533. Lie Fan & The Sun Clan's Leader Duo Discussion

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The people of Xiapi, having heard rumors of the Sun Clan's arrival, lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the famed family. Sun Jian and Sun Ce rode at the head of the procession, their commanding presence unmistakable even from a distance. Behind them followed the rest of the Sun family inside their carriage, including Sun Quan, Sun Shangxiang, and their close retainers.

As they entered the city, the streets erupted in cheers and excitement. The people of Xiapi, well aware of the Sun Clan's formidable reputation, were eager to see their arrival as a sign of unity between the two great families.

Lie Fan stood at the steps of his residence, surrounded by his closest advisors and family members. His mother, Yu Yan, and his wives, Diao Chan, Cai Wenji, Ying Yue, and Lu Lingqi, were present to greet the Sun Clan personally. It was an important moment—one that signaled not just friendship but a potential deeper alliance between two powerful families.

As the Sun Clan's procession came to a halt before the Lie Clan's residence, Sun Jian and Sun Ce dismounted and approached Lie Fan. The two men exchanged respectful bows, though their familiarity with each other was evident in the warmth of their smiles.

"Brother Lie Fan," Sun Ce greeted with a broad smile. "It is good to see you again."

Lie Fan clasped Sun Ce's forearm in greeting. "Bofu, it has been far too long. Welcome to Xiapi, my friend. And, of course, my respects to you as well, Brother Wentai, I haven't seen you in a long time."

Sun Jian nodded, his deep voice resonating as he spoke. "Brother Lie Fan, you have built a magnificent city. It is an honor to be here and to celebrate with you."

After the initial pleasantries were exchanged, Lie Fan led the Sun Clan toward the mansion that had been prepared for them. As they walked through the streets of Xiapi, Sun Jian and Sun Ce could not help but notice the prosperity of the city.

The people were well-dressed, the markets bustling with trade, and the infrastructure showed signs of recent expansion. Xiapi was thriving under Lie Fan's rule, and it was clear to them that their ally had built something truly impressive.

When they arrived at the mansion, the Sun family was taken aback by its grandeur. The property was spacious, beautifully decorated, and equipped with every luxury they could imagine. The servants stood ready to attend to their every need, and the furnishings were fit for royalty.

"Brother Lie Fan," Sun Ce said with admiration, "this is too much. You have truly outdone yourself."

Lie Fan smiled, placing a hand on Sun Ce's shoulder. "Nothing is too much for my friends. I want you and your family to feel at home here in Xiapi."

Sun Jian, ever the pragmatic warrior, looked around and nodded in approval. "You honor us with this gift, Brother Lie Fan. We are grateful for your hospitality."

As the Sun Clan settled into their new residence, Lie Fan's strategy was already beginning to unfold. By providing them with such lavish accommodations, he was not only demonstrating his wealth and power but also laying the foundation for a deeper bond between their families.

Over the next few days, he would make every effort to strengthen this relationship, knowing that if he could gain the loyalty of the Sun Clan, it would significantly bolster his influence.

In the days leading up to the grand celebration, Xiapi was abuzz with activity. Preparations for the event continued, but Lie Fan's focus remained on his guests.

He invited Sun Jian and Sun Ce to several private meetings, where they discussed not only the upcoming festivities but also matters of military strategy, governance, and the future of the fractured land and further cooperation between the two clans.

During one such meeting, Lie Fan broached the topic he had been carefully preparing for. "Bofu, Brother Wentai, our two families have stood side by side for many years now. We have fought together, supported each other, and built strong ties of friendship. But I believe that we could accomplish even more if we were united under a single banner."

Sun Ce, intrigued but also feeling some little dread, leaned forward. "What do you mean, Brother Lie Fan?"

Lie Fan smiled, choosing his words carefully. "The land is fractured, and though we each govern our territories, there is strength in unity. Imagine what we could achieve if the Sun Clan and the Lie Clan were to forge into an even tighter bond—not just as friends, but as brothers-in-arms working under one banner, bound by a common cause. Together, we could carve out a place for ourselves in this tumultuous era, secure our families' futures, and bring stability to the lands we control."

Sun Jian remained silent, considering the proposition. He had long respected Lie Fan and thought of him as his own brother, but such a formal alliance would mean much more than friendship—it would be a commitment to a shared destiny.

While Sun Jian remained silent, deep in thought, Sun Ce was immediately attracted to the notion presented by Lie Fan. His eyes lit up with excitement, but at the same time, a hint of confusion crept into his mind. He leaned forward, eager to understand more, and asked, "Brother Lie Fan, this idea of unity under one banner—are you saying that the Sun Clan would serve under the Lie Clan? Or would it be the other way around?"

Lie Fan had anticipated this question. He maintained his cordial smile, his voice calm and measured as he responded. "Bofu, I appreciate your directness, and I understand your concern. What I propose is not servitude, but an alliance of strength. The Sun Clan, under my leadership, would swear allegiance to me. In return, I offer you more than just protection and support.

"Aside from a few changes in military command, everything else is open to negotiation. You would retain control over your lands, your people, and your family's honor would be upheld. This is not a demand but an invitation to join me in shaping the future of this land, together."

Lie Fan's words were carefully chosen, carrying both the weight of authority and the warmth of friendship. He didn't want to make Sun Ce or Sun Jian feel like they were being forced into a corner. Instead, he wanted them to see this as an opportunity—a way to ensure their family's security and prosperity in an era filled with uncertainty.

Sun Ce, whose sense of loyalty and admiration for Lie Fan had only grown over the years, felt a surge of emotion at these words. He was moved by the sincerity in Lie Fan's tone, and the idea of fighting side by side with his closest friend to shape the future of the land was deeply appealing to him.

For Sun Ce, who had always valued strength and honor, the thought of pledging allegiance to a man like Lie Fan, who had never given him reason to doubt his intentions, felt natural.

But at the same time, a part of him hesitated. He couldn't shake the feeling that swearing allegiance would mean the Sun Clan giving up their autonomy, their independence. "Brother Lie Fan," Sun Ce began, his voice tentative, "if we pledge our allegiance, does that mean we lose our ability to command our own armies? Would the Sun Clan's power be diminished?"

Lie Fan shook his head slightly, his expression sympathetic. "Bofu, I understand your concerns. I would not ask the Sun Clan to give up its power without careful consideration. What I propose is a shared command structure where I, as your sworn ally, take on the mantle of leadership. However, your family and your trusted retainers would still hold considerable authority within your lands. Your armies would remain intact, though they would ultimately answer to me in times when I needed them and everything else open for negotiation. This is not about diminishing the Sun Clan's power but rather consolidating it with mine to create a force that can squash any other warlord or regional power."

As Lie Fan's words sank in, Sun Ce found himself deeply touched by the gesture. He had known Lie Fan for years, and never once had his friend shown anything but loyalty and kindness toward him and his family.

The idea that Lie Fan would go to such lengths to avoid conflict between their two clans was heartwarming. Sun Ce's admiration for Lie Fan only grew, and he felt a strong desire to see their two families united under a single banner.

But unlike Sun Ce, Sun Jian's thoughts were more calculated. He, too, was moved by Lie Fan's gesture, but his years of experience as a warrior and leader had taught him the importance of considering every angle before making such a monumental decision.

Sun Jian understood that aligning with Lie Fan in this manner was not as simple as swearing allegiance. It would require careful negotiation, and more importantly, the support of the Sun Clan's retainers and allies.

"Brother Lie Fan," Sun Jian finally spoke, his deep voice carrying the weight of his authority and experience. "I appreciate the thoughtfulness of your proposal, and I believe you are sincere in your offer. However, I must consider the broader implications. Our family is not just bound by blood, but by the loyalty of our retainers and the people of our territories. For this cooperation to work, we would need the consent of not only our family but the approval of the commanders and subordinates who have fought alongside us. A sudden move toward submission might create unrest and potentially weaken our position if not handled carefully."

Lie Fan nodded in agreement, his respect for Sun Jian growing with each passing moment. He understood that Sun Jian's caution was not out of distrust, but out of wisdom. "Brother Wentai, you are right to be cautious. I would never ask you to make such a decision without consulting your most trusted advisors and commanders. My hope is that through this grand celebration, you and your family can see the strength and unity that Xiapi represents, and in time, I believe that your retainers and allies will see the benefit of such cooperation."

Sun Jian stroked his beard thoughtfully. He knew that Lie Fan's proposal was tempting. Aligning with Lie Fan would secure the Sun Clan's future and grant them protection against other ambitious warlords. But Sun Jian also knew that the Sun Clan's power was deeply tied to the loyalty of their generals and soldiers. If this move was perceived as surrendering too much power, it could cause fractures within their ranks.

"Brother Lie Fan," Sun Jian said, his voice measured, "I trust you as a brother. But we must approach this carefully. The Sun Clan has stood strong because of the loyalty and respect of our retainers. We must ensure that they understand the advantages of this alliance, or else we risk internal dissent."

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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