Bab 394: 380. Zhang Lu Attack Shangyong
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Without any allies, Tian Feng was soon besieged by Feng Ji, Guo Tu, and Shen Pei, a three on one debate which goes for a long time and Tian Feng could stand tall against them until finally, Feng Ji managed to sway Yuan Shao who stopped the debate, scolded Tian Feng for not thinking the current condition of their treasury, and choose the plan proposed by Feng Ji as he is already bewitched by the prospect of the reputations and riches he will receive from Zhang Yan much to the dismay of Tian Feng.
Not backing down, Tian Feng tried to persuade Yuan Shao to change his choice for one last time but failed as Yuan Shao ordered Tian Feng to leave the hall, and Tiam Feng could only dejectedly follow the order.
Seeing this Feng Ji, Guo Tu, and Shen Pei snickered and mocked Tian Feng on his way out with subtle words that also praised Yuan Shao at the same time, while Xu You could only lower his head to evade Tian Feng's gaze.
As Tian Feng left the hall, Yuan Shao then continued by asking for Feng Ji, Guo Tu, and Shen Pei to develop a plan of attack for their invasion of Zhang Yan, and Xu You to prepare the supplies needed for his army where he will coordinate with Yan Liang and When Chou.
Everyone who was addressed by Yuan Shao cupped their hand toward him receiving the assignment that was tasked to them, especially Xun You who could only grimace as he went to work with the two most stubborn men in the entirety of Yuan Shao retainers.
Then Yuan Shao continued by saying that he expected everyone could stay their hand and focus on the important matters, when Zhang Yan's matter was finished he would distribute a large percentage of the spoils as rewards for all of them.
Hearing that they would have a large reward incentive, everyone said that they understood, and those with subtle minds who wanted to take advantage of the situation to skim some money decided to not do it.
Because Yuan Shap definitely knew that it happened, but since he received some slice of the cake he chose to turn a blind eye, but it doesn't mean that he would allow it to happen all the time especially if it involved the entire future stake of his force and legacy.
After making sure that his words were noticed by everyone, he meant literally everyone in the room, especially his family members Yuan Shao then proceeded to discuss the marriage of his second son Yuan Xi.
The moment Yuan Shao's words came down, everyone in the room began to talk with each other causing the hall full of commotion, as everyone talk which family they could suggest that have a woman that was worthy of Yuan Xi.
Everyone in the room knew that Yuan Xi was very smart but had a weak body and was very indecisive, which was a large contrast to his older brother Yuan Tan who was brave but very impulsive and had a violent temper, it could be said that the two of them share Yuan Shao's personalities.
So they should choose a candidate who was very beautiful and smart, who could satisfy Yuan Xi not just with her appearance but also demure and not overbearing as Yuan Xi had a weak body.
It was pretty hard to find the perfect candidate, but Guo Tu had some friendship with Zhen Yi who was the head of the Zhen Clan but unfortunately had passed away, one of the largest Merchant Clans in China alongside the Mi Clan, and knew that one of his daughters was a perfect candidate.
The Zhen Clan is not only rich but also has a large political background and history, where the Zhen Clan was the descendant of Zhen Han who served as Grand Protector in the Western Han and later General In Chief in the short lived Xin Dynasty.
Guo Tu: "My Lord! I have a candidate in mind that could satisfy second young lord Yuan Xi in terms of appearance and intellect but also had a very gentle personality and her family could bring large benefits to My Lord."
Yuan Shao: "Oh? Who is it Guo Tu? If your candidate court satisfies me, I will reward you with large gifts for finding the perfect house for my son and great in laws for my clan!"
Guo Tu: "The youngest daughter of Zhen Yi who had passed away several years ago, and the youngest sister to Zhen Yu the current head of the Zhen Clan, named Zhen Ji. She was around 15 years old this year but we can propose for an engagement first and set the marriage date in two years if My Lord thinks she was too young for the second young lord."
Yuan Shao: "Zhen Yi who was the perfect of Shangchang County? I knew of him and of course knew about the Zhen Clan, hmm if what you just said is true then this could be a very good marriage and a profitable one for my clan! Guo Tu has done great work in proposing this Zhen Ji!"
Feng Ji: "I also agree My Lord, with the Yuan Clan and Zhen Clan joining their hand through marriage, My Lord will have more power and control over your domain with the backing of the Zhen Clan's monetary power, like Lie Fan who had the backing of the Mi Clan."
With both Feng Ji and Guo Tu giving Yuan Shao the sweetness of the possible marriage alliance with the Zhen Clan, he finally agreed on the idea and had Guo Tu personally draft the letter to the Zhen Clan.
As Yuan Shao was making moves to empower his military, political, and economic power in his domain, to the southwest of Yuan Shao's domain at the land of Hanzhong, Zhang Lu who was embroiled in a long all out war with Liu Zhang convened a meeting with his retainers.
He wanted to discuss the possibilities of recuperating their exhausted resources and manpower in the fastest way possible, because even with his sect Way of the Five Pecks of Rice sooner or later he would not have any resources to spare for his war with Liu Zhang.
Yan Pu, Yan Ren, Zhang Wei, and Yang Song were Zhang Lu's most powerful and influential advisors, especially Yang Song who was very greedy and selfish but very good at espionage and manipulating Zhang Lu for his own gains.
When they heard of Zhang Lu's concern about recuperating their losses in both resources and manpower in their war against Liu Zhang, the four of them became solemn to think of what idea they could suggest to Zhang Lu.
Yang Song who was greedy for more riches immediately had Shangyong who was under Liu Biao's control in his mind, because it hadn't been attacked by Liu Bei and still was held by Liu Biao politically.
Shangyong was a town that became a connection between the Liang Province and Jing Province, where it was more placed in terms of security checkpoints compared to passing through Wan and Luoyang.
So Shangyong was the perfect choice for medium and small merchants to pass through, as it was much closer than going through Wan or Luoyang to head to Liang Province which was also a perfect pathway for smugglers and other criminals to pass through.
Which was a very perfect town for him to do his clandestine activities and accumulate more riches for him, and of course also a perfect town for Zhang Lu to gain more followers for his sect.
Yang Song: "My Lord I have a suggestion that I think could help us massively in recuperating our losses in the fastest way possible."
Zhang Lu: "That's great Yang Song! As expected of one of my best advisors! Please tell me what is your suggestion?"
Yang Song: "I suggest that we take over Shangyong from Liu Biao's hand because it was without any large military presence, and holds a very strategic location where many people of all kinds passed through, which holds large economic value for us also."
Yan Pu: "Preposterous! Master Yang Song you don't expect us to redirect some of our army to attack Shangyong! We are already shorthanded in our front giants Liu Zhang, splitting our focus will only cause more losses for us!"
Yang Song: "Not if we stop our offensive and go on the defensive, I'm sure that Liu Zhang would also hold his attack due to the number of losses he had over the years fighting us, which will be a perfect chance for us to take over Shangyong."
Zhang Wei: "General Yan Pu I think this is a perfect idea, we can also recuperate our manpower faster this way with prisoners to be turned into soldiers."
Zhang Lu: "I also agree, Yan Pu I think you're thinking too much into this, why don't you take a rest and let Yang Song alongside Yang Ren and Zhang Wei handle this matter?"
Yan Pu hearing what Zhang Lu said was shocked because he knew that it meant that Zhang Lu had made up his mind and that there was nothing he could do to change that.
Dejected but there's nothing he can do, Yan Pu agrees to Zhang Lu's orders which indicates that Yang Sing has once again managed to manipulate his way for selfish gains.
Yang Sing smirked seeing this but chose to stay silent because he didn't want to antagonize Yan Pu, who held the strongest military power and influence in Zhang Lu's army.
Even if Zhang Lu dismissed him it doesn't mean that he wanted to ostracize him, but to truly let Yan Pu take some rest, and if someone dared to scheme against Yan Pu they would definitely be dealt with by Zhang Lu.
So without further ado, Zhang Lu alongside Zhang Wei prepared the army where they turned from offensive to defensive, which confused Liu Zhang's army but accepted what happened and didn't pursue Zhang Lu's army as they chose to recuperate.
Seeing that what Yang Song said had come true, Zhang Lu immediately ordered Zhang Wei and Yang Song to lead his army to attack Shangyong, where they took around a week before reaching Shangyong, where they immediately attacked Shangyong taking it by surprise.
Left without any defenses and a strong army to defend against Zhang Lu's Army's sudden attack, after around 3 days of defensive battle Shangyong raised a white banner to surrender, causing Yang Song to be ecstatic as he could further expand his clandestine activities, and Zhang Lu's Army victory soon was known across the land and doesn't cause much shock except to Liu Biao who couldn't do anything to even do some attempt to regain Shangyong.
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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
PERTIMBANGAN PENCIPTA 
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