536. Lie Fan Received Reports Concerning The Sun Clan & Oriole Network Goguryeo

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To Sun Ce, the cooperation with Lie Fan was a golden opportunity—one that could provide immediate security and open up new avenues for expansion. He admired Lie Fan's strength and had seen firsthand how effectively he commanded his forces and governed his territories. Sun Ce believed that this alliance could catapult the Sun Clan into greater prominence, sparing them the need to fight endless battles for survival.

Still, Sun Ce understood why his father had made the decision to postpone. Even though he wasn't known for his political acumen, he realized that consulting with their supporters back in the capital was the right move.

Any sudden decision, especially one that involved something as monumental as swearing allegiance to another warlord, could easily cause unrest within their ranks. The Sun Clan's retainers and generals had served with the understanding that they were fighting for their own sovereignty.

If the family leadership decided to enter into such an agreement with Lie Fan without broad support, it could lead to internal dissent, or worse, rebellion.

Sun Ce's dissatisfaction was tempered by this understanding. He recognized that uniting the Sun Clan's supporters was key to ensuring that whatever decision was made, it would not tear the family apart.

He still held hope that, once the discussions were held, the majority would see the wisdom in aligning with Lie Fan. For Sun Ce, the future was bright, filled with potential if they could secure such a powerful ally for the Sun Family.

With that, the meeting concluded, and each man left the chamber with his own thoughts. Zhou Yu and Huan Jie went to work immediately, drafting letters to key Sun Clan retainers and supporters back in the capital.

Their goal was to frame the situation carefully, ensuring that when the council was convened, they would have the necessary support to make an informed decision.

Cheng Pu and Han Dang, meanwhile, set about quietly organizing the Sun Clan's forces in Xiapi, ensuring that they could leave swiftly if the need arose. They would not be caught unprepared if Lie Fan grew impatient or if the negotiations turned sour.

As for Sun Ce, he remained with his father for a moment longer. He looked at Sun Jian, who was deep in thought, and spoke quietly. "Father, I understand why we're taking this route, but I believe in Brother Lie Fan's vision. I think this cooperation could be the key to everything we've been fighting for."

Sun Jian glanced at his son, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "I know, Bofu. But we must tread carefully. Ambition is a double-edged sword. Lie Fan is a powerful ally, but we cannot afford to lose sight of what makes the Sun Clan strong. We will make our decision when the time is right."

Sun Ce nodded, though the fire in his eyes did not dim. "I trust you, Father. Whatever you decide, I'll be ready."

With that, Sun Ce left his father's side, his mind still racing with thoughts of the future. The path ahead was uncertain, but he was determined to see the Sun Clan have a safe and bright future, whether with Lie Fan or on their own path.

Unknown to Sun Jian, Sun Ce, and their retainers, Oriole agents had been lurking in the shadows throughout their entire meeting. Silent and invisible, these highly trained spies listened carefully, capturing every word and noting the subtlest of gestures.

The Oriole agents had been dispatched specifically for this task, well aware that Sun Jian's decision would significantly impact the balance of power in the region.

The agents recorded everything—the initial reluctance of Zhou Yu and Huan Jie, the proud defiance of Cheng Pu and Han Dang, and the quiet yet fervent optimism of Sun Ce. They understood the gravity of the situation and took meticulous care in documenting the nuanced details of the conversation.

After the meeting concluded, they moved swiftly and discreetly to send their report back to Lie Fan. Within hours, the detailed letter was in Lie Fan's hands.

Lie Fan, upon receiving the report, was in the midst of another crucial discussion with his advisors, Jia Xu and Wang Yi. The three were gathered to review a recent report from Xu Kai, detailing the rapid expansion of Oriole's intelligence network in Goguryeo.

Xu Kai's agents had successfully infiltrated a wide range of sectors within Goguryeo's domain, reaching into both civil and military institutions. The speed at which Oriole had penetrated the administrative structure of Goguryeo was nothing short of remarkable, and it was clear that Lie Fan's intelligence apparatus was becoming a formidable force in the region.

As the meeting progressed, an Oriole agent handed Lie Fan the letter, and he immediately recognized its importance. He excused himself briefly, opened the letter, and scanned the contents carefully.

A small smile played across his lips as he read, satisfied to know that Sun Ce supported his vision wholeheartedly, while Sun Jian, though cautious, was clearly giving the offer serious consideration.

Lie Fan looked up from the letter, his sharp eyes glinting with satisfaction as he turned to his advisors. "It seems the Sun Clan is not as divided as we might have feared. Sun Ce is fully on board, and though Sun Jian is cautious, he too understands the value of our proposal. They are taking time to consult with their supporters, but from what I've gathered, they will not reject us outright. This is good news."

Jia Xu, ever the strategist, nodded slowly, his mind already working through the implications. "Sun Jian's caution is to be expected. He is a seasoned leader, and he knows the importance of rallying his supporters before making such a monumental decision. However, the fact that Sun Ce is fully supportive of the cooperation gives us a strong advantage. If Sun Ce pushes for cooperation, it will be difficult for the more conservative elements in the Sun Clan to oppose it."

Wang Yi, who had been studying the situation with keen interest, spoke up next. "We must keep a close watch on the Sun Clan's internal deliberations. If they sense any weakness or hesitation from us, it could embolden those who oppose the cooperation. I suggest we continue to engage with them, but we should be careful not to appear overly eager. Let them come to us on their own terms, and when they do, we will be in a position of strength."

Lie Fan considered her words carefully. "Agreed. We will maintain our position, but we won't push them too hard. Sun Jian values strength and loyalty, and we must show that while we offer cooperation, we are not dependent on it. If they believe that refusing us will lead to conflict, they may grow more cautious in their opposition."

Jia Xu, always keen on subtlety, added, "We should also make sure that the Sun Clan knows we have other options. They must understand that while we value this alliance, we do not need them. We are offering them a chance to be part of something larger, but they are not the only family we could turn to."

Lie Fan nodded. "Indeed. Let them see that while we offer partnership, we are more than capable of standing on our own. That will force their hand, especially if Sun Jian's supporters begin to fear that rejecting us could leave them vulnerable."

The conversation shifted back to the developments in Goguryeo. Xu Kai's report had detailed the Oriole network's swift expansion, which now covered nearly the entirety of Goguryeo's domain.

Oriole agents had managed to infiltrate nearly all levels of the local bureaucracy, from middle-ranking officials to military officers. This level of intelligence penetration was unprecedented, and it gave Lie Fan an incredible advantage in the region.

Wang Yi, who had been particularly involved in overseeing the expansion of the Oriole network, spoke with a sense of pride in her voice. "Our reach in Goguryeo is unparalleled. With the level of information we now have, we can predict their movements, their strategies, and even their political decisions before they happen. If we choose to act in that region, we will have a significant edge."

Jia Xu, ever cautious, raised a hand. "This is excellent progress, but we must not become overconfident. The Goguryeo kingdom is vast, and while we have made great strides, we cannot afford to underestimate the resilience of their rulers. We must continue to expand our network and secure key individuals who can provide even more critical intelligence."

Lie Fan leaned forward, his fingers drumming lightly on the table. "What is the status of our deeper infiltrations into Goguryeo's military? We need to know their plans and strategies if we are to ever make a move against them."

Wang Yi responded immediately, "We've begun infiltrating their military hierarchy, but the process is slower than with the civilian administration. The military is more tightly controlled, and the officers are more suspicious of outsiders. That said, we've already established contact with several mid-ranking officers, and from them, we're beginning to gather valuable information about troop movements and strategic planning."

Jia Xu added, "This is crucial. If we can continue to feed them misinformation or delay their decision-making processes, we can weaken their military response in the event of conflict. The key here is patience. The more we know, the more we can control the outcome."

Lie Fan was satisfied with the direction of the conversation. "Excellent work, both of you. The Oriole network is one of our most valuable assets. We must continue to strengthen it, not just in Goguryeo but across all the territories we wish to influence."

He glanced again at the letter from the Oriole agents regarding the Sun Clan and smiled once more. "As for Sun Jian and Sun Ce, we will watch and wait. If they decide to cooperate, we will welcome them with open arms. If they refuse… well, we will be prepared for that eventuality as well."

The meeting concluded with each of them tasked with furthering their individual responsibilities. Jia Xu would continue to refine their strategy regarding the Sun Clan and Goguryeo, ensuring that they had multiple plans in place depending on how things unfolded.

Wang Yi would focus on the expansion of the Oriole network, deepening their infiltration in Goguryeo while maintaining their existing operations across other regions.

As Lie Fan watched them leave, he turned his attention back to the Sun Clan. He knew that Sun Ce's enthusiasm and Sun Jian's cautious wisdom could serve him well, but he was not blind to the risks.

If Sun Jian decided to reject the offer, it could lead to war, a war that Lie Fan knew he would be ready to fight if it came to that though reluctantly.

But for now, patience and subtlety would be his greatest weapons. He would let the Sun Clan deliberate, and when the time was right, he would act. For now, the future was filled with possibility, and Lie Fan would make sure that whatever the outcome, it would be one that strengthened his position and brought him one step closer to unifying the fractured land under his rule.

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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