521. Intrigue Plays At Yuan Shao's Court

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In the days that followed, the atmosphere across Lie Fan's territories shifted subtly but significantly. Oriole agents moved discreetly, spreading whispers and sowing discord among the ranks of Yuan Shao's forces. Incidents of skirmishes along the border began to occur with increasing frequency, and as planned, these minor clashes would slowly escalate into more serious confrontations.

The gears of war had been set in motion. As Lie Fan's inner circle finalized their plans and strategies to weaken Yuan Shao and indirectly distract Cao Cao, the Oriole agents began to fan out across the northern territories under Wang Yi's instruction.

Their mission: to stir conflict along the border shared by Cao Cao and Yuan Shao. The tension between the two warlords had always simmered beneath the surface, and now, it was time to ignite those sparks into a full-fledged blaze.

Jia Xu, the mastermind behind much of Lie Fan's intelligence network, ensured that the Oriole agents had all the tools necessary to carry out their subversive activities.

From Xiapi, Jia Xu coordinated with Wang Yi, whose sharp intellect and strategic thinking had boosted the Oriole's network and organization immensely, making her one of the most reliable addition to the Oriole.

The Oriole agents began their work quietly, setting up small but calculated incidents in regions such as Shangdang, Ye, and Jinyang. The goal was simple: create enough confusion and mistrust between Cao Cao and Yuan Shao that they would be forced to divide their focus from the growing external threats and instead question one another's intentions.

In Shangdang, the first incident involved a minor noble family loyal to Yuan Shao whose estates were mysteriously raided by what appeared to be Cao Cao's soldiers disguised as bandits.

The truth, however, was that these attackers were Oriole agents disguised as Cao Cao's men. The raid caused an outcry, with the noble family appealing to Yuan Shao to retaliate against what they saw as a clear provocation.

Yuan Shao's advisors and officials, led by Feng Ji and Guo Tu, were pulled into heated discussions on how to respond, with some advocating for an immediate military response to defend Yuan Shao's honor.

As the turmoil grew in Shangdang, similar incidents began cropping up in Ye and Jinyang. In Ye, a high-ranking military officer under Yuan Shao's command was found dead in suspicious circumstances.

Whispers spread through the ranks that he had been assassinated by agents loyal to Cao Cao who had assimilated themselves into the ranks of Yuan Shao's generals.

This incident struck a nerve in Yuan Shao's court, as trust within the military began to erode. Even some of Yuan Shao's closest generals, including Yan Liang and Wen Chou, started questioning the loyalty of their fellow officers.

Jia Xu's strategy of subversion and disinformation worked perfectly. The chaos was slow to build, but it was relentless. Day after day, new reports reached the ears of both Yuan Shao and Cao Cao. Small-scale skirmishes between border patrols turned into full-on clashes, as each side suspected the other of attempting to breach their territories.

Cao Cao, whose attention was already deeply entangled in his oncoming campaign against the Northern Xiongnu, now faced a potential second front in his war efforts.

His advisors who were present at Luoyang, Cheng Yu, Jia Kuo, and Xun Yu, warned him of the need to be cautious, as any major conflict with Yuan Shao could stretch their forces too thin. But Cao Cao, always ambitious and calculating, refused to back down from what he perceived as Yuan Shao's provocations.

Meanwhile, in Xiapi, Lie Fan received constant updates on the success of his plan. The Oriole agents sent reports on how the situation was escalating exactly as planned. Wang Yi herself penned a letter to Lie Fan, detailing the growing tension between Cao Cao and Yuan Shao. The situation was ripe for exploitation.

Lie Fan convened his advisors once more, this time in a more confident mood. "Our plan is working perfectly," he said, scanning the room. "Yuan Shao is beginning to grow suspicious of Cao Cao, and Cao Cao's forces are becoming entangled in minor conflicts along their shared borders. We should let this simmer until Cao Cao's battle with the Northern Xiongnu tribes begins, and the conflict between Cao Cao and Yuan Shao turns into a fully armed conflict before we strike."

As the weeks passed, tensions at both Cao Cao and Yuan Shao's courts began to rise steadily, just as Lie Fan had intended. The incidents along the shared border, orchestrated by the Oriole agents, grew increasingly bold. Nobles and officials on both sides clamored for action, each side suspecting the other of nefarious intentions.

At Cao Cao's court in Luoyang, the atmosphere was tense but restrained. Xun Yu, Cheng Yu, and Jia Kui, ever the voices of reason, worked tirelessly to keep Cao Cao focused on the imminent threat posed by the Northern Xiongnu tribes. They knew that if Cao Cao's attention was diverted by the border provocations, it could spell disaster for his larger campaign to the north.

"Lord Cao," Xun Yu began during one particularly heated council session, "the incidents at the border are concerning, but they appear to be provocations meant to distract us. Yuan Shao has always been prone to such tactics. If we overreact, we will only be playing into his hands."

Cao Cao paced the room, his brow furrowed in thought. "Yuan Shao has no honor. His forces may be more numerous in numbers but weaker than mine, but he controls vast territories. If we let this go unchecked, he may see it as a sign of weakness."

"Indeed," Cheng Yu added, "but consider this—if we divert forces from the north now, it will weaken our ability to confront the Xiongnu. Tugeh Khagan has unified too many tribes for us to risk splitting our focus. Let us reinforce the border, but not escalate."

After much persuasion, Cao Cao reluctantly agreed. He ordered an increase in the number of soldiers stationed along the border with Yuan Shao, a move intended to show strength without committing to full-scale conflict. Yet, the seeds of mistrust had already been sown, and the clashes between their forces continued to escalate, albeit on a small scale.

Meanwhile, in Yuan Shao's court, the situation was very different. Yuan Shao, who had become increasingly detached from the daily affairs of his state due to his indulgence in luxury, was more easily swayed by his advisors. Feng Ji and Guo Tu, both eager for war to enhance their own prestige, continuously fanned the flames of conflict.

"Lord Yuan," Feng Ji said during one of their private meetings, "Cao Cao has insulted you for the last time. His forces raid our lands and murder our officials, and yet he dares not declare open war. He underestimates your strength, believing you are too distracted by your comforts to respond."

Guo Tu chimed in, "Now is the time to act, my lord. If we strike at Cao Cao while his attention is divided, we can crush him before he solidifies his power in the north. His campaign against the Xiongnu will stretch his forces thin. If we move swiftly, the victory will be ours."

Yuan Shao, his vanity and pride easily manipulated by such words, began to consider their advice seriously. He ordered his generals, including Yan Liang and Wen Chou, to prepare their troops for potential conflict, though he had not yet fully committed to open war.

After Yuan Shao dismissed his court, Feng Ji and Guo Tu were visibly frustrated. Their ambitions for prestige and influence were deeply intertwined with the notion of war against Cao Cao. Yuan Shao's reluctance to immediately declare war had thwarted their plans—at least for now. They knew, however, that their lord's indecision could be exploited, especially given the growing tension among his sons.

Feng Ji, Guo Tu, and Shen Pei reconvened later that evening to discuss how to move forward. As the candles flickered in the dimly lit room, their faces were marked with determination. Feng Ji was the first to speak, his voice low but sharp. "Yuan Shao's indecisiveness will ruin us all. Cao Cao grows stronger by the day, and while our lord lounges in luxury, our forces are underutilized. We must act now so that we can improve our status and prestige to keep hold of his court."

Guo Tu nodded in agreement. "Yuan Shao may not be willing to declare war yet, but there are others in his court who hunger for battle and glory. His sons. They are each eager to prove themselves worthy of succeeding their father."

Shen Pei, whose approach is much more measured than Feng Ji and Guo Tu, raised an eyebrow. "Do you propose we manipulate lord Yuan Shao's sons? That is a dangerous game, even for men like us."

Feng Ji leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with a hint of malice. "Not manipulation—persuasion. Yuan Tan, Yuan Xi, and Yuan Shang are all vying for their father's favor. If we can get them to push for war, Yuan Shao will have no choice but to act. His sons' ambitions will drive him to war."

The three men sat in silence for a moment, considering the implications. It was a delicate plan, but one with great potential. Each of Yuan Shao's sons had different personalities, ambitions, and strengths. By targeting them individually, Feng Ji, Guo Tu, and Shen Pei could plant the seeds of war through the heirs themselves.

After a long discussion, they decided on a strategy. Each would focus on one of Yuan Shao's sons. Feng Ji would approach Yuan Tan, the eldest and most aggressive of the three, appealing to his desire to lead Yuan Shao's armies into glory.

Guo Tu would target Yuan Xi, who was more calculating and pragmatic, by highlighting the political advantages of defeating Cao Cao. Shen Pei would focus on Yuan Shang, the youngest and perhaps most insecure, by playing on his need to prove himself in the shadow of his older brothers. With the plan in place, the three men departed, each heading to meet with their assigned target.

Feng Ji was the first to act. He approached Yuan Tan with a sense of urgency, knowing that the eldest son of Yuan Shao was always eager for battle. Yuan Tan had long been frustrated by his father's cautious approach, believing that aggression was the key to power. Feng Ji knew exactly how to fan the flames of that frustration.

Meeting in one of the estate's private chambers, Feng Ji laid out his thoughts carefully. "Lord Yuan Tan," he began, "you are the eldest son, the rightful heir to your father's legacy. Yet, while Cao Cao mocks our forces and raids our lands, your father hesitates. He listens too much to those who fear conflict. But I know that you, Lord Tan, are not afraid of war."

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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