497. The Lingling's Agreement Between Three Warlords

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Tension crackled between the three men, though they maintained their outward veneer of politeness. The fall of Lingling had been a joint effort, but now that the time had come to reap the rewards, it was clear that each faction had its own priorities. The treasury of the Cai family was said to be vast, filled with gold, jewels, and precious artifacts collected over decades of rule. Control over such wealth could provide the necessary resources to bolster armies, fund new campaigns, and strengthen alliances.

Kuai Yue, sensing the growing strain between the other two representatives, stepped forward, speaking in a tone meant to calm the situation. "We must remember that we are allies in this, not rivals. Lingling may have fallen, but there is still much work to be done. The people need leadership, and we cannot allow our divisions to undermine the peace we have fought so hard to achieve."

Kuai Yue said to calm Zhu Ran and Hua Bao before continuing to say, "I propose that we convene after the trial to discuss the matter of the Cai family's treasury in a more private setting, away from the eyes of the court and the people. Let us approach this matter with wisdom and foresight, as befits our respective lords."

Zhu Ran and Hua Bao exchanged glances, their expressions neutral, though it was clear that neither man was entirely satisfied with Kuai Yu's suggestion. However, both knew that a public argument would do them no favors, especially not with the eyes of the public upon them.

"Very well," Zhu Ran said, his voice laced with reluctant agreement. "We shall discuss this matter further in private. But let us not forget the sacrifices made by our men in this campaign. The Sun Clan expects to receive the rewards according to the contributions it had made."

Hua Bao nodded in agreement, though his smile did not reach his eyes. "Indeed. We shall settle this matter as civilized men. After all, the future of Lingling and the entire Cai Clan's former domain depends on our cooperation."

With the matter temporarily set aside, the three representatives turned their attention back to the courtroom, where the final proceedings of the trial were wrapping up.

Lady Cai, bound and flanked by guards, was led out of the chamber, her face pale but unyielding. She would face her execution with the same pride that had defined her status, refusing to beg or plead for her life as she had list meaning to live.

Liu Cong, on the other hand, remained slumped in his seat, his face twisted in despair as he contemplated the ruin of his young life not having any achievement made and will only be remembered as the puppet of the Cai Clan, and one of the Lingling Massacre originator for allowing it to happen.

As the courtroom began to empty, Kuai Yu, Hua Bao, and Zhu Ran made their way to a private chamber, where they could speak more freely. Once the doors were closed, the masks of civility began to slip.

"I will not mince words," Zhu Ran began, crossing his arms as he leaned against the wall. "The Sun Clan expects a substantial share of the Cai family's wealth. We have no interest in playing second fiddle to either of your lords. We led the charge, and we deserve the lion's share."

Hua Bao, ever the scholar, sat calmly, folding his hands in his lap. "You speak of entitlement, General Zhu, but let us not forget that it was Shi Xie's forces that allowed this siege to succeed. Our contribution was equal, if not greater, than that of the Sun Clan. We have no intention of being sidelined in this discussion."

Kuai Yue, sensing that the conversation was veering toward conflict, raised a hand. "Gentlemen, we cannot allow greed to cloud our judgment. The wealth of the Cai family is great, but it is finite. We must consider the future. Lingling must be governed, its people must be cared for, and its resources must be allocated wisely. If we allow our factions to descend into infighting, we risk losing everything we've gained."

Zhu Ran narrowed his eyes. "And who do you propose should govern Lingling, Master Kuai Yue? Liu Bei? Should we simply hand over the city to your lord and walk away with whatever scraps you deem appropriate for us?"

Kuai Yu smiled politely, though his eyes were sharp. "I suggest we govern it together, as allies. A council, representing the interests of all three factions, with equal say in the management of the city and its resources. That way, no single faction can dominate, and we can avoid unnecessary conflict and create a neutral territory between our domains."

Hua Bao stroked his beard thoughtfully. "An interesting proposition. It would ensure stability, at least for the time being. But such an arrangement would require a great deal of trust—something that is often in short supply in times of war and chaos at these times."

The room fell into silence as the three men considered their next moves. Each of them knew that the fate of Lingling and its treasures hung in the balance, and while they spoke of cooperation, their minds were already working toward their own ends. The trial of Lady Cai had been a spectacle of justice, but the true battle for Lingling was only just beginning.

Kuai Yue's proposal lingered in the air long after the men had left the chamber. The idea of shared governance—a council with equal power over Lingling's wealth and resources—was one that could ensure stability in the short term, but everyone knew it was a fragile arrangement, one built on mutual distrust rather than unity.

Hua Bao and Zhu Ran had both given their reluctant agreements to take the proposal back to their respective lords, but it was clear that the seeds of discord had already been sown.

As the days passed, letters were dispatched to Liu Bei, Shi Xie, and Sun Jian, each of the warlords awaiting word from their envoys on how to proceed with the division of Lingling's spoils. And it wasn't long before the responses began to trickle back.

When Kuai Yue's report reached Liu Bei, the famously benevolent leader was far from pleased. He had trusted Kuai Yue to represent his interests in the negotiations, but the idea of shared governance with warlords like Shi Xie and the Sun Clan was an affront to Liu Bei's vision for power and control of the land.

Kuai Yue's suggestion seemed weak, naive even, and Liu Bei's temper flared as he read the proposal because, inside his heart, he felt that Kuai Yue was trying to sabotage his effort to become Emperor of the land.

"Does he think we are equals with the likes of Shi Xie and the Sun Clan? Does Master Kuai Yue have become a fool after going to the frontline?" Liu Bei snapped, not hiding his disdain for Kuai Yue as his voice cold with restrained anger as he spoke to his head of advisors, Kuai Liang in Xiangyang Governor's Castle.

Kuai Liang, even though offended by the words used to describe his brother, still nodded thoughtfully. "The proposal of a shared council might appear reasonable, my lord, but I agree that it does not suit your long-term plans. You have always desired to rule with benevolence and justice. To share Lingling with those who do not hold such principles would tarnish your name."

Liu Bei clenched his fist, realizing that he had offended Kuai Liang and after a few moments, his anger subsided into a more familiar mask of righteousness. "You are right, Master Kuai Liang. Then we must agree to these councils—on the surface. I'm willing to share governance for the sake of the people of Lingling but such matter would not bore well in the future. So, we will continue to strengthen our own forces, and when the time is right, we will act to secure Lingling fully under our control."

Kuai Liang nodded his head and was pleased that Liu Bei had given such a suggestion, "I agree with this move, my lord. This will give us the chance to win the people of Lingling to our side. If we present ourselves as their protectors, as those who truly care for their welfare, they may turn to us willingly. In time, the city's loyalty could shift entirely in our favor."

Liu Bei nodded, a smile forming on his lips as his plan solidified. "Yes. We will play the long game. For now, we agree to this council. But make no mistake—the people of Lingling come first and then the town second."

In the far south, when Hua Bao's letter reached Shi Xie, the response was more tempered. Shi Xie was not a man driven by ideals or personal vendettas. He was pragmatic, concerned more with maintaining his power in the southern provinces and ensuring a steady flow of wealth. As he read Hua Bao's account of the proposal, he stroked his beard thoughtfully.

"A shared governance of Lingling..." he mused aloud to his advisors, his voice calm and measured. "It is not an ideal arrangement, but it has its benefits. We do not need to rule Lingling directly, only to ensure that we receive a fair share of its resources."

One of his senior advisors, Shi Yi, nodded in agreement. "Hua Bao was wise to push for your interests in the discussions. If the Sun Clan and Liu Bei are willing to divide the treasury, there is no reason we should not take advantage of the situation. We can rebuild our forces, strengthen our position, and when the time comes, we will be ready for whatever may follow."

Shi Xie nodded. "Indeed. As long as Hua Bao ensures that we receive a significant portion of the Cai family's wealth, I am content. Let Liu Bei and the Sun Clan fight for the moral high ground. We will focus on what matters most—ensuring that our domain in the south remains prosperous and secure."

While the negotiations unfolded, Sun Ce was absent from the political scene, having taken a personal outing with Zhou Yu. In his absence, Sun Jian, the former patriarch of the Sun family and the former warlord known as the "Tiger of Jiangdong," assumed command. Sun Jian, along with his advisors Zhang Zhao, Zhang Hong, and Huan Jie, convened to discuss the proposal sent by Zhu Ran.

Sun Jian was known for his fiery temper and bold strategies, but in this case, he showed a surprising amount of restraint. After reading the letter, he gathered his advisors for a meeting to discuss the next steps.

"It is clear that Kuai Yue's proposal is an attempt by Liu Bei to present himself as a man of virtue," Sun Jian said, his voice gruff but calm. "But we cannot underestimate him. He will use this shared council as a way to insert himself into the affairs of Lingling, perhaps even to turn the people against us."

Zhang Zhao, ever the voice of reason, responded, "You are correct, my lord. However, we are not in a position to contest the proposal openly. The Sun Clan's army is still recuperating from the campaign, and we must be cautious not to overextend ourselves. A shared governance, for the time being, buys us time to rebuild."

Zhang Hong, another trusted advisor, chimed in. "This council could serve as a temporary solution, allowing us to stabilize the region and secure a foothold in Lingling. If we play our cards right, we can use the resources gained from the Cai family's treasury to strengthen our forces. When the time comes, we will be in a position to assert our dominance over the region."

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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