479. Discussion In Xiapi & Luoyang

If you want to read 20 Chapters ahead and more, be sure to check out my Patreon!!!

Go to https://www.patreon.com/Tang12

___________________________

Meanwhile, Zhou Yu alongside Zhang Zhao, Zhang Hong, and Huan Jie worked tirelessly to refine the details of the upcoming attack. They selected a location for the ambush, a narrow pass that would force Cai Mao's forces into a confined space where they would be vulnerable to attack from all sides. Traps were laid, and troops were positioned in hidden locations, ready to spring the trap when the time came.

As the Sun Clan began to plot their revenge on the Cai Clan, particularly Cai Mao, who had poisoned Sun Ce with a deadly and rare poison, Lie Fan and his contingent safely returned to Xiapi after spending around a week journeying back.

Once he reached Xiapi, Lie Fan immediately headed towards the Governor's Castle where all of his closest advisors—Jia Xu, Xun You, Chen Qun, Liu Ye, Chen Gong, Lu Su, and Sima Yi—alongside Chen Gui, were waiting for him in the main hall.

Upon entering the hall, Lie Fan's eyes met the expectant gazes of his advisors. They had been waiting anxiously for news, knowing the delicate nature of his mission to the Sun Clan. After taking his seat, Lie Fan addressed them, his voice steady but with a hint of satisfaction.

"Everyone," he began, "our journey to the Sun Clan's capital was a success. Hua Tuo and Zhang Zhongjin's skills were unparalleled, and Sun Ce is on the path to recovery. The Sun Clan remains our ally, and our plan to subjugate them peacefully remains intact."

The room collectively exhaled, a palpable sense of relief washing over the assembled advisors. They all understood the gravity of the situation, which is that if Sun Ce had perished under their care, the bond between Lie Fan and the Sun Clan would have been irrevocably damaged.

The relationship that Lie Fan and they had created and worked so hard to maintain would have crumbled, and the Sun Clan could have turned from ally to enemy overnight which would also jeopardize their southern border.

Chen Gong was the first to speak, his voice tinged with admiration. "My lord, you have handled this matter with great wisdom. The Sun Clan's trust in us has been reinforced, and this will serve us well in the future. However, we must not forget the audacity of Cai Mao in orchestrating such a treacherous act that almost caused us to lose our alliance with the Sun Clan and destroy our plan."

Xun You nodded in agreement, his eyes narrowing as he considered the implications. "Cai Mao's use of poison from the southern tribes in Yi Province shows both cunning and desperation. He knew that a direct confrontation would be too risky, so he resorted to this underhanded method. It is clear that he is a man who will stop at nothing to achieve his goals, and I admire such a man but at this time he is just a thorn in our side."

Jia Xu, always one to delve into the psychological aspects of Lie Fan's adversaries, added, "Cai Mao's actions reveal his fear of the Sun Clan's strength. He aimed to cripple them by eliminating Sun Ce, but his plan has backfired. Now, the Sun Clan will be even more determined to crush him."

Sima Yi, who had been listening intently, spoke up with his usual sharp insight. "While Cai Mao's plan was indeed bold, it was also reckless. Poisoning a figure as important as Sun Ce was a high-stakes gamble, and now that it has failed, Cai Mao will be left vulnerable. The Sun Clan will seek vengeance, and we must decide how best to use this to our advantage."

Lie Fan nodded thoughtfully, appreciating the depth of understanding his advisors brought to the table. "Indeed, Cai Mao has overplayed his hand. The Sun Clan is preparing to strike back, and Zhou Yu has already devised a strategy to lure Cai Mao into a trap according to the Oriole agents stationed inside the Sun Clan domain. This will weaken the Cai Clan forces and give the Sun Clan an opportunity to expand their territory."

Lu Su who heard this immediately interjected, "My lord, while the Sun Clan is focused on their revenge, we must also consider how this conflict could benefit our position. If the Sun Clan weakens Cai Mao sufficiently, we could give them support to move in to take control of the territory, or at the very least, half of the Cai Clan territory. All of those lands will become ours if we can subjugate the Sun Clan peacefully in the future."

Liu Ye, who had been silently contemplating the situation, finally spoke. "I agree with Lu Su. The conflict between the Sun Clan and Cai Mao presents us with a unique opportunity for the Sun Clan and we should have support. We must be ready to act swiftly when the time comes. However, we should also be cautious, because if we are too optimistic, it could arouse suspicions from the Sun Clan advisors."

Lie Fan considered their words carefully. He had always believed in seizing opportunities, and he fully approved of what Liu Ye had just said. "You are right, Ziyang. We must tread carefully. Our actions should appear as those of a supportive ally rather than a snake waiting for an opportunity. For now, we will continue to support the Sun Clan's efforts while keeping our own forces ready to support the Sun Clan."

Chen Qun, who had been listening with a frown, finally spoke. "My lord, while we discuss our strategies, we must not lose sight of the bigger picture. Cai Mao's actions, though despicable, are a symptom of the larger chaos that grips our land. We must continue to strengthen our position and consolidate our power so that we can bring order to this fractured realm. Our ultimate goal must remain the unification of the land under a single, just rule."

Lie Fan nodded, his expression serious. "You are correct, Changwen. The ultimate goal is the unification of the land, and every move we make should bring us closer to that objective. But we must also be patient. The time is not yet right for a full-scale push. We will continue to build our strength and do our subterfuge activities, all while weakening our enemies from within."

The room fell silent for a moment as the gravity of their situation suddenly settled over them. They were not just discussing the result of Lie Fan's return from the Suj Clan capital, they were caught in the money and began strategizing in a much larger picture.

Breaking the silence, Lie Fan leaned forward, his tone shifting to a more personal matter. "There is one more thing I wish to share with you all. During my time with the Sun Clan, I took the opportunity to play matchmaker for Sun Ce. I suggested to Sun Jian that a marriage between Sun Ce and one of the Qiao sisters, the daughters of Qiao Xuan, a State Leder of the Han Dynasty who managed to slip away from Luoyang."

Jia Xu's eyes gleamed with approval. "A brilliant move, my lord. From what the Oriole intelligence said, The Qiao sisters are not only renowned for their beauty but also for Qiao Xuan's influence in Jiangdong. If the marriage between Sun Ce and one of the Qiao sisters is successful, their impression of you will increase even further, my lord."

Xun You nodded in agreement. "Indeed, such a marriage would elevate Sun Ce's status even further and secure the loyalty of those who respect or admire Qiao Xuan. It is a strategic move that could yield significant benefits for us in the long term."

Lie Fan smiled, appreciating the thoroughness of his advisors' analysis. "Thank you for your kind words. But remember we will approach this matter carefully. For now, I have left the matter in the hands of Sun Jian who was ecstatic and will search for the Qiao sisters and facilitate the match. Sun Ce has shown interest, but he is still recovering and hesitant. We must give him time to come to terms with the idea and not push for it to happen through the Oriole connections there."

After the meeting with his advisors, Lie Fan retired to his estate to rest. His mind was still buzzing with the various strategies they had discussed. The alliance with the Sun Clan was crucial, and every move they made had to be carefully calculated.

Meanwhile, to the west of Xiapi, in the ancient city of Luoyang, Cao Cao was enjoying a rare moment of peace with his sons. The evening was serene, with the soft glow of lanterns illuminating the dining hall.

Cao Cao sat at the head of the table, surrounded by his sons. Cao Ang, his eldest and designated heir; Cao Pi, the sharp-minded second son known for his military and literary prowess; Cao Zhang, who even at his young age had shown a natural talent for military strategy; and Cao Zhi, the youngest, whose gift for poetry and literature was already evident.

The meal was a modest affair, befitting a family gathering rather than a grand banquet. Cao Cao, despite his immense power, preferred the simplicity of these moments, where he could connect with his sons without the pressures of court and war.

He watched them as they ate, his gaze lingering on Cao Ang. The boy was becoming a man, showing the qualities of leadership and wisdom that Cao Cao had hoped for. He had groomed Cao Ang carefully, ensuring that his eldest son would one day be able to take up the mantle of leadership and continue the Cao Clan's legacy.

Cao Pi, always observant, noticed his father's thoughtful expression and spoke up. "Father, you've been working tirelessly for the sake of our land and our family. Is there anything Brother Ang and I can do to ease your burden?"

Cao Cao smiled at his son's concern. Cao Pi was as sharp as ever, always thinking ahead, and always considering how he could contribute. It was a quality that Cao Cao valued immensely, especially at a time when loyalty and intelligence were crucial for survival, and hoped that would help Cao Ang in the future.

"You are both already doing much, Pi," Cao Cao replied, his tone warm but firm. "Ang, you have proven yourself time and again in both civil and military matters. Your leadership will be vital in the years to come. And Pi, your strategic mind is a gift that we must continue to hone. Together, the two of you will ensure the stability of our family and our lands."

Cao Ang nodded, his expression serious. "I will do whatever is necessary to secure our future, Father. But we know that the battle with Lie Fan and his forces in the Central Plains has taken its toll on you. Is there something more we can do to assist you?"

Cao Cao considered this for a moment. The truth was, the recent conflict with Lie Fan had been a significant strain, not just on his forces, but on him personally. The headaches that had plagued him for years had worsened, and though he did not like to admit it, the stress of constant warfare was wearing him down.

"You must be vigilant," Cao Cao said finally. "Lie Fan is a formidable opponent, and though we have reached a temporary peace, we must not become complacent. Ang, I want you to continue strengthening our military presence around our domain. Ensure that our borders are secure and that our troops are well-trained and ready for any eventuality."

Cao Ang nodded, already considering the strategies he would employ to fortify their position. "It will be done, Father. I will ensure that our forces remain strong and that we are prepared for whatever Lie Fan or any other rival may attempt."

"And you, Pi," Cao Cao continued, turning to his second son, "I want you to focus on intelligence gathering. We need to know what our enemies are planning before they act. Use our clan's connections, and network of informants, to keep us ahead of any threats. Information will be our greatest weapon in the days to come."

Cao Pi's eyes gleamed with determination. He relished the challenge of outmaneuvering their enemies in the shadows, using strategy and cunning to secure their position. "I understand, Father. I will ensure that we are always one step ahead."

The younger sons, Cao Zhang and Cao Zhi, listened intently, absorbing the lessons their father imparted. Though they were still young, they understood the importance of the responsibilities placed upon their elder brothers. One day, they too would have roles to play in the grand strategy of their family's rise to power.

As the meal continued, the conversation shifted to lighter topics. Cao Cao encouraged Cao Zhi to recite one of his latest poems, and the boy did so with a confidence that belied his years. The verses were beautiful, capturing the essence of the turbulent times they lived in, yet offering a glimpse of hope for a brighter future.

Cao Cao listened with pride, not just for Cao Zhi's talent, but for the potential he saw in each of his sons. They were his legacy, the future of the Cao family, and in them, he saw the strength and resilience that would carry them through the challenges ahead.

When the meal was over, Cao Cao dismissed his sons, telling them to rest and prepare for the tasks ahead. But as he watched them leave the hall, he felt a twinge of unease. The world was changing rapidly, and even with all their preparations, there were no guarantees in these uncertain times.

Lie Fan was a powerful adversary, and Cao Cao knew that the peace they currently enjoyed was fragile at best. But Cao Cao was not a man to shy away from challenges. He had overcome countless obstacles to reach this point, and he was prepared to face whatever the future held.

As the night deepened, Cao Cao retreated to his private chambers. There, in the solitude of his room, he allowed himself a moment of reflection. The road ahead was fraught with danger, but he had faith in his sons, and in the strength of the Cao family. They would endure, they would prosper, and one day, they would achieve the unification of the land under their banner.

____________________________

Name: Lie Fan

Title: Overlord Of The Central Plains

Age: 31 (198 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