章 519: 498. Lie Fan's Course Of Action For Lingling's Agreement
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Zhang Hong, another trusted advisor, chimed in. "This council could serve as a temporary solution, allowing us to stabilize the region and secure a foothold in Lingling. If we play our cards right, we can use the resources gained from the Cai family's treasury to strengthen our forces. When the time comes, we will be in a position to assert our dominance over the region."
Sun Jian nodded, his eyes narrowing in thought. "Yes, we will agree to the proposal for now. But make no mistake, we will not share Lingling forever. Let Liu Bei and Shi Xie think we are content with this arrangement. Meanwhile, we will continue to build our strength, and when the moment is right, we will strike."
The room fell silent as Sun Jian's words hung in the air, the gravity of the situation clear to all present. The Sun Clan would bide its time, waiting for the perfect opportunity to seize full control of Lingling.
With all three warlords agreeing to the council proposal—albeit with hidden agendas—the future of Lingling became increasingly precarious. For the time being, the city would be governed by the representatives of Liu Bei, Shi Xie, and the Sun Clan, each of them vying for control while publicly maintaining the appearance of cooperation.
Kuai Yue, Hua Bao, and Zhu Ran reconvened several days later to formalize the agreement. The tension between them was palpable, but none dared to speak openly of the ambitions of their lords.
Instead, they drafted the terms of the council, each representative given equal authority over the city's governance and the management of the Cai family's vast wealth. It was a fragile alliance, one held together by the thinnest of threads.
For the people of Lingling, the trial of Lady Cai had been a moment of catharsis, a chance to see justice served for the atrocities committed by the Cai family. But now, they faced a new uncertainty.
The city was no longer under the iron grip of the Cai clan, but it was also not yet free. The three warlords who had liberated Lingling were all powerful men with their own ambitions, and it was unclear whether they had the people's best interests at heart like Lie Fan who had sent out a statement that allowed them to get out from their previous nightmare and gain justice.
As the council began its work, tensions simmered beneath the surface. Each representative watched the others carefully, waiting for the slightest sign of weakness. In the halls of power and subtle intrigues, the true battle for Lingling had only just begun.
Far to the most at Xiapi, Lie Fan sat in his study, surrounded by his most trusted advisors. The news of the fragile council agreement in Lingling, brokered between Liu Bei, Shi Xie, and the Sun Clan, had just reached him through his extensive Oriole intelligence network.
The Oriole agents had been swift in their reporting, detailing the curious alliance that had emerged in the aftermath of the trial of Lady Cai. Lie Fan was surprised, not by the agreement itself, but by the fact that the three warlords each known for their ambitions had agreed to share governance over Lingling at all.
Lie Fan knew it was a temporary solution, designed to buy time. He could see through the surface-level cooperation and recognize the underlying motives, especially from Liu Bei and the Sun Clan, who both sought to expand their territories.
Shi Xie, on the other hand, was more concerned with the immediate material benefits, content to gain wealth and resources from the Cai family's treasury. It was a precarious arrangement, one that could easily unravel, and Lie Fan saw both opportunities and risks in this development.
He had called for a council meeting, gathering his most brilliant advisors to discuss the matter. Jia Xu, Xun You, Chen Qun, Liu Ye, Chen Gong, Lu Su, and Sima Yi were all seated around him, each a master of strategy, politics, or law. They listened intently as Lie Fan recounted the details of the Lingling agreement.
"This shared council is nothing more than a temporary alliance," Lie Fan began, his voice calm but sharp with understanding. "Liu Bei and the Sun Clan are using this time to strengthen their forces. Shi Xie, while not as ambitious in territorial conquest, seeks to enrich himself. They each play the part of allies for now, but we can be sure that each of them is waiting for the moment to strike. The question is: how can we turn this to our advantage?"
Jia Xu, Lie Fan's head of advisors and the oldest present was the first to speak. "My lord, this agreement is weak by design. It is held together by ambition and greed, not true cooperation. The Sun Clan and Liu Bei are both biding their time, and Shi Xie will grow discontent once he feels he has extracted enough wealth. I would not be surprised if, within a few months, this council begins to fracture."
"We must be patient and let them weaken themselves through their own infighting. When the time is right, we can offer support to one faction or the other, ensuring that we control the outcome of the struggle. We can even choose to support the Sun Clan, which will increase their domain and allow the Oriole to cause further discontent which will benefit our plan for the Sun Clan." Jia Xu said as he stroked his beard, having a thorough calculated plan, fully utilizing his subterfuge mastery.
Chen Gong who always prefers for bold action to be made, disagreed. "Waiting may allow us to take advantage of their weakness, but we must also consider the risk of allowing them to consolidate their power. Lingling is a key strategic location, and if one of them gains full control, it could pose a threat to our interests in the region. I propose that we act sooner rather than later, perhaps by sowing discord among their ranks or offering support to the Sun Clan directly. They are the most likely to break away from the agreement, and we could use the Sun Clan to destabilize the others."
Xun You, with his understanding of both civil and military affairs, nodded thoughtfully. "Master Chen Gong raises a valid point, but we must not act rashly. Lingling is indeed important, but it is the ambitions of Liu Bei and the Sun Clan that concern me most. They are both looking for an opportunity to expand their influence. If we move too quickly, we risk giving them a common enemy to unite against.
Xun You said, before continuing, "Instead, I suggest we play the long game, much like Liu Bei himself. We could quietly support the people of Lingling, gaining their loyalty over time, while keeping a close eye on the internal dynamics of the council. If the people see us as protectors, they may turn to us when the council inevitably fails and seek who should they support from the three warlords."
Lie Fan leaned back, absorbing the various viewpoints. The room fell into a contemplative silence, each advisor weighing the potential outcomes of their suggestions. After a moment, Liu Ye spoke up.
"My lord, I believe there is an advantage in letting the council exist, at least for the short term," Liu Ye said. "If we allow the council to continue, it will create a power vacuum in Lingling. The warlords will be so focused on internal power struggles that they will neglect the governance of the people. This is where we can step in—not militarily, but diplomatically. We can position further ourselves as the true protectors of Lingling, offering aid, rebuilding efforts, and stability to the commoners. When the council collapses, as it surely will, the people will naturally turn to us for leadership."
Lu Su, known for his balanced approach to diplomacy and strategy, added, "Liu Ye makes a good point. By helping the people of Lingling, we can undermine the authority of the council without ever having to lift a sword. However, I also believe we should maintain contact with each of the factions. Let them see us as a neutral party, one that could potentially offer assistance if needed. In doing so, we keep our options open for when the power struggle becomes more pronounced."
Sima Yi, sitting quietly in the corner, finally spoke, his voice low but deliberate. "This council is built on deception and ambition. Liu Bei and the Sun Clan are natural rivals, but neither will move until they see a clear advantage. We should create that advantage for one of them, subtly, of course. Perhaps a small disturbance in Lingling, or a rumor that one faction is plotting against the other. With their trust already fragile, it wouldn't take much to ignite conflict. Once they are at each other's throats, we can step in as the arbitrators of peace. But only after they've exhausted themselves."
Lie Fan listened carefully to each of his advisors, his mind racing through the possibilities. Each suggestion had merit, and the challenge now was deciding which course of action would best serve his long-term goals. He knew that the key to winning this game of power was subtlety and patience. Acting too quickly could provoke a united response from the three warlords, but waiting too long could allow one of them to grow too powerful.
After a long pause, Lie Fan spoke, and his decision was made.
"We will take a twofold approach," he said, his voice steady with conviction. "First, we will support the people of Lingling. Send agents to the city, disguised as merchants, scholars, and healers. Let them work quietly to gain the trust of the populace. Offer aid where it is needed, and spread the word that we are watching, ready to protect them should the council fail. This will lay the groundwork for us to step in when the time comes.
"Second, we will begin planting seeds of discord within the council. Sima Yi is correct, these men are held together by the thinnest of alliances. It will not take much to set them against one another. Spread rumors, create misunderstandings, and stir the pot just enough to create tension. But we must do so carefully, without revealing our hand.
"Finally, we will keep lines of communication open with all three factions, especially the Sun Clan. Let them think we are a neutral party, one that could potentially offer aid or mediation. When the time is right, we will support the Suh Clan at any moment, depending on how the situation unfolds."
Jia Xu nodded in approval, a slight smile on his face. "A wise plan, my lord. Patience and subtlety will be our greatest weapons."
Chen Gong, though eager for more direct action, conceded the point. "This will give us time to prepare, while weakening our enemies. I agree, my lord."
The rest of the council murmured their agreement, recognizing the brilliance of Lie Fan's approach. The fragile alliance over Lingling would not last, but with careful maneuvering, Lie Fan and his forces would be there when it inevitably collapsed. They would offer the people of Lingling the stability and leadership they craved, while ensuring that none of the ambitious warlords gained too much power.
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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
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