The Duke of Shu Han began guarding Jingzhou in place of Guan Yu.

Chapter 83 No one is perfect, so we should adapt to circumstances.

After some indirect questioning...

Miwei finally figured out what was going on.

It turns out that Zhang Yi had a son who was a county official in Yizhou.

Another friend, Yang Hong, was serving as the Chief Administrator of Yizhou at the time.

Previously, when Yang Hong was inspecting the counties, he discovered that Zhang Yi's son had committed a mistake, and he dealt with it impartially.

At that time, Zhang Yi had just been kidnapped and taken to Jiaozhou, and had no idea what was going on.

After successfully escaping back, upon hearing of this incident, he sent several letters to question Yang Hong.

Before long, the matter became known throughout Sichuan.

Even Zhuge Liang was alarmed and wrote a letter to admonish Zhang Yi.

Then, because messengers from Jing and Yi provinces had to travel along the Yangtze River.

Finally, even Liu Bei was alarmed.

"Master Zhang truly has the nature of seeking revenge and avenging wrongs..."

Mi Wei recalled the scene of his first meeting with Zhang Yi and was filled with emotion.

Knowing his own low rank, Xiang Chong dared not agree and instead said tactfully:

“Yang Zhizhong was fair and impartial in his dealings. He neither showed favoritism nor deliberately avoided suspicion. Perhaps Zhang Gong was just angry for a moment and misunderstood something.”

"After some time, perhaps the two sides can put aside their past grievances?"

Not always.

Miwei shook his head secretly.

Zhang Yi is quite old, and like Guan Yu, his nature is hard to change.

You expect someone whose selfishness outweighs their public interest to suddenly become selfless.

What's the difference between that and expecting a repeating crossbow to have the firepower of a Gatling gun?
Moreover, he was very suspicious of Zhang Yi's visit to Jingling.

Besides Guan Yu's orders
It's very likely that he's using this opportunity to leave Jiangling and avoid the media storm.

After all, once such a personal grudge reached the level of Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang, it essentially became public knowledge.

From a third-party perspective.

Yang Hong was fair and just, while Zhang Yi was petty and narrow-minded.

The former gained fame, while the latter's reputation was damaged.

Thinking about it this way, Miwei felt even more sorry.

As the governor of Yizhou, Yang Hong held considerable influence and could absolutely sway Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang's decisions.

If Zhang Yi hadn't fallen out with him, he might have been able to get in touch with this person.

With Yang Hong and Mi Zhu involved, it doesn't matter whether this matter ultimately succeeds or not.

At least it could be presented as a serious military issue on the desks of Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang.

Unfortunately, no one is perfect.

Lord Zhang, why are you so vengeful...?

Holding a grudge...

Holding a grudge...

Hold a grudge?

Hold a grudge!

With a bang, Miwei suddenly stood up.

Xiang Chong, who was standing nearby, was startled, thinking that he had said something wrong.

Fortunately, Miwei immediately apologized to him with a smile and then told him to go and settle in first.

He then went straight to Zhang Yi's military tent.

……

"You say you have a way to help me get revenge?"

Zhang Yi looked at Mi Wei, who had a serious expression.

His expression was unpredictable, sometimes sunny, sometimes cloudy.

After a moment's thought, he sighed softly:
"I appreciate the Captain's kindness."

"However, I have already earned the reputation of being a petty and self-serving person."

"If he were to seek revenge again out of personal motives, I fear that the next letter from Strategist Zhuge would not be one of admonition, but rather one of dismissal."

Mi Wei: "Don't be anxious, Zhang Gong!"

"My method will not only prevent Zhang Gong from suffering a bad reputation, but will also allow him to hold his head high!"

Zhang Yi's eyes flickered, and he said:
"Appreciate further details?"

Mi Wei first briefly explained that a rebellion might occur in Yongliang, and that Yizhou could profit from it.

Then he said:

"This military intelligence is currently known only to me and my family, and has not been disclosed to anyone else."

"Why don't you write another letter in private, Lord Zhang, to inform Yang Zhizhong of this matter?"

"If Yang Zhizhong is truly fair in his dealings, he certainly wouldn't disregard this intelligence because of past personal grudges!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yi swayed slightly and his breathing quickened.

After a few breaths, he calmed down and said:

"Is this intelligence report reliable?"

Upon hearing this question, Mi Wei knew that the other party had already grasped the key point.

He immediately added:

"It is absolutely reliable to me personally, but I cannot provide concrete evidence."

Zhang Yi seemed to understand something:
"Is it Mi Anhan's connections?" Mi Wei smiled but did not answer, continuing:
"In short, if there is no chaos in Yongliang in the next two years, then Lord Zhang was just relaying the message privately, and there is no fault in terms of morality or reason."

"But if things really turn out as I expect, Yang Zhizhong will definitely make a contribution, and Zhang Gong will not only make a contribution, but also gain a good reputation for not holding grudges and being dedicated to public service!"

"Moreover, even Yang Zhizhong would probably have to praise Zhang Gong's public spirit at that time."

"Because you voluntarily shared your credit with him!"

"If that day truly comes, would Lord Zhang be afraid of not being able to wash away today's humiliation?"

"But Zhang Gong was merely writing a private letter!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yi could no longer sit still.

He suddenly stood up and bowed deeply to Mi Wei, saying:
“At the beginning of the year, I recommended the Commandant as the Deputy Envoy. Besides being grateful for Hua Rong’s kindness in taking me in, I also intended to decline the position so that Your Majesty would think highly of me.”

"But now I can only be thankful that I recommended the Commandant back then!"

"Such kindness, regardless of future success or failure, I will repay it tenfold!"

Mi Wei quickly stood up and returned the greeting.

The two then discussed the details further.

The main question was how to garner more attention from Yang Hong and Zhuge Liang in the letter regarding the north.

However, it's not to the point that Zhang Yi is exaggerating or making alarmist claims.

After finishing the letter, Mi Wei was about to take his leave.

Zhang Yi suddenly grabbed his hand and said:

"If the Commandant wants to persuade the gentlemen of Jiangling, besides focusing on the two Generals Guan, why not find another renowned scholar to speak on his behalf?"

Mi Wei: "Zhang Gong, are you referring to Master Pan?"

Zhang Yi shook his head and laughed:

“Prefect Pan is tactful. If you can’t provide solid evidence, even if he helps you, he will only offer partial assistance and will not go all out.”

Miwei nodded repeatedly as he listened.

This perfectly matched his stereotypical image of that old man, Poon Jun.

Mi Wei: "Who is this famous scholar that Zhang Gong mentioned?"

Zhang Yi: "Far away, yet right before my eyes."

Mi Wei's heart stirred:
"Could it be Yang Yi, the Prefect of Jiangxia?"

"It is indeed this man!"

Zhang Yi clapped his hands and said.

"Yang Weigong once served as the chief clerk of Fu Qun, the governor of Jingzhou. Later, he joined General Guan and served as the chief clerk of Xiangyang County. After that, he joined the Left General's office of Your Majesty as a clerk."

"Before he entered Sichuan, his status in Jingzhou was no less than that of the current Prefect Pan."

"If he's willing to lend his support, along with Prefect Pan and me, then tell me, which of the gentlemen of Jiangling would dare to disobey us?"

Mi Wei thought about it and realized it was true.

Moreover, Yang Yi's sarcastic tone was so offensive that even Liu Bei couldn't stand it, and once he opened his mouth...

Apart from gentlemen like Deng Zhi and old fogies like Pan Jun.

It's estimated that there aren't many "famous scholars" in Jiangling who could withstand it.

It can be considered as one force overcoming ten techniques in another sense.

Mi Wei: "But Master Yang is no ordinary man either. How can I persuade him to speak up for me?"

Zhang Yi pointed to himself and said with a half-smile:

"Just as you persuaded me, go back and persuade Lord Yang Wei in the same way."

And said:

"Yang Weigong was a narrow-minded and difficult person to get along with."

"But he was fond of being an official, and was a 'real official' with some authority."

"If you can cater to his preferences, he will be easier to get along with than anyone else."

Cater to their preferences...

Mi Wei nodded slightly, and an idea gradually formed in his mind.

He then took his leave of Zhang Yi.

……

The following day, Miwei returned to Shicheng.

"How dare you, Captain!"

Upon entering the prefectural government office, before even opening his mouth, Yang Yi had already started to retort.

"Not only did you go against public opinion to build docks and stockpile ships, but you even tried to collude with those above and below to distort the truth?"

Mi Wei was already familiar with Yang Yi's temperament and was not frightened.

He asked in return, unhurriedly:
"I have only stationed troops in the north of the city for a few days. How could Lord Yang know what my plans are?"

Yang Yi scoffed, "Isn't it obvious?"

“If we build fortifications, we must first conscript a large number of laborers, then cut down trees and quarry stones to prepare for the construction, and we must also stockpile grain, which is similar to marching and fighting.”

"If it is to repair a dock, the labor will be reduced slightly, but it is necessary to stockpile additional goods. This is because shipbuilding or trading ships requires dealing with artisans and merchants."

"You have neither levied large amounts of taxes nor taken large amounts of grain from the city's mansions recently, but you have taken quite a lot of silk and other valuables."

"From this, it is clear that your intention is water conservancy, not the dangers of the mountains!"

Mi Wei was not angry but pleased upon hearing this: "Everyone says that Master Yang has the talent for planning and coordination. Seeing him today, I can confirm that his reputation is well-deserved!"

Yang Yi waved his hand and said, "No matter how much praise you give, I will not go against the opinions of the public because of your conjecture."

Mi Wei: "What if I could grant Lord Yang his wish?"

(End of this chapter)