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Sima Yi stopped walking and turned to face Li Wei, his expression serious. "Precisely, Envoy Li Wei. King Sansang's attempts to stall are futile. We cannot afford to give him more time to rally his forces or devise a counterstrategy. It is time to escalate our plans."
Li Wei's eyes widened in surprise. "Escalate our plans? What do you mean?"
Sima Yi's gaze was unwavering. "It is time to light the internal flames within Goguryeo. We will push General, no, former General Yeon Gaesomun to act. His influence within the military is considerable, and his pride has already been provoked. If we can incite him to use whatever influence he has left to mobilize the Goguryeo army and attack Xiangping, it will create the chaos we need to force King Sansang's hand."
Li Wei was stunned. He had not expected Sima Yi to have such a contingency plan, let alone one that involved manipulating one of Goguryeo's most influential military leaders. "General Yeon Gaesomun?" he repeated, his voice tinged with disbelief. "But how? He is not easily swayed, and his loyalty to Goguryeo is unquestionable, even though he stood on the opposite of King Sansang, he would never put Goguryeo in jeopardy."
Sima Yi's smile widened, a glint of satisfaction in his eyes. "Loyalty can be tested, and pride can be exploited. Yeon Gaesomun is a man of action, and his temper is his weakness. With the right provocation, he can be pushed to act rashly and not caring of the consequences."
Before Li Wei could respond, one of the guards accompanying them stepped forward. "Understood, Master Sima Yi," the guard said, his voice low but firm. "I will inform the others immediately."
Li Wei's eyes darted to the guard, his surprise deepening. He had assumed the man was simply part of their security detail, but now he realized the truth.
The guard was an Oriole Agent, one of the many operatives embedded within Goguryeo to carry out espionage missions across Goguryeo, and keep them safe also. The agent quickly departed, blending into the shadows as he went to relay Sima Yi's orders to the rest of the network.
Li Wei turned back to Sima Yi, his mind racing. "Master Sima Yi," he said, his voice a mixture of awe and apprehension, "I had no idea you had already positioned the agents that already infiltrated Goguryeo's military and noble circles for preparation to act. This is… extraordinary."
Sima Yi resumed walking, his pace unhurried. "The Oriole Agents have been working tirelessly to infiltrate Goguryeo's power structures under Lord Lie Fan's order after our first contact with Goguryeo. They have cultivated relationships with key figures, including those close to Yeon Gaesomun. With their help, we can fan the flames of his anger and push him to act against Xiangping."
Li Wei fell into step beside Sima Yi, his thoughts a whirlwind. "But what if Yeon Gaesomun sees through the manipulation? What if he refuses to act?"
Sima Yi's expression remained calm, almost serene. "He will act, Envoy Li Wei. The seeds of discord have already been sown. The Oriole Agents will ensure that the right whispers reach his ears, and that the right pressures are applied. Yeon Gaesomun's pride will not allow him to remain idle, especially if he believes his honor and the security of Goguryeo are at stake."
Li Wei nodded slowly, though his unease lingered. "And once Yeon Gaesomun mobilizes the army, what then? How does this serve our goals?"
Sima Yi's eyes gleamed with a calculated intensity. "Once Goguryeo's army is in motion, King Sansang will have no choice but to act. The attack on Xiangping will be the momentum Lord Lie Fan could use to pressure Goguryeo through military power, with Gongsun Gong army that was stationed there, creating a crisis that Goguryeo cannot handle."
"In the chaos combined with pressure through military power, King Sansang will be forced to accept our request and establish the Lie Clan Supervision Bureau. The bureau will then serve as the stabilizing force, ensuring that Goguryeo remains aligned with Lord Lie Fan's vision."
Li Wei absorbed Sima Yi's words, and the full scope of the plan became clear. It was a bold and ruthless strategy, one that leveraged both military and political pressure to achieve their objectives.
Yet, despite his admiration for Sima Yi's foresight, Li Wei could not shake the feeling of unease. The lives of countless people hung in the balance, and the consequences of their actions would ripple far beyond the borders of Goguryeo.
As they reached the gates of the palace, Sima Yi turned to Li Wei once more. "Envoy Li Wei," he said, his tone firm but not unkind, "you must be prepared for what comes next. The road ahead will be fraught with challenges and sacrifice to be made, but I have every confidence in your ability to lead the bureau and navigate the complexities of Goguryeo's political landscape."
Li Wei met Sima Yi's gaze, his resolve hardening. "I will not fail you, Master Sima Yi. I will do everything in my power to ensure the success of our mission."
Sima Yi nodded, a rare smile of approval crossing his features. "I know you will, Envoy Li Wei. Together, we will secure Goguryeo for Lord Lie Fan."
As they stepped through the palace gates and into the bustling streets of Gungnae, the weight of their plans hung heavy in the air. The city, unaware of the machinations unfolding within its walls, continued its daily rhythms.
But for Sima Yi and Li Wei, the calm was merely the prelude to the storm. The flames of conflict had been lit, and the fate of Goguryeo now rested on the edge of a cliff, waiting to fall into an endless abyss.
Meanwhile, The streets of Gungnae were alive with the usual hum of activity, merchants hawking their wares, children darting between stalls, and travelers from distant lands exchanging stories in the bustling inns.
To the untrained eye, the city appeared to be a thriving hub of commerce and culture, unaware of the undercurrents of intrigue and manipulation that flowed beneath its surface. But for the Oriole Agents, the city was a chessboard, and every move they made was calculated to bring Goguryeo closer to the brink.
The Oriole agent who had received Sima Yi's orders moved swiftly through the crowded streets, his face a mask of calm indifference. He blended seamlessly into the throng, his plain attire and unremarkable demeanor ensuring that he drew no attention.
His destination was a modest looking restaurant and inn nestled in a quieter part of the city. To the casual observer, it was just another establishment catering to weary travelers and locals seeking a hearty meal.
But beneath its unassuming facade lay the heart of the Oriole network in Goguryeo, a hidden headquarters where agents gathered, information was exchanged, and plans were set into motion.
The agent entered the inn through the front door, nodding politely to the proprietor, who was also an Oriole operative. He made his way to the back of the building, where a concealed door led to a labyrinth of secret chambers.
The air inside was thick with the scent of ink and parchment, the walls lined with shelves stacked high with scrolls and reports. The room was alive with activity, agents hunched over desks, scribbling notes, others engaged in hushed conversations, and a few resting briefly before their next mission.
The agent cleared his throat, drawing the attention of his comrades. "Master Sima Yi has given the order," he announced, his voice low but carrying the weight of authority. "The internal fire plan is to commence immediately. All agents are to carry out their assigned tasks without delay."
The room fell silent for a moment as the agents absorbed the gravity of the order. Then, like a well oiled machine, they sprang into action. Scrolls were rolled up, maps were folded, and weapons were checked.
Each agent knew their role, their mission, and the stakes involved. The ultimate goal was clear which was to incite Yeon Gaesomun, the former general of Goguryeo, to mobilize the army and attack Xiangping. It was a dangerous gambit, one that would plunge the kingdom into chaos, but it was a necessary step in securing Lord Lie Fan's influence over Goguryeo.
The agents dispersed into the city, each one heading to their assigned contacts within Goguryeo's noble and military circles. Some agents had spent a long time cultivating relationships with key figures, earning their trust and loyalty.
Others had resorted to more coercive methods, gathering secrets and leverage to ensure compliance. Regardless of the approach, the result would be the same, a carefully orchestrated campaign to manipulate Yeon Gaesomun into action.
By the following day, the seeds of discord had been sown. Exaggerated rumors and fabricated news began to spread like wildfire among Goguryeo's military officials and nobles.
Whispers of King Sansang's alleged plans to further humiliate Yeon Gaesomun, even to execute him and his entire family to appease Lie Fan, reached the ears of those who mattered most. The rumors were designed to provoke outrage, to stir the embers of resentment that already smoldered within Yeon Gaesomun's heart.
The former general was hosting a tea party at his residence, a grand estate that stood as a testament to his enduring influence despite his fall from grace. The guests were a who's who of Goguryeo's elite, high ranking military officials, powerful nobles, and loyal subordinates who still looked to Yeon Gaesomun as a leader.
The atmosphere was one of camaraderie and quiet defiance, a gathering of those who shared his disdain for King Sansang's perceived weakness and capitulation to foreign powers.
As the tea was served and the conversation flowed, one of the guests, a noble who had been subtly influenced by the Oriole Agents, casually mentioned the rumors. "Have you heard, General?" he asked, his tone carefully measured. "There are whispers that King Sansang plans to strip you of your remaining titles and lands. Some even say he intends to execute you and your family to appease Lie Fan."
The room fell silent, all eyes turning to Yeon Gaesomun. The former general's face darkened, his hands tightening around his teacup. "What did you say?" he demanded, his voice low and dangerous.
The noble hesitated, as if reluctant to continue, but the damage had already been done. "It is only a rumor, of course," he said, "but it comes from reliable sources within the palace. They say the king is desperate to secure Lie Fan's favor and sees you as an obstacle to that goal."
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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