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

Chapter 85 Gains and Losses of Human Nature
During the farming season, no one is idle; everyone devotes their entire family to the fields.

As the harvest season approaches, the focus of work in Jingzhou is gradually shifting back to agricultural activities.

For example, Mi Wei, the acting commander of the western part of Jiangxia, quickly dismissed the laborers after the shipyard was completed.

I also switched back to the work mode of early spring.

Crack down on thieves and urge the military settlements to be established.

Yang Yi was thus able to relax again.

Of course.

Given Yang Weigong's temperament, how could he easily relinquish the power he had gained?

On this day, he arrived at the prefectural government office with an official document ordering the transfer of laborers from Nanjun to the Jiangxia military garrison.

He had already thought of a reason.

Firstly, Jiangxia, a new territory, needs more manpower than Nanjun.

Secondly, the group of laborers he wanted to transfer were surrendered soldiers from the northern part of the Forbidden Army.

Anyway, they are all people who have left their hometowns and have no roots. Whether they stay in Nanjun to cultivate the land or move to Jiangxia, they will still be farming the same thing.

Of course, everyone knows what Magistrate Yang is thinking.

Anyway, he never felt ashamed.

With her own ulterior motives in mind, Yang Yi entered the room.

But then they saw Prefect Deng Zhi pacing back and forth in the courtyard, deep in thought.

He was also holding a bamboo scroll behind his back or in his hand, which was unclear whether it was a scripture or an official document.

Yang Yi's eyes flickered, and he immediately put his hands behind his back, smiled, and stepped forward, saying:

"Your Excellency seems to have some worries. I wonder if there is anything I can do to help?"

Deng Zhi had naturally noticed Yang Yi's subtle actions long ago.

But he only said calmly:
"I am too busy with official duties to trouble you."

Yang Yi paid no heed to such sarcastic remarks, and his smile deepened.
"If we're talking about how busy we are with official duties, who in Jiangxia doesn't know that the Prefect is number one and the Commandant of Mi is number two? I'm afraid I can barely even rank third."

Deng Zhi said, "But yesterday, Commandant Mi told me that everything went smoothly this summer, all thanks to the great help of Duke Wei. He only benefited from the virtuous man's influence, which is not worth mentioning."

Yang Yi's smile froze.

If someone else were to praise her, Yang Yi would absolutely not mind accepting the whole compliment.

However, Mi Wei was universally recognized by the gentlemen of Jiangling as a humble and virtuous person.

When someone says something is "not worth mentioning," it means they have high moral character.

But if you flaunt these words everywhere and feel smug about it...

Then you're definitely going to become a clown.

But then again.

Deng Bomiao used to work quietly and without making a sound.

Even when he used his influence to forcibly seize some of the prefectural government's authority this summer, he never uttered a word of complaint.

Why bring up this old topic now?

Is this a prelude to settling scores later?

He then deliberately changed the subject:

"Speaking of this Commander Mi, he always tells everyone he is insignificant, yet he always shows great respect to famous scholars."

"Having observed the talents of Jing and Yi provinces, I find no one among my peers to be as humble and modest as him!"

"I wonder if Your Excellency agrees?"

Seeing that Deng Zhi was as expected, he nodded in agreement.

Yang Yi immediately followed up: "It seems that the Prefect also values ​​Commandant Mi quite a bit. In that case, why not ask him to share the burden?"

In any case, Mi Wei will eventually come to him, this "wise man," for help.

Yang Yi was making her own plans.

However, upon hearing this, Deng Zhi resolutely shook her head.

Yang Yi also had a response:

"Does the Prefect perhaps believe that Commandant Mi is too young and unfit to be entrusted with important matters?"

Deng Zhi simply ignored Yang Yi's provocation.

He simply said, "Commander Mi has already taken care of my worries, why ask again?"

Yang Yi was taken aback, not understanding.

But Deng Zhi sighed softly and said:
"You went to Jiangling in late spring and made a ruckus, and then General Guan changed his mind and let Commandant Mi first seize the water resources and then plan for the mountain passes... Do you really think I don't know about these things? Or do you think that although I know, I am afraid of power and can only swallow my anger?"

Yang Yi gave a dry laugh.

Deng Zhi then asked, "Do you know what I value most about Commandant Mi?"

Yang Yi was taken aback again upon hearing this.

When Deng Zhi asked this question, she certainly wasn't referring to the well-known virtues of humility and courtesy.

After a moment's thought, he said, "A pragmatic approach?"

"This trend certainly exists," Deng Zhi did not deny.

"But more importantly, because of its pragmatism, it does its best in everything while also being considerate of the people's strength and not exploiting them to the point of exhaustion."

Yang Yi thought to himself that this was indeed a quality that Deng Zhi particularly admired.

Because Deng Zhi herself is that kind of person.

Then he suddenly understood and said:
"Jiangxia is a place of constant warfare, and its people are already overburdened. Although there is a conscription for building shipyards, it is not as arduous as building a fortified city in the mountains... Is this why the Prefect tolerates our 'running around' this summer?"

"I did not condone your actions! I simply could not bear to severely damage the people's strength, and I also respected Commandant Mi's compassion for the people!"

Deng Zhi remained as straightforward as ever.

"I, like you, did not readily believe the theory that Cao Cao abandoned Xiangfan."

"But if you were Commandant Mi, and you were certain that there was an opportunity to attack Xiangfan, would you consider whether to prioritize water conservancy or mountain defenses?"

"Of course we should take that seriously," Yang Yi silently agreed in his heart, but said nothing.

Because he was very clear about his own temperament.

Even if he can distinguish between primary and secondary matters.

However, they will only do so after ensuring that the relevant personnel, finances, and authority are all in their own hands.

Only then will the scheduling issue be seriously considered.

In order to achieve this goal...

It is very likely that construction will begin simultaneously on two sites in the summer, with a large-scale requisitioning of land.

Unlike Miwei, who only considered building one place from the beginning and did not make any further plans.

Upon closer examination, it becomes clear that the person in question already possessed a moral compass, and could not push the lower classes to the brink of despair for the sake of personal gain.

Yang Yi suddenly realized something, and then his thoughts became complicated.

Suddenly, he said, "Does Your Excellency know that there are rumors circulating in Jiangling that Commandant Mi's character and conduct are quite similar to those of Liu Bei, the Governor of Yuzhou in his younger days?"

Deng Zhi snorted coldly.

How can such unfounded rumors be taken seriously?
However, considering the heavy weight of the bamboo scroll in his hand, he decided to be a little more unrestrained today.

He then followed up with:

"Your Majesty possesses the spirit of chivalry and heroism of Yan and Zhao, and you can win over people and gather them together with your spirit."

“And the Commandant of Mi was a man of refined manners and treated scholars with humility, much like his father.”

Where are the similarities between the two?

"But if we have to say what the similarities are, it's probably that they both use the people's strength without exhausting it, and always leave a way out."

"That is indeed the theory!" Yang Yi clapped his hands and exclaimed.

"Does Your Excellency remember what the situation was like in Jingzhou in the thirteenth year of Jian'an?"

Deng Zhi shook his head: "I was unsuccessful in my early years, and moved to Sichuan in the early years of Jian'an."

"However, I know what Duke Wei wants to say."

"In the thirteenth year of Jian'an, Cao Mengde's army marched south to Jingzhou. Liu Cong, that brat, surrendered without warning, catching Your Majesty off guard. You had no choice but to abandon Fancheng and flee south to Jiangling."

"Afterwards, when the king passed through Xiangyang and went through Changban, people from all walks of life came to join him."

"When they arrived at Dangyang, the king had already gathered more than 100,000 people and thousands of supplies."

"When I heard of such a kingly army in Shu, I sighed for days and could not stop."

Deng Zhi paused, then turned and looked directly into Yang Yi's eyes:

"At that time, Duke Wei was still at home in Xiangyang. I wonder what he was thinking?"

Yang Yi straightened his back and said defiantly, "I can't wait to head south and follow Your Majesty!"

However, Deng Zhi simply smiled coldly and remained silent.

Yang Yi chuckled awkwardly and said:

"At that time, Cao Cao's army was powerful. It would be a lie to say that we were not afraid."

"To say that one would not be moved at all by the sight of such a massive procession of 100,000 people is to lie."

"Otherwise, why would I have abandoned the position of Governor of Jingzhou, which was promoted by the Cao family, and gone south to join General Guan?"

"Isn't it because after witnessing firsthand the sudden gathering of 100,000 people, they understood the power struggles and gains in the hearts of the people of Jingzhou?"

Deng Zhi then nodded.

But after Yang Yi spoke frankly, he was suddenly filled with emotion:

"Your Majesty's ability to win the hearts of the people is a sign of a true king."

"If his opponents are all mediocre, his 100,000 men are enough to sweep across the world."

"Unfortunately, he happened to run into Cao Mengde!"

"The Cao family's character, strategy, and military tactics can be described as aggressive and fiery, naturally possessing the essence of a hegemon."

"But Your Majesty has some concerns, so you will naturally act more slowly."

"As one side rises and the other falls, every time a force gains momentum, it is quickly swallowed up by the Cao family."

"This is true in Xuzhou, and it is also true in Jingzhou!"

"Last year, General Guan finally gained fame and prestige throughout China, but then he encountered the troubles that followed... It can truly be said that he had the right person but not the right time!"

At this point, Yang Yi's eyes were already slightly red.

"I remember that you, Lord Fu, are from Xinye, aren't you?"

"I wonder when scholars like us from Jingbei will be able to borrow the might of the royal army and return home in glory?"

Deng Zhi deeply agrees with this.

He nodded repeatedly.

But he wasn't here today to listen to Yang Yi reminisce about the past.

After confirming that he would not entrust the task to the wrong person, he handed the bamboo slip to Yang Yi.

He then casually tossed the scroll in Yang Yi's hand onto the ground.

"Please remember what I said today, and never forget the words 'the will of the people'!"

After saying this, he turned and left.

Yang Yi was stunned for a moment, then looked down at the bamboo slip in his hand and was taken aback again.

It turns out that this bamboo slip still had a piece of seal clay that had been peeled off.

The imprint on the mud clod was clearly the seal of Guan Yu, the former general.

This is a military order!
Yang Yi dared not delay and immediately began to read it carefully.

He was immediately stunned for the third time.

A moment later, he looked up and gazed north, his face alternating between red and white.

In the end, only two trembling sounds were squeezed out of his throat:
"Northern Expedition!"

(End of this chapter)