi rice, and the grain production in those territories that were actually controlled by the Taiwei's army was also increasing.

All I have to do is persuade Liu Zhang and use this reason when the Grand Marshal is too busy to take care of other things, emphasizing that 'your army's own grain production in the local area has also increased, and the garrison's food shortage has naturally become smaller. There is no reason to ask us for so much'. Liu Zhang will definitely be tempted, and may even deliberately withhold some rations to test his reaction.

At that time, I will be responsible for helping Liu Zhang to cause trouble, and make a big deal out of a small friction caused by withholding military rations... and create an excuse for Pang Shiyuan!"

In his heart, Fa Zheng was considering Pang Tong's expectations and the external situation reported by Meng Da, and a strategy to create friction had gradually taken shape.

Liu Zhang would definitely be greedy, but perhaps he didn't have the courage to offend Liu Bei directly and openly.

But it doesn't matter, the people below can help Liu Zhang "make a big deal out of a small matter", and a small test can turn into a big friction. Once the snowball starts rolling, it is not up to Liu Zhang to decide whether to stop or not.

At worst, Fa Zheng himself would be captured by Liu Bei and be charged with the crime of "improper handling of the matter, leading to intensified conflicts" and then be hidden away for a year or two.

He firmly believed that the big boss would remember his good deeds. As long as he clung to Liu Bei's thigh, even if he offended many people, he would still have a future as a lone minister. In this case, why worry about those small characters?
(End of this chapter)