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Cai Wenji's music continued to weave through the air, a soothing backdrop to their quiet atmosphere. Back in the city, Lie Fan was unaware of this serene moment but would have been heartened to know that the women he cherished were united in their support for him. As he prepared for the next steps in his campaign facing one of the greatest talents of this era, their unwavering faith would be his greatest source of strength.
As the sun set over Xiapi, Lie Fan sat in his study, a lantern casting a warm glow over the stacks of documents and maps spread across his desk. The upcoming campaign against Cao Cao loomed large in his mind, and the final preparations required his utmost attention.
Lie Fan carefully reviewed a list of preparations provided by his advisors, each item meticulously planned and executed perfectly.
Jia Xu, as Lie Fan's chief strategist, had compiled a comprehensive strategy, considering every possible contingency. The supply lines were secure, the troop movements coordinated with precision, and intelligence on Cao Cao's forces was continuously updated by the Oriole agents.
Xun You and Chen Qun ensured that the administrative aspects were in order. The soldiers were well-equipped, the rations ample, and morale high.
Liu Ye had worked tirelessly to streamline the logistics, ensuring that the army could move swiftly and efficiently with the climbing tigers being made continuously.
Chen Gong had taken charge of fortifications and defenses, making sure that the entirety of Xu Province would remain secure in their absence.
Lu Su coordinated with the army groups under Lie Fan's Military, strengthening their combined power. Sima Yi, with his sharp mind and fresh perspective, had been invaluable in fine-tuning the tactics made by the others.
Lie Fan's eyes scanned the list, ticking off each completed task. He felt a sense of satisfaction mixed with a lingering anxiety. Despite their meticulous planning, the uncertainty of war was always present.
As he pondered their next move, Jia Xu entered the room, bowing slightly. "My Lord, everything is progressing as planned. Our scouts report that Cao Cao's forces are still preoccupied in the west. We have a window of opportunity to strike decisively."
Lie Fan nodded, appreciating Jia Xu's confidence. "Good. We must capitalize on Cao Cao's distraction. Have we received any new intelligence from our spies in Xuchang?"
Jia Xu handed him a sealed scroll. "Yes, my Lord. The latest report indicates that Dong Cheng and his faction are making preparations to disrupt Cao Cao's control. Their actions should create enough chaos to divide Cao Cao's focus."
Lie Fan unrolled the scroll, reading the detailed account of Dong Cheng's maneuvers. His lips curled into a faint smile. "Excellent. With internal strife weakening Cao Cao, our chances of success increase significantly."
Jia Xu continued, "Our forces are ready, my Lord. The men are eager to prove themselves in battle. They have full confidence in your leadership."
Lie Fan looked up, meeting Jia Xu's steady gaze. "Thank you, Wenhou. Make sure our commanders are informed of the latest developments and that all units are prepared for mobilization."
Jia Xu bowed again and exited the room, leaving Lie Fan to his thoughts. The final preparations were falling into place, and in two weeks, the campaign against Cao Cao would begin.
In Xuchang, the heart of Cao Cao's power, Dong Cheng and his loyalists moved in the shadows, putting their plans into action. Xuchang, which was a bustling hub of Cao Cao's military and political activity, was the perfect stage for their covert operations.
Under the cover of night, Dong Cheng's allies began their plan to sow chaos and discord, coordinating with each other using covert messages and encryption so that Cao Cao's advisors needed at least some file to crack their communication open.
Their first target was the grain stores. A group of trusted men, disguised as common laborers, infiltrated the warehouses. They carefully set fires in strategic locations, ensuring the flames would spread rapidly.
As the fires blazed, panic erupted among the guards and workers. The chaos was further fueled by rumors that spread like wildfire, whispering of an imminent plague that would break out on Xuchang due to infected grains.
Meanwhile, another of Dong Cheng's group targeted the armory. Saboteurs mingled with the blacksmiths and armorers, slipping flammable powder into the forges and tampering with weapon racks.
A series of small, controlled explosions rocked the armory, damaging valuable equipment for Cao Cao's Army, and not forgetting to leave some clues that it was due to an accident or mistake from the blacksmith and laborers.
In the administrative quarters, Dong Cheng's agents forged documents and spread false information. They intercepted and altered orders, creating confusion between the military headquarters and the western frontier of Cao Cao Army.
Critical supply lines were redirected, and false intelligence was planted, suggesting that key locations were under threat from phantom enemies.
Xun Yu was the first to notice the rising tide of chaos between Cao Cao's advisors. Reports flooded his desk fires, explosions, and conflicting orders.
He quickly assembled the rest of Cao Cao's advisors to address the situation. As they debated the best course of action to handle this matter, Dong Cheng and his ally continued their work, fanning the flames of disorder.
Dong Cheng himself remained in the background, orchestrating the operations with meticulous precision. His goal was not just to disrupt but to divide Cao Cao's focus, forcing him to address the internal chaos and weakening his ability to respond effectively to external threats.
Under the cover of darkness, Dong Cheng summoned his most trusted allies to a secret meeting. The location was a secluded manor on the outskirts of Xuchang, far from prying eyes and ears.
Once everyone was assembled, Dong Cheng stood before them, his expression one of pride and determination. "Everyone," he began, his voice steady, "we have made significant strides in our mission to restore the glory of the Han Dynasty. Our efforts have thrown Cao Cao's forces into disarray, and we are one step closer to achieving our ultimate goal."
The room buzzed with murmurs of agreement and satisfaction. Dong Cheng continued, "But our work is far from over. We must remain vigilant and continue to apply pressure until Cao Cao's grip on power is broken."
At that moment, a side door opened, and Emperor Xian himself entered the room, accompanied by Empress Dong. All people in the room immediately fell silent and bowed deeply. The Emperor's presence added a solemn weight to the gathering.
"Your Majesty," Dong Cheng said, stepping aside to allow the Emperor to address the assembly, "we are honored by your presence."
Emperor Xian nodded his expression grave yet hopeful. "Greetings everyone," he began, "your bravery and dedication to the Han Dynasty have not gone unnoticed. It is through your dangerous and selfless actions that we have begun to see a glimmer of hope for the future of our realm."
Empress Dong added, "We stand with you in this fight. The sacrifices you make today will pave the way for a brighter future for the Han Dynasty, and some worry your contribution will be noted and exchanged for rewards in the future."
Dong Cheng then stepped forward again. "The revival of the Han Dynasty is within our reach, and with your continued dedication, we shall see it realized."
The meeting was soon concluded with a renewed spirit for all of the people involved, leaving Emperor Xian, Empress Dong, and Dong Cheng alone in the hall of the manor.
The three of them exchanged some knowledge they knew about the situation in the palace, where they tried their best to keep their act there because almost all of the servants and maids were Cao Cao's spies to keep an eye on them.
On the other hand, the atmosphere in Xuchang's Governor Castle was tense. Xun Yu had called for an emergency meeting in the grand hall, and all of Cao Cao's top advisors were present. Guo Jia, Xi Zhicai, and Cheng Yu sat around the large wooden table, their faces reflecting the gravity of the situation. The sudden chaos in Xuchang had thrown their plans into disarray.
Xun Yu began the meeting, his tone grave. "Gentlemen, the recent events in Xuchang have disrupted our operations and will delay our campaign against Ma Teng. We must understand the extent of the damage and devise a strategy to restore order swiftly."
Guo Jia leaned forward, his sharp eyes glinting with concern. "The sabotage has been widespread. Fires, sabotages, and misinformation have shaken Xuchang. We need to identify the source of these disturbances and neutralize it."
Xi Zhicai nodded in agreement. "I suspect there is a coordinated effort behind these attacks. The precision and timing suggest an organized group with substantial resources or access. We must uncover who is behind this and act decisively."
Cheng Yu, agreeing with Xi Zhicai, added, "We should also consider the possibility of an internal threat. Our Lord's enemies might have infiltrated our ranks. We need to tighten security and conduct thorough investigations."
Xun Yu stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Indeed. Our first priority is to stabilize Xuchang. Once we have reestablished control, we can refocus on our campaign against Ma Teng. However, we must act quickly. The delay ceased by this action could give our enemies more time to regroup."
Guo Jia stood up, his voice steady but urgent. "I will coordinate with our intelligence network to gather more information on these saboteurs. We must cut off their support and dismantle their operations."
Xi Zhicai chimed in, "I will oversee the security enhancements within the city and ensure that all suspicious activities are thoroughly investigated. We cannot afford any more surprises."
Cheng Yu concluded, "And I will work on maintaining the morale of our troops and the populace. We need to reassure them that we are in control and that this chaos will be short-lived."
Xun Yu nodded, his confidence in his colleagues evident. "Very well. Let's move swiftly and decisively. We must restore order and prepare for our campaign. Dismissed."
As the advisors left the hall to carry out their tasks, Xun Yu remained behind, his mind racing with thoughts of the challenges ahead. He knew that this unexpected disruption was a serious threat, one that he believes come from inside seeing how they could gain certain access to restricted areas.
Meanwhile, in the darkened corridors of Xuchang, the Oriole agents continued their silent surveillance, ensuring that every move made by Cao Cao's advisors was meticulously documented and reported back to Jia Xu, who then gave the information they gathered to Dong Cheng and his allies as it would be crucial in helping them whether to stay low or continue their act of saboteurs.
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Name: Lie Fan
Title: Three Heroes Who Defeat Lu Bu
Age: 31 (198 AD)
Level: 16
Next Level: 462,000
Renown: 825
Cultivation: Yin Yang Separation (level 9)
SP: 1,121,700
ATTRIBUTE POINTS
STR: 936 (+20)
VIT: 598 (+20)
AGI: 583 (+10)
INT: 587
CHR: 96
WIS: 509
WILL: 397
ATR Points: 0
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