Chapter 44: Adding Another Talent (Seeking Recommendation Tickets)

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  Yi Jie has a talent for debate and also has many connections in Jingzhou. Yan Liang's command is missing someone with such talent.

  Actually, Yan Liang had been thinking of how to poach this person from Liu Biao since their first meeting. Now that Liu Biao has created an opportunity for himself, Yan Liang would not let it slip away.

  Pang Ji heard this and couldn't help but look embarrassed, "Yi Jie has committed the crime of dereliction of duty, he should be questioned and tried. General, isn't your request a bit too much?"

  Yi Ji is under Liu Biao's command. Now Yan Liang openly demands that Liu Biao release him, and on the surface, Liu Biao cannot tolerate this.

  "It doesn't matter what crimes Yip Man has committed, in short, if Liu wants Zhang Yun, he can only use this person for exchange, otherwise forget it." Yan Liang flicked his sleeve and spoke decisively.

  Pang Ji was shocked again, and had no choice but to agree to go ask Liu Biao for instructions.

  After being "blackmailed" for a while, Yan Liang also got tired of talking to Pang Ji and sent him away.

  Pang Ji brought Yan Liang's demands back to Xiangyang, and immediately Liu Biao's mansion was in an uproar.

  Many people were indignant and felt that Yan Liang was too deceitful, advising Liu Biao not to agree, and to raise a large army again to fight a decisive battle with Yan Liang.

  But there were also many people who agreed to compromise with Yan Liang, believing that under the current situation, quelling the rebellion in the three southern counties was of utmost importance and that it would be unwise to engage in a battle of wits with Yan Liang.

  As for Kuai Yue and Cai Mao, who had the right to speak, they were defeated by Yan Liang twice, so they were afraid to express any opinions, and let Liu Biao make his own decisions.

  Liu Biao weighed his options repeatedly and could only reluctantly decide to compromise with Yan Liang.

  No choice, Liu Biao valued literature over martial arts, and among his subordinates, there was no one who had the confidence to defeat Yan Liang.

  Five days later, a grain cart set out from Xiangyang, crossed the Han River to the north, and was sent to XinYe one after another. Yijue also came with them.

  Yan Liang stood outside the south gate of Xinye Castle, his horse at a standstill, quietly waiting for Yijie to arrive.

  "Although General Yip has a great reputation, it's not necessary for you to personally go out and welcome him, this courtesy is a bit too much."

  Xu You, who was standing beside him, stroked his beard and said.

  Yi's book may not be considered a masterpiece, but for Yan Liang, who is in dire need of talent, it is like sending charcoal in the snow. Moreover, Yan Liang currently has use for his three-inch tongue, and should go out of the city to welcome him, showing respect for virtuous scholars.

  Yan Liang smiled but did not speak.

  Xu You thought of something and said in a low voice, "There's one more thing, I have to remind the general. That Man Chong is just a new surrender, but you've entrusted him with handling the criminal cases and taxation of the seven counties of Xin Ye, isn't that a bit too much trust?"

  Yan Liang's eyes were deep and profound, and he said lightly: "Originally, I have always been suspicious of those who are not used, and those who are used are not suspected. Man Bao Ning has the talent to govern, and I should let him fully utilize his talents."

  "But..." Xu You seemed to have some doubts and was about to continue speaking.

  Yan Liang said, "Since you came from the south, haven't I been treating you with sincerity? I use people according to their abilities, and you should understand that. Do you think I will repeat the mistakes of Yuan Shao?"

  When he heard these words, Xu You's heart was deeply shaken.

  Yuan Shao was extremely suspicious and had never fully trusted anyone. He often let his subordinates mutually restrain each other in order to achieve control.

  Yan Liang's words were clearly telling Xu You: My Yan Liang's style of using people is completely different from Yuan Shao, please you also get rid of the bad habits you got from Yuan Shao.

  "General Zi Yi's demeanor is far beyond what Yuan Benchu can match, and it's somewhat similar to Cao Mengde's. Or perhaps, he might even be slightly better than Cao Mengde..."

  Xu You's thoughts turned over, and his eyes involuntarily flashed with a hint of respect.

  After a moment of contemplation, Xu You suddenly burst into loud laughter and cupped his hands in respect: "I must say I've witnessed the general's magnanimity. Indeed, it seems my decision to follow you was a wise one."

  It's rare for Xu You to be so understanding, and Yan Liang is also extremely relieved in his heart.

  Thinking of myself coming out from Yuan Shao, I was poor and white. Now I have Xu You to plan for me, Man Chong to govern with, Wen Ping to command the army, Zhou Cang to guard with loyalty, and now on horseback, there is also Yi Ji, such a diplomatic talent joining under my command. Moreover, occupying seven counties, possessing more than ten thousand soldiers and horses, governing over one million people.

  Although the strength is still weak and small, it has been able to create such a situation in just a few months, which is not easy.

  "As long as I can make good use of these talents, I believe that one day, the world will know my name and tremble with fear!"

  Yan Liang was indulging in his grandiose fantasies when a convoy of grain carts arrived from the front, accompanied by that scholar, who happened to be from Yi.

  "Mr. Boji, you've finally arrived, these past few days have been tough on you." Yan Liang urged his horse forward, smiling as he came to greet him.

  He hastily dismounted and bowed to Yan Liang.

  "Sir, why are you here? Please get up quickly." Yan Liang hastily dismounted and bowed to help Yijue up.

  Yi Juan's face was filled with gratitude, and he clasped his hands together in a salute: "General, I owe you a debt of gratitude for saving my life. How can I not offer you a bow?"

  Yi was wrongly imprisoned by Liu Biao, suffered all the hardships of prison, and thought that his life would end this time. However, unexpectedly, just when he had lost all hope, Liu Biao miraculously released him.

  Only after Yi Ji heard the news did he learn that Yan Liang had come to his rescue and exchanged Zhang Yun for his life.

  After learning the truth, Yijue was naturally filled with gratitude towards Yan Liang and couldn't wait to thank him in person. Now that he saw Yan Liang again, he found it hard to suppress the surging feeling of gratitude in his heart.

  Yan Liang smiled faintly and said, "I have long admired your moral character and talent, sir. It's just a small effort, no need to thank me."

  He was so excited that he didn't know what to say for a moment.

  Yan Liang helped him onto his horse, and they rode side by side into the city. Along the way, he asked again: "With your talent, Lord Liu wouldn't have used you if he didn't value you, so why would he put you in prison? I really can't understand it."

  He was obviously asking a question with a ready answer in mind, stirring up Ji Zhi's "hatred" towards Liu Biao.

  Sure, here is the translation:

  As expected, as soon as Liu Biao was mentioned, Yi Ji's face turned red with rage and his expression became one of utmost indignation.

  "Liu Jing Sheng, humph, never mind him."

  Yi still showed good tolerance and did not vent his anger by enumerating the host's faults, but swallowed a bellyful of bitter water alone.

  But this is enough, as long as it can be confirmed that Yi Ji has given up on Liu Biao.

  Entering Tai's residence, host and guest sat down, and a few cups of wine were drunk to calm their nerves.

  Yan Liang smiled and said, "From the tone of Bo Zhou's words, it seems that he no longer intends to serve Liu Jing Sheng. I think at present Bo Zhou has nowhere else to go. Although this temple is small, I don't know if Bo Zhou would be willing to come and burn a few sticks of incense."

  The window paper was pierced, and Yan Liang began to pull people in.

  As soon as the words fell, Yijue's face was filled with joy and excitement, saying: "General Yan, I've been waiting for this sentence from you, it's almost killing me. Forget about burning incense, I'm willing to strike the bell in General's temple for a lifetime."

  Yan Liang had originally thought that Yi Jie would hesitate for a while, and he would have to spend some more effort persuading him, but unexpectedly, Yi Jie agreed so readily.

  Under the surprise, Yan Liang couldn't help but ask: "Boji, you're so decisive, it's left me a bit at a loss. You really won't reconsider?"

  "Moreover, considering his extraordinary demeanor as a general, his divine use of troops, such a majestic and heroic master, how could I, Yi certain, be mistaken."

  Yi Jie replied concisely and did not hesitate to praise Yan Liang.

  Yan Liang's heart felt at ease upon hearing these sincere words, and he laughed loudly: "I didn't expect Bo Yang to value me so much. I will not disappoint you. From now on, with your help as my right-hand man, how can our great undertaking not succeed?"

  Yan Liang was generous and open-minded, while Yisheng was enthusiastic. The two men shared similar interests and values, so they raised their cups in a toast to seal their bond as lord and vassal.

  After drinking, Yijue became humble again and self-deprecatingly said: "I, Yijue, have shallow talent and learning, I can barely exert my strength to assist the general, but I dare not claim to be the general's left and right arm."

  "Bo Ji, don't be modest. To be honest with you, there is something that needs to be done right now, and only you can help me accomplish it." Yan Liang said.

  Yi Jing suddenly said: "I don't know what's going on, General, please give orders."

  "This will make Boji act as a matchmaker for once." A hint of smile appeared at the corner of Yan Liang's mouth.