219. Kong Zhou Last Straw

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Of course, the living condition is not that good for now, but they will definitely improve and they could also change their family name from Yuan since the surviving members right now are only women, children, and old people who can pass away at any time, this is the only plan he could think of since having Ji Ling could bolster his power.

However, a problem arises. Even if Yuan Shu's family relocates to Taiwan, the risk of the information leaking to the outside world remains, and maintaining secrecy proves to be a challenging task.

Despite the efforts to conceal their whereabouts through the Oriole broad network of intelligence, any determined individual could potentially uncover the truth especially the likes of Cao Cao.

So Lie Fan thinks that orchestrating a well-devised misinformation campaign may divert attention from their true whereabouts, Crafting a story aligned with common expectations or circumstances could act as a smokescreen.

Constant monitoring of potential vulnerabilities in the network and swift responses to any breaches are essential and keeping updates regularly, and adjusting security measures can enhance the overall secrecy of the plan.

Lie Fan explains this to Jia Xu and Chen Qun, not caring that Ji Ling can listen on the side. Jia Xu and Chen Qun feel that the plan is a feasible one, relocating Yuan Shu's family to Taiwan is not an impossible task.

The only problem right now is that Yuan Shu's family is being kept in a house prison at Runan, which was under Cao Cao's influence and the only way of taking them out is through a jailbreak.

This will require careful planning, strategic coordination, and a thorough understanding of the security measures in place to ensure the family's safe extraction from the clutches of Cao Cao's control, who used them to hold Yuan Shao back for a while.

Ji Ling, overwhelmed with excitement, expresses his unwavering support upon hearing Lie Fan, Jia Xu, and Chen Qun contemplating the rescue of Yuan Shu's family, not caring about his presence a single bit.

Unable to contain his enthusiasm, Ji Ling pledges his allegiance on the spot, declaring his commitment to serve Lie Fan if they proceed with the plan to save Yuan Shu's family.

Touched by Ji Ling's loyalty to Yuan Shu which Lie Fan first encountered in this world, Lie Fan acknowledges him and after looking at both Chen Qun and Jia Xu, he agrees to save Yuan Shu's family and proceeds with the plan he made with Jia Xu and Chen Qun.

Ji Ling who heard this immediately bowed down and swore allegiance to Lie Fan, saying how grateful he was for him accepting his request, but he would take his oath back if Lie Fan didn't save Yuan Shu's family.

Lie Fan told the guards to open the door, allowing him to enter the prison where Ji Ling was being held, and helped Ji Ling to stand up then patting his shoulder, saying that he would do as he said in return he wanted Ji Ling to serve him faithfully forever like how he serve Yuan Shu.

Ji Ling, moved by Lie Fan's words, gratefully accepted his offer. With a firm vow from Ji Ling pledged his loyalty to Lie Fan, echoing the oath to serve faithfully as he had for Yuan Shu and his family.

Far from Xiapi in Xuchang Cao Cao's Capital, Cao Cao was having a meeting with Guo Jia, Xun Yu, Xi Zhicai, and Cheng Yu to discuss the ongoing war against Kong Zhou which progressing as they envisioned.

Cao Cao: "Fengxiao and Zhicai, the war against Kong Zhou is progressing as what the two of you have envisioned, he tries to have an alliance with Liu Biao as you expected and was refused by Liu Biao."

Guo Jia: "My Lord, the refusal from Liu Biao indeed aligns with our expectations, allowing us to maintain the simplicity of our current campaign, and not make it too complicated which can make us spend more time on what should be an easy war."

Xi Zhicai: "Indeed, my lord. Liu Biao's rejection preserves the simplicity of our strategic advantage. If he had accepted Kong Zhou's offer, it could have complicated matters, creating a more intricate political landscape."

Cao Cao: "Heaven favors us then to continue this war, Fengxiao and Zhicai, keep me informed of any further developments of our army, allow Xiahou Dun and Cao Ren to have some room to adapt to certain situations."

Guo Jia: "Understood, my lord. We will ensure that you receive updates on the army's progress and allow Xiahou Dun and Cao Ren to have some flexibility in their strategies to enhance our adaptability on the battlefield."

Cao Cao, satisfied with the analysis from Guo Jia and Xi Zhicai, turned his attention to Xun Yu and Cheng Yu. He inquired to them about the supplies and economic conditions, his focus shifting to the aspects that sustain the war effort.

Xun Yu and Cheng Yu replied that the supplies are well-managed, and the economy remains robust. However, as the war progresses, they must be vigilant in ensuring a steady flow of resources to maintain the momentum they have right now.

Xun Yu also added that on domestic matters, the people are relatively stable, and the economy is beginning to prosper, providing a solid foundation for their future military endeavors.

Cao Cao nodded in approval and remarked that their success depended not only on military strategy but also on the stability and resilience of our internal affairs, especially on their supplies to ensure the war effort went smoothly without any problem.

Cao Cao's advisors nodded in unison, expressing their agreement with his insights, and concurred that well-managed internal affairs were crucial for sustaining a successful military campaign against Kong Zhou.

As the council continued in Xu Chang, In Kong Zhou's main hall, the atmosphere was bad as reports of Cao Cao's advance reached them every day, making Kong Zhou truly panicked and regret his decision to not accept Lie Fan's request to surrender to him.

With panic and uneasiness, Kong Zhou holds this council meeting in the hope that his advisors and generals can give him some solutions, asking them if they have any strategies or anything he can utilize.

However, his council remained silent, his advisors and generals exchanging uneasy glances. The gravity of the situation seemed to stifle any words of reassurance or viable plans.

The hall was echoed with an unsettling silence, making Kong Zhou realize that this could be his end, and soon he will join his son, Kong Rong, making the once famous scholar face the harsh reality.

As the silence persisted, Kong Zhou's frustration intensified making him glare at each advisor, seeking answers that seemed elusive and far from him, who needed these answers or solutions urgently and he sounded his table while thinking so.

Kong Zhou: "Does no one have any suggestions or advice or any solutions?! I give you all wages and special privileges, but at this time when I need your help not even one of you can give me anything?!"

Advisors A: "My Lord, perhaps we should consider seeking alliances with other lords, even though Liu Biao rejected us we still have many choices such as Yuan Shao or even Lie Fan."

Kong Zhou: "An alliance is what you suggest again? We need a decisive strategy, a plan that can push back Cao Cao's army! Yuan Shao is out of the question he's battling Gongsun Zan in the north where he definitely doesn't want to battle on two fronts, and Lie Fan is even more out of the question, you imbecile!"

Advisor B: "My Lord, given the current situation, an alliance might be the only viable option. Cao Cao's strategic prowess and military strength left us with limited alternatives to offer."

Kong Zhou: "No alternatives? Is this the best you fools can offer? I refuse to believe there's no other strategy! Find a way to force Cao Cao's army back to his domain, or I'll find someone who can help me!".

The hall remained tense, the weight of the impending Kong Zhou's pressure on his advisors and generals hanging heavy in the air, as Kong Zhou desperately sought a solution to halt Cao Cao's unstoppable march onto his domain and onwards to his capital.

Amidst the tense situation, one of the generals stepped forward with an idea that seemed promising on the surface, proposing that they stage a diversionary attack on Cao Cao's rear flank.

He suggested that they attack Runan where it could draw Cao Cao's attention away, creating an opening for Kong Zhou's main force to regroup and then push back Cao Cao's main army that was diverted to Runan.

Kong Zhou who was eager for a strategy or solution to his problem, saw merit in the suggestion and approved the plan. His advisors see that this plan will only bring them disaster, so they reject the plan and hope that Kong Zhou rethink his decision.

Kong Zhou who heard this was angry at his advisors, telling them to be incompetent and fools, now that he received a strategy or solution to his problem, they didn't give him a solution and rejected a solution that he thought was a feasible one.

Kong Zhou's generals all agreed on the diversionary attack plan that was proposed by their compatriots, and they echoed their support of Kong Zhou's decision which suppressed the advisor's protest.

Seeing that there was no more opposition, Kong Zhou launched the diversionary attack on Runan, the diversionary attack for a brief moment, appeared to be working making Kong Zhou ecstatic as Cao Cao's main force was splitting into two.

However, unbeknownst to Kong Zhou, this tactical move was seen by Guo Jia and Xi Zhicai's eyes and minds who were far in Xuchang. They relay some orders and Xiahou Dun and Cao Ren followed them to the core, not adapting any of the tactics or strategies given.

They adjusted their army where they split into two groups, the one under Cao Ren seemed lie heading toward Runa, where it was positioned to attack the unsuspecting rear flank of Kong Zhou's army.

Kong Zhou and his generals who took the bait, soon sent the bulk of their main force and the diversionary force to attack Xiahou Dun's army, where they were attacked by Cao Ren from the rear taking them by surprise.

The seemingly profound strategy given by the general to Kong Zhou, in reality, set the stage for Kong Zhou's biggest defeat, making him lose almost all of his army where many were captured by Xiahou Dun and Cao Ren.

When the news reached Kong Zhou who was waiting alongside his advisors and generals, the hall became chaotic and filled with despair knowing that they had lost, Kong Zhou just sat in his chair in silence and when he looked up he knew that his eagerness caused this biggest defeat and fasten his doom.

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Name: Lie Fan

Title: Three Heroes Who Defeat Lu Bu

Age: 26 (193 AD)

Level: 15

Next Level: 938.000

Renown: 645

Cultivation: Yin Yang Separation (level 9)

SP: 571.700

ATTRIBUTE POINTS

STR: 906 (+20)

VIT: 578 (+20)

AGI: 563 (+10)

INT: 567

CHR: 93

WIS: 489

WILL: 377

ATR Points: 0