478. The Revenge Plan Of The Sun Clan

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Sun Ce, realizing that there was no way to avoid the discussion, finally relented. "Very well, Father. I'll consider it. But let's take it one step at a time." Lie Fan could see that Sun Ce was still hesitant, but he also knew that Sun Jian was now fully invested in the idea. He decided to let the matter rest for the moment, allowing Sun Ce to come to terms with the idea at his own pace.

As the conversation shifted back to other matters, Lie Fan couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. The possibility of Sun Ce marrying Da Qiao, one of the Qiao sisters, could become a powerful tool that increases his plan success in his larger strategy.

The rest of the evening passed in relative peace, with Sun Ce eventually growing tired and needing to rest. Sun Jian escorted Lie Fan to his quarters, expressing once again his deep gratitude for everything Lie Fan had done.

"Brother Lie Fan, you have done more for our family than I can ever repay," Sun Jian said as they walked. "Your loyalty, your wisdom, and your strength… they have saved us many times in our time of greatest need. You are a true friend, and I am honored to count you among my closest allies."

Lie Fan inclined his head respectfully. "It is I who am honored, Brother Wentau. The Sun Clan is a family I hold in the highest regard, and will always be one of my closest friends in the war torn land."

Sun Jian placed a hand on Lie Fan's shoulder, his expression serious. "And know this, Brother Lie Fan, as long as the Sun Clan stands, you will have our unwavering support. We are bound by more than just alliances, we are bound by friendship and loyalty."

Lie Fan smiled, grateful for the trust and respect Sun Jian had shown him. "I will never forget your words, Brother Wentai. Together, we will achieve great things."

The following morning, after bidding farewell to Sun Jian, Lady Wu, and a still-recovering Sun Ce, Lie Fan prepared to leave for Xiapi. However, as he was about to mount his horse, Sun Ce appeared at the entrance to the estate, supported by a servant but determined to see his benefactor and friend off.

"Brother Lie Fan," Sun Ce called out, his voice still a bit weak but filled with sincerity, "Thank you again… for everything. I'll never forget what you've done for me."

Lie Fan dismounted and walked over to Sun Ce, clasping his hand firmly. "Take care of yourself, Sun Ce. Rest well and recover your strength. You have much to do in the days ahead, and if you ever need any help in taking care of the Cai Clan just inform me."

Sun Ce nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "I will. And about the… marriage thing… I'll think about it."

Lie Fan chuckled. "Haha! No rush, my friend. Just focus on getting better and go with Brother Wentai toward the area near Wu, I think Qiao Xuan's residence was around there."

With a final nod from Sun Ce, Lie Fan mounted his horse and, with a wave, rode out of the Sun Clan estate, alongside his contingent and began their journey heading back to Xiapi.

As he traveled, his mind raced with thoughts of the future. The events of the past few days had solidified the bond between him and the Sun Clan, and with Sun Ce's recovery, the path to subjugate the Sun Clan peacefully was in reach, much closer than before.

As Lie Fan and his contingent began their journey back to Xiapi, the Sun Clan's capital remained a hub of activity. Several hours after Lie Fan's departure, a high-ranking government meeting was convened in the city.

Despite still recovering from his injuries, Sun Ce insisted on attending the meeting, determined to remain involved in the affairs of the clan. However, his father, Sun Jian, took the lead in overseeing and handling the proceedings, recognizing that Sun Ce was not yet fit to manage such matters alone.

The meeting brought together all the key figures of the Sun Clan, a formidable assembly of both civil officials and military generals. On the civil side, the discussion was led by the respected Zhang Zhao, Zhang Hong, and Huan Jie, while the military leaders included Zhou Yu, the veteran generals of the Sun Clan—Huang Gai, Han Dang, Cheng Pu, Dong Xi, and Zhu Ran—as well as the capable Zhou Tai and the newly joined Wei Yan.

The atmosphere in the hall was tense, the air thick with the weight of recent events. The primary focus of the meeting was the shocking revelation that Sun Ce had been poisoned during the battle against Liu Biao's forces not knowing that it had become the Cai Clan forces.

The poison, it was now known, had come from Cai Mao and Zhang Yun, who had led the army that attacked them. This treacherous act had outraged the generals, and the room buzzed with their fervent demands for swift and decisive retribution.

Zhou Yu, who was known for his strategic acumen and calm demeanor, remained silent and composed as the other generals voiced their anger. The veteran generals, men who had fought countless battles for the Sun Clan, were especially vocal.

Huang Gai, his eyes burning with fury, slammed his fist on the table, demanding immediate action against Cai Mao. "This is an insult that cannot go unanswered!" he declared, his voice echoing through the hall. "We must strike now, with all the strength we can muster. Such cowardice must be met with the full force of our army!"

Cheng Pu, another seasoned warrior, nodded in agreement. "Old Huang is right," he said, his voice deep and resonant. "We cannot allow this treachery to go unpunished. If we do not act, we will appear weak in the eyes of our enemies, and they will take advantage of that."

Han Dang, Dong Xi, and Zhu Ran, too, voiced their support, their voices blending into a chorus of calls for vengeance. The younger generals, such as Zhou Tai and Wei Yan, were equally eager to prove themselves in battle to avenge the actions done to Sun Ce and restore the honor of the Sun Clan.

However, on the opposite side of the room, Zhang Zhao, Zhang Hong, and Huan Jie, the civil officials, were more measured in their approach.

They understood the need for caution and urged the others to consider the broader implications of such a rash move. Zhang Zhao cupped his hand and slightly raised his cupped hand to speak, and the room gradually quieted.

"While I understand the desire for retribution," Zhang Zhao began, his voice calm and steady, "we must not let our emotions dictate our actions. We have just fought a difficult battle, and our men are still weary even though the news of Lord Suh Ce's recovery has been circulated. Moreover, Liu Biao's forces have resumed their attacks in our absence, attempting to reclaim the land we took from them. If we act impulsively, we may fall into another trap set by our enemies."

Zhang Hong standing beside Zhang Zhao, nodded in agreement with his words. "Master Zhang Zhao speaks the truth," he added. "We cannot afford to stretch our forces too thin. Our priority must be to secure our borders and ensure that we are not vulnerable to a counterattack. Once we have stabilized our position, we can plan a more calculated response against Cai Mao."

Huan Jie feeling the need to put his perspective out also weighed in. "We must also consider the possibility that this attack was intended to provoke us into making a hasty decision," he said. "If we rush into battle without a clear strategy, we risk walking into another trap. We should gather more intelligence and ensure that we are fully prepared before taking any action."

The room was divided, the tension palpable as both sides presented their arguments. Sun Jian, who had seen countless battles in his time, attempted to mediate, trying to calm his subjects and find a middle ground. But this was one of the rare moments when even his prestige and authority struggled to quell the fervor of his generals.

As the debate continued, Zhou Yu, who had remained silent throughout, suddenly stepped forward. His calm and confident demeanor caught everyone's attention, and the room fell silent as he made his way to the center of the hall. He cupped his hands and bowed respectfully to Sun Jian and Sun Ce before addressing the assembly.

"Lord Sun Jian, Lord Sun Ce," Zhou Yu began, his voice measured and composed, "I understand the anger and frustration that everyone here feels. The attack on Lord Sun Ce was a grievous act of treachery, and it is natural for us to seek revenge. However, we must also be mindful of the challenges we face and the broader strategic picture."

He paused for a moment, allowing his words to sink in before continuing. "I have given this matter considerable thought, and I believe that there is a way for us to achieve both our objectives which is to exact revenge on Cai Mao and to secure more land for the Sun Clan. I have devised a plan that I believe will not only allow us to avenge this attack but also to expand our territory and strengthen our position in the region."

The room was silent, all eyes fixed on Zhou Yu as he outlined his plan. He explained that instead of launching a direct assault on Cai Mao's forces, which would be expected, they would instead focus on a more subtle and strategic approach.

Zhou Yu proposed that they feign a retreat, pulling back their forces to create the illusion of weakness. This would lull Cai Mao into a false sense of security, leading him to believe that the Sun Clan was retreating out of fear or exhaustion after knowing about Sun Ce's worsening condition.

"Once Cai Mao is convinced that we are no longer a threat," Zhou Yu continued, "we will launch a surprise attack on his forces. But this will not be a simple battle. We will carefully select the time and place to strike, ensuring that we have the advantage. We will use the terrain to our benefit, setting traps and ambushes that will cripple his army before they even have a chance to respond."

Zhou Yu's plan was met with murmurs of approval from the assembled generals. The idea of using deception and strategy appealed to their sense of military prowess, and they recognized the wisdom in Zhou Yu's approach. It was a plan that would allow them to achieve their goals without risking their forces unnecessarily.

"Furthermore," Zhou Yu added, "we can use this opportunity to gain the support of the local population in that area. By positioning ourselves as the defenders of the region against the treachery of Cai Mao and exposing what he had done, we can rally the people to our cause. This will not only weaken Cai Mao's support base but also strengthen our own."

Sun Jian, who had listened intently to Zhou Yu's proposal, nodded approvingly. He recognized the brilliance of the plan and understood the importance of striking a balance between vengeance and strategy. "Zhou Yu's plan is sound," Sun Jian declared, his voice carrying the weight of authority. "It allows us to achieve our goals while minimizing the risks to our forces. I give my full support to this strategy."

Sun Ce, still recovering but eager to be part of the discussion, also voiced his agreement. "Zhou Yu has always made a sound suggestion considering military matters," he said, his voice steady despite his condition. "I believe in his judgment, and I support his plan. We will have our revenge, but we will do so on our terms."

With Sun Jian and Sun Ce both endorsing Zhou Yu's plan, the rest of the assembly quickly fell in line. The generals, who had initially clamored for immediate action, now recognized the wisdom in a more calculated approach. The civil officials, relieved that a rash decision had been avoided, also expressed their approval.

Zhou Yu immediately wasted no time in outlining the next steps. He instructed the generals to begin preparations for the feigned retreat, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the illusion of weakness.

He also directed the civil officials to spread rumors of the Sun Clan's supposed retreat, ensuring that the news reached Cai Mao's ears due to the worsening condition of Sun Ce.

As the meeting concluded, the atmosphere in the hall had shifted from one of tension to one of resolve. The Sun Clan's leaders were united in their purpose, and the plan to avenge Sun Ce and expand their territory was set in motion.

In the days that followed, the Sun Clan's forces executed Zhou Yu's plan with precision. They began to pull back from the front lines, leaving behind a trail of false evidence to suggest that they were in full retreat. Scouts were sent to monitor Cai Mao's movements, ensuring that they would be ready to strike at the right moment.

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.

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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