Capítulo 557: 535. Sun Jian & Sun Ce Speak With Their Retainers
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Ying Yue bowed her head slightly in response. "It has been our pleasure to host you, Lady Wu. We hope that this is the beginning of a long and prosperous friendship between our families." With the tea party drawing to a close, it was clear that the foundation for a deeper alliance had been laid not only through the political discussions of the men but also through the personal connections formed among the women and younger generations.
Back at the estate, as the tea party came to a close and the bonds between the Sun and Lie families were reinforced, Sun Ce and Sun Jian took their leave from Lie Fan. After shifting the conversation to lighter topics for nearly an hour—sharing stories of past battles and discussing the state of affairs across the fractured land—they finally bid farewell, heading toward the mansion Lie Fan had generously offered them as a permanent residence in Xiapi.
The walk back was filled with quiet contemplation for Sun Jian, while Sun Ce's mind was still buzzing with excitement. The future he envisioned was grand—an alliance that could reshape the power dynamics of the entire land.
Yet, he knew his father's more cautious nature would play a crucial role in deciding whether they would accept Lie Fan's offer of cooperation. Sun Jian's silence spoke volumes; this was not a decision to be made lightly even though he was the leader of the Sun Clan, Sun Ce knew that such a matter like this was better to leave to his father to handle while he only just gave his opinion.
Upon arriving at the mansion, they immediately called for their most trusted advisors and generals—Zhou Yu, Huan Jie, Cheng Pu, and Han Dang. These men had followed Sun Ce and Sun Jian through countless battles, not just as subordinates but as brothers in arms. They had sworn to protect the Sun family and ensure its survival and prosperity in these turbulent times. Their counsel was invaluable.
Once gathered in one of the private chambers, Sun Ce and Sun Jian shared the details of their meeting with Lie Fan. Sun Jian, speaking first with his usual measured and calm tone, explained Lie Fan's proposal. The Sun Clan, in this agreement, would become a subordinate force under the Lie Clan.
Though there would be room for negotiation regarding governance and certain territorial matters, the Sun Clan would lose absolute military control, becoming part of Lie Fan's domain as a subordinate force or vassal.
After Sun Jian finished, Sun Ce, his voice more energetic and filled with enthusiasm, took over, describing the potential benefits he saw in this cooperation. To him, this was an opportunity to not only survive but to thrive in a world where alliances could make or break even the most powerful families.
The room fell into a heavy silence as Sun Ce and Sun Jian finished. Zhou Yu, Huan Jie, Cheng Pu, and Han Dang exchanged glances. The gravity of the proposal weighed on all of them.
They knew that such an offer was not without its risks—both political and personal. The Sun Clan had always stood as an independent force in the south, and surrendering a portion of their autonomy and becoming a vassal to Lie Fan was no small matter.
Zhou Yu, known for his brilliance in both strategy and diplomacy, was the first to break the silence. His usual confident demeanor was tempered by the seriousness of the situation.
"This is an unexpected turn," Zhou Yu began, his voice measured, "Lie Fan has been an ally on the battlefield, but to seek such sweeping cooperation where we would essentially serve under him… it is a bold move on his part. I never expected such a matter to happen during our visit here."
Huan Jie, who had a sharp mind for administration and governance, chimed in, his tone more cautious. "The implications are vast. By accepting, we would lose our military independence, which could undermine the respect and loyalty our retainers have for us. We would need to manage that carefully. However, there's also the matter of what happens if we refuse."
Zhou Yu nodded, having already considered that possibility. "If we decline Lie Fan's offer, we must be prepared for the consequences. He is no ordinary warlord. His ambitions are clear, and he controls a formidable army. If we refuse, we may very well find ourselves facing him on the battlefield and put ourselves in a dangerous situation immediately, as we are deep inside his domain."
At this, Cheng Pu and Han Dang, two of Sun Jian's most seasoned generals, spoke up. Both men had served the Sun family with unwavering loyalty for years, and the idea of subservience to another warlord did not sit well with them.
"I don't like it," Cheng Pu said bluntly, his deep voice rumbling with disapproval. "The Sun Clan has fought its way to where it is now through strength and determination. We've overcome countless enemies—Liu Biao, Yuan Shu, Liu Yao, and the threat of Dong Zhou. I see no reason to bow to Lie Fan. We can stand on our own."
Han Dang nodded in agreement. "Cheng Pu is right. Why should we kneel before another when we've proven we can survive and even thrive in this chaos? If we defeat Liu Bei and Shi Xie, we'll control the south. After that, we'll have the strength to challenge Lie Fan directly if need be. There's no need to submit."
Sun Jian, who had remained silent as his advisors and generals spoke, considered their words carefully. His instincts, honed through years of leadership, told him that both sides had valid points.
He trusted Zhou Yu and Huan Jie's ability to see the broader picture, but he also valued the warrior's pride that Cheng Pu and Han Dang expressed. It was a delicate balance—one that would not be easily maintained if they accepted or rejected the offer outright.
"I understand your concerns," Sun Jian said finally, his voice calm but firm. "We must weigh the risks carefully. Cheng Pu, Han Dang, you are correct in that the Sun Clan has always stood proudly and independently. But these are not ordinary times. The balance of power shifts quickly, and we cannot afford to act rashly."
Sun Ce, though quiet during the objections of Cheng Pu and Han Dang, couldn't contain his thoughts any longer. His excitement was still palpable, though he attempted to temper it with reason. "Father, Brother Lie Fan is not just any warlord. He is someone we have fought alongside, someone we trust. We've seen his strength, and more importantly, his ability to unify those under his command.
"If we cooperate with him, we won't just be subservient—we'll be part of something larger. We can grow with him, and together, we might even reshape the future of the entire land. And our family would be in a safe situation, because we don't need to be afraid of facing any warlords in the land now, as we united with Brother Lie Fan creating a force that had the largest army in the land."
Zhou Yu, who had been deep in thought, now spoke again, this time more thoughtfully. "Old Lord, Lord Sun Ce has a point. Lie Fan has proven himself capable of not only winning battles but also governing effectively. Xiapi has become a very prosperous town and his domain was very stable under his rule. If we choose to cooperate with him, there may be room for negotiation, as he indicated. Perhaps we can retain more autonomy than initially assumed, particularly in the areas of governance and internal control."
Huan Jie nodded, echoing Zhou Yu's sentiments. "If we approach this strategically, we may be able to secure favorable terms. We should not rush to refuse without first exploring all possibilities. If we can strike a balance between cooperation and maintaining our independence, this cooperation could strengthen us in the long run."
Cheng Pu, though still skeptical, crossed his arms and considered Zhou Yu's words. "You're suggesting we negotiate further before making any final decision?"
"Yes," Zhou Yu replied. "Lie Fan is not a man who seeks blind submission. He respects strength and loyalty, and if we present ourselves as strong allies rather than just vassals, we may be able to maintain more control than we fear. But we must handle the situation delicately. Refusing outright could lead to conflict, and that is something we may not be ready for just yet, especially like I had just said before we are currently deep inside his domain."
Han Dang, though still hesitant, saw the logic in Zhou Yu's suggestion. "I'm not convinced, but I see your point. If we can secure terms that don't diminish our standing, perhaps it's worth considering."
Sun Jian, having listened to all sides, finally made his decision. "We will not reject Lie Fan's offer immediately. Instead, we will seek further discussion, as Zhou Yu suggested. We will negotiate terms that allow us to maintain our internal autonomy, particularly in military matters. But we will not do so at this time, we must discuss this with the entirety of the Sun Clan's supporters back in our capital. In that case, we need to be ready to defend ourselves if postponing our answer for such a long time would cause some disagreement with Brother Lie Fan."
After Sun Jian's voice fell, a quiet tension lingered in the room. Everyone present had their own reactions to the decision, though none spoke immediately. Zhou Yu and Huan Jie, who had advised caution and consideration of the broader implications, appeared thoughtful.
On the surface, they had advocated for negotiation rather than outright rejection, but deep down, both harbored reservations about yielding control to Lie Fan. The Sun Clan had fought hard to carve out their domain, and becoming subservient to another warlord, even one as powerful as Lie Fan, was a difficult pill to swallow.
For Zhou Yu, who had always taken pride in the Sun Clan's independence and their ability to command respect on their own terms, this proposition felt like a step backward, even if it could offer long-term stability.
He knew, however, that refusing outright could spell disaster. Thus, Sun Jian's choice to consult the broader Sun Clan supporters was a wise one—it would ensure that whatever decision was made, it would have the backing of the entire family and their retainers.
Huan Jie, with his sharp administrative mind, saw both the risks and the potential benefits clearly. He understood the value of negotiation but still felt uneasy about the prospect of losing the clan's autonomy, especially their military independence.
For someone who had always been focused on maintaining internal stability and governance, the idea of being answerable to another authority did not sit well. Yet, like Zhou Yu, Huan Jie knew that a rejection of the offer would likely result in confrontation, and at the moment, they were not in a position to fight a war, especially not deep within Lie Fan's territory.
Cheng Pu and Han Dang, on the other hand, were visibly satisfied with Sun Jian's words. For them, this was a small victory. Sun Jian had acknowledged their concerns about the Sun Clan's independence and pride, showing that he valued their loyalty and long years of service.
They had followed the Sun family through thick and thin, and the idea of bending the knee to Lie Fan was an insult to their hard-won achievements on the battlefield. In their eyes, Sun Jian's decision to delay and consult with the broader family was a sign of strength—it showed that he was not willing to rush into subservience and that he still prioritized the Sun Clan's independence.
Cheng Pu, ever the grizzled veteran, felt his chest swell with pride. This was the Sun Jian he had always served—the cautious yet resolute leader who never allowed his pride to be trampled upon.
Han Dang, similarly, felt a sense of vindication. For him, it wasn't just about loyalty—it was about preserving the spirit of the Sun Clan, the idea that they could stand tall among the warlords of the land without relying on another's banner.
Sun Ce, however, was somewhat dissatisfied, though he kept his feelings in check. His youthful exuberance and eagerness to make bold moves clashed with the more cautious approach of his father and advisors.
To Sun Ce, the cooperation with Lie Fan was a golden opportunity—one that could provide immediate security and open up new avenues for expansion. He admired Lie Fan's strength and had seen firsthand how effectively he commanded his forces and governed his territories. Sun Ce believed that this alliance could catapult the Sun Clan into greater prominence, sparing them the need to fight endless battles for survival.
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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
PENSAMENTOS DOS CRIADORES 
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