Chapitre 531: 509. Tribute & Hostage Transfer
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"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."
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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
L’AVIS DES CRÉATEURS 
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