158. Lie Fan and Cao Cao Military Alliance

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Cao Cao was interested in the prospect of allying with Lie Fan, as Lie Fan right now is the powerhouse in the Central Plains. Xi Zhicai stood up, he asked Chen Qun if Cao Cao would allow himself with Lie Fan, and what kind of benefits would be given to Cao Cao as Lie Fan was the initiator of this alliance.

Sun Qian at this time stood up saying that what Lie Fan wanted to give as a benefit to Cao Cao for the success of this Alliance was Yan Province. Cao Cao, Xi Zhicai, and Xun Yu were surprised.

They didn't expect Lie Fan would give the entire Yan Province to them, Xun Yu at this time stood up and asked if they agreed to become allies, and what the purpose of the Military Alliance was to be built for Lie Fan.

Chen Qun: "My Lord was looking for some friends in the Central Plain, he followed the Qin Dynasty diplomacy, allying with the far neighbor, and attacking the near one."

Xi Zhicai: "Since Yan Province was promised to our lord, then your target must be Yuan Shu who controls half of Yu Province."

Sun Qian: "Master Xi Zhicai is truly insightful, yes our target is indeed Yuan Shu and My Lord was willing to secede Northern Yu Province for Lord Cao Cao, and the Southern Yu Province for Our lord, which we will neighbor with Kong Zhou who if at the time haven't been swallowed by Yuan Shu yet."

Xun Yu: "What a bold and ambitious plan Lord Lie Fan has, but I don't see how this truly benefits Lord Lie Fan as he only receives the Southern Part of Yu Province."

Chen Qun: "In terms of territory of course the benefits are not that much, but in terms of the political landscape this benefits Our Lord very much, as we wipe out the Yuan's influence in the central plains."

Cao Cao: "Haha I see, so you mean that we would enter this Alliance also to face off against Yuan Shao in the north?!"

Chen Qun and Sun Qian acknowledged Cao Cao's statement, they explained that Cao Cao, Xie Zhicai, and Xun Yu must have known that Han Fu would not last long under the onslaught of Gongsun Zan and Yuan Shao.

Since Gongsun Zan and Yuan Shao allied to attack Han Fu, Liu Dai was also in alliance with the two of them separately, and Yuan Shu who was Yuam Shao's brother even though they weren't that close, created a political catastrophe if they don't eliminate Liu Dai and Yuan Shu.

Xi Zhicai and Xun Yu acknowledge Chen Qun and Sun Qian's statements, that the Yuan's influence is too strong right now in the Central Plains, and they need to contain them before it's too late.

Cao Cao stayed silent, he agreed with how Chen Qun evaluated the politician landscape right now, even though Liu Dai and Bao Xin can be considered a friend, Liu Dai has allied himself with Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan, increasing the threat he poses.

Right now both Liu Dai and Bao Xin are facing the Yellow Turban remnant in the Northeastern part of Yan Province, Bao Xin was reluctant to help him usurp Liu Dai, but if Liu Dai somewhat fallen in battle, Cao Cao is sure that he would become the Governor of Yan Province.

Sun Qian then talks to them after letting their arguments sink in, the 5 years military alliance that they proposed can be extended if both parties agree, with a time limit of 3 months before the time limit.

Chen Qun assured Cao Cao, Xi Zhicai, and Xun Yu that Lie Fan was sincere, and that he would uphold his words and keep his promise to Cao Cao, Yan Province, and Northern Yu Province.

Cao Cao thanked Chen Qun and Sun Qian for their arguments, he asked them to have a rest first, while he discussed it with his advisors. Both Chen Qun and Sun Qiansaluted to Cao Cao, taking their leave while Xie Zhicai and Xun Yu approached Cao Cao.

Cao Cao: "What do the two of you think of Lie Fan's proposal?"

Xi Zhicai: "My Lord I think that the advantage we can have if we enter this alliance is massive, having Lie Fan's support in usurping Yan Province alone is already a big benefit, let alone receiving Northern Yu Province."

Xun Yu: "While it's true that we will receive benefits, we also have to see what is Lie Fan's true purpose, receiving Yan and Northern Yu province is like receiving the carrot before the stick."

Cao Cao: "What Xun Yu said is true, we have to see what Lie Fan's true purpose is, right now we are the 2nd weakest force in Central Plains, only above Kong Rong in Qing Province."

Xi Zhicai: "My Lord I think I know what Lie Fan's purpose is, what if Yuan Shao managed to defeat Han Fu, and takes control of Ji without giving Gongsun Zan his share?"

Xun Yu: "Ah see, he tries to make us a buffer zone against Yuan Shao, that if Lie Fan also sacrifices his interest in having Qing Province."

Cao Cao: "In the end, no matter what is Lie Fan's true intention, I think we can only accept this alliance, as the benefits are too large for us to deny."

Xun Yu and Xi Zhicai agree with Cao Cao's statement, right now Cao Cao needs to expand his land, and the only way is by usurping Liu Dai. If they can work together with Lie Fan, that's not an impossible thing to achieve knowing Lie Fan's military power.

If Lie Fan upholds the end of his bargain, then Cao Cao can rise to become a prominent warlord and manage to have a large military influence, not just Political Influence. The one who has the stronger first has the right to speak first.

To Cao Cao's West was Dong Zhuo controlling Hangu Pass and Hongnong, to their north were Zhang Yan and Ham Fu, to their south was Yuan Shu, and to their east was Liu Dai. Surrounded by enemies from all sides, Cao Cao needs an ally and Lie Fan is the perfect choice.

Chen Qun and Sun Qian are waiting, they know that this is only the first page of the negotiation if Cao Cao agrees to the Alliance, after that, they have to discuss the content of the Alliance treaty.

They waited for 2 hours before they were called by Cal Cao to enter the main hall, in the main hall they saw Cao Cao's face was more friendly, which showed the signs that they accepted the alliance proposal.

Cao Cao looks at Chen Qun and Sun Qian, then suddenly says to give his congratulations to Lie Fan for expecting his first child. Chen Qun and Sun Qian were surprised at first, then they thanked Cao Cao in Lie Fan's stead as by now everyone should know about this due to Jia Xu spreading the news.

Next Cao Cao then told the two of them, that he agreed with Lie Fan's suggestion for them to enter a military alliance, which Chen Qun and Sun Qian compliment Cao Cao, saying that the alliance between Lie Fan and Cao Cao makes them invincible in the Central Plains.

Cao Cao laughed out loud, saying that he never expected that he would ally himself with Lie Fan, as they had been considered enemies during He Jin and Lie Fan's rivalry, Chen Qun replied that today enemy can become a friend tomorrow, and today friend can become an enemy tomorrow.

Chen Qun then said that Lie Fan had some gifts he would like to give to Cao Cao, Xu Province's hottest commodity right now which is the Copper Mirror, Soap and Shampoo, and Wine.

Cao Cao nods his head, satisfied with this gift as he has heard about the craze that this thing caused in the upper circle, especially when he was still in Luoyang. He had bought some of the copper mirrors before and tried some of the wine, but this soap and shampoo thing he only heard about.

Next, they discussed the content of the treaty for the military alliance, the discussion went on for about 15 days, Xi Zhicai and Xun Yu debated with Chen Qun and Sun Qian, both wanted the best deal for their lord.

At the end of the fifteen days Chen Qun and Sun Qian were staying in Chenliu, finally, both parties reached an agreement. This day marked the alliance between Cao Cao and Lie Fan, where the future generations will be known as the most powerful alliance in the Three Kingdom era.

Chen Qun and Sun Qian with Ze Rong and the 1,000 guard battalion left Chenliu on the day after the signing of the treaty, Cao Cao, Xi Zhicai, and Xun Yu escorted them out of the city gate.

Seeing the leaving carriage accompanied by Ze Rong and the 1,000 Guard Battalion, Cao Cao shook his head and sighed, lamenting that Lie Fan had talented generals on his side, and now he also had talented advisors which is more important than a general.

He saw the ability of Jia Xu and Xun You along with the young Chen Deng in the war against Dong Zhuo, the three of them were very skilled and talented in their military strategies, especially Xun You who truly lived up to the essence of military tactics.

While Jia Xu is also talented his tactics and strategies are more deeply hidden, and sometimes poisonous doesn't follow the rules of war, which is ironic as in war there is no rule, everything is allowed.

Cao Cao: "Zhicai, Wenruo look at Lie Fan, he has a large number of talented people serving him, Chen Qun and Sun Qian are small parts of the talented people serving him."

Xi Zhicai: "Don't be sad my lord, more talented people will come and serve you in the future, when we usurped Liu Dai, an advisor named Chen Yu will join serve you he is a talented person."

Xun Yu: "My Lord, there are two people I wanted to recommend to you, one is Guo Jia styled Fengxiao was a friend of mine, and the other one was Zhong Yao, Cai Yong's brightest pupil who is living in Henan."

Xi Zhicai: "I have heard of the name of these two men, Zhong Yao is famous in the scholar circle while Guo Jia is more lowkey and somewhat eccentric but I have heard of the evaluation his close friend gave to him."

Xun Yu: "That true, If you ask who is more important, it's Guo Jia due to him being a genius at military strategies and tactics, but he has one weakness like Zhicai, and that is are weak constitution and likes to drink some excessively."

Cao Cao: "Zhicai you have heard what Xun Yu said, reduce the amount of your drinking so that we can be together for a long time."

Xi Zhicai: "On Your command My Lord, I will reduce the amount of my drinking."

In the future, due to Xun Yu reminded Cao Cao to hold Xi Zhicai and Guo Jia from their love of drinking wine excessively, both of them survived their illness and will not pass away like in history, this strengthened Cao Cao's military minds that gathered under him, not losing to Lie Fan early Think Tanks.

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Name: Lie Fan

Title: Three Heroes Who Defeat Lu Bu

Age: 23 (190 AD)

Level: 15

Next Level: 1.588.000

Renown: 600

Cultivation: Yin Yang Separation (level 8)

SP: 656.700

ATTRIBUTE POINTS

STR: 864 (+20)

VIT: 420 (+20)

AGI: 408 (+10)

INT: 415

CHR: 93

WIS: 339

WILL: 237

ATR Points: 0