If you want to read 20 Chapters ahead and more, be sure to check out my Patreon!!!
Go to https://www.patreon.com/Tang12
___________________________
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.
In one such town, nestled in the foothills of the eastern mountains, Xu Kai established a relationship with a young innkeeper named Chul-woo. The inn, a modest establishment catering to travelers and traders, was a perfect place for gathering information.
Chul-woo, like many others, was struggling to keep his business afloat amidst the uncertainty of the kingdom's future. The sudden tribute to the Han had placed a heavy burden on the local economy, and many merchants and commoners found themselves taxed nearly to ruin.
Xu Kai, presenting himself as a sympathetic ear, slowly won Chul-woo's trust. Over the course of several visits, he offered the innkeeper advice on how to attract more business, even providing him with a few rare goods from the south to sell at a profit.
In return, Chul-woo began sharing bits and pieces of local gossip, nothing of major importance at first, but small details that Xu Kai carefully logged and sent back to his superiors.
One evening, as Xu Kai sat in the dimly lit common room of the inn, sipping a bowl of rice wine, Chul-woo leaned over the counter and began speaking in a low voice.
"Word is that the king has sent a caravan to Xiangping," the innkeeper said, glancing around to make sure no one else was listening. "It's a big one too, filled with lots of tribute and noble hostages. People are saying it's a way to keep the Han from attacking us."
Xu Kai nodded, feigning mild interest. "It makes sense," he said thoughtfully. "With the Han so close, the king must do whatever he can to keep the peace for Goguryeo."
Chul-woo grimaced. "Peace? More like submission. People around here are starting to whisper that we're no better than slaves to the Han. And what happens when the king runs out of gold and hostages? What will he offer them then? Us his people?"
Xu Kai leaned back, his expression calm but his mind racing. This was exactly the kind of sentiment he had been hoping to uncover, discontent among the populace, a growing sense of resentment toward the Han and perhaps even Gongsun Gong who had become Lie Fan's mouthpiece for Goguryeo.
If enough people began to question King Sansang's decisions, it could lead to internal strife, weakening Goguryeo from within, and causing even further devastation even more for the already weak Goguryeo.
"That's a dangerous way to think," Xu Kai said cautiously, though his tone was gentle. "The king must be under a lot of pressure. No one wants war with the Han, even if they were embroiled in an internal strife."
Chul-woo sighed and wiped down the counter. "I know, I know. But you didn't hear it from me. People are restless, that's all. They don't want to send their sons and daughters off to some foreign court as hostages. It's one thing to pay tribute, but to send our children?" He shook his head. "It doesn't sit right with a lot of folks."
Xu Kai made a mental note of this as he finished his drink. Discontent was a powerful tool in the hands of the right people, and Xu Kai knew that the Oriole could use this growing unrest to its advantage.
If they could stoke the flames of dissatisfaction just enough, it might cause fractures within Goguryeo's leadership leading to maybe a riot or even rebellion, making the kingdom even more vulnerable to outside influence.
Over the next few days, Xu Kai and his operatives continued to establish their network, recruiting informants from various sectors of Goguryeo's society. In the capital of Goguryeo, Gungnae, one of Xu Kai's most trusted agents, Lin Wen, posed as a scholar from a distant province.
His refined manners and extensive knowledge of Confucian teachings allowed him to gain entry into the more intellectual circles of the court. There, he struck up conversations with lower-ranking officials and scholars, slowly gathering information on the internal workings of King Sansang's administration.
Lin Wen reported back to Xu Kai regularly, sending coded messages detailing the political climate in the capital. He noted that while most of the court remained loyal to King Sansang, there were whispers of discontent among some of the younger nobles, particularly those whose families had been affected by the selection of hostages.
These young lords and ladies, who had lost siblings or cousins to the Han, were quietly questioning the king's decision to comply so easily with Gongsun Gong's demands and didn't put up a fight against the demands or even negotiate.
One such noble, a young lord named Baek Ji-hoon, had become particularly outspoken in his private conversations with Lin Wen. Baek, whose younger sister had been chosen as one of the hostages, was furious at the court's willingness to send noble blood to Xiangping as collateral for peace. Though he had not yet spoken publicly against the king, Baek's frustration was growing by the day.
Xu Kai saw an opportunity in this. If someone like Baek could be persuaded to act, it could set off a chain of events that would further destabilize Goguryeo's political landscape.
However, Xu Kai was a patient man, and he knew that such moves had to be made carefully. For now, it was enough to know where the cracks in the kingdom's foundation lay. In time, the Oriole would exploit them.
As Xu Kai's network expanded, he also began gathering intelligence on Goguryeo's military capabilities. He dispatched his operatives to observe the kingdom's training camps, weapons forges, and fortifications, carefully noting any weaknesses that could be exploited in the future.
Xu Kai himself traveled to the northern border, posing as a trader interested in acquiring furs and other goods. There, he observed the garrisons stationed along the frontier, noting their numbers, discipline, and morale.
Though Goguryeo's military was formidable, Xu Kai saw signs of strain. The recent rebellions and skirmishes had taken a toll on the kingdom's forces, and while the soldiers remained loyal, there was a sense of weariness among the ranks.
The peace with the Han, while necessary, had left many feeling uncertain about the future. If Goguryeo were to face another war, Xu Kai doubted that the kingdom could muster the same strength it once had.
By the time the tribute caravan reached Xiangping, Xu Kai's network was well established. He had eyes and ears in key locations across Goguryeo, from the capital to the borderlands, and the flow of information back to Lie Fan was steady and reliable.
The Oriole had successfully infiltrated Goguryeo, and though their presence was still small, Xu Kai knew it was only a matter of time before their influence grew with their success in creating a foundation for the Oriole.
As the Goguryeo tribute caravan approached Xiangping, the city's gates were thrown open in a grand display of welcome, though the atmosphere was tense beneath the surface. Gongsun Gong, clad in resplendent armor and accompanied by his contingent of guards, stood at the head of a ceremonial reception, waiting for the caravan's arrival with great anticipation.
Jinseok, the Goguryeo envoy who had spent weeks negotiating this uneasy peace, rode at the front of the caravan, his expression composed but inwardly battling the weight of what was to come.
The caravan, consisting of dozens of wagons, creaked and groaned as it rolled into the courtyard of Xiangoing's Governor's palace. The carts were laden with Goguryeo's finest treasures: silk, jade, gold, and rare herbs.
Walking alongside the caravan were the noble hostages, young men and women dressed in somber finery, their faces pale and tense. These were the sons and daughters of Goguryeo's most prominent families, offered up as guarantees of their kingdom's compliance with Han demands.
As the caravan came to a halt, Gongsun Gong's eyes were immediately drawn to several wagons, the ones filled with the most opulent of Goguryeo's tributes. The sheer volume of wealth caused a flicker of greed to light up in his eyes, though he masked it quickly behind a thin smile.
His mind wandered to the message he had received just days prior from Lie Fan's personal Oriole agents: half of the tribute would be his to keep, a reward for his loyalty and cooperation in ensuring Goguryeo's compliance. The other half, along with the hostages, would be sent to Xiapi via the sea, ensuring Lie Fan's continued dominance over the region.
For Gongsun Gong, this was an ideal situation as he would enrich his coffers, strengthen his military, and solidify his power in Xiangping, all without lifting a sword. His lips curled into a smug smile as he mentally tallied the riches before him.
The opportunity to reinforce his garrisons and arm his soldiers with superior weapons would only further cement his authority, and the remaining tribute would buy him further favor with his lord Lie Fan, and cultivate the relationship he had with him.
Jinseok, meanwhile, dismounted his horse and moved toward the hostages, his heart heavy. He had known this moment was coming, but seeing the young nobles standing there, some barely out of childhood, filled him with sorrow and shame.
He approached several of them, offering words of comfort and reassurance, though his own voice trembled with the weight of Goguryeo's subjugation. The proud kingdom of his ancestors had been reduced to this, a tributary state, offering up its finest treasures and noblest blood to appease the Han warlords.
One of the hostages, a young noblewoman named Hyejin, looked up at Jinseok with wide, frightened eyes. She was barely sixteen, the daughter of one of Goguryeo's most influential families. Jinseok placed a hand on her shoulder, his voice low and soothing. "You are brave, Lady Hyejin. Your family is proud of you, and your sacrifice will not be forgotten."
Hyejin swallowed hard and nodded, though her hands trembled as she clutched the hem of her silk robes. Jinseok moved on to the next hostage, a boy of fifteen who stared defiantly at the ground, refusing to acknowledge the Han soldiers watching him. Jinseok understood the boy's anger; it mirrored his own. But he also knew that such defiance would only bring more suffering to their people.
Gongsun Gong, ignoring Jinseok's attempts to console the hostages, strode forward, his attention still on the tribute. His voice boomed through the courtyard as he addressed the Goguryeo envoy.
"Envoy Jinseok, you and your king have honored your word," Gongsun Gong declared, his tone dripping with condescension. "I commend King Sansang for his wisdom in choosing peace over war. These tributes are impressive, as are the noble hostages you have brought. Goguryeo clearly understands its place in the world."
____________________________
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
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.
If you want to read 20 Chapters ahead and more, be sure to check out my Patreon!!!
Go to https://www.patreon.com/Tang12
___________________________
"Envoy Jinseok, you and your king have honored your word," Gongsun Gong declared, his tone dripping with condescension. "I commend King Sansang for his wisdom in choosing peace over war. These tributes are impressive, as are the noble hostages you have brought. Goguryeo clearly understands its place in the world."
Jinseok forced himself to smile politely, though every word felt like a slap in the face. "Thank you, my lord," he replied, bowing deeply. "King Sansang values peace above all and wishes only for the continued prosperity of both our kingdoms."
Gongsun Gong chuckled, his eyes gleaming with barely concealed contempt. "Yes, peace is indeed a noble pursuit. And you may tell your king that I will, of course, honor my side of the agreement. The hostages will be treated with the utmost care while they are in my custody. As for the trade agreements, your merchants will have free passage through our territories."
He stepped closer to Jinseok, lowering his voice to a mockingly confidential tone. "You see, I am a man of my word, even when dealing with a... lesser kingdom. Your king was wise to choose submission over annihilation."
Jinseok's jaw clenched, but he maintained his composure. "King Sansang believes that this arrangement will lead to a lasting peace between our peoples, my lord. We are grateful for your magnanimity."
The sarcasm in Gongsun Gong's eyes was unmistakable. "Indeed. Now, if you will excuse me, I have matters to attend to. My men will see to the distribution of the tribute."
As Gongsun Gong turned his attention to the wagons of treasure, Jinseok took a moment to steel himself. He knew that the worst of this ordeal was not yet over.
The hostages would soon be separated from him, taken aboard ships bound for Xiapi, where they would be held under Lie Fan's watchful eye. Goguryeo's future now rested in the hands of foreign warlords, and Jinseok could do little but watch.
Inside the palace, Gongsun Gong summoned several of his trusted advisors. The plan was already in motion, where half of the tribute would remain in Xiangping, enriching his domain and bolstering his forces, while the rest would be transported to Xiapi by sea.
The logistics prepared was somewhat complex, as the port was to the south of Xiangping but Gongsun Gong had faith in his men and in Lie Fan's promise of continued military support.
Meanwhile, Jinseok was left to oversee the final preparations for the hostages' departure. The young nobles, still reeling from the reality of their situation, gathered near the caravans under the watchful eyes of Gongsun Gong's soldiers.
Their expressions ranged from fear to stoic resignation, but none dared to speak openly of their anger or sorrow of the situation they found themselves in.
As the caravans were readied, Jinseok approached Hyejin once more, offering her a small, folded piece of parchment. "This is a letter from your family," he whispered. "Keep it close. It will bring you comfort during your journey and your stay in the town called Xiapi."
Hyejin accepted the letter with trembling hands, tears brimming in her eyes. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the sound of the preparations that was done by Gongsun Gong's men as they took over of the caravan.
Jinseok watched as the young nobles were led aboard to their carriages once again, their futures uncertain. His heart ached for them, but he knew that there was little he could do to change their fate. The best he could hope for was that the peace they had purchased with their blood and treasure would hold long enough for Goguryeo to rebuild its strength.
As the caravan set sail to the town port, Gongsun Gong stood on the walls of Xiangoing, his hands clasped behind his back, watching with satisfaction as the caravan roll out from Xiangoing.
The tribute had been secured, the hostages sent on their way, and his position strengthened. He had no doubt that Lie Fan would be pleased with the outcome.
The journey from Xiangping to the port town was grueling, a three-day trek through rugged terrain and narrow roads that tested the endurance of both men and horses.
Gongsun Gong's soldiers, grim-faced and vigilant, flanked the caravan at all times, their eyes scanning the surrounding landscape for any sign of trouble. Despite the oppressive heat and the occasional rain that turned the roads to mud, the caravan pressed on without rest, driven by the urgency of their mission.
Jinseok, riding near the front, kept a wary eye on the hostages. The young nobles, confined to their carriages, remained quiet, their eyes wide with fear and uncertainty.
They had been given little information about what awaited them at the end of this journey, and the oppressive silence only served to heighten their anxiety. Jinseok did his best to offer them reassurance whenever they stopped to rest, but his own heart was heavy with doubt and fear.
On the second night, the caravan camped in a small valley, surrounded by steep hills that offered some protection from the wind. The soldiers set up a perimeter around the camp, their torches casting flickering shadows on the canvas tents. Jinseok sat near the fire with a few of the older hostages, sharing what little food they had been given.
Hyejin, who had been quiet for most of the journey, finally spoke up. "Envoy Jinseok, what will happen to us when we reach Xiapi?" Her voice was barely more than a whisper, but it carried the weight of all the hostages' unspoken fears.
Jinseok hesitated, unsure of how to respond. He had no clear answer for them, and he didn't want to offer false hope. "You will be well cared for," he said finally, choosing his words carefully. " I heard that Lie Fan is a man of honor, and he has promised to treat you as honored guests, not prisoners. Your families have made a great sacrifice for the peace of our kingdom, and I am sure your time there will not be as difficult as you fear."
Another hostage, a young man named Sungho, scoffed. "Honored guests? We are hostages, nothing more. Do you really believe we will be treated with kindness?"
Jinseok sighed. "I don't know, Sungho. But I do know that your families are counting on you to be brave, to endure this hardship for the sake of Goguryeo's future."
The fire crackled in the silence that followed, and Jinseok looked around at the faces of the young nobles. They were so young, so full of life and potential, and yet they had been thrust into a world of politics and war that they barely understood. He wished he could do more for them, but his hands were tied.
As the dawn broke on the third day, the caravan resumed its journey. By midday, the smell of saltwater filled the air, and the distant cries of seabirds announced their proximity to the port town.
The sight of the sea brought a mix of emotions to the hostages—some were filled with a sense of dread, others with a strange excitement. The ships, docked in the harbor, were massive, their masts towering above the town.
The port town itself was bustling with activity. Fishermen hauled in their catches, merchants haggled over goods, and sailors shouted orders as they prepared the ships for departure.
The presence of Lie Fan's marines, their uniforms crisp and their swords gleaming, added an air of tension to the already chaotic scene. Gongsun Gong's soldiers, weary from the journey, dismounted and began organizing the transfer of the tribute.
The wagons were unloaded with great care, the gold, silk, and jade carried aboard under the watchful eyes of both Gongsun Gong's men and the marines. The hostages, huddled together near the docks, watched in silence as their kingdom's wealth was carried away. Hyejin, standing at the front of the group, felt a surge of anger and helplessness as she watched the treasures disappear into the holds of the ships.
But then something unexpected happened. As the last of the tribute was loaded, the marines turned their attention to the hostages, and a murmur of fear rippled through the group. Hyejin, sensing the panic, took a deep breath and stepped forward.
"Please, everyone, stay calm," she said, her voice steady despite the fear she felt. "We must show them that we are not afraid. We are the sons and daughters of Goguryeo, and we will not be cowed by this."
The hostages, startled by her boldness, exchanged glances. Slowly, one by one, they nodded and straightened their shoulders. Under Hyejin's lead, they walked toward the ships with their heads held high, their fear replaced by a quiet determination. Even the marines, who had expected resistance or at least hesitation, were taken aback by their composure.
As they boarded the ships, Hyejin caught Jinseok's eye. He gave her a small, encouraging smile, filled with pride and sorrow. She had shown a strength he hadn't expected, and he prayed it would be enough to see her and the others through the ordeal that lay ahead.
With the hostages and tribute aboard, the marines made their final preparations. The small fleet, consisting of five ships, raised their sails and caught the wind. As the ships pulled away from the dock, Jinseok stood on the shore, watching them disappear into the horizon. He felt a pang of guilt and helplessness, but he knew that this was the only way to protect his people.
The journey to Huai'An was relatively uneventful. The seas were calm, and the marines kept a strict watch, ensuring the hostages remained confined to their quarters. Despite their initial fear, the young nobles gradually settled into the routine of shipboard life. Hyejin, who had become a sort of de facto leader, continued to offer them words of comfort and hope, even as she struggled with her own doubts.
One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden light across the water, Hyejin stood at the railing of the ship, staring out at the endless sea. Sungho approached her, his expression troubled.
"Do you really believe what you said back at the port?" he asked quietly. "That we are the future of Goguryeo?"
Hyejin glanced at him, then back at the sea. "I don't know, Sungho. But I do know that we can't give up. Our families, our kingdom—they're all counting on us to be strong. If we show weakness now, what hope do we have?"
Sungho nodded slowly, his gaze distant. "I just wish I could do something. Anything. I hate feeling so powerless."
Hyejin reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder. "I know. But we have to be patient. Our time will come. And when it does, we have to be ready."
The days passed in a blur of routine. The hostages kept to themselves, whispering among their group and speculating about what awaited them in Xiapi. The marines, disciplined and efficient, maintained their vigilance, though they treated the hostages with a measure of respect. It was clear that they had orders to keep the young nobles safe, if not entirely comfortable.
Meanwhile, in Xiapi, a grand ceremony was underway. The final stone of the outer wall had been laid, marking the completion of a project that had taken years of labor and immense resources. The people of Xiapi, who had endured countless hardships during the construction, gathered in the streets to celebrate this monumental achievement.
Lie Fan, accompanied by his closest advisors—Liu Ye, Mi Zhu, Jia Xu, Zhao Yun, and Mi Fang—stood atop the newly completed wall, looking out over the cheering crowds. The city, now protected by a formidable outer wall, was a testament to his leadership and vision. He raised his hand, and the crowd fell silent.
"My people!" Lie Fan's voice rang out over the crowd, carried on the wind like a clarion call. "Today, we stand united in celebration. This wall, built with the sweat and toil of all of you, is more than just a barrier of stone and mortar. It is a symbol of our strength, our resilience, and our unwavering determination to protect our home."
The crowd erupted in cheers, their voices echoing off the walls. Lie Fan smiled, allowing the cheers to wash over him before continuing.
"We have faced many challenges, but we have overcome them all. This wall is proof of what we can achieve when we work together. It will stand for generations as a testament to our unity and resolve. And let this be an auspicious sign for the future construction of our outer town buildings, which will bring even more prosperity to Xiapi!"
As the crowd roared their approval, Lie Fan looked to his advisors, each of whom nodded in agreement. The completion of the wall was more than just a military achievement; it was a sign that Xiapi was ready to take its place as one of the most important cities in the region. Jia Xu, ever the strategist, leaned closer to Lie Fan. "This wall will serve us well, my lord. It will not only protect us but also send a message to our enemies that Xiapi is not to be trifled with."
____________________________
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
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.
Comentario de párrafo
¡La función de comentarios de párrafo ya está en la Web! Mueva el mouse sobre cualquier párrafo y haga clic en el icono para agregar su comentario.
Además, siempre puedes desactivarlo en Ajustes.
ENTIENDO