Capítulo 571: 549. Needing Directions
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Jia Xu nodded in agreement, his calculating gaze fixed on the horizon. "If we can maneuver them into a full-scale conflict, both sides will be preoccupied, leaving us with the advantage. Cao Cao and Yuan Shao have long harbored animosities; all they need is a spark to ignite them into action. And while they exhaust themselves, we shall be ready to strike at the opportune moment."
Lie Fan leaned forward, his mind racing with possibilities. They would need to move carefully, using intermediaries and indirect channels to fan the flames between Cao Cao and Yuan Shao even further.
They could spread rumors of treachery and deception, plant misinformation, and manipulate their intelligence networks to ensure that any action on one side would be interpreted as provocation by the other.
Over the following days, Lie Fan and Jia Xu set their plans into motion. Trusted Oriole agents were dispatched northward, their mission to infiltrate the armies and courts of both Yuan Shao and Cao Cao. Their task was to create an atmosphere of mutual distrust, planting subtle suggestions and whispers of betrayal.
One agent in Yuan Shao's camp spread rumors that Cao Cao was doing large movements beyond the Great Wall against the Xiongnu but was not solely aimed at just the Xiongnu, it was also part of a larger strategy to encircle Yuan Shao's territories.
Another agent in Cao Cao's camp hinted that Yuan Shao was secretly amassing troops near their shared border, a small batch after batch was sent to their shared border intending to make a move before Cao Cao's forces could return from the north.
As these seeds of suspicion took root, the situation between Yuan Shao and Cao Cao began to intensify due to the flaming done from the side by Lie Fan and Jia Xu through the Oriole agents network.
As tensions between Cao Cao and Yuan Shao continued to rise, the rumors and provocations orchestrated by Lie Fan and Jia Xu began to produce real consequences. Every whisper of betrayal and suspicion they had seeded now blossomed into full-blown skirmishes along the border between the two factions.
Patrols, already on edge from the rumors circulating within their ranks and the incident that happened continuously before it, became quick to react at the slightest sign of movement from the other side.
Small misunderstandings escalated quickly, and before long, minor clashes once again began to break out between the forces of Cao Cao and Yuan Shao and were much fiercer than the one before.
One day, a particularly intense skirmish erupted near their shared border, sparked by an impulsive officer from Yuan Shao's forces. Acting on vague reports of "suspicious activity" from across the border, he ordered his men to push forward, intending to show strength.
The Cao Cao patrol they encountered retaliated without hesitation, their own nerves frayed by the constant rumors of Yuan Shao's hidden military buildup. What began as a routine patrol turned into a deadly exchange, with casualties on both sides. Reinforcements were called in, and before long, the border incident had escalated into a prolonged and bloody standoff.
The growing violence along the border was soon reported to Yuan Shao and Cao Cao. Yuan Shao's advisors saw it as clear evidence that Cao Cao's intentions were hostile. Feng Ji, with the support of Guo Tu and Shen Pei, alongside the support of Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang urged action, insisting that the skirmishes represented a direct challenge to Yuan Shao's authority and territorial integrity.
"This is no accident," Guo Tu argued. "Cao Cao has long eyed your lands, my lord, and he is probing our defenses. If we do not act decisively, he will only grow bolder."
Cao Cao, meanwhile, received reports from his own officers about the increasing aggressiveness of Yuan Shao's forces. The details of each clash reached him with mounting urgency, and his generals expressed their concerns. "Yuan Shao's forces are testing us," Xiahou Yuan warned. "If we show any weakness, they will take it as an invitation to advance further."
As the tension escalated, Lie Fan and Jia Xu observed the situation with quiet satisfaction. They knew that this escalation, fueled by their subtle manipulations, was quickly becoming an unstoppable wave that would pull both sides into a costly and protracted war.
And yet, as the border skirmishes intensified, they realized they would need to manage this delicate situation with precision. While they wanted to keep Cao Cao and Yuan Shao at each other's throats, they also knew that acting too overtly could risk exposing their hand.
Meanwhile, the situation within Yuan Shao's domain was becoming increasingly complicated. Inside Zhang Yan's former domain, Shangdang, Zhang Yan, Zhang He, Gao Lan, Xu You, and Tian Feng were put in a very unfavorable situation.
Although they outwardly served Yuan Shao, these figures had sworn their loyalty to Cao Cao, intending to act as his hidden agents within Yuan Shao's ranks. However as the conflict between Yuan Shao and Cao Cao escalated, their position grew more precarious.
Zhang Yan, Zhang He, and Gao Lan found themselves in a dilemma. Their primary mission was to remain undetected within Yuan Shao's court, awaiting the right moment to turn against him and assist Cao Cao's eventual assault from within.
However, with Yuan Shao's suspicions heightened by the recent clashes on the border, they faced increasing pressure to prove their loyalty. Refusing to act against Cao Cao's forces might arouse suspicion, while acting too aggressively could harm Cao Cao's interests. They understood that even the slightest misstep could expose their true allegiance and unravel months of careful planning.
Tian Feng and Xu You know that they couldn't stay very long in this precarious situation, and so they wrote a letter to ask for orders from Cao Cao about what they should do because their facade couldn't hold on for much longer.
Especially since the army under Zhang Yan, Zhang He, and Gao Lan didn't help the border patrols and also didn't engage Cao Cao's patrol that entered through the border which definitely raises some questions. After drafting the letter, Tian Feng chose the fastest bird he had and sent it to Luoyang, and then alongside Xu You began to discuss some measures that could help them keep the facade in the eyes of Yuan Shao and his court.
Several days passed by, In Luoyang, Cao Cao was receiving the latest reports on the Xiongnu campaign from his advisors Xun Yu, Cheng Yu, and Jia Kui. Guo Jia and Xi Zhicai, who had led the efforts against the Xiongnu, had successfully used a combination of diplomacy and military pressure to divide the Xiongnu from within.
As they fractured, the Xianbei took advantage of the eastern territories, which weakened the Xiongnu even further. Cao Cao's forces had secured the southern lands, extending his reach into the steppe and strengthening his northern defenses.
This news reassured Cao Cao that his northern border was secure, at least for the moment, and that he could afford to focus on the growing conflict with Yuan Shao.
Amid these discussions, a swift flash of movement caught Cao Cao's eye—a messenger bird had landed on his office window. Recognizing the importance of such a direct communication, Cao Cao approached the window and retrieved the letter attached to the bird's leg.
As he opened it, he saw the familiar seal of Tian Feng. The contents of the letter outlined the dire situation in Yuan Shao's court and Shangdang, where Tian Feng, Xu You, and their compatriots were increasingly under scrutiny due to their unwillingness to engage Cao Cao's forces.
The letter read:
"My lord, our situation grows more precarious by the day. Yuan Shao's suspicions have risen sharply, and we cannot delay action much longer without arousing his ire. The continued skirmishes along the border have placed Zhang Yan, Zhang He, and Gao Lan under immense pressure, as Yuan Shao's officers begin to question our reluctance to confront Cao Cao's patrols. We fear our cover will not last, and we seek your guidance on how best to proceed to maintain our loyalty without exposing ourselves to deadly consequences. Your loyal servant, Tian Feng."
Cao Cao set the letter down, his gaze shifting to Xun Yu, Cheng Yu, and Jia Kui. "It appears our men within Yuan Shao's domain find themselves in an increasingly tenuous position. Yuan Shao is not blind to their actions—or lack thereof—and I fear they may soon be forced to either act against us or betray their true allegiance."
Xun Yu nodded thoughtfully. "Yuan Shao is perceptive, my lord, though pride often clouds his vision. However, his suspicions are justified, and Tian Feng's letter speaks to the urgency of the situation. If we do not provide guidance, they may act rashly, jeopardizing all we have worked for."
Cheng Yu interjected, "Might we consider a misdirection? Perhaps some overt action near their territory that would explain our agents' inactivity. Something that would make their hesitance appear as a careful strategy rather than a lack of loyalty. If Yuan Shao believes they are withholding forces to prepare for a larger, calculated move, he may be less inclined to question them."
Cao Cao nodded, contemplating this suggestion. "A feint, then," he mused, "something to draw Yuan Shao's gaze further north, away from Shangdang. We will need to position troops near their border—but not cross it. Enough to create the illusion of a build-up that requires a defensive posture."
As the plan took shape, Cao Cao instructed Jia Kui to prepare a contingent of troops to march northward, stopping just shy of the border with Yuan Shao's territories. They were to make themselves visible but remain passive, drawing attention without inviting confrontation. The hope was that this maneuver would provide a plausible reason for Zhang Yan, Zhang He, and Gao Lan to delay their actions against Cao Cao's forces while maintaining their cover.
In the meantime, Cao Cao drafted a reply to Tian Feng and Xu You:
"Hold your positions, but prepare to act. Reinforce the pretense that you are awaiting orders from Yuan Shao himself before taking any action. I am arranging a maneuver to deflect suspicions and buy you time. Be cautious and watchful—should an opportunity arise to further divide Yuan Shao's court, seize it."
Once his letter was prepared, Cao Cao sent it back with the messenger bird, hoping it would reach Tian Feng and Xu You before they took any drastic measures.
Back in Shangdang, Tian Feng and Xu You had been meeting regularly in secret to discuss their dwindling options. They knew that delaying action against Cao Cao's patrols would only deepen Yuan Shao's suspicions. The fact that Zhang Yan's forces had refused to reinforce the skirmishes was quickly becoming a topic of gossip within the ranks, and Yuan Shao's advisors had begun to question their loyalty openly.
"It's only a matter of time before Yuan Shao demands answers," Xu You muttered, pacing the small room where he and Tian Feng had gathered. "If we delay much longer, he'll view us as traitors, and we'll be fortunate if we see another sunrise."
Tian Feng, who was known for his calm and composed nature, replied, "We must trust that lord Cao Cao will respond with instructions. Until then, our only option is to continue playing the part of cautious strategists." But even he knew that their facade was fraying; Feng Ji, Guo Tu, and Shen Pei while very logistical, prideful, and greedy were also cunning and they were ruthless, and a single misstep could reveal their true allegiances.
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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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