章節 554: 532. The Sun Clan's Invitation To The Celebration
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The palace, when finished, would dominate the city's landscape, and from there, he would govern not just Xiapi, but the vast territories that would surely follow. Lie Fan's ambition was no longer a distant dream. It was becoming a reality, piece by piece, and the grand celebration would be the moment when everyone would begin to see it.
As the grand celebration in Xiapi drew nearer, preparations continued at a fevered pace. Every aspect of the event had been meticulously planned to showcase the city's newfound prosperity, strength, and culture.
Lie Fan's ambition, though not overtly declared, would be unmistakable to those who attended. Among those invited were key allies and figures from other regions, including the entire Sun Clan, a family whose friendship with Lie Fan had grown strong over the years.
In the Sun Clan's capital, Sun Ce sat in deep conversation with his father, Sun Jian, alongside their most trusted advisors—Zhou Yu, Zhang Zhao, Zhang Hong, and Huan Jie. The topic of discussion was a letter of invitation they had received from Lie Fan, inviting the entire Sun Family to the grand celebration in Xiapi.
Such an invitation was unprecedented. In a time when warlords vied for control of the fractured land, a unified event of this scale seemed almost impossible. It was rare, if not unheard of, for one warlord to invite another's entire family, especially when those families represented potential rivals or powerful allies in the ever-shifting political landscape.
The tension in the room was palpable as Zhang Zhao, the elder statesman known for his prudence, spoke first. "My lords, I must express my grave concerns. Traveling to Xiapi with the entire Sun Clan family is an enormous risk. Lie Fan's territory is vast, and once we enter it, we are at his mercy. Should he have any ill intentions, we could be captured in a single move."
Zhang Hong, known for his cautious nature and sharp political mind, nodded in agreement. "Lie Fan may have aided us in the past, but we cannot ignore the reality of the situation. Xiapi is deep within his lands. Even if he has no immediate designs against us, the opportunity for betrayal is too great. Once we are within his walls, there will be no escape should things turn against us."
Huan Jie, another of the Sun Clan's senior advisors, added, "We must consider what this invitation represents. It is more than a gesture of goodwill—it could be a test. Lie Fan may wish to see if we are naive enough to walk into his stronghold with our guard down. If something were to happen, the entire Sun Clan could be wiped out, leaving our lands vulnerable to attack from our enemies."
Their words, measured and careful, carried the weight of experience. In this time of constant warfare and shifting allegiances, it was only natural to be cautious. Yet, as Zhang Zhao and the others laid out the risks, Sun Ce's frustration began to show.
He had long considered Lie Fan a close friend, almost like a brother. They had fought side by side in the past, and Lie Fan had been instrumental in helping the Sun Clan expand their territory and secure their place in the south. Also, it's because of Lie Fan as well that he finds the love of his life Da Qiao and marries her, so the Sun Clan's debt to Lie Fan is very high.
Sun Jian, ever the warrior and tactician, had his own thoughts on the matter. "I understand the risks," he said, his deep voice cutting through the tension. "But we must also remember the history we share with Lie Fan. He has had numerous opportunities to betray us if he wished, yet he has never shown anything but loyalty. He aided us when we needed it most and asked for nothing in return. I do not believe he would act dishonorably now."
Sun Ce, nodding at his father's words, added, "Brother Lie Fan has proven himself time and again. He is a man of honor, and I trust him with my life. If he wanted to move against us, he could have done so years ago. Instead, he has consistently supported us, helping us grow stronger. I cannot believe that this invitation is a trap."
As the father and son expressed their trust in Lie Fan, Zhang Zhao and Zhang Hong remained unconvinced. To them, the political landscape was far too treacherous to allow for such personal sentiments. They respected Sun Ce's loyalty, but they could not afford to ignore the potential dangers.
"There is no doubt that Lie Fan has been a friend to us," Zhang Zhao said carefully, "but we cannot let our personal feelings cloud our judgment. We are responsible for the safety of the entire Sun Clan. A single misstep could lead to disaster."
The room fell silent as everyone turned their attention to Zhou Yu. The brilliant strategist, known for his sharp mind and calm demeanor, had remained quiet throughout the discussion.
Zhou Yu's connection to Lie Fan was personal as well—Lie Fan had played a pivotal role in helping him find his wife, Xiao Qiao, like how Sun Ce finds Da Qiao and Zhou Yu had always felt a debt of gratitude because of it. However, the security concerns raised by the others could not be ignored.
Zhou Yu finally spoke, his tone measured and thoughtful. "I see merit in both arguments. Lie Fan has proven himself trustworthy in the past, but we cannot dismiss the risks involved in attending this celebration. The fact remains that we would be placing the entire Sun Clan in a vulnerable position by traveling to Xiapi as a group."
Sun Ce, looking directly at his longtime friend, replied, "Gonglu, you know Brother Lie Fan as well as I do. Do you truly believe he would betray us? He has never once shown any inclination toward treachery."
Zhou Yu hesitated, torn between his loyalty to Sun Ce and the pragmatic concerns of the advisors. "I do not believe Lie Fan would betray us," he said slowly. "But that does not mean the situation is without risk. We must approach this carefully."
Sun Jian, seeing the divide in his council, decided to take control of the situation. "We will send the entire family to Xiapi," he said, his voice firm. "We will not ignore Lie Fan's invitation. The entirety of our family will go, along with a select group of elite retainers. We will accept the invitation in good faith, and show trust to Lie Fan who has done so much for us, what do you think Bofu?"
Zhang Zhao and the others wanted to protest such a suggestion from Sun Jian, but a raised hand from Sun Jian stopped them from talking anymore. They can only accept such a decision, and now they can only minimize the risk to the Sun Clan's leadership.
Sun Ce, was happy and satisfied that the entire family would be attending, and accepted his father's decision. He knew that in times like these, showing trust and belief in Lie Fan was necessary as he was a benefactor and the Sun Clan's key ally.
Zhou Yu, for his part, was somewhat relieved by the decision he felt somewhat unsettled as well. While he trusted Lie Fan, he knew that the political climate was too volatile and could change at a sudden pace.
The decision was made, the meeting adjourned, and preparations began for the entirety of the Sun Clan's journey to Xiapi. The Sun Clan's most trusted retainers were selected to accompany them with Zhou Tai and Wei Yan appointed as the head bodyguards, and the necessary precautions were taken to ensure the safety of the entire family.
Meanwhile, in Xiapi, the news of the Sun Clan's acceptance of the invitation reached Lie Fan's ears, and he smiled. He had anticipated their hesitation, knowing the delicate balance of trust and suspicion that existed between the warlords.
But he was pleased that Sun Jian and Sun Ce had accepted. Their presence at the celebration would be a powerful symbol of the alliance between their families.
Lie Fan watched as the vibrant city of Xiapi continued to prepare for the grand celebration. From his office, he could hear the distant sounds of workers finalizing decorations and artisans perfecting their crafts for the festival.
He had much to think about, not only the success of the event itself but also the arrival of the Sun Clan, who had accepted his invitation to join the festivities. The arrival of such an important family required careful planning, especially if he hoped to strengthen their bond and perhaps bring them closer under his sphere of influence.
Lie Fan called for a servant and instructed him to fetch Sun Qian and Mi Zhu, two of his most trusted advisors. Both men had been instrumental in managing Xiapi's expansion and prosperity, and their advice would be invaluable in preparing for the Sun Clan's stay in the city. After waiting for a brief period, both advisors entered his office together, bowing respectfully before taking their seats.
"My lord," Sun Qian began, "you requested our presence?"
Lie Fan nodded, his mind already turning to the topic at hand. "The Sun Clan will soon be arriving in Xiapi to attend the grand celebration. I want to ensure that their stay is as comfortable and impressive as possible. As you both know, Sun Jian and Sun Ce have long been our friends and allies, but I hope to deepen that relationship further. If we can house them in a way that shows not only our respect but also the strength of our city, it could help persuade them to see us as even more than allies and kickstart our plan to bring them under my rule."
Mi Zhu, who had a keen eye for such matters, immediately understood what Lie Fan was suggesting. "You wish to offer them permanent residence here in Xiapi, my lord?"
"Exactly," Lie Fan replied. "A gesture of friendship, but also a subtle invitation for them to consider joining us more formally in the future. If they grow accustomed to living in Xiapi, it might become easier to encourage them to pledge their allegiance to me when the time is right."
Sun Qian, who was always cautious in his planning, stroked his beard thoughtfully. "My lord, there is a mansion near the Lie Clan residence that was recently renovated. It's grand, befitting the status of the Sun Clan, and would serve as an ideal residence for their family while they are here."
Mi Zhu nodded in agreement. "Yes, I recall that property. It was renovated to the highest standards and would certainly impress the Sun Clan. The mansion is large enough to accommodate their entire family and retainers, and its proximity to your residence would allow for frequent and informal meetings."
Lie Fan leaned back in his chair, pleased with their suggestions. "Good. Prepare the mansion and ensure that it is fully furnished and stocked with everything they might need. When the Sun Clan arrives, I want them to feel as though they are being welcomed not just as guests, but as part of the Lie Clan's inner circle."
Sun Qian and Mi Zhu bowed once more before leaving to carry out Lie Fan's instructions. The plan was falling into place. If he could make Sun Jian and Sun Ce feel at home in Xiapi, it might lay the groundwork for future discussions about a deeper alliance. After all, the Sun Clan controlled vital territories in the south, and their military prowess was well-known. Gaining their loyalty would be a significant step in expanding his influence.
Three weeks passed swiftly, and the day finally arrived when the Sun Clan's procession of wagons was nearing Xiapi. The journey had been a long one. After first sailing to Huai'an and docking their ships there, the Sun family continued by land toward Xiapi. The long caravan, composed of ornate wagons and surrounded by an escort of elite guards, approached the gates of the city with grandeur.
The people of Xiapi, having heard rumors of the Sun Clan's arrival, lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the famed family. Sun Jian and Sun Ce rode at the head of the procession, their commanding presence unmistakable even from a distance. Behind them followed the rest of the Sun family inside their carriage, including Sun Quan, Sun Shangxiang, and their close retainers.
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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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