248. Lu Bu's Messenger Arrive At Xiapi

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Lie Fan and Sheng Xian's retainers and advisors withdrew to a respectful distance, while the two lords began their discussion. Sheng Xian's retainers were grumbling that Sheng Xian decided this all by himself, while Jia Xu and Xun You were conversing by themselves about how this was a great opportunity for Lie Fan.

Jia Xu and Xun You were the most surprised people in the room after Lie Fan, even Sheng Xian's retainer level of shock isn't as high as theirs which speaks volumes for Sheng Xian's surprising decision.

If Sheng Xian truly becomes a tributary to Lie Fan and even submits to him in the future, that means Yang Province was split around 50-50 between the Sun Clan and Lie Fan himself of course that doesn't mean Sheng Xian isn't a threat to Lei Fan's stability.

Sheng Xian is determined to become Lie Fan's tributary but that doesn't mean that his retainer would agree to his decision, and the chance of them betraying Sheng Xian and the chance of them causing sabotage is high.

So while Lie Fana and Sheng Xian are discussing the terms of Sheng Xian's proposal, Jia Xu and Xun You are appeasing Sheng Xian's retainers while evaluating who can be converted to their side and who cannot.

The one who can be converted to Lie Fan side will hold the same position they have at Sheng Xian's government, controlling and overseeing Sheng Xian's governance through the people that they placed.

On the other hand, the ones that they can't convert or show signs of betraying Sheng Xian by running away to serve other Lords other than Lie Fan will be eliminated by them through the Oriole machinations.

This is to ensure the safety of Lie Fan's rear, as Lie Fan's focus could be shifted to the north or west which leaves his south vulnerable, even though there's an alliance with Sun Jian they can't only rely on Sun Jian.

If Sheng Xian suddenly decided to pull back on his words and attack Lie Fan's domain in Yang Province, at least the people who he thought served him and were loyal to him had switched sides with Lie Fan ages ago.

On the other side of the room, Lie Fan and Sheng Xian are discussing the terms of Sheng Xian's proposal with utmost seriousness radiating from the two of them.

The reason why Lie Fan doesn't have Jia Xu and Xun You to accompany him in discussing this kind of matter is that he wants them to appease Sheng Xian's retainers, and with their ingenuity, they will definitely investigate which of Sheng Xian's retainer can join his side.

Lie Fan: "Brother Sheng Xian, since you wanted to become a tributary for my force and a possible submission that will definitely happen in the future, there are some conditions that I would like you to hold."

Sheng Xian: "Of Course Brother Lie Fan please tell me what kind of condition you have for me, and I will try my best to fulfill those conditions."

Lie Fan: "I have three conditions, Brother Sheng Xian, first since you have become my tributary that means your military power will be abolished and the control of your army will be relinquished to me of course you still control your personal unit, second your diplomatic relations with other Loeds must pass through me, and lastly the tributes you need to pay is not much only 30% from you annual harvest and taxes."

Sheng Xian: "For numbers two and three I agree, but for number one I don't think I can completely abolish my Army because then my generals will definitely protest and my advisors will also object, I personally also feel that it was unnecessary to abolish it entirely."

Lie Fan: "The abolishment of your Army doesn't need to be done immediately, you can do it in 5 years slowly dismantling them, and as for you generals and advisor don't worry I will help you persuade them."

Sheng Xian: "If it's like that I can reluctantly agree, at least I have an army in the next 5 years to defend myself even though being dismantled slowly, well then I agree with all of your conditions I also have some conditions, Brother Lie Fan."

Lie Fan: "Of Course Brother Sheng Xian please tell me what your condition is."

Sheng Xian: "It's some simple condition really, I want a position for me to continue overseeing the domain I have under me in the future when I joined under your rule, some sort of special Grand Administrator, and the other one my clan is guaranteed a position In you future Imperial Council."

Lie Fan thought that Sheng Xian's condition would be very demanding, but it turns out it just created a special title and a guaranteed position in his Imperial Council, which was an easy thing to do for Lie Fan.

Showing a bright and amiable smile, Lie Fan agrees to the condition that Sheng Xian put forward and guarantees that he will do so in the future.

To make the agreement between the two of them official, Lie Fan called Jia Xu to bring a pen and paper to write down their respective condition and that they agreed with the conditions that were written down according to their previous discussion.

Looking at the Lie Fan, Sheng Xian, and Jia Xu positions on the other side of the room, many of Sheng Xian's retainer who have been approached by both Jia Xu and Xun You can't wait for their new position, while the one who doesn't approached by them respected Sheng Xian for doing this agreement.

While a historic agreement has been made in Yang Province between Lie Fan and Sheng Xian, far away in Beihai Lu Bu and Chen Gong are having a meeting to decide who will become the envoy they send to Xiapi.

Lu Bu and Chen Gong realize that in terms of rhetoric skills the talents serving Lu Bu, Chen Gong is the best while Zhang Miao is the second after Chen Gong, but the problem is only the two of them are capable enough to run Qing Province as a whole.

That's why Zhang Miao was left behind at Beihai during the battle between Lu Bu against Cao and Liu Bei, to handle the Qing Province administration, and now that Chen Gong is back he took over that job.

So after some careful consideration from Chen Gong, he suggested to Lu Bu that Zhang Miao become the envoy they send alongside Xu Si as the second envoy, and Cheng Lian alongside Hao Meng be their escort.

Since time is not truly on their side, Lu Bu immediately agrees to Chen Gong's suggestion and sends an order for Zhang Miao, Xu Si, Cheng Lian, and Hao Meng to prepare themselves and the things they need for their journey to Xiapi as his envoy.

Receiving the order, the four of them immediately prepared the necessities they needed, and Cheng Lian alongside Hao Meng also prepared their unit which they would lead to escort Zhang Miao and Xu Si.

As their supplies secured and the troops assembled, the entourage set forth on the journey to Xiapi, traversing through Beihai County full of cautiousness located at the heart of the conflict between Lu Bu giants Cao Cao and Liu Bei right now.

Weeks passed in a relentless procession, nearly a month of travel passed by in the blink of an eye before they saw the silhouette of Xiapi's walls emerge on the horizon. Exhausted yet determined, Zhang Miao, Xu Si, Cheng Lian, and Hao Meng approached the city gates alongside their unit.

To their surprise, awaiting them at the gate of Xiapi were Zhu Jun and Huangfu Song, appointed as Xiapi's Protector by Lie Fan when he left Xiapi for the second time after the birth of Yanyan and Mingming.

Their presence stood as a testament to the significance of Lu Bu's envoy, as Zhu Jun and Huangfu Song had a high amount of reputation, especially amongst people who participated in the Yellow Turbans Rebellion battle.

Zhang Miao himself participated in the battle alongside Cao Cao, so he knew who these two people were so he was surprised and his surprised face was seen by both Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun.

Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun received them warmly, escorting them toward Xiapi's Governor Castle, while inwardly they lamented how none of the people in the land would ever know the reason for Lie Fan and his retainers always waiting for the incoming envoy due to Oriole's extensive Intelligence network.

As they arrived at Xiapi's Governor Castle entrance, the distinguished figures of Chen Gui, Chen Qun, and Liu Ye stood in welcome. Formal greetings were exchanged between the two parties, and then with Chen Gui taking the lead, they proceeded to the main hall to have their talks there.

The entourage then proceeded towards the main hall of Xiapi's Governor Castle, the air was charged with anticipation as they settled into the hall, Chen Qun led the conversation asking about the purpose of Zhang Miao and his companions' arrival in Xiapi.

Chen Qun: "Master Zhang Miao and the others, since formal greetings have been exchanged outside, let me cut to the chase and ask you what the reason for Lu Bu's envoy coming to Xiapi?"

Zhang Miao: "Master Chen Qun doesn't spare any time to discuss the main topic, alright then the reason why we were sent here to Xiapi is to possibly meet with Lord Lie Fan and have an alliance between My Lord and Lord Lie Fan established against the threat of Cao Cao and Liu Bei."

Liu Ye: "Oh? The Threat of Cao Cao and Liu Bei? Our Lord doesn't have any enmity against either Cao Cao or Liu Bei, they were even close friends at one point and we are allied with Cao Cao, so I don't see any threat the two of them have except for Lord Lu Bu."

Xu Si: "It may so Master Liu Ye, but the moment My Lord was defeated by both Cao Cao and Liu Bei, the next target would surely be Lord Lie Fan for Lord Cao Cao to unify the central plain to fight against Yuan Shao in the north."

Chen Gui: "The words that was said by Master Xu Si has some truth, but My Lord isn't afraid of Cao Cao and Liu Bei, we have Lord Sun Jian as our ally and I'm sure that both Cao Cao and Liu Bei will think twice before truly attacking My Lord."

The rhetoric that was given by Chen Gui checkmated Zhang Miao and Xu Si stopping them from taking a moment, the two of them exchanged glances talking with each other mentally while Chen Gui, Chen Qun, and Liu Ye doing this for formality to put up a front that they Lie Fan's retainers doesn't interested in supporting their motion of alliance between Lu Bu and Lie Fan.

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Name: Lie Fan

Title: Three Heroes Who Defeat Lu Bu

Age: 27 (194 AD)

Level: 15

Next Level: 938.000

Renown: 645

Cultivation: Yin Yang Separation (level 9)

SP: 571.700

ATTRIBUTE POINTS

STR: 906 (+20)

VIT: 598 (+20)

AGI: 583 (+10)

INT: 587

CHR: 93

WIS: 509

WILL: 397

ATR Points: 0