Capítulo 583: 560. Moments Before The Start Of A Big War
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For the delicate matter of logistics, which was vital in any prolonged campaign, Yuan Shao turned to his second son, Yuan Xi, trusting in his acumen and his strategic relationship with his father-in-law, Zhen Yi. Together, Yuan Shang and Zhen Yi had built a powerful economic network that extended throughout Yuan Shao's domain, and they would now harness that influence to ensure that both armies had the supplies and support they needed.
These assignments sparked whispers within Yuan Shao's court, as retainers and advisors exchanged wary glances. It was evident that Yuan Shao was giving each of his sons the chance to prove themselves, a move that didn't go unnoticed by those close to him.
Some saw this as an inspired method to assess who should be his heir, while others feared it could create resentment and competition, potentially unraveling Yuan Shao's carefully built kingdom from within. As the campaign approached, the retainers could only hope that this maneuver would strengthen the Yuan clan rather than divide it.
In Shangdang, far from Yuan Shao's central command, a scheme that had been one year in the making was quietly coming to fruition. Tian Feng and Xu You oversaw the treacherous plan they had made alongside Zhang Yan, Zhang He, and Gao Lan.
Their purpose was not to bolster Yuan Shao's campaign but to ensure his downfall from within. When Yuan Shao's two main armies would pass through Shangdang, supposedly to bolster their ranks with additional troops and supplies, they would instead find betrayal waiting.
Poisoned rations were being prepared to be sent with Yuan Shao's soldiers, a subtle yet devastating attack that would weaken the morale and stamina of his troops just when they needed strength the most.
The preparations had been long and meticulous, aided by the chaos within Yuan Shao's inner circle. Due to the scramble for recognition and wealth, few paid attention to the subtle missteps and absences of Tian Feng, Xu You, and the others, allowing them to operate under Yuan Shao's nose.
The rivals and opportunists within Yuan Shao's camp were too focused on personal gain to consider that some might be playing a more sinister game. Tian Feng and his co-conspirators were eager for the moment when they could finally cast aside the facade of loyalty to Yuan Shao and declare their true allegiance to Cao Cao.
This betrayal was part of a broader, multifaceted strategy. In Luoyang, Cao Cao himself was assembling his forces, a formidable army strengthened by both veterans and fresh recruits from across his domain.
Cao Cao's advisors, Xun Yu, Cheng Yu, and Jia Kui worked alongside Cao Cao, organizing the supply lines and developing defensive strategies that would repel Yuan Shao's impending assault. Every detail was attended to, ensuring that each soldier was well-supplied and mentally prepared for the battle to come.
In a move that underscored his confidence in his own forces, Cao Cao had also sent a summon to Guo Jia and Xi Zhicai back from their campaign outside the Great Wall, knowing their expertise would be invaluable in this critical defense.
For Cao Cao, this battle was not merely a confrontation with Yuan Shao; it was a test of his strategic insight and his forces' resilience. Every soldier gathered in Luoyang knew they were defending not just a city, but the core of Cao Cao's power, the heart of his ambition.
Among the soldiers that Cao Cao had assembled, stood Cao Cao's eldest son, Cao Ang, who had been given a role in commanding part of the Luoyang defenses.
In contrast to the rivalry festering among Yuan Shao's sons, Cao Ang's reputation was one of competence and loyalty, inspiring confidence among the generals and soldiers alike. His achievements on the battlefield and his harmonious relationship with his siblings gave his father's forces a stability that Yuan Shao's could not match.
Knowing that Cao Ang was a dependable and skilled successor bolstered the morale of Cao Cao's troops, reinforcing their belief that they fought for a cause that would endure beyond a single generation.
Yuan Shao's impending arrival would not be a moment of triumph, as he envisioned, but a nightmare meticulously orchestrated by those he had ostracized and ignored.
Tian Feng, Xu You, Zhang Yan, Zhang He, and Gao Lan relished the prospect of shedding their guise and openly declaring their loyalty to Cao Cao. For them, this betrayal was not just a shift in allegiance but a personal victory, a long-awaited moment to prove their loyalty to the lord they believed would shape the future of the land.
Farther north, near the Great Wall, Guo Jia and Xi Zhicai received Cao Cao's summons and began their journey back to Luoyang, fully aware of the importance of their role in the upcoming battle. Their presence would be crucial in fine-tuning the defensive strategies and ensuring that Cao Cao's troops were positioned optimally.
They had spent years under Cao Cao's command, cultivating a keen understanding of his tactics and mindset. They knew the stakes, if they succeeded, Cao Cao would consolidate his control, and the empire's balance of power would tip decisively in his favor.
At the same time, in Xiapi, Lie Fan's spies kept close tabs on Yuan Shao's movements, reporting every detail back to Lie Fan and his advisors. They had learned of Yuan Shao's intended route and knew he would pass through Shangdang, alongside the poisoned rations and planned ambush that doesn't go unnoticed by Lie Fan's agent's eyes and ears.
Lie Fan was content to observe, letting Yuan Shao and Cao Cao wear each other down, while he preserved his own strength for a decisive move that would allow him to swallow a large amount of domain from Yuan Shao.
As the two factions, Yuan Shao and Cao Cao, drew closer to their inevitable clash, the land held its breath. Lie Fan, too, awaited the moment with calculated patience. The success of his own ambitions hinged on this confrontation, yet his approach remained measured.
Unlike Yuan Shao, who rushed headlong into battle, or Cao Cao, who prepared meticulously to defend his ground, Lie Fan maneuvered in the shadows, biding his time.
For him, managing to subdue the Sun Clan in Jiangdong and making them his vassal had provided both a new army group under his control and also security on his southern border, as now he could truly focus to the north without fearing any attack from the south, even though it has a very low chance but there is a chance in the past.
Meanwhile, in the capital of the Sun Clan, a sense of anticipation hung over the Governor's Castle. Sun Ce and Sun Jian, flanked by their advisors, the Four Pillars, Zhou Yu, Huan Jie, Zhang Zhao, and Zhang Hong, stood awaiting the arrival of the procession sent by Lie Fan.
This procession, filled with agricultural experts, advisors, and logistical supplies, was the fulfillment of the terms that had secured the Sun Clan's allegiance to Lie Fan. It was a moment that symbolized the burgeoning relationship between Jiangdong's fierce warriors and Lie Fan's resourceful administration.
When the procession finally arrived, the rhythmic clatter of hooves and wheels on cobblestone drew the attention of the assembled leaders. A man in his mid-thirties dismounted from the lead horse, his demeanor confident but respectful. Clad in a scholar's robes, he introduced himself as Xu Zhuang, the leader of the agricultural delegation. Bowing deeply, he addressed Sun Ce and Sun Jian.
"My lords, my name is Xu Zhuang, and I have been entrusted by my lord, Lie Fan, to deliver both his greetings and the resources he has promised to strengthen your lands. On his behalf, I humbly offer my assistance and expertise."
Sun Jian studied the delegation with a mix of curiosity and caution. He stepped forward, his presence commanding but not overtly hostile. "Xu Zhuang, we welcome you to Jiangdong. Your lord has kept his word, and we will ensure his trust in us is not misplaced. I trust you bring not only tools and supplies but also the knowledge to make the best use of them."
Xu Zhuang nodded, gesturing to the convoy behind him. "Indeed, my lord. We bring tools for irrigation, improved plowing techniques, and plans for crop rotation that will yield greater harvests even in less fertile soils. Additionally, our specialists will remain here as long as needed to train your people in these methods."
Sun Ce, on the other hand, stepped forward with a grin. "Excellent. I look forward to seeing how this alliance benefits our people. But tell me, Xu Zhuang, how does your lord plan to balance his commitments to us while managing his ambitions in the north? Surely he knows that Yuan Shao and Cao Cao will not remain idle."
Xu Zhuang's eyes gleamed with a mix of diplomacy and careful calculation. "Lord Sun Ce, my lord Lie Fan understands the importance of balance. Strengthening Jiangdong ensures a stable rear for his endeavors in the north. He sees you not merely as allies but as partners in securing a future of prosperity and unity for this fractured land."
Zhou Yu, standing slightly behind Sun Ce, observed the exchange with a calculating gaze. As Xu Zhuang continued to explain the plans for agricultural reform, Zhou Yu's mind raced with the possibilities.
He knew that Jiangdong had long been a fertile but underutilized region, plagued by inefficiencies and poor governance. If these reforms succeeded, they would not only stabilize the region but also provide a solid foundation for future campaigns.
As the conversation progressed, Sun Jian gestured for Xu Zhuang and his delegation to enter the Governor's Castle. Inside, a council was convened to discuss the specifics of the agricultural reforms. Maps of the region were unfurled, and Xu Zhuang, along with his team, began detailing the plans for irrigation canals, grain storage facilities, and a system to distribute surplus harvests to both the army and the populace during lean years.
Zhang Zhao, leaned forward, scrutinizing the plans. "Xu Zhuang, these proposals are ambitious, but they will require significant labor and resources. Do you believe our current capabilities are sufficient to implement these changes?"
Xu Zhuang nodded. "Master Zhang Zhao, Lord Lie Fan has anticipated these challenges. He has included a contingent of skilled laborers and engineers in this delegation, and we are prepared to begin work immediately. Moreover, my lord had also pledged additional resources if needed."
Huan Jie, hearing this , interjected, "These plans are promising, but what guarantee do we have that Lord Lie Fan's commitments will not waver should the situation in the north grow dire?"
Xu Zhuang met his gaze steadily. "Master Huan Jie, my master values this new relationship deeply. Jiangdong's stability is essential not just for your sake but for his as well. He knows that only through mutual trust and cooperation can we weather the storms ahead."
The council deliberated late into the night, but by its conclusion, the leaders of Jiangdong were convinced of the sincerity and utility of Lie Fan's efforts. Work began almost immediately, with Xu Zhuang and his team coordinating closely with Zhou Yu and Zhang Hong to prioritize key projects.
As these developments unfolded in Jiangdong, the stage in the north was being set for an explosive confrontation. Yuan Shao's armies continued their march toward Shangdang, unaware of the treachery waiting for them. Tian Feng, Xu You, Zhang Yan, Zhang He, and Gao Lan finalized their plans, their forces hidden in strategic positions to strike when Yuan Shao's troops were at their most vulnerable.
In Luoyang, Cao Cao's preparations reached their peak. Reports from his scouts indicated that Yuan Shao's armies were vast, but Cao Cao's confidence in his strategy remained unshaken.
The defenses of Luoyang had been fortified, Guo Jia alongside Xi Zhicai had returned back to Luoyang, and the troops were drilled relentlessly under the watchful eyes of Cao Ang and Cao Cao's trusted generals.
The tension was palpable across the land. Yuan Shao, Cao Cao, and Lie Fan each had their eyes on the prize, yet each approached the coming days with a vastly different strategy.
Yuan Shao relied on his overwhelming numbers and his sons' ability to execute his plans. Cao Cao placed his faith in his disciplined troops and the wisdom of his advisors. And Lie Fan, the quiet manipulator, watched and waited, ready to capitalize on the chaos that would inevitably follow the clash of titans.
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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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