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Zhou Yu allowed himself a moment of satisfaction. The plan had been executed flawlessly, and the threat posed by Cai Mao had been eliminated. But he knew that the road ahead was still fraught with challenges. The chaos following Cai Mao's death would undoubtedly lead to further power struggles in Jing Province, and the Sun Clan would need to be vigilant and prepared for whatever came next.
He called for his horse, and as he mounted, his mind was already turning to the next steps. Securing Yang Province was only part of the equation. Zhou Yu knew that the Sun Clan's next goal was to expand their domain to Jiaozhi Province and to achieve that, they would need to capitalize on this momentum and solidify their alliance with Lie Fan to secure their northern border.
As he rode back towards the Sun Clan's camp, Zhou Yu's thoughts turned to the future. The battle against Cai Mao had been a significant victory, but it was just one of many that would be needed in the coming years to come.
Jiaozhi Province holds many treacherous terrains, and Shi Xie is a cunning man, who managed to control Jiaozhi Province as its sole ruler for so long without any damage done to its people and economy, except for the separation war he had when Shi Hui and Shi Wu betrayed him.
But Zhou Yu had faith in the strength and unity of the Sun Clan. With Sun Ce as their leader, and combined with the loyalty and skill of their generals, he believed they had the power to achieve their goals.
Back in the camp, the Sun Clan generals were already celebrating their victory, the air filled with the sounds of laughter and the clinking of cups. The mood was jubilant, but Zhou Yu remained focused. There was much to be done, and he knew that complacency was the enemy of progress.
He sought out Huang Gai, Cheng Pu, Zhu Ran, Dong Xi, Zhou Tai, and Wei Yan gathering them together to discuss the next phase of their campaign to capitalize on the momentum they had now.
Zhou Yu was a firm believer in the importance of planning and preparation, and he wanted to ensure that they were ready for whatever challenges lay ahead in this campaign.
As they discussed their strategy, Zhou Yu emphasized the need to remain vigilant and adaptable. The situation in Jing Province and Jiaozhi Province was still fluid, as the Cai Clan domain was still present in both provinces, alongside Shi Xie and Liu Bei who watched from the sidelines.
So they would need to be prepared to respond to any developments quickly. He also stressed the importance of securing their supply lines and maintaining the morale of their troops, both of which would be crucial in the coming months of their campaign especially since their men would not spend the new year's with their family.
The generals listened attentively, their respect for Zhou Yu evident in their demeanor. They had seen firsthand the brilliance of his tactics, and they knew that his leadership was one of the key factors behind their success.
As the meeting drew to a close, Zhou Yu felt a sense of confidence and resolve. The Sun Clan was strong, and with careful planning and decisive action, they would continue to grow even stronger.
That night, as the camp settled down and the fires burned low, Zhou Yu stood alone at the edge of the camp, gazing out at the stars. The night was calm and clear, a stark contrast to the chaos and bloodshed of the battle earlier that day. Zhou Yu took a deep breath, allowing himself a moment of peace before returning to his duties.
The news of the Sun Clan's victory over Cai Mao spread like wildfire across the land, reverberating through the halls of power from Jing Province to Jiaozhi Province and beyond. The impact of this momentous battle was felt keenly by the major players in the region, each responding to the news in ways that would shape the course of events to come.
In Wuling, Liu Bei received the news with a mixture of relief and concern. Cai Mao had been a thorn in his side, a powerful general and politician with ambitions that threatened Liu Bei's own designs on the region.
However, Cai Mao's defeat and death also meant that the power dynamics in Jing Province were shifting once again. Liu Bei, ever the opportunist one., immediately returned to Xiangyang from Wuling, where he had been planning his next move.
Upon his arrival in Xiangyang, Liu Bei convened an emergency council with his chief strategist Kuai Liang. The two men sat together in Liu Bei's study, the flickering candlelight casting long shadows on the walls as they discussed the implications of Cai Mao's demise.
"Cai Mao's death has left a power vacuum in Lingling, my lord," Kuai Liang began, his voice measured and calm. "The Sun Clan will undoubtedly seek to expand their influence into Jing Province, taking advantage of the chaos. We must act swiftly if we are to secure our position."
Liu Bei nodded, his expression thoughtful while inwardly his greed already overflowed his heart. "Indeed, Kuai Liang. But we must also be wary of overextending ourselves and not cause suffering to the people. The Sun Clan is strong, and they have proven their military prowess by defeating Cai Mao. We cannot afford to underestimate them, lest who will defend the people of Jing Province if we lose."
Kuai Liang leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with sharp intelligence, not knowing whether agreeing with Liu Bei's words or saw through him. "That is why we must move decisively but carefully, my lord. I suggest that we continue to consolidate our forces in Wuling and prepare to launch an attack on Lingling. If we can capture Lingling, we can expand our foothold in Jing Province and challenge the Sun Clan's dominance."
Liu Bei considered this, his mind racing as he weighed the risks and benefits. "Very well," he finally said. "Kuai Yue and Ju Shou will remain in Wuling to prepare our forces, and Guan Yu will lead the vanguard when the time comes. But we must also be prepared for the possibility that the Sun Clan will strike first. We need to strengthen our defenses and gather intelligence on their movements."
Kuai Liang nodded in agreement. "I will dispatch our spies to monitor the Sun Clan's activities. We will be ready for whatever comes next my lord don't worry."
Meanwhile, in Jiaozhi Province, the reaction to the news was markedly different. Shi Xie, the shrewd and cunning governor of the province, received the news with a broad smile on his face.
The death of Cai Mao was a welcome development, as it removed a troublesome rival and destabilized the power structure in Jing Province. But unlike Liu Bei, Shi Xie had no intention of rushing into action.
As Shi Xie sat in his ornate chamber, surrounded by his advisors and generals, he waved away their calls for immediate action. "Patience, everyone," he said, his voice smooth and confident. "Let the two tigers—Cai Mao's remnants and the Sun Clan—fight it out. When the time is right, we will strike at the weakened victor and claim the spoils for ourselves."
His advisors exchanged glances, nodding in agreement. Shi Xie had long been known for his cautious approach, preferring to let others weaken themselves before making his move. And with the Sun Clan now engaged in a campaign to secure their hold on Yang Province and expand into Jiaozhi, Shi Xie was content to bide his time and let events unfold.
But while Shi Xie and Liu Bei plotted their next moves, the situation in Lingling was rapidly spiraling out of control. The news of Cai Mao's defeat and death had sent shockwaves through the city, plunging it into chaos.
Lady Cai as the regent and true controller of Liu Cong's court was the first to hear the news. Upon learning of her brother's death, she fainted, overcome with shock and grief.
Liu Cong's court in Lingling, already a tense and volatile place due to the tense war, descended into pandemonium as Lady Cai's supporters and enemies who survived the previous cleansing alike began maneuvering for power.
Liu Cong who was young and inexperienced, found himself at the center of the storm. Having been installed as the puppet ruler by the Cai Clan, Liu Cong had little real power or influence.
Now, with Cai Mao gone and Lady Cai incapacitated, Liu Cong was left floundering, unsure of how to handle the rapidly deteriorating situation inside his court and Lingling chose to turn a blind eye, put on an act to tend to Lady Cai who had fainted.
As the court descended into chaos, Zhang Yun, Cai Mao's most trusted general, took it upon himself to restore order. Enraged by the death of his lord and the ensuing turmoil, Zhang Yun ordered a brutal purge of the court, targeting anyone who was suspected of disloyalty or who posed a threat to the Cai Clan's control.
The streets of Lingling ran red with blood as Zhang Yun's soldiers carried out the purge, executing nobles, officials, and even commoners who were deemed enemies of the state. The once-thriving city was plunged into fear and despair as Zhang Yun's forces cracked down on any hint of dissent.
But the purge only served to further alienate the people of Lingling, who had already grown weary of the Cai Clan's heavy-handed rule. With the city in turmoil and its leadership in disarray, the stage was set for even greater unrest.
As the chaos in Lingling reached its peak, Zhou Yu and the Sun Clan's army began their advance into the Cai Clan's domain in Jiaozhi Province. With Cai Mao dead and Lingling in disarray, the Sun Clan saw an opportunity to expand their influence further south, securing their hold on Yang Province and pushing into the rich and fertile lands of Jiaozhi.
Zhou Yu, ever the meticulous strategist, had anticipated the response of their enemies to Cai Mao's defeat. He knew that Liu Bei would be preparing to strike at Lingling, and that Shi Xie would be content to wait and see who emerged victorious before making his move. But Zhou Yu was determined to stay one step ahead of them all.
The Sun Clan's forces moved swiftly, taking advantage of the chaos in Lingling to push deeper into Cai Mao's former territories. The cities and towns of Jiaozhi, already weakened by the absence of Cai Mao's leadership, fell one by one to the Sun Clan's advance.
As the Sun Clan's army swept through Jiaozhi, they encountered little resistance. The local garrisons, demoralized by the news of Cai Mao's death and the turmoil in Lingling, either surrendered or fled before the Sun Clan's might.
Zhou Yu, leading the advance personally, ensured that the cities they captured were secured and their defenses strengthened. But Zhou Yu knew that the real challenge lay ahead. Shi Xie, though content to wait for now, would not remain idle forever. And Liu Bei, with his forces massing in Wuling, was undoubtedly preparing to strike at Lingling and contest the Sun Clan's control of Jing Province.
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Name: Lie Fan
Title: Overlord Of The Central Plains
Age: 31 (198 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