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Wannian nodded, her eyes filled with understanding. "You have always been a man of strategy and foresight, Husband. I have no doubt that you will find a way to navigate this challenge. Just remember to trust your instincts and stay true to your principles. Also, my brother chose you because he trusts in your talent, no need to doubt yourself."
Her words brought a sense of comfort to Sima Yi, and he placed his hand over hers. "Thank you, Wife. Your support means more to me than you know."
As the preparations continued, Sima Yi's resolve solidified. He knew that the road ahead would be fraught with challenges, but he was ready to face them. With Wannian's unwavering support and his own sharp intellect, he was confident that he could succeed in his mission.
Back in Xiangping, Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong had settled into their roles, working closely with Gongsun Gong to implement the improvements they had proposed.
The city's defenses were being strengthened, the soldiers were being trained with renewed vigor, and the people's morale was steadily rising. The two advisors had quickly earned the respect and admiration of everyone in Xiangping, and their presence was a source of hope and confidence.
As they stood on the city walls, looking out at the horizon, Zhuge Liang said, "The challenges ahead are great, but I believe we are on the right path. With Governor Gongsun Gong's leadership and the support of the people, Xiangping will be a formidable stronghold."
Pang Tong, his usual grin in place, added, "And with our brilliant minds at work, Goguryeo won't know what hit them."
Zhuge Liang chuckled softly, his expression one of quiet determination. "Indeed, Shiyuan. Together, we will ensure that Lord Lie Fan's vision for the future becomes a reality."
The morning sun cast a golden hue over Xiapi as Sima Yi prepared to depart for Xiangping. The air was filled with a sense of purpose, but also a tinge of melancholy as Wannian stood by the gates of their residence, her eyes reflecting both pride and reluctance.
She had always been a pillar of strength for Sima Yi, her unwavering support a constant source of comfort. Yet, even she could not hide the sadness of seeing him leave, even if it was for a mission of great importance.
Sima Yi approached her, his expression softening as he took her hands in his. "Wannian," he said, his voice gentle but resolute, "I will return as soon as my task is complete. Take care of yourself and the household while I am away."
Wannian nodded, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "You have always been a man of strategy and foresight, Husband. I have no doubt that you will find a way to navigate this challenge. Just remember to trust your instincts and stay true to your principles. Also, my brother chose you because he trusts in your talent. There is no need to doubt yourself."
Her words, filled with both encouragement and love, brought a sense of comfort to Sima Yi. He squeezed her hands gently, his voice warm with gratitude. "Thank you, Wife. Your support gives me much more needed courage and belief to handle this matter. I will not fail you or your brother."
With that, Sima Yi mounted his horse, his elite guards falling into formation behind him. The entourage set off, their journey taking them toward Huai'An, where they would board a ship bound for the port south of Xiangping.
The road ahead was long, but Sima Yi's resolve was unshakable. He knew that the success of this mission would not only secure Lie Fan's ambitions but also shape the future of Lie Fan's coming empire.
The journey to Huai'An was uneventful, the countryside passing by in a blur of rolling hills and bustling villages. As they approached the port city, however, an unexpected figure emerged from the shadows.
A man dressed in plain clothing stepped forward, his demeanor calm but purposeful. The elite guards tensed, their hands instinctively moving toward their weapons, but the man raised his hands in a gesture of peace.
"I mean no harm," he said, his voice steady. "I am an Oriole Agent, and I bear a message for Master Sima Yi."
Sima Yi, intrigued, signaled for his guards to stand down. He dismounted and approached the man, who handed him a sealed letter bearing Lie Fan's insignia. Sima Yi's heart quickened as he broke the seal and began to read.
The letter was brief but carried immense weight. Lie Fan had granted Sima Yi full authority over the negotiations with Goguryeo, assuring him that he need not fear repercussions for any decisions he made.
The letter also mentioned that the army was already being prepared as agreed upon in the meeting, a clear indication that Lie Fan was ready to back Sima Yi's actions with force if necessary.
A smile spread across Sima Yi's face as he folded the letter and tucked it into his robes. The trust and confidence that Lie Fan had placed in him were both humbling and empowering. He turned to the Oriole Agent and nodded. "Thank you for delivering this. You may inform Lord Lie Fan that I will not disappoint him."
The agent bowed and disappeared as quickly as he had appeared, leaving Sima Yi and his guards to continue their journey. The encounter had bolstered Sima Yi's confidence, and he felt a renewed sense of determination as they boarded the ship at Huai'An and set sail for the port south of Xiangping.
The voyage across the water took several days, the ship cutting through the waves with steady precision. Sima Yi spent much of the time refining his strategy, his mind racing with possibilities.
He knew that the negotiations with Goguryeo would be a delicate balancing act, requiring both diplomacy and strength. The letter from Lie Fan had given him the freedom to act decisively, but it also underscored the gravity of the situation.
When the ship finally docked at the port south of Xiangping, Sima Yi and his guards disembarked and began the final leg of their journey.
The road to Xiangping was lined with lush fields and small villages, the people going about their daily lives seemingly unaware of the tensions brewing on the horizon. Yet, as they approached the city, the atmosphere grew more charged, the presence of soldiers and fortifications a stark reminder of the challenges that lay ahead.
Upon arriving in Xiangping, Sima Yi did not immediately seek out Li Wei. Instead, he made his way to the Governor's Castle, where he knew Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong were staying.
The two advisors had been in Xiangping for some time now, and Sima Yi was eager to hear their insights before proceeding with the negotiations.
Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong greeted Sima Yi warmly, their respect for him evident in their demeanor. "Brother Zhongda," Zhuge Liang said, his tone respectful, "it is good to see you. We have been expecting your arrival since the moment we received the news of your coming."
Pang Tong, much more lively in his greeting compared to Zhuge Liang, grinned and added, "And we've been busy preparing for your grand arrival, Brother Zhongda. Xiangping is ready to impress."
Sima Yi chuckled, appreciating Pang Tong's humor. "I am glad to hear it, Kongming and Shiyuan. But before we discuss the negotiations, I would like to hear your thoughts on a situation that happened after both of you left Xiapi."
Hearing Sima Yi's words, both Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong leaned forward, their curiosity piqued. The air in the room grew tense as they waited for Sima Yi to elaborate.
The two advisors had been deeply engrossed in their work in Xiangping, and news from Xiapi had been sparse. Now, with Sima Yi's arrival, they were eager to learn what had transpired in their absence.
"What happened after we left Xiapi, Brother Zhongda?" Zhuge Liang asked, his tone calm but filled with genuine interest. "You mentioned a counterproposal from Goguryeo. What exactly did they propose?"
Pang Tong, ever the impatient one, chimed in with a grin. "Come on, Brother Zhongda, don't keep us in suspense. Spill it!"
Sima Yi smiled faintly, appreciating their eagerness. He reached into his robes and produced the scroll containing Goguryeo's counterproposal, which had been delivered to him by the Oriole Agents. Unrolling it carefully, he began to explain its contents.
"After you both left Xiapi," Sima Yi began, "Envoy Li Wei presented Lord Lie Fan's terms to King Sansang of Goguryeo. However, instead of accepting them outright, Goguryeo responded with a counterproposal. They are demanding a gradual reduction of their standing army rather than an immediate 50% cut."
"They also want a phased implementation of the currency conversion to avoid economic destabilization. Additionally, they propose the establishment of a joint council to oversee the Lie Clan Supervision Bureau, with equal representation from both sides. And perhaps most audaciously, they are requesting military assistance from us in the event of an external threat."
Zhuge Liang's eyebrows rose in surprise, while Pang Tong let out a low whistle. "Well, that's bold," Pang Tong said, his tone a mix of amusement and disbelief. "I didn't expect Goguryeo to be so brazen. They're practically dictating their own terms."
Zhuge Liang, ever the thoughtful one, stroked his beard as he considered the implications. "This is indeed unexpected. While some of their requests, such as the phased implementation of the currency conversion, are reasonable, others, like the joint council and military assistance, are clearly attempts to retain their autonomy and leverage our resources for their benefit. Lord Lie Fan's original terms were designed to weaken Goguryeo's ability to rebel, but this counterproposal seeks to undermine that goal."
Sima Yi nodded, his expression serious. "Exactly. Lord Lie Fan has granted me full authority to handle these negotiations, but he has also made it clear that the original terms are non negotiable. Goguryeo's counterproposal is a direct challenge to his authority, and we cannot afford to let them dictate the terms."
Pang Tong, his usual grin replaced by a look of determination, leaned forward. "So, what's the plan, Brother Zhongda? How do we handle this without escalating the situation into outright conflict?"
Zhuge Liang, his mind already racing with possibilities, interjected before Sima Yi could respond. "We need to approach this with a combination of diplomacy and strategic pressure. Goguryeo must understand that we are not to be trifled with, but we must also offer them a path to compliance. The key is to strike a balance between strength and reason."
Sima Yi agreed. "That is precisely what I was thinking. We need to present a united front and make it clear that any deviation from Lord Lie Fan's original terms will have consequences. At the same time, we should explore ways to address some of their concerns without compromising our objectives."
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Name: Lie Fan
Title: Overlord Of The Central Plains
Age: 33 (200 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