517. Sun Clan Joining The Fun

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However, Liu Bei's spies brought back some interesting information—there had been unusual movements from an unknown group inside Jing Province around the time of the scholar's disappearance. While the reports were vague, they hinted at the possibility that there was a warlord who was involved in this matter.

Liu Bei sat in his chambers, the tension in his mind reflected in his tight grip on the edge of his desk. The report from his spies weighed heavily on him. An unknown group had been operating within Jing Province around the time of the scholar's disappearance, and yet, despite their best efforts, his spies had been unable to track them or uncover their identity.

This uncertainty gnawed at him. Whoever this group was, they were skilled enough to avoid detection, which meant they were likely being backed by one of his powerful rivals.

His gaze shifted to the map sprawled across his desk, each marked territory representing a potential enemy. The Five Warlords: Cao Cao, Lie Fan, Liu Zhang, Shi Xie, and Sun Ce. All were capable of subtle machinations, and any one of them could be behind the plot to prevent him from recruiting Zhuge Liang, the Sleeping Dragon.

Liu Bei's heart raced as he pondered his predicament. If he couldn't determine who among these rivals was responsible, his search for Zhuge Liang and his teachers would be stalled indefinitely. But Zhuge Liang was too valuable a prize to give up on.

His rumored wisdom and strategic brilliance could be the key to Liu Bei's ambitions of restoring the Han dynasty and establishing a stable future. Without him, Liu Bei feared his chances of success might diminish.

He clenched his fist, frustration bubbling up as his mind wrestled with the problem. Each of these warlords had a different motive for keeping Zhuge Liang out of his hands, yet without a clear target, he could not afford to make a move that would expose his plans or leave him vulnerable to their schemes.

Cao Cao, for instance, had long sought to re-dominate the northern plains and expand his influence southward. It was possible that Cao Cao's agents had moved into Jing Province, aiming to control its talented individuals, particularly a figure like Zhuge Liang, who could easily change the balance of power. Cao Cao was ruthless and pragmatic, always thinking several steps ahead. Could it be him?

Then there was Lie Fan. His ambitions had become more evident in recent years, and his strategic acumen was formidable. Lie Fan had shown a keen interest in disrupting Liu Bei's plans before, and it would make sense for him to prevent Liu Bei from gaining the aid of such a renowned strategist. Lie Fan's ability to move swiftly and decisively in secret made him a strong candidate as the one orchestrating this interference.

Liu Zhang and Shi Xie were less likely suspects, but Liu Bei couldn't discount them completely. Liu Zhang ruled over Yi Province, a region blessed with rich resources. Though generally more defensive in his approach, Liu Zhang may have feared that Liu Bei's rise, bolstered by someone like Zhuge Liang, could pose a threat to his relatively secure position in the west.

Shi Xie, a less aggressive warlord in the southern regions, might have aligned himself with other warlords like Sun Ce or Lie Fan to maintain his autonomy and avoid future conflicts.

Sun Ce, the Little Conqueror, was another major concern. Though Sun Ce was focused on expanding his own dominion in the Jiangdong region, he had always been a man of bold action and keen strategy, particularly with Zhou Yu by his side.

If Sun Ce or Zhou Yu caught wind of Liu Bei's search for Zhuge Liang, they would certainly take measures to keep the Sleeping Dragon from falling into Liu Bei's hands, ensuring that their control over the southeast remained unchallenged.

Liu Bei rubbed his temples, trying to focus his thoughts. He needed more information, but he also couldn't wait too long, or Zhuge Liang might slip through his grasp forever. His spies were already on the hunt for the mysterious group in Jing Province, but if they couldn't locate them, Liu Bei would need to consider alternative strategies to uncover the truth.

Meanwhile, to the southeast of Xiangyang…

In the vibrant heart of the Sun Clan's capital, Sun Ce and Zhou Yu returned from their long journey with the Qiao Sisters, their new brides, at their side. It had been an arduous trek, but it was a triumphant one. Sun Ce, known for his bold and decisive actions, had set out not only to secure the women he loved but also to solidify alliances and elevate his family's prestige.

With the Qiao Sisters—Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao—now part of the Sun family, his standing had risen both politically and socially.

Zhou Yu, ever the calm and calculating strategist, had stood beside Sun Ce throughout the journey. He knew how important this union was for the future stability of their rule in the south, but also relished this chance to find the love of his life.

Sun Ce's rule in the Jiangdong region had been swift and brutal, but to maintain control, they needed to secure more than just military victories. Political marriages like these would tie powerful families to their cause and strengthen their internal unity.

As they entered the capital, banners waved, and the people cheered for their return. Sun Ce dismounted from his horse, his face bright with a grin. He thrived on the admiration of his people, and the energy of the moment invigorated him.

He glanced at Zhou Yu, who remained composed as ever, his sharp eyes scanning the gathered crowds and the city around them. Zhou Yu knew that while Sun Ce celebrated their success, there were always threats lurking beneath the surface.

Once inside the Sun clan's residence, the mood shifted to a more intimate celebration. Sun Ce and Zhou Yu, alongside their new brides, gathered with the rest of the Suj Clan members, where they introduced the Qiao sisters to Sun Jian, Lady Wu, Sun Quan, and Sun Shangxiang.

After making sure that their bride was comfortable and relaxed talking and getting to know the Sun Clan family members, Sun Ce and Zhou Yu left them and had a meeting with the Sun Clan's generals and advisors, to discuss recent events and the development of the Sun Clan domain as they had left for some time.

The political and military situation in the region was always on their minds, especially now that their borders were being eyed by other warlords, especially Shi Xie and Liu Bei. The world was still in turmoil, and each day brought the possibility of new threats.

Zhou Yu, always forward-thinking, brought the conversation around to the latest developments in Jing Province. He had received reports of movements from various warlords seeking to expand their influence. Sun Ce, who had been listening with only half-interest, suddenly perked up when Zhou Yu mentioned Liu Bei's activities in the north.

"Liu Bei?" Sun Ce asked, a hint of curiosity in his voice. "What is he doing now?"

Zhou Yu gave a small, knowing smile. "It seems Liu Bei is searching for a man named Zhuge Liang, a reclusive but brilliant strategist. They call him the Sleeping Dragon. If Liu Bei manages to recruit him, it could change the balance of power significantly in Jing Province. Liu Bei is already a thorn to Cao Cao and Lie Fan to the extent of us also, and with a strategist like Zhuge Liang at his side, he could become a force to be reckoned with."

Sun Ce leaned back, thinking. Liu Bei was ambitious, but his resources were limited. Yet, the mention of Zhuge Liang intrigued him. He had heard rumors of the Sleeping Dragon's intelligence and the impact such a mind could have on the battlefield.

"We can't let Liu Bei get ahead of us," Sun Ce said after a moment. "If he finds this Zhuge Liang, it could give him an advantage. What do you suggest, Gonglu?"

Zhou Yu's expression darkened with quiet calculation. "We should monitor Liu Bei's movements closely. If he finds Zhuge Liang, we must either intercept him or prevent the strategist from aligning with Liu Bei. At the same time, we should send our own men to Jing Province to gather information. If Zhuge Liang is as brilliant as the rumors say, we might even consider recruiting him ourselves."

Sun Ce's eyes gleamed with excitement. The prospect of stealing such a valuable prize from under Liu Bei's nose was exactly the kind of bold move he loved. He trusted Zhou Yu's judgment implicitly and knew that if anyone could pull off such a scheme, it would be his brother-in-arms.

"Do it," Sun Ce commanded. "Send our best men to Jing Province. Let's see if we can't find this Sleeping Dragon before Liu Bei does, and recruit him under our banner."

On the other hand, days passed, and Liu Bei's spies continued to search for the mysterious group in Jing Province. The longer the trail remained cold, the more anxious Liu Bei became.

His rivals were all maneuvering, and the uncertainty weighed heavily on him. He knew he couldn't afford to wait much longer. If Zhuge Liang truly was as brilliant as the rumors claimed, then time was of the essence.

He gathered his closest advisers, including Kuai Liang, and laid out his next steps. Liu Bei had decided to split his efforts—while his spies continued their search for the unknown group, he would personally lead a delegation into Jing Province.

His goal was to stir the waters, so to speak. By making a more direct appearance in the region, he hoped to draw out either Zhuge Liang or the forces that hid in the shadow who were working against him.

"I will not sit idly by while our enemies move in the shadows," Liu Bei declared to his gathered officers. "We will go to Jing Province ourselves and root out whoever is working against us. If we find Zhuge Liang, we will convince him to join our cause. But if we find our enemies, they will regret standing in our way."

At first, Kua Liang protested such an idea, saying that it posed too big of a threat to Liu Bei especially since they passed Lingling, but Liu Bei using his righteous facade managed to convince Kuai Liang to agree to his plan, albeit gurmblingly.

And so, Liu Bei's plans were set in motion, as his men prepared for the journey south. With the threat of multiple rivals looming and the mysterious group still at large, the stakes had never been higher. Whether it was Zhuge Liang or an enemy lying in wait, something significant was bound to be uncovered in the heart of Jing Province.

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Name: Lie Fan

Title: Overlord Of The Central Plains

Age: 32 (199 AD)

Level: 16

Next Level: 462,000

Renown: 1325

Cultivation: Yin Yang Separation (level 9)

SP: 1,121,700

ATTRIBUTE POINTS

STR: 951 (+20)

VIT: 613 (+20)

AGI: 598 (+10)

INT: 617

CHR: 96

WIS: 519

WILL: 407

ATR Points: 0