527. Yuan Xi & Zhen Yi Decision - Lie Fan Listened To Reports

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(A/N: Hello Everyone! Come and read my new fanfic called the King Of Arsenal, I hope you like it! I love football/soccer and decided to have a go with it! If some ask why you don't do another history based on like during the Napoleon era or Oda Nobunaga Warring States of Japan fanfic, I try to stir of history fanfic until my three kingdom was finished as the amount of research needed was large!)

The room fell silent for a moment as Yuan Xi considered his father-in-law's words. He had always admired his father's ambition and believed in the Yuan family's destiny to rule the north, but in the last few months, the looming shadow of Cao Cao had cast doubt on that belief. More importantly, Yuan Xi knew that his position as the second son and his marriage to Zhen Mi were tied to the Zhen family's continued support. If they lost that, his place in the Yuan family would become precarious.

"You're right," Yuan Xi said finally, his voice low but firm. "We need to find a way to stop my father from rushing into war with Cao Cao. But how? He is not easily swayed once his mind is set. Especially since my older brother and younger brother alongside Guo Tu, Feng Ji, and Shen Pei would clamor for war."

Zhen Yi stroked his beard thoughtfully. "There are a few influential voices in your father's court who might be able to persuade him to delay, or at least reconsider. But they will need to be approached carefully, with the right incentives."

Yuan Xi nodded. "Who do you have in mind?"

"First," Zhen Yi said, "there's Tian Feng. He's a long-serving adviser to your father, and while he can be rigid in his thinking, he is also a man who values caution. If we can convince him that an all-out war with Cao Cao would be disastrous, he might be able to temper Yuan Shao's enthusiasm for battle."

Yuan Xi frowned. "Tian Feng has a strong sense of loyalty to my father. If he feels that I am trying to undermine Yuan Shao's authority, he may refuse to help. And Tian Feng, though talented, had been long estranged from my father, where he even ousted from my Father's court to help General Zhang He and General Gao Lan in the west."

Zhen Yi smiled faintly. "We don't need to undermine Yuan Shao and even though he was estranged, many still listen to his opinion even though in the end Yuan Shao wouldn't. We need to frame the argument in a way that appeals to Tian Feng's sense of duty."

"He must believe that advising caution is in your father's best interest, not just for the sake of the Zhen family, but for the sake of Yuan Shao's legacy. If the Yuan family suffers a major defeat, everything your father has worked for will crumble."

Yuan Xi nodded slowly. "Tian Feng is respected at the court even though his influence had been long overshadowed by Guo Tu, Feng Ji, and Shen Pei, and if he speaks against the war, it might give my father pause. But we'll need more than just one voice."

"Indeed," Zhen Yi agreed. "There is also Xu You. He is another cautious man, much like Tian Feng. While he supports your father's ambitions, he is well aware of Cao Cao's strength. If we approach him carefully, we might be able to convince him to join us in urging restraint."

Yuan Xi knew of Xu You's reputation. Like Tian Feng, he was an experienced adviser, known for his cautious approach to warfare.

But persuading both of them would not be easy. His Father was a proud and stubborn man, and anyone who opposed his plans for war risked being seen as disloyal or cowardly. Especially if it's Tian Feng and Xu You, who had long been cast a bad impression on his father by Guo Tu, Feng Ji, and Shen Pei.

Zhen Yi seemed to sense his hesitation. "I know this will not be easy, Yuan Xi. But the alternative is far worse. If Yuan Shao plunges headlong into this conflict and loses, the Zhen family's fortunes will fall with him. We cannot afford to remain passive."

Yuan Xi leaned back in his chair, his mind racing. Zhen Yi was right, of course, but the path ahead was fraught with risk. If his father discovered that he was secretly working to delay the war, it could strain their already tenuous relationship. Yet, if he did nothing and Yuan Shao lost the war, the consequences would be even more dire—for him, for the Zhen family, and for the Yuan clan as a whole.

"There is another option," Zhen Yi said after a moment, his voice lowering. "Your brother, Yuan Tan, has always been more aggressive, more willing to push for immediate action. If we can undermine his influence in court, it will give us more time to sway your father. Yuan Tan's support for the war is one of the main reasons that your father is in a dilemma about whether to declare war or not on Cao Cao."

Yuan Xi's brow furrowed. His relationship with Yuan Tan had never been close, and the rivalry between them had only grown in recent years as Yuan Tan sought to prove himself as their father's natural heir. Undermining Yuan Tan's influence might be necessary, but it would also further divide the family.

"Undermining my brother will not be easy," Yuan Xi said. "He has the support of many of my father's generals, including General Yan Liang and Wen Chou. They see him as a warrior, someone who can lead them to victory."

"That is why we must tread carefully," Zhen Yi replied. "We don't need to discredit Yuan Tan outright. We only need to cast doubt on the wisdom of his plans. If we can show that his eagerness for war could lead to disaster, some of those generals might reconsider their support."

Yuan Xi fell silent, the weight of the decision pressing down on him. It was a delicate balance he had to strike—convincing his father to delay the war without appearing disloyal, weakening Yuan Tan's influence without causing open conflict within the family.

But if he succeeded, it would not only protect the Zhen family's interests but also secure his own position as a key player in the Yuan clan's future.

"I'll do it," Yuan Xi said finally, his voice firm. "We'll approach Tian Feng and Xu You in the west. If they agree, we can use their influence to slow my father's push for war. As for Yuan Tan… I'll be careful. But if he continues to push for this war, I'll make sure the risks are made clear to everyone."

Zhen Yi smiled, satisfied with his son-in-law's resolve. "Good. This is the right path, Yuan Xi. Protect the Zhen family, protect yourself, and in doing so, you'll ensure the future of the Yuan clan."

As the two men finalized their plans, the shadow of war continued to loom over the north. Yuan Shao, unaware of the quiet maneuvering happening within his own family, is still in a dilemma about whether to prepare for a war declaration on Cao Cao or not.

But beneath the surface, alliances were shifting, and the balance of power within the Yuan family was more precarious than ever. More precarious since the time when Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu were fighting to become the head of the Yuan Clan, until it was Yuan Shao who prevailed.

Meanwhile, Lie Fan sat at his study in Xiapi, listening intently to the reports from Jia Xu and Liu Ye. It had been a busy year for his growing domain, and Lie Fan was acutely aware of the importance of every decision and every move he made.

The political landscape was as treacherous as ever, with factions jostling for power, and his own ambitions required careful planning and precise execution. His agents were everywhere, gathering information, monitoring his enemies, and working tirelessly to ensure his plans would come to fruition.

Jia Xu stood beside him, his expression calm and unreadable, as always. The man had a remarkable ability to anticipate events before they unfolded, and it was that foresight that had made him invaluable to Lie Fan. On the other side of the room, Liu Ye was waiting patiently, holding a stack of reports detailing the progress of various projects Lie Fan had initiated.

"The situation in the Yuan Clan is escalating," Jia Xu began, breaking the silence. "Our agents report that internal turmoil is inevitable. Yuan Shao's court is divided between those pushing for war with Cao Cao and those urging caution. Yuan Shao himself remains indecisive, but his sons, Yuan Tan and Yuan Xi, are pulling him in different directions. Our agents also report that Zhen Yi, Yuan Xi's father-in-law, is working behind the scenes to persuade Yuan Shao to delay the war."

Lie Fan nodded. He had anticipated that the Yuan Clan would eventually fracture. Yuan Shao's three sons, each with their own ambitions and personalities, were bound to clash as they sought to prove themselves worthy of their father's legacy.

Yuan Tan, the eldest, was hot-headed and impulsive, always eager for battle, while Yuan Xi, more calculating and cautious, had the backing of the powerful Zhen family. Yuan Shang, the youngest, was still a wildcard but had supporters who believed he could rise above his brothers.

"Their division is good for us," Lie Fan mused. "The more they fight amongst themselves, the weaker they become. But we must be careful not to underestimate any of them. Even a fractured Yuan Clan could be dangerous if they unite against a common enemy."

Jia Xu nodded in agreement. "Indeed, my lord. Cao Cao is watching closely, but he has not made any overt moves. He is waiting for the right moment, and when it comes, he will strike decisively. Our agents have been working to keep tensions high between the Yuan and Cao clans. We've orchestrated a few border skirmishes—nothing major, just enough to keep suspicions alive. It's essential that neither side trusts the other completely."

"Good," Lie Fan said. "Keep stoking those fires. If we can keep them distracted with each other, it buys us more time to strengthen our own position."

Liu Ye cleared his throat, signaling that it was his turn to speak. He stepped forward and laid out several documents in front of Lie Fan.

"My lord," Liu Ye began, "I have updates on the various projects you've assigned to the specialist company in Huai'An. The most important one, the cavalry stirrups project, has entered the final testing phase. The results so far have been promising. Riders report increased stability and control, which will significantly improve the effectiveness of our cavalry in battle. If all goes well, we can begin mass production by the end of this year."

Lie Fan's eyes lit up. The stirrups were a game-changer. He had recognized early on that cavalry could dominate the battlefield if properly equipped, and stirrups provided riders with the stability needed to deliver powerful attacks without losing balance. This innovation would give his forces a significant advantage, especially in the open plains where cavalry could run down infantry and archers with ease.

"Excellent," Lie Fan said. "Once production begins, make sure our elite cavalry are outfitted first. We'll need them ready for future campaigns."

Liu Ye continued. "The second project is an improvement to the papermaking process. We've made strides in increasing the quality of the paper while reducing the production time. However, the specialist company still needs more time to perfect the process. They're confident that within a year, we'll see a major boost in production, which will allow us to increase the dissemination of information across 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