330. Invitation To Sun Ce's Coronation

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With a firm voice, Sun Jian declared his formal abdication from his position as the head of the Sun Clan, passing the mantle of leadership to Sun Ce. Sun Ce, though filled with a mix of emotions, stepped forward to accept his father's decision and the responsibility that came with it. With a determined expression, he pledged to honor his father's legacy and lead the Sun Clan with courage, wisdom, and integrity.

The moment Sun Ce's word fell, everyone in the room gave a loud applause and cheered for Sun Ce. The Veterans led by Huang Gai have the loudest voices and swear to serve Sun Ce loyally like they were serving Sun Jian previously.

Sun Ce gave his thanks to everyone in the room and raised a toast for Sun Jian to thank him and honor him for what he has done for the Sun Clan, and hope for him to live a long and healthy life to see the Sun Clan rise even further under his hand.

Everyone followed suit and wished Sun Jian a long and healthy life, which Sun Jian received by drinking the wine in his cup in a single gulp, and with that, the fest continued with a more festive and happy atmosphere.

The feast ended late at night and everyone returned to their residence either drunk or already passed out due to the wine, and it was The next morning when Sun Jian, Sun Ce, Huan Jie, Zhang Zhao, Zhang Hong, Zhou Yu, and Sun Clan's Veteran Generals held a meeting to discuss Sun Ce's ceremony.

This was the first succession ceremony that happened in the land not caused by death or war, so Huan Jie wanted to have a solemn ceremony that could increase Sun Ce's prestige and become a happy event inviting their closest allies.

Zhang Zhao hearing what Huan Jie said agreed with his words, Sun Ce needed legitimacy from another lord to be recognized as the leader of the Sun Clan, and one of the Warlords of the land.

This statement receives support from Huan Jie, Zhang Hong, and Zhou Yu who understand Zhang Zhao's point. At this point, Sun Ce needs some kind of legitimacy to be acknowledged by the other Warlords.

Unlike Zhang Yan who could be considered to be of the same generation as the first generation of Warlords due to him leading a large number of Yellow Turban remnants and bandits, Sun Ce needs some form of recognition from other lords due to him succeeding through inheritance and Sun Jian still alive.

On the other hand, the Veteran generals were offended because they felt that Sun Ce didn't need some kind of recognition from others, and the only recognition he needed was from the retainers and people under Sun Clan's leadership.

Huang Gai: "Preposterous! The Young Lord doesn't need any form of recognition from outsiders! He only needs the recognition of the people of Sun Clan!"

Cheng Pu: "That's true! The Young Lord has proven himself on the battlefield many times, and his merit itself proves that he is fit to rule and replace The Old Lord."

Han Dang: "Are you saying that the Young Lord isn't fit to replace the Old Lord?! Then why do you give your agreement in the first place?!"

Zhang Zhao: "Generals please calm down, it's not that I don't trust the Young Lord, but this is an important step because if the Young Lord isn't recognized by the other Warlords, we will be ostracized and left alone without any allies."

Zhou Yu: "What Master Zhang Zhao said is true, The Young Lord needs outside recognition just like the Old Lord is recognized by all as the Tiger of Jiangdong, even though now the Young Lord has his own moniker but it's only in the Jing Province and Yang Province."

Sun Jian: "Okay okay Old Huang, Old Cheng, and Old Han calm down. What both Zhang Zhao and Gonglu said is true, I think we only need one lord to recognize and he also can be invited, Lie Fan is the best candidate I have in mind what do you all think?"

Sun Jian's voice calmed down the rowdy veteran generals because neither Zhou Yu nor Zhang Zhao doesn't hold enough prestige in the hearts of the veterans to truly calm them down, only Sun Jian and maybe Sun Ce could calm them down.

Huan Jie, Zhang Zhao, Zhang Hong, and Zhou Yu on the other hand agree with Sun Jian's choice to invite Lie Fan, because he could be said to be the closest ally to the Sun Clan right now and the reason the Sun Clan could achieve some of it's achievements today.

Sun Ce also gave his agreement, he was excited to meet Lie Fan once again because he wanted to exchange some knowledge and experience, especially since now he become a lord replacing his father.

Next, he ordered Zhang Zhao to draft the letter of invitation and then send it to his desk to be stamped with the official seal of the Sun Clan and then sent to Lie Fan with Zhou Yu as the messenger and accompanied by Zhou Tai.

Zhang Zhao nods his head receiving the order, and next Zhang Hong asks for the number of coins they will spend for the ceremony so that he can arrange it, to ensure the level of prestige it will show for Sun Ce.

Sun Ce assigns around 40% of this month's taxes for the ceremony, and he then asks Sun Jian and Zhou Yu if this is enough. Both Sun Jian and Zhou Yu replied saying that it was more than enough, receiving their agreement Sun Ce assigned Huan Jie and Zhang Hong to prepare for the ceremony.

Seeing that everything needed was done, Sun Ce ended the meeting, and everyone who had been given their assignment immediately headed to do their task, while Sun Ce, Sun Jian, and Zhou Yu stayed to discuss some government affairs.

Several days passed by and Zhang Zhao finished drafting the letter of invitation for Lie Fan and then sent it to Sun Ce who read the draft letter before approving it and then tasked Zhou Yu and Zhou Tai to send it to Lie Fan at Xiapi.

Zhou Yu and Zhou Tai brought 200 men as guards and set off to Xiapi, passing through Lie Fan's domain where they were escorted by Lie Fan's patrol before arriving at Jianye, where they crossed to Guangling.

Arriving at Guangling they were welcomed by Sima Lang who had become the Governor of Guanhling welcomed the two of them after receiving information from the Oriole about their presence.

Zhou Yu and Zhou Tai were surprised by how young Sima Lang was and already become the Governor of a major town, but they hid their surprise, Zhou Yu had a conversation with Sima Lang and soon he was astonished and impressed by Sima Lang's talent and knowledge.

After spending a day to rest in Guangling, Zhou Yu and Zhou Tai continued their journey to Xiapi. It took them around three weeks to reach their destination, where they were warmly welcomed by Chen Qun and Liu Ye at the Southern Gate of Xiapi.

Following the exchange of greetings, they proceeded to Xiapi's Governor Castle, where Lie Fan and his officials awaited their arrival. As they entered the castle, Zhou Yu and Zhou Tai were eager to discuss matters of importance with Lie Fan and his advisors.

Zhou Yu and Zhou Tai greet Lie Fan and all of his advisors who were present at the main hall, Lie Fan takes the lead in greeting them back and telling the two of them to take a seat on the chair prepared for them.

After Zhou Yu and Zhou Tai take their seat, Lie Fan congratulates Zhou Yu on the Sun Clan's victories against Liu Biao managing to snatch 3 counties from Liu Biao.

Zhou Yu thanked Lie Fan for his words and also congratulated Lie Fan on his victories against Liu Biao managing to take Jiangxia and even have Huang Zu surrender, bolstering the navy under Lie Fan's leadership.

This surprised Lie Fan and his advisors as to how Zhou Yu knew about Huang Zu's surrender, Lie Fan gazed at Jia Xu signaling him to tighten the Oriole's network around Jiangxia.

Because no one should have known about Huang Zu's surrender, as they have spread about him being captured and put into prison. This means there's an information leak from Jiangxia, and Lie Fan wants it to be tightened even more so no one else knows about this matter.

He believes that Zhou Yu knew that he shouldn't spread this matter outside because he knew the consequences would be devastating for the Sun Clan, which was much weaker than him, especially with the Navy under him which was much stronger than the Sun Clan's navy.

Lie Fan: " *ahem* Well then I would like to ask about the purpose of the two of you coming here to Xiapi, I think it wouldn't be to discuss small matters if they send General Zhou Yu as the messenger."

Zhou Yu: "Lord Lie Fan is too kind, I'm a nobody compared to Lord Lie Fan who has done much more accomplishment than me, the reason for my visit today to Xiapi is to extend an invitation to Lord Lie Fan on behalf of My Lord."

Lie Fan: "Oh? Don't tell me Sun Ce will hold his marriage this year. Haha! Finally, the Little Tiger of Jiangdong will have a wife! I never expected the young man I met several years ago will be wed now, ha... I feel a little old now."

Zhou Yu: "No Lord Lie Fan you misunderstood, the invitation is not about the Young Lord going to hold his wedding, of course, I wish for him to find his match as soon as possible. The invitation is about the coronation of the Young Lord as the new leader of the Sun Clan."

Lie Fan: "What?! Does something happen to Brother Wentai?! Is he sick?! Why didn't he or you or anyone else send letters to me, I will send both Master Hua Tuo and Zhang Zhongjing to cure him or identify his illness."

Zhou Yu seeing the reaction coming from Lie Fan was touched because he didn't expect Lie Fan to truly consider Sun Jian as his brother, caring about Sun Jian to such a degree not knowing that this was all an act from Lie Fan because he already knows about this matter before Zhou Yu arrived at Xiapi form the Oriole, he was doing this to increase the goodwill of Zhou Yu and to some extend the Sun Clan toward him.

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Name: Lie Fan

Title: Three Heroes Who Defeat Lu Bu

Age: 29 (196 AD)

Level: 16

Next Level: 2,462,000

Renown: 825

Cultivation: Yin Yang Separation (level 9)

SP: 1,071,700

ATTRIBUTE POINTS

STR: 936 (+20)

VIT: 598 (+20)

AGI: 583 (+10)

INT: 587

CHR: 93

WIS: 509

WILL: 397

ATR Points: 0