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Seeing that everyone showed their agreement with Zhou Yu's words, Sun Jian gave the orders for his army to be organized and the supplies needed to be prepared for their participation in Lie Fan's battle against Liu Biao, they will focus on expanding their land to the West, while their navy will give some support to Lie Fan's navy in fighting against Huang Zu's navy and Cai Mao's Navy in Yangtze River.
He appointed Huan Jie and Zhou You to be the ones to organize his army, while Zhang Chao and Zhang Hong prepared the supplies needed, and Cheng Pu alongside Zu Mao organized his navy.
Everyone who was called by Sun Jian immediately cupped their hand toward Sun Jian, and received the task that was given to them by Sun Jian.
Sun Jian also decided to not participate in the war this time, so he assigned Sun Ce as the head general of the army with Zhou Yu and Huan Jie beside him, while he stayed at Jiangle alongside Zhang Zhao and Zhang Hong.
This decision doesn't surprise Huan Jie, Zhang Zhao, and Zhang Hong as he has consulted the three of them about Sun Ce replacing him as the Lord, and they suggested that Sun Ce be put in a position of power so the others can slowly assimilate themselves to Sun Ce's rule.
On the other hand, everyone other than the three of them was surprised especially the veteran generals that followed him called the Four Veterans of Sun Clan, which were Cheng Pu, Han Dang, Huang Gai, and Zhu Zhi.
The Veterans could see that Sun Jian was preparing Sun Ce to succeed him, they could see the clues from the time when Sun Ce was appointed as head general of a separate army when they were fighting against Liu Yao.
Sun Ce proved to be the same as his father with his strength and valor, even stronger than his father in his youth and the merits he accumulated during that time managed to convince many people that a tiger will bore a tiger son, not a dog son.
So they didn't protest Sun Jian's decision but showed their agreement since it was Sun Jian's decision and they as his oldest retainers and comrades even said to be old friends would follow his decision.
Some of the generals wanted to protest against Sun Jian's decision, but seeing that the Four Veterans not only didn't protest but agreed with his decision all of them could only hold their tongue and follow their lead.
Sun Jian saw that his old friends agreed with his decision and heaved a sigh of relief, also satisfied that they could see the potential Sun Ce had as he understood the tempers of his old friends and their agreement meant the other generals couldn't protest.
Sun Ce seeing that no one opposed his father's decision, cupped his hand toward his father and promised to do the best he could to win and expand the Sun Clan domain.
Satisfied by Sun Ce's words, Sun Jian told Sun Ce to follow Huan Jie and Zhou Yu to organize the army, and then after giving some inspiring words to all of his retainers, he ended the meeting.
After the meeting ended, everyone went to do the assignment given to them, and from there the Sun Clan engine of war began to start as the army was organized, the navy began to release their anchor, and supplies were prepared.
Sun Ce alongside Huan Jie and Zhou Yu organized the army, where Sun Ce familiarized himself with his soldiers and learned some leadership skills from Zhou Yu and Huan Jie along the way.
After several days passed by, the Sun Clan Army and Mavy were ready to start their attack on Liu Biao where they targeted Yudu, Jianchang, and Haihun County which were the neighboring Counties with Yuzhang.
Not only to provide more layers for Yuzhang protection against Liu Biao due to its strategic location but also to unite Yuzhang Commandery and open up the way toward Changsha in the future.
After receiving Sun Jian's permission and blessing, Sun Ce led the Army to attack Liu Biao where he coordinated with Cheng Pu and Zu Mao who led the Navy on his attack.
Zhang Zhao also announced the Sun Clan's declaration of war to Liu Biao, announcing that the Sun Clan would help its long time ally Lie Fan against Liu Biao and this instantly shook the land.
The joining of the Sun Clan means Liu Biao was in a precarious situation, even Lie Fan and Jia Xu were caught off guard as they never expected the Sun Clan will join and the letter from the Oriole member there arrived at the same time the news of the attack reach them.
For Lie Fan, this isn't a problem as the participation of the Sun Clan in this war means that the attention of everyone toward the war will be renewed, especially Cao Cao who was the nearest neighbor.
Jia Xu, Xun You, and Chen Gong also feel the same as Lie Fan, especially since the report from the Oriole says that they only targeted Yudu, Jianchang, and Haihun counties and nothing else.
Different from Lie Fan's reaction, Liu Biao at Xiangyang was angered by the news and told his generals to raise his army and station it against Sun Jian's Army at Yudu and to reinforce Huang Zu at Jiangxia once again.
Liu Bia then asked his advisors Kuai Yue and Kuai Liang if he should also ask Liu Bei to end his army, which the Kuai brothers advised Liu Biao to not do so, as they were afraid of inviting a tiger to cast out the wolf, it better to let Liu Biao guard against Cao Cao.
They felt that Cao Cao would take advantage of the situation and attack them if the situation permitted him, so it was necessary for Liu Bei to stay at Xinye as the first line of defense.
Liu Biao reluctantly agrees as he sees the point of Kuai Yue and Kuai Liang's words, Cai Mao on the side wants to argue against this but decides not to as he understands what Kuai Yue and Kuai Liang meant, it doesn't mean that he likes it as he feels the casualties of his men will increase.
Especially since he receives secret news from his men inside Huang Zu's navy that Lie Fan's Navy has weapons that they have never seen before, which shoot many arrows from long distances and it sounds like a tribulation from heaven.
It has sunk or destroyed some of Huang Zu's ships, and the size of Lie Fan's ships is much bigger and sturdier compared with the ships he has seen so his spy advised Cai Mao to not send all of his navy.
Cai Mao wanted to do so after receiving the news, but unfortunately, Liu Biao already asked for all of his army and navy to join in the war, so he could only blame his bad luck and could only hope that his navy could take down Lie Fan's navy.
On the west of Xiangyang, Lujiang Wang Lang who was appointed as Governor of Lujiang become the logistic leader of Lie Fan's campaign against Liu Biao alongside Lu Fan who was his advisor.
Lu Kang was also present to help Wang Lang and Lu Fan, to ease the relationship between the Lu Clan and Lie Fan after some strain due to Lujiang Srmy being incorporated into the Xuanwu Army.
At this time the sudden changes in the plan by Chen Deng, Liu Ba, and Zang Hong put some strain on their supply line since now they have begun to overturn the stalemate between them and Huang Zu, to begin their advance.
Wang Lang coordinated with Chen Qun and Liu Ye at Xiapi to send more supplies, but he needed to wait since the supplies were on the way and can't just magically appear at Lujiang.
Lu Kang: "Governor Wang and Master Lu, I think there's someone who could help us in this matter because in the last he also helped us at Lujiang when we needed food."
Wang Lang: "Oh? Please Master Lu Kang tell us who it is, I will personally come and visit him to ask for his aid! Don't worry, we will definitely repay him as My Lord is someone who knew to repay the favor given to him!"
Lu Kang: "His name is Lu Su, he lives in the neighboring Dongcheng County. In the past when chaos broke out, he sold his family's lands and properties and used the money to help the poor."
Lu Fan: "What a kind man! Such a man deserves to be admired and promoted, may I know if he is related to Master Lu Kang?"
Lu Kang: "No we aren't related, we only share the same family name nothing else, I knew about him because he also spent his time associating with other reputable and talented persons and was well-loved by his fellow townsfolk, so that's why I asked for his help when Lujiangcencounter some food crisis."
Wang Lang: "Such a talented and kind person! My Lord will definitely want to have this Lu Su pledge his service, and so it's decided! Master Lu Kang, I and Lu Fan will leave Lujiang and the supply matter to your hand for a while, we will head toward Dongcheng to meet with this Lu Su!"
Lu Kang nods his head and told Wang Lang and Lu Fan to not worry, as he and the Lu Clan will help them handle this matter, and so the next day Wang Lang and Lu Fan alongside some soldiers headed toward Dongcheng.
When they arrived there, they asked the people of Dongcheng about Lu Su's residence, and many people directed toward the same address, after making sure that it was true they headed toward Lu Su's residence.
Arriving there, Wang Lang and Lu Fan told the guard in front of the entrance that they are Wang Lang and Lu Fan, they wanted to meet with Lu Su to ask for his help.
The guard told them to wait for a second and enter the residence, several minutes later a young man with a stalwart and extraordinary appearance appeared with the guard, seeing him they immediately knew that it was Lu Su from the bearing and aura he had.
Lu Su was surprised when his guard told him that two men named Wang Lang and Lu Fan were asking for him, he knew who these two people are who has the Governor of Lujiang and its advisor after Lu Kang and the Lu Clan surrendered to Lie Fan.
So he hurried toward the entrance of his residence and welcomed the two of them, Wang Lang and Lu Fan being welcomed personally by Lu Fan was satisfied as this showed that Lu Su wasn't an arrogant person and shows that he knew who they were after some pleasantries and introduction was exchanged, Lu Su invited them inside to talk more about their request in a more convenient place.
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Name: Lie Fan
Title: Three Heroes Who Defeat Lu Bu
Age: 29 (196 AD)
Level: 16
Next Level: 2,462,000
Renown: 725
Cultivation: Yin Yang Separation (level 9)
SP: 1,071,700
ATTRIBUTE POINTS
STR: 936 (+20)
VIT: 598 (+20)
AGI: 583 (+10)
INT: 587
CHR: 93
WIS: 509
WILL: 397
ATR Points: 0