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79.76% Reborn In The Three Kingdoms / Chapter 528: 506. King Sansang Concession

Chapter 528: 506. King Sansang Concession

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One of King Sansang's advisors, named Dal Gae, stepped forward and said his opinion to King Sansang and the court. "The Han even though embroiled in interval infighting, are still strong enemies, and they know our position is weak. But this peace, though humiliating, will give us the breathing room we need. Once we have regained our strength, we will be able to renegotiate from a position of power, or perhaps even take back what was lost."

King Sansang nodded. "Exactly. This peace is not permanent. It is merely a respite, a time for us to gather our strength and prepare for the future. We will comply with their demands for now, but we must use this time wisely. Our tribute will be sent, our hostages chosen, and the trade routes opened. But while we outwardly comply, we will rebuild in secret. Our armies will train, our weapons will be forged, and when the time comes, Goguryeo will rise again."

His words gave some comfort to the court, though the bitterness of the situation still lingered in the air. The king turned to Mo Du, his trusted advisor. "Mo Du, see to it that the hostages are chosen carefully. They must be of noble birth, but ensure that their loss does not necessarily cripple us. We cannot afford to send our strongest or most influential families to Xiangping, while at the same time offending the Han by sending unknown hostages."

Mo Du bowed deeply. "I will make the arrangements, my king. The hostages will be selected with care, and the tribute will be prepared without delay."

Satisfied, King Sansang rose from his throne, signaling the end of the session. The courtiers and generals began to file out of the throne room, their expressions grim but resigned. As they left, the king remained behind, his thoughts drifting to the future.

He knew that the Han, in particular Gongsun Gong would be watching Goguryeo closely, ready to pounce at any sign of betrayal. But King Sansang was determined to play the long game.

He would keep his enemies close, giving them what they demanded for now. In the meantime, he would rebuild his kingdom's strength in secret, biding his time until Goguryeo was ready to strike back.

As the king looked out over the mountains in the distance, where Xiangping lay far beyond, he knew that the peace they had negotiated was fragile at best. The Han forces were powerful, and Gongsun Gong had proven himself a formidable adversary. But Goguryeo had endured countless challenges over the centuries, and managed to dominate the Korean Strait for centuries, this would be no different.

The kingdom would bend, but it would not break. When the time was right, the strength of Goguryeo would once again be unleashed, and the Han would see that their victory was only temporary. Until then, they would wait, watching and preparing in the shadows. The game of politics and war was not one of brute force, but of patience, and King Sansang knew that the future belonged to those who could play the long game.

As King Sansang stood by overlooking the mountains, the quiet breeze carried with it the weight of his thoughts. His gaze was fixed on the horizon, where the distant peaks seemed to blend with the sky, representing the formidable challenges that lay ahead. Though his court had left, the burden of leadership remained heavy on his shoulders.

The threat of the Han and the humiliation of sending noble hostages gnawed at him, yet he knew that survival often required sacrifice, and this peace was a necessary evil.

Lost in his thoughts, he didn't notice the soft footsteps of Queen Woo approaching until she was standing beside him. Her presence was calming, like a gentle balm for his troubled mind. Her handmaidens, who trailed behind her, stood at a respectful distance as she joined her husband in silence. She gazed at him with her serene eyes, noticing the furrow in his brow.

"Is something troubling you, my lord?" she asked quietly, her voice tender yet filled with a quiet strength that had always comforted him.

King Sansang turned to face her, his expression softening. In his eyes, Queen Woo was not just a consort but his greatest confidante. Her beauty was known throughout the lands, unmatched by any in his kingdom, yet it was her intelligence and unwavering loyalty that he cherished most.

She had once been the wife of his older brother, King Gogukcheon, before his untimely death during the rebellion that nearly tore Goguryeo apart. Sansang had inherited both the throne and the responsibility of protecting the kingdom, but in Queen Woo, he had found a partner who shared his burdens.

"These mountains," he began, his voice low, "they remind me of the strength our people have shown over the years. How we have risen against countless challenges and adversities. But now, it feels as though we are bending, forced to kneel before the Han just to survive. I wonder, have I done the right thing? Agreeing to their demands, sending our own noble blood as hostages?"

Queen Woo listened attentively, her eyes never leaving his face. She could see the conflict within him, the struggle between pride and pragmatism. After a moment, she stepped closer and gently placed her hand on his arm.

"My lord," she said softly, "you have done what is necessary to ensure the survival of our people. This peace, though bitter, will give us the time we need to rebuild and strengthen our kingdom. You are not bowing to the Han; you are securing the future of Goguryeo. Without time to heal and recover from the rebellions and defeats, we would be vulnerable to their attacks. But with time, we can rise again."

Her words were measured, and carefully chosen to offer reassurance without dismissing the gravity of the situation. King Sansang looked into her eyes, and the doubt that had clouded his mind began to lift.

She was right, of course. Survival was paramount, and the current situation, while humiliating, was a means to an end. His people needed him to make these hard choices, even if they weighed heavily on his heart.

"And what of the hostages?" he asked after a pause. "It is not just any noble families that we must send. The Han will expect hostages of significance, people whose absence will ensure our compliance. But we cannot afford to send those who hold too much influence or power within our kingdom."

Queen Woo nodded thoughtfully, her gaze shifting toward the mountains as she considered his words. "Leave the selection of the hostages to Mo Du and me," she said after a moment. "We will choose carefully—those of noble birth, but not those whose absence will cripple our ability to govern or defend ourselves. We must be strategic in this. The Han will expect loyalty, but we must ensure that our strength remains intact here at home."

Her offer to assist in the selection of hostages touched King Sansang deeply. Though he had always known her to be wise, her willingness to shoulder this burden with him was a reminder of how lucky he was to have her by his side. He felt the weight of his responsibility lessen slightly in her presence.

Unable to suppress his gratitude, he reached out and pulled her into an embrace, a gesture of affection that surprised not only his wife but also the few courtiers who had lingered nearby. Queen Woo, usually so composed, blushed at the unexpected display of emotion, and the courtiers, out of respect, turned their backs to give the royal couple a moment of privacy.

"Thank you," King Sansang whispered as he held her. "For standing by me through all of this. I do not know what I would do without you."

Queen Woo, though flustered by the public nature of the embrace, smiled softly and rested her head on his shoulder for a brief moment. "We are in this together, my lord," she replied quietly. "We will weather this storm as we have weathered others before it. Goguryeo has endured through much worse, and with time, we will rise stronger."

After a moment, they parted, and Queen Woo glanced toward the handmaidens, signaling that it was time to return inside. The king watched her walk away, her grace and elegance evident in every step. She had always been more than a queen to him; she was his anchor, the one person who understood the full weight of the crown he bore.

Meanwhile, in a different part of the palace, Mo Du was busy making the preparations as King Sansang had commanded. He had already begun compiling a list of potential hostages, young male and female nobles from various families, carefully selected to satisfy the Han's demands without giving away too much of Goguryeo's strength. The challenge lay in balancing the need to comply with the terms of the treaty while also ensuring the kingdom's resilience.

As he worked, he thought about the larger picture. Mo Du had been by King Sansang's side for many years, serving not only him but also his predecessor. He knew that while the current peace was a necessity, it was fragile.

The Han, despite their internal struggles, remained a powerful force. They would not hesitate to crush Goguryeo if they sensed any weakness or betrayal. But Mo Du was a patient man, something he shared with King Sansang, and he understood the value of playing the long game.

He recalled the king's words earlier in the day. Goguryeo was not broken; it was only bending to the winds of circumstance. In time, the kingdom would regain its strength. But for now, survival depended on making the right moves, choosing the right people to send as hostages, and ensuring that Goguryeo's true strength remained hidden from the Han's watchful eyes.

In the following days, preparations for the tribute and the selection of hostages began in earnest. Queen Woo worked closely with Mo Du, ensuring that each family affected by the selection was treated with dignity and that the chosen hostages understood the role they would play in securing Goguryeo's future.

Some families were reluctant, fearing for the safety of their sons and daughters, but Queen Woo's calm and reassuring presence helped to ease their concerns.

She met with the young male and female nobles personally, speaking to them of duty and honor. She reminded them that they were not being abandoned but were playing a crucial role in the survival of their kingdom. Her words, spoken with conviction and compassion, left a strong impression on the hostages, who, though fearful, understood the gravity of their situation.

One evening, after a long day of overseeing the preparations, Queen Woo returned to King Sansang's chambers. She found him seated by the window, once again staring out at the mountains. This time, however, there was a different look in his eyes. He seemed more at peace, more resolute in his decision.

"Everything is in order," she said as she joined him by the window. "The hostages have been selected, and the tribute will be ready to send by the end of the week. Our people understand the necessity of what we are doing."

King Sansang nodded, reaching for her hand. "I could not have done this without you," he said sincerely. "Your strength has been my own."

They stood together in silence for a moment, watching as the last light of the sun dipped below the horizon. The future was uncertain, but for now, they had done what was needed to protect their kingdom.

In the shadows, Goguryeo would prepare for the day when it could stand tall once more, no longer bound by the demands of the Han. King Sansang knew that the road ahead would be long and filled with challenges, but with Queen Woo by his side and the strength of his people behind him, he was ready to face whatever came next. The kingdom would endure, as it always had, and when the time was right, it would rise again, stronger and more resilient than ever.

____________________________

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


CREATORS' THOUGHTS
Tang12 Tang12

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Chapter 529: 507. Terms In Effect

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

___________________________

In the shadows, Goguryeo would prepare for the day when it could stand tall once more, no longer bound by the demands of the Han. King Sansang knew that the road ahead would be long and filled with challenges, but with Queen Woo by his side and the strength of his people behind him, he was ready to face whatever came next. The kingdom would endure, as it always had, and when the time was right, it would rise again, stronger and more resilient than ever.

Meanwhile, Mo Du sat at his desk, quill in hand, carefully crafting the letter that would seal Goguryeo's compliance with the Han's demands. The flickering light of the oil lamps illuminated the room, casting long shadows that seemed to dance on the walls as he wrote.

The tension in the air was palpable; every stroke of his quill carried the weight of the future of his kingdom. He knew that this letter was more than just an agreement—it was a lifeline, a temporary shield to protect Goguryeo from the wrath of Gongsun Gong, the Han warlord who ruled over Xiangping.

The terms were humiliating, but Mo Du, like King Sansang, understood the necessity of survival. The tribute and hostages would appease the Han for now, buying Goguryeo time to rebuild and regain its strength.

The trade agreement, which allowed Han merchants unrestricted access to Goguryeo's markets, was another bitter pill to swallow, but it was a small price to pay if it kept the Han at bay.

In return, King Sansang expected the same leniency for Goguryeo's traders, an economic foothold that could prove useful in the future and also a source of valuable information for Goguryeo's rise in the future.

After carefully reviewing the letter, Mo Du rolled it up and sealed it with the royal stamp of Goguryeo. He called for one of the trusted royal couriers and handed him the missive. The messenger, knowing the importance of the task, bowed deeply before hurrying out to release the carrier bird that would deliver the message to Xiangping.

As the bird took flight, disappearing into the dark night, Mo Du exhaled deeply. His work was done, but he knew the true test had only just begun. In the coming days, Goguryeo would either solidify its tenuous peace or find itself once again at the mercy of the Han warlords. Only time would tell if their strategy of compliance would pay off or backfire.

Two days later, in Xiangping, Jinseok sat nervously in Xiangping's governor's castle. The opulence of the surroundings did little to ease his anxiety. Every day, Gongsun Gong's servants and ministers asked him the same question: "Has King Sansang sent his response yet?"

And every day, Jinseok had to bow and apologize, explaining that the messenger had not yet arrived. His position as an envoy for Goguryeo had once been one of pride and prestige, but in recent weeks, it had become a source of immense pressure.

Gongsun Gong, who put an act of impatience and volatile temperament, slowly increased the act by growing increasingly agitated with each passing day.

Jinseok could feel the cold eyes of the Han officials following him wherever he went, as if they were waiting for the slightest misstep, ready to use him as a scapegoat should King Sansang's answer displease their lord.

Jinseok had tried his best to remain calm, reminding himself that the kingdom's survival depended on him maintaining a diplomatic front. He had been in Xiangping for weeks, negotiating the terms of peace, but unbeknownst to him, the real reason why Gongsun Gong put such an act was when he had received a letter from Lie Fan personally, something that was very rare for Gongsun Gong.

The letter praised Gongsun Gong for his handling of the situation and subtly hinted at the promise of military support if Goguryeo dared to break the agreement. This emboldened Gongsun Gong immensely, and in turn, he began to put immense pressure on Jinseok to gain Goguryeo's response.

As he paced the courtyard that evening, his thoughts were interrupted by the sudden arrival of one of his guards.

"Envoy Jinseok, a letter has arrived for you," the guard said, bowing slightly.

Jinseok's heart leaped into his throat. He followed the guard back to his chambers, where a messenger bird sat perched on the windowsill. His hands trembled slightly as he untied the letter from the bird's leg. With great care, he broke the seal and unrolled the parchment.

It was from Mo Du, as expected, detailing King Sansang's acceptance of the Han's terms. The tribute would be sent by the end of the week, and the hostages, which had been selected carefully from among Goguryeo's nobility, would accompany the gifts. The trade agreement was also confirmed, with King Sansang requesting that Goguryeo's merchants be allowed similar freedom within Han territories.

Relief washed over Jinseok like a wave. At last, he had the answer Gongsun Gong had been demanding. However, the relief was tempered with the knowledge that this was merely the first step. The hostages would soon leave Goguryeo, and Jinseok would be expected to ensure that the tribute and agreement were carried out to the letter.

Without delay, Jinseok made his way to the governor's hall, where Gongsun Gong held court. The warlord was seated on a raised dais, flanked by his advisors and guards. He looked up as Jinseok entered, his sharp eyes narrowing.

"Well?" Gongsun Gong asked, his voice cold and imperious. "Has your king finally given his answer, or are you here to waste more of my time?"

Jinseok bowed deeply before stepping forward. "My lord, I bring you King Sansang's response. He has agreed to all the terms laid out by Your Excellency. The tribute and hostages will be sent by the end of the week, and King Sansang requests that Goguryeo merchants be granted the same trade privileges as those of the Han."

There was a brief silence as Gongsun Gong studied the envoy. Then, a slow smile spread across his face.

"Good," Gongsun Gong said, leaning back in his chair. "It seems your king is wise enough to know when to submit. I will allow your merchants the same privileges, as agreed."

Jinseok felt a wave of relief but kept his composure. "Thank you, my lord," he said, bowing once again. "I will ensure that the tribute and hostages are prepared for the journey to Xiangping."

As he left the hall, Jinseok's mind raced. The immediate threat had been neutralized, but the tension was far from over.

Gongsun Gong's acceptance of the agreement did not mean that Goguryeo was safe. Far from it. The Han would be watching Goguryeo closely, and any sign of disobedience or rebellion could lead to devastating consequences.

Back in Goguryeo, King Sansang received confirmation of Jinseok's success through a letter that the latter sent. The Han had accepted their terms, and for the time being, the immediate threat of invasion had been averted. But as he sat in his chambers, his thoughts were already turning toward the future.

The selection of hostages had been completed, and the noble families whose sons and daughters would be sent to Xiangping had made their reluctant farewells. The tribute, consisting of gifts of gold, silk, precious artifacts, and valuable herbs, was being prepared for transport.

Everything was in motion as they had planned, and yet the king could not shake the feeling that they were merely buying time as he slowly contemplated by himself.

He met with Mo Du and Queen Woo in the council chambers the next day. Mo Du had returned from overseeing the final preparations for the hostages and tribute, while Queen Woo had spent the morning reassuring the noble families and personally seeing to the well-being of the young hostages.

"My king," Mo Du said as they gathered, "the preparations are complete. The tribute and hostages will be sent tomorrow, as agreed. We have done everything possible to ensure that the Han will have no reason to doubt our loyalty."

King Sansang nodded, though his mind was still troubled. "And what of the future? We have secured peace for now, but how long will it last? Gongsun Gong and the Han may be satisfied today, but we cannot trust that he will not increase his demand more from us in the coming years."

Queen Woo, always calm and composed, spoke next. "This peace may be fragile, but it gives us time, my lord. Time to rebuild our armies, strengthen our alliances, especially with our southern neighbors, and prepare for the day when we will no longer have to bend to the will of the Han."

King Sansang looked at his wife, admiring her wisdom and resolve. He knew that she was right, but the uncertainty of the future weighed heavily on him. Still, they had done everything possible to secure the safety of their people. Now, they would have to play the long game, waiting patiently for the right moment to assert their independence once again.

The next morning, the tribute caravan set out from Goguryeo, accompanied by the young hostages who would be delivered to Xiangping. The people of the kingdom watched in solemn silence as their noble sons and daughters were led away, their faces a mixture of pride and sorrow.

As the Goguryeo caravan began its long journey toward Xiangping, laden with tribute and hostages, another, quieter movement was underway, one that the Goguryeo court was entirely unaware of.

While King Sansang, Mo Du, and Queen Woo focused on the delicate balance of maintaining peace with the Han, an unseen threat began to infiltrate their kingdom. It was subtle, invisible to all but the most astute observers, yet it was already beginning to take root deep within Goguryeo's borders.

This was the work of the Oriole, who under the guidance of its second grandmaster, Xu Kai, the Oriole had been tasked with expanding its influence into Goguryeo's domain, laying the groundwork for what could become a vast and far-reaching spy network.

Xu Kai was a man of exceptional skill and discipline, a master of subterfuge and intelligence gathering. When he received the order from Lie Fan to expand the Oriole's reach, he immediately set to work, studying the intricacies of Goguryeo's culture, language, and political landscape.

Xu Kai had prepared for this mission meticulously. He had spent months learning the language of Goguryeo, immersing himself in its history and traditions, studying its governance, and even mastering the dialects spoken in various regions.

He had also tasked his team with doing the same, ensuring that when the time came, they could blend into Goguryeo's society without raising suspicion. By the time the order came to infiltrate Goguryeo, Xu Kai and his operatives were more than ready.

As the Goguryeo caravans wound their way through the mountain passes and forests toward Xiangping, Xu Kai and his team were already in place, scattered across various towns and villages, posing as merchants, scholars, and even refugees from distant lands.

Their goal was to establish a network of informants and spies who could gather intelligence on the inner workings of Goguryeo's court, military movements, and any signs of dissent or unrest among its people.

Xu Kai himself traveled under the guise of a merchant from the southern regions of China, peddling fine silks, porcelain, and exotic spices. His cover allowed him to move freely throughout Goguryeo, visiting different towns and cities without drawing undue attention. As he moved, he quietly established connections with local merchants, innkeepers, and craftsmen—people who were well-positioned to overhear gossip and news. He offered them generous payments in exchange for information, careful not to reveal his true purpose.

____________________________

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


CREATORS' THOUGHTS
Tang12 Tang12

Creation is hard, cheer me up! VOTE for me!

I tagged this book, come and support me with a thumbs up!

Like it ? Add to library!

Have some idea about my story? Comment it and let me know.

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