499. Plan Progress

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The rest of the council murmured their agreement, recognizing the brilliance of Lie Fan's approach. The fragile alliance over Lingling would not last, but with careful maneuvering, Lie Fan and his forces would be there when it inevitably collapsed. They would offer the people of Lingling the stability and leadership they craved, while ensuring that none of the ambitious warlords gained too much power.

Lie Fan's study was once again filled with the murmur of his most trusted advisors. After laying out his plan to subtly destabilize the fragile alliance in Lingling and secure his own position as the region's inevitable leader, he turned his attention to another delicate matter.

His long-standing covert efforts to incorporate the Sun Clan into his growing sphere of influence. The Sun Clan, led by Sun Jian and now Sun Ce, was growing in power and reach, expanding rapidly throughout the southern regions, of course with his help involved here and there as they had become allies since the Anti Dong Zhou Coalition.

Lie Fan had always seen potential in them even in his past lives when he could only see them through novels and video games, especially in Sun Jian's charismatic sons, Sun Ce and Sun Quan, though the latter had always been a point of concern as he was more ambitious and cunning than his older brother and father.

"Wenhe, Zijing, Changwen, Zhongda," Lie Fan began, turning his attention to the four advisors who had been the primary architects of the plan to bring the Sun Clan closer to his camp. "How progresses our effort to quietly weave the Sun Clan into our greater fold?"

Jia Xu, ever the calculating and cautious strategist, was the first to respond. "My lord, the plan is progressing smoothly, perhaps even better than we initially expected. The Sun Clan's rapid expansion in Jiaozhi and the southern parts of Yang Province has brought many noble families from the region to their side." As he said so, Jia Xu stroked his beard before continuing his words.

"This has caused ripples of discontent among the older noble families of Jiangdong, who see the influx of new power players as a threat to their established dominance. The Oriole agents have made contact with many of these dissatisfied nobles, and they are willing to support us when the time comes. They would prefer to see the Sun Clan submit to your rule peacefully rather than through bloodshed, but they also want assurances that the Sun family will not be harmed in any future conflict."

Lie Fan nodded, pleased by the report and the loyalty of Jiangdong nobles to the Sun Clan, whom he had considered his close friends. The discontent among the Jiangdong nobles was something he had anticipated. The Sun Clan's growth, while impressive, had created a delicate imbalance in the region's power structure.

By positioning himself as a mediator, Lie Fan knew he could exploit this unrest to his advantage. The key, however, would be to keep the Sun Clan intact, as the Jiangdong nobles had deep loyalties to their leaders, especially Sun Jian and Sun Ce.

Lu Su, ever the diplomat, followed Jia Xu's report. "Additionally, the diplomatic channels that we've increased between ourselves and the Sun Clan have been most productive. Sun Jian and his eldest son, Sun Ce, genuinely come to see you as a close ally. They speak of you with great respect, and our correspondence has strengthened that bond. While Sun Jian's advisors may still caution him about the dangers of too close a relationship with us, he and Sun Ce have always deeply invested in the idea of a lasting friendship between our two forces, so it was an easy task for our envoys and diplomats."

Lie Fan smiled. Sun Jian's straightforwardness and Sun Ce's boldness made them predictable, at least for now. He had built a strong rapport with the two men, and it was clear they saw him as a friend even a brother rather than a rival. This, however, did not mean he could afford to relax his guard.

Chen Qun, the legal mind of the group, offered his thoughts next. "Our legal and bureaucratic efforts to align the two administrations have also borne fruit, my lord. We've begun to standardize many of the policies between your territories and the Sun Clan's holdings, in secret of course. Ensuring that if and when the time comes for a more formal unification, it will be a smooth process. The nobles in Jiangdong that support you are also aware of this effort, and many see it as a way to stabilize the region and secure their own positions within a more powerful, centralized rule under your leadership in the future."

"That is good news indeed," Lie Fan said, leaning forward. "But what of Sun Jian's advisors? They must see the potential threat that a close alliance with me presents to their independence. Are they likely to turn Sun Jian or Sun Ce against us?"

Sima Yi, who had been silent until now, spoke up. His sharp mind had been analyzing the situation from every angle, and his observations were always to be heeded. "Sun Jian and Sun Ce are loyal brothers to you, my lord, and they see you as a brother-in-arms. However, not everyone in the Sun Clan shares their view. There is one individual who stands out, someone who has been paying close attention to the warnings of Sun Jian and Sun Ce's advisors, which was Sun Quan."

Lie Fan's expression darkened slightly at the mention of Sun Quan. The young man had always been something of an enigma. While Sun Ce was known for his bravery and martial prowess, Sun Quan had shown a more calculating side, excelling in court politics and intrigue. He was still young, but his potential was undeniable.

"Go on," Lie Fan said, his tone serious. For him this was a serious matter, even though he had also built a close rapport with Sun Quan, it didn't mean that Sun Quan's personality would change from what the original timeline had shown.

Sima Yi continued, "Sun Quan may be young, but he is already proving to be a shrewd politician. Unlike his father and brother, he is more cautious and less trusting. He listens closely to the advisors who warn against forming too strong a bond with you."

Sima Yi said, putting several pieces of figures on the table before continuing, "He silently has already begun to position himself as a counterbalance to Sun Ce's more reckless tendencies and has earned the respect of many within the Sun Clan who see him as a stabilizing force for the future, of course, he doesn't want to usurp his older brother but rather to protect him from his reckless tendencies."

Lie Fan sat back, considering Sima Yi's words. Sun Quan's emergence as a political player complicated matters. While Sun Jian and Sun Ce were more easily swayed by friendship and personal loyalty, Sun Quan would be more difficult to bring into the fold. He would have to be approached with caution.

"Do you believe Sun Quan will become a threat to our plans?" Lie Fan asked, his eyes narrowing.

Sima Yi shook his head. "Not immediately, my lord. Sun Quan is still young, and while he is intelligent, he lacks the experience to act independently of his father and brother. However, he is someone we must watch closely. As he grows in influence, he could become a voice of opposition within the Sun Clan, urging them to reconsider their relationship with us. We should take steps to ensure that, while Sun Jian and Sun Ce remain loyal, Sun Quan does not grow too powerful too quickly."

Jia Xu, ever the pragmatist, nodded in agreement. "We should also consider how we might bring Sun Quan closer to us, rather than letting him become a thorn in our side. He is ambitious and clever—perhaps we could offer him a role or responsibility that aligns his interests with ours. If we can make him see that working with us is to his advantage, he might become an ally rather than an obstacle."

Lie Fan thought carefully about the advice he had received. The situation with the Sun Clan was growing more complex, but it also presented significant opportunities.

Sun Jian and Sun Ce were already well within his orbit, but Sun Quan represented a new challenge because he knew that in the original timeline, Sun Quan had betrayed both Liu Bei and Cao Cao easily for their expansion of the Sun Clan, which shows that personal friendship matters not to him who was very practical, even family bonds could also be sacrificed like how he married his sister, Sun Shangxiang, to Liu Bei.

Lie Fan remained silent for a moment, the weight of the conversation settling in his mind. Sun Quan's rising influence within the Sun Clan was a matter of concern, but his potential as an ally could not be dismissed. After a deep sigh, he turned to his advisors.

"We will proceed with the plan as outlined," Lie Fan finally said, his voice measured. "Continue fostering our ties with Sun Jian and Sun Ce. But keep a close watch on Sun Quan. I don't want any harm to come to him, but we must subtly shift his mindset. Guide him away from the influence of Zhang Zhao, Zhang Hong, and Huan Jie. If we can bring him into our fold, or at the very least neutralize his opposition, we will secure our position with the Sun Clan for the long term."

His advisors cupped their hands in unison, acknowledging his orders. Jia Xu, Lu Su, Chen Qun, and Sima Yi exchanged glances, each already formulating the next steps in their minds. With Lie Fan's directives clear, the meeting began to wind down.

However, Lie Fan's thoughts lingered on the challenge posed by Sun Quan. The young man was sharp, ambitious, and potentially the key to either solidifying or unraveling the entire alliance with the Sun Clan. If left unchecked, Sun Quan's cautious nature and growing influence could steer the Sun family away from Lie Fan's orbit.

But for now, Lie Fan trusted his advisors to handle the delicate balance of pushing Sun Quan toward a more favorable stance without provoking open hostility. He also knew that patience and subtlety would be crucial in dealing with the future ruler of Jiangdong.

As the council dispersed, Lie Fan stood by the window, staring out over Xiapi. The plans were progressing well, but as always, the tides of war and politics could shift in unexpected ways. His mind turned to other matters, particularly the Sun family's current situation.

Far to the south, near the town of Wu in Lie Fan's domain, Sun Ce, accompanied by his best friend and strategist Zhou Yu, made their way through a bustling town.

Their destination was the residence of Qiao Xuan, the father of the Qiao Sisters—Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao. The two women had captivated the hearts of Sun Ce and Zhou Yu, respectively, and they were determined to win the favor of Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao respectively after their first meeting.

Sun Ce, a man of action, had always been more at home on the battlefield than in the refined world of courtship, but this was different. He had never felt this way about anyone before, and his friendship with Zhou Yu only strengthened his resolve to pursue this path.

The two men were well-matched in their boldness and charm, and they shared a deep bond that had carried them through many campaigns together. Both now found themselves in an unfamiliar territory, which was love.

They had brought with them lavish gifts: jewelry, rare artifacts, fine antiques, exquisite tapestries, and artistic masterpieces from across the land. It was not simply a gesture of wealth, but a sincere expression of their respect and admiration for the Qiao family. They knew that winning the hearts of the Qiao Sisters would also require the approval of their father, Qiao Xuan who truly cherished his two daughters.

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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