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(A/N: The New Map have been updated and released! And also I have created a new novel called Red Dead Redemption 2: From Gaming To Cowboy, come and read give me your suggestions! I know I know I have to many novels but I just can't stop my head from bursting with ideas!)
Sima Yi nodded, his tone measured but firm. "We are willing to address some of your concerns, provided that the core terms are met. For example, we can agree to a phased reduction of your standing army and limited economic support during the transition to the new currency. However, the establishment of the Lie Clan Supervision Bureau and the disbandment of 50% of your army are non negotiable."
The grand hall of Goguryeo's palace, once a place of dignified negotiation, was now a powder keg of tension and anger. Sima Yi's unwavering insistence on Lord Lie Fan's original terms had struck a nerve with King Sansang and his officials.
The king's hands clenched into fists, his knuckles white with suppressed fury, while the officials around him erupted into a chorus of indignation. Their voices rose in protest, accusing Sima Yi and Lie Fan of being unreasonable and dismissive of Goguryeo's sovereignty. The atmosphere grew increasingly hostile, the air thick with the weight of unspoken threats.
General Yeon Gaesomun, having a fiery temper and ambitious vision for Goguryeo couldn't hold back his anger, was the first to act. With a swift, deliberate motion, he drew his blade from its scabbard, the metallic ring of steel echoing through the hall.
The sudden action sent a shockwave through the grand hall. King Sansang's eyes widened in alarm at this action, while Mo Du and Dal Gae exchanged uneasy glances. Sima Yi, however, remained eerily calm, his expression unreadable as he assessed the situation.
Sima Yi and Li Wei's elite guards, trained to anticipate danger, immediately sprang into action. They formed a protective circle around Sima Yi and Li Wei, their swords drawn and ready.
The tension in the room escalated as General Yeon Gaesomun's followers, emboldened by their leader's actions, also drew their weapons, creating a standoff that threatened to spiral out of control.
General Yeon Gaesomun, his face flushed with anger, pointed his blade at Sima Yi and launched into a furious tirade. "Goguryeo should have struck the Han when they were fractured and weak!" he roared, his voice reverberating through the hall. "I warned the past king, but my counsel was ignored. Now, we are forced to bow to the demands of a tyrant who seeks to strip us of our sovereignty! No more! If Goguryeo is to regain its honor, we must strike first, starting with you, Sima Yi!"
The general's words were met with a mix of shock and murmurs of agreement from some of the officials, but King Sansang and his senior advisors remained silent, their expressions a mixture of anger and apprehension.
Sima Yi, however, did not flinch. His cold, calculating eyes locked onto Yeon Gaesomun, and when he spoke, his voice was calm but laced with a steely resolve that brought the attention of everyone in the room.
"General Yeon Gaesomun," Sima Yi began, his tone measured but firm, "your actions today have not only disrespected me but have also offended my lord, Lie Fan. Such recklessness will not go unpunished. If this matter is not resolved to our satisfaction, there will be consequences, severe consequences that Goguryeo cannot afford."
Sima Yi's words were directed not just at Yeon Gaesomun but at King Sansang, Mo Du, and Dal Gae. The implicit threat was clear, any harm done to Sima Yi or his delegation would be met with swift and severe retaliation from Lie Fan's forces. The grand hall fell silent, the weight of Sima Yi's words hanging heavily in the air.
Mo Du, as the voice of reason, leaned in to whisper urgently to King Sansang. "Your Majesty, we must tread carefully. The killing of a diplomatic envoy, no matter how unreasonable their demands, would stain our reputation irreparably. It would undermine our efforts to form alliances with Baekje, Gaya, and Silla. We must accept the terms for now and bide our time. Once we have secured a united front, we can repay Lie Fan and his envoys in kind."
King Sansang's jaw tightened as he considered Mo Du's counsel. The king was a proud man, and the thought of bowing to Lie Fan's demands was galling. Yet, he knew that Mo Du was right. Goguryeo was not yet in a position to openly defy Lie Fan's immense power. The risks were too great, and the consequences too severe to be ignored or taken.
After a tense moment, King Sansang raised his hand, signaling for silence. The room fell quiet, all eyes turning to the king. "General Yeon Gaesomun," he said, his voice firm but controlled, "sheathe your blade. This is not the time for such rash actions."
Yeon Gaesomun hesitated, his grip tightening on his sword. For a moment, it seemed as though he might defy the king's order, but the weight of the king's authority and the gravity of the situation eventually prevailed. With a scowl, he lowered his weapon and returned it to its scabbard. His followers followed suit, though their expressions remained defiant.
King Sansang turned to Sima Yi, his expression a mixture of resignation and determination. "Master Sima Yi," he said, his tone measured, "we understand the gravity of the situation. While your terms are… challenging, we recognize the need for stability and cooperation between our kingdoms. We will accept Lord Lie Fan's original terms, provided that certain concessions are made to ease the transition for our people."
Sima Yi inclined his head slightly, his expression unreadable. "Your Majesty, we are willing to discuss minor adjustments to the implementation of the terms, but the core conditions must remain unchanged. The reduction of your standing army, the establishment of the Lie Clan Supervision Bureau, and the adoption of our currency are non negotiable."
King Sansang's eyes narrowed, but he nodded reluctantly. "Very well. We will proceed under those conditions. However, let it be known that Goguryeo does not yield out of weakness but out of a desire to avoid unnecessary conflict."
Sima Yi's lips curved into a faint smile, though his eyes remained cold. "Your Majesty's wisdom is commendable. We will ensure that the transition is as smooth as possible, and we look forward to a future of mutual cooperation."
The tension in the grand hall began to ease, though the undercurrent of resentment remained. Mo Du and Dal Gae exchanged relieved glances, while General Yeon Gaesomun stood silently, his expression dark with suppressed anger. The negotiations had taken a dangerous turn, but disaster had been averted, for now.
As the meeting concluded, Sima Yi and Li Wei were escorted out of the palace by their guards. The atmosphere outside was tense, the air thick with the unspoken animosity of the Goguryeo officials. Sima Yi, however, remained composed, his mind already focused on the next steps.
Once they were safely outside the palace gates, Li Wei turned to Sima Yi, his expression a mixture of relief and concern. "Master Sima Yi, that was… intense. I didn't expect General Yeon Gaesomun to react so violently."
Sima Yi's expression was calm, but his eyes gleamed with a calculating light. "General Yeon Gaesomun is a man of passion and ambition, but his actions today have revealed his recklessness. He is a threat, not just to us but to King Sansang as well. We must keep a close eye on him."
Li Wei nodded, his respect for Sima Yi's foresight evident in his demeanor. "What do we do now, Master Sima Yi?"
Sima Yi's smile returned, though it was tinged with a hint of cold determination. "Now, we ensure that the terms are implemented without delay. We will also use this incident to our advantage. General Yeon Gaesomun's outburst has exposed divisions within Goguryeo's leadership. We can exploit those divisions to further our goals."
As they made their way back to their quarters, Sima Yi's mind was already racing with plans and strategies. The road ahead would be fraught with challenges, but he was confident that they had taken a crucial step toward securing Lie Fan's vision for the future.
The negotiations had been a test of resolve, and Sima Yi had emerged victorious. Yet, he knew that the true battle was far from over. The seeds of discord had been sown, and it was only a matter of time before they bore fruit.
Meanwhile on the grand hall of Goguryeo's palace, once a place of dignified negotiation, had now become a battleground of words and emotions. The tension that had simmered during the negotiations with Sima Yi had boiled over, and the aftermath was a scene of chaos and discord.
King Sansang, who had been holding back his anger throughout the meeting, finally let it out in a torrent of reprimands directed at General Yeon Gaesomun and his followers.
"How dare you act so recklessly!" King Sansang thundered, his voice echoing through the hall. His face was flushed with anger, his fists clenched at his sides. "This is not the first time you have overstepped your bounds, but today you went too far! Drawing your blade in the presence of a diplomatic envoy? Do you have any idea what kind of disaster you nearly brought upon us?"
The king's words were sharp and unrelenting, each one cutting through the air like a whip. The officials in the hall stood in stunned silence, their eyes darting between the king and the general.
Mo Du and Dal Gae, who had always been voices of reason, did not intervene this time. They knew that Yeon Gaesomun's actions had crossed a line, and they shared the king's frustration.
Mo Du, his expression grave, stepped forward to add his own rebuke. "General Yeon Gaesomun, your actions today were not only reckless but also deeply irresponsible. You nearly provoked a conflict that Goguryeo is not prepared to fight. Do you understand the consequences of killing a diplomatic envoy? It would have stained our reputation irreparably and undermined our efforts to form alliances with Baekje, Gaya, and Silla."
Dal Gae, though less severe in his tone, also chimed in. "We are all frustrated by the terms imposed by Lie Fan, but we must act with wisdom and restraint. Your outburst has only weakened our position and exposed divisions within our leadership. This is not the time for internal strife."
General Yeon Gaesomun, however, was in no mood to accept the reprimands. His face was a mask of fury, his eyes blazing with indignation. He had served Goguryeo for decades, rising through the ranks through sheer determination and skill.
He had fought in countless battles, expanded Goguryeo's borders, and dedicated his life to the kingdom. To be scolded like a disobedient child was more than he could bear.
"You dare reprimand me?" Yeon Gaesomun roared, his voice shaking with anger. "I have served Goguryeo since I was a young man, and now, in my fifties, I have never felt so humiliated! The Goguryeo I helped build and expand is now being treated as a mere vassal, and the king I pledged my allegiance to has no backbone!"
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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