Kapitel 524: 502. Decision To Be Made
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He handed the letter to Lady Wu without a word, allowing her to read it for herself. Lady Wu's eyes widened slightly as she read the message. The letter informed them that Sun Ce, their eldest son, had formally proposed marriage to Da Qiao, and Zhou Yu, whom they considered a part of their family, had done the same with Xiao Qiao. It was unexpected, to say the least.
"Well," Lady Wu finally said, her voice carrying a note of surprise, "I must say I did not see this coming. Our son, so bold as always, and Zhou Yu as well… What a turn of events."
Sun Quan, noticing his parents' reactions, leaned forward with a frown of concern. "What has Brother done now?" he asked, half-joking but with genuine curiosity. He could never quite predict his elder brother's next move, especially when it came to matters outside of the battlefield.
Sun Jian chuckled, shaking his head as he glanced at his second son. "It seems your brother has decided to take a new kind of risk. He and Zhou Yu have both proposed marriage to the Qiao sisters—Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao."
At this, both Sun Quan and Sun Shangxiang straightened in their seats, their expressions reflecting their surprise.
"Marriage? Eldest Brother?!" Sun Shangxiang blurted out, unable to hide her shock. "Just like that? Without any notice whatsoever?"
Sun Quan, though more composed, raised an eyebrow. "Brother is bold, but I didn't think he'd be this sudden in proposing marriage. And Brother Zhou Yu… I always knew they were close, but this is unexpected."
Lady Wu smiled softly as she set the letter down on the table. "Your brother and Zhou Yu have always acted decisively. It seems they have made up their minds about the Qiao sisters."
Sun Jian, leaning back in his chair, stroked his beard thoughtfully. "It's an interesting match, to say the least. The Qiao sisters come from a respected family, and Qiao Xuan is a man of wisdom and influence. But still, I wonder if Sun Ce and Zhou Yu fully understand the weight of the commitments they've just made."
"Father, I'm sure they know," Sun Quan said after a moment of reflection. "Brother has always been straightforward about his intentions. And Brother Zhou Yu was never one to act impulsively. If they've decided to propose marriage, it must be because they feel strongly about it."
Lady Wu nodded in agreement. "Zhou Yu, especially, is careful and measured. If he has chosen Xiao Qiao, then I trust he has thought deeply about it."
Sun Shangxiang, however, still seemed incredulous, her lips curling into a mischievous grin. "I can't wait to meet them, Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao. I've heard they are quite beautiful and talented. But I wonder, will they be able to handle my brother's recklessness and Brother Zhou Yu's endless strategizing?"
Her teasing tone brought a smile to Sun Jian's face, though his thoughts were already turning to the future. "It's not just about handling them," he said, his tone serious now. "Marriage, especially for men like Bofu and Zhou Yu, is more than a personal matter. It's a political alliance, a partnership that can shape the course of their lives and the stability of our clan. They've made their choices, but the responsibilities that come with those choices will be heavy."
Lady Wu, ever the voice of wisdom in the family, placed a hand on Sun Jian's arm. "We have taught our son and his friend well. Sun Ce and Zhou Yu are strong, capable men, but they will need their wives by their sides to help them face the challenges ahead. The Qiao sisters will bring balance to them, just as we have balanced each other over the years."
Sun Jian looked at his wife, his expression softening as he considered her words. "Yes, you're right, as always. If the Qiao sisters are anything like you, then Sun Ce and Zhou Yu will be fortunate indeed."
The rest of the meal passed in relative calm, though the news of Sun Ce and Zhou Yu's proposals hung in the air. Sun Shangxiang, always eager for excitement, began planning in her head the next time she would get to meet her sister in laws.
Sun Quan, more reserved, thought about the political implications of the marriages and what it might mean for their family's future. As for Sun Jian and Lady Wu, they were content to wait and see how these new unions would shape the future of the Sun Clan.
Back at the Qiao estate, the celebration continued well into the evening. Lanterns were lit, casting a warm glow over the gardens, and music filled the air as guests toasted the future union of the two pairs.
Sun Ce and Zhou Yu, ever mindful of their promise to Qiao Xuan, remained respectful and attentive to Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao throughout the festivities. The love and admiration that had grown between them over the months of courtship were now clear for all to see.
As the night deepened, Sun Ce found himself standing beside Da Qiao in a quiet corner of the garden, away from the noise and laughter of the main party. The soft glow of the lanterns illuminated her face, and for a moment, Sun Ce felt as though the world had narrowed down to just the two of them.
"Da Qiao," he said, his voice soft but filled with emotion, "I want you to know that this is just the beginning. I've fought many battles in my life, but this—us—means more to me than any victory. I will do everything I can to make you happy."
Da Qiao smiled up at him, her heart swelling with warmth at his words. "I know," she whispered. "And I believe in you, Sun Ce. Together, we can face whatever challenges come our way."
Not far from them, Zhou Yu stood beside Xiao Qiao, who was teasing him with her usual playful banter.
"You know, Zhou Yu," she said with a grin, "I never thought I'd end up marrying a man who spends more time thinking about strategy than anything else. I hope you'll make some time for me between all your brilliant plans."
Zhou Yu chuckled, his eyes filled with affection. "For you, Xiao Qiao, I would put aside even the most intricate of strategies. You are my partner in all things, and nothing will ever be more important than that."
The success of Sun Ce and Zhou Yu's proposals to Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao reached Xiapi swiftly through the Oriole intelligence network. Lie Fan had come to expect nothing less from his well-organized spy network, which kept him informed of developments across the region.
However, the news of the unions between two of Jiangdong's most powerful figures and the prestigious Qiao sisters was something that gave him pause. It was a momentous event, one that could shift the balance of power in the south and have repercussions across the region of Yang Province.
Lie Fan stood by a large window overlooking the city of Xiapi. His gaze was distant, reflecting on how this new alliance would affect the larger picture. The Sun Clan had always been an ally, but this marriage brought new variables into play.
The Sun Clan by extension Sun Ce and Zhou Yu had both been indebted to Lie Fan for his support during their rise alongside saving both Sun Jian and Sun Ce's life.
He had aided them in their campaigns, provided resources, and helped them consolidate power in Jiangdong. Now, with their marriages to Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao, their positions would only grow stronger. But the question that lingered in his mind was whether this was the right moment to attempt to bring the Sun Clan fully under his influence, or whether they should wait.
Lie Fan summoned his most trusted advisors for counsel. Jia Xu, Lu Su, Chen Qun, and Sima Yi were soon gathered in the council chamber, their expressions somber, understanding the gravity of the discussion that lay ahead. Lie Fan, seated at the head of the table, listened as the advisors debated the issue.
Jia Xu, always the master strategist, began. "My lord, I believe this is the ideal moment to advance our plans. The Sun Clan is at a point where they are distracted by personal matters, and while their political and military power is growing, so too is their debt to us. The Sun Clan, at this time Sun Ce and Zhou Yu owe much of their success and even the life of Sun Ce himself and Sun Jian to your support, and now, with their marriages to the Qiao sisters, they may feel secure enough to consolidate further alliances. If we act now, we can solidify our control over the Sun Clan while they still feel obligated to repay the favors they owe."
Jia Xu's suggestion was bold, and he knew it. He was advocating for a strategy of subtle pressure, to nudge the Sun Clan into becoming more reliant on Lie Fan, ultimately leading to their peaceful subjugation. It was an opportunity to strike while the iron was hot, while Sun Ce and Zhou Yu were settling into their new roles as husbands and forging alliances with the Qiao family.
Lu Su, ever the voice of caution, responded immediately. "Jia Xu, while your plan is tactically sound, we must remember that we are dealing with men of great ambition. Sun Ce, in particular, is not one to take kindly to feeling cornered. Yes, they owe us many favors, but if they perceive any attempt to exert control over them too soon, it could provoke a backlash. Sun Ce's loyalty to his family and Zhou Yu's intelligence make them dangerous if we miscalculate. A misstep could turn an ally into an enemy."
Lu Su's point was valid. The Sun Clan was fiercely independent, especially under Sun Ce's leadership. Any attempt to manipulate or pressure them too early could fracture the alliance that Lie Fan had worked so hard to build. It was a delicate balancing act, and one misstep could undo years of careful diplomacy.
Chen Qun, sitting between the two, leaned forward. "There is truth in both arguments. The Sun Clan is indeed growing stronger, but their loyalty to us remains because of the ties we've built through years of cooperation. However, we must not take that loyalty for granted. If we push too hard, it could strain those ties, but if we wait too long, the Sun Clan may become so powerful that any chance of subjugation will slip through our fingers. I propose a middle approach. We must strengthen our diplomatic relations with them by congratulating Sun Ce and Zhou Yu on their marriages and continuing to offer support, but subtly increasing our presence in Jiangdong."
He paused, looking to Lie Fan for approval. "Through careful diplomacy, we can ensure that they continue to view us as indispensable allies while slowly increasing our influence over their internal affairs.".Lie Fan listened carefully, nodding at Chen Qun's balanced perspective. It was a sound strategy, a middle ground between caution and action, but he remained silent, his eyes fixed on Sima Yi, who had yet to speak.
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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
AUTORENGEDANKEN 
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