337 324. Ma Teng & Han Sui Internal Struggle

If you want to read 15 Chapters ahead and more, be sure to check out my Patreon!!!

Go to https://www.patreon.com/Tang12

___________________________

Rumors began to spread like wildfire, whispering of an unknown invader who had descended upon Gongsun Du's lands with swift and decisive force. News of Gongsun Du's defeat and the subsequent annexation of his territories sent shockwaves rippling through the political landscape of China, where all of the Warlords especially Yuan Shao shocked by the news they received.

They never expected that there was a force outside of China that could defeat Gongsun Du and his army since Gongsun Du's skills were unquestionable, and there was no force big enough outside of China and the only threat was the Xiongnus unite under a sole leader that was powerful or influential.

Yuan Shao especially since he was the strongest warlord in the north and after defeating Gongsun Zan, now bordered the Xiongnus to the north and was afraid that the Xiongnus would unite under one banner because in the past the Xiongnus was a big threat to China and the Qin and then Han Dynasty fight them back to back due to the threat they pose.

Yuan Shao convened an emergency meeting with his retainers, where he ordered the preparation against Cao Cao to be halted and for them to prepare defenses on their rear because the threat of the Xiongnus uniting under one banner was too big.

His retainers especially Tian Feng advise Yuan Shao to not do that because their preparation doesn't undermine the defense effort and investigation toward the Xiongnus.

As the tension mounted in the emergency meeting convened by Yuan Shao, the conflicting advice of his retainers echoed through the chamber. Tian Feng, known for his strategic acumen and foresight, urged caution, advising against halting preparations against Cao Cao.

He argued that their defensive efforts against Cao Cao did not undermine their ability to investigate the looming threat of the Xiongnus and that diverting resources from one front to another would not weaken their overall position.

However, standing in opposition to Tian Feng's counsel were Xu You and Guo Tu, who vehemently refuted his words. With a sense of urgency in their voices, they urged Yuan Shao to halt preparations against Cao Cao and instead focus all of their resources on investigating the Xiongnu threat.

They argued that the Xiongnus posed a far greater danger than Cao Cao and that failing to prioritize this investigation could result in crucial information slipping through their fingers.

Xu You and Guo Tu painted a dire picture of the consequences of neglecting the Xiongnu threat. They warned that if they did not act swiftly and decisively, they risked leaving themselves vulnerable to a devastating attack that could shatter their ambitions and undo all they had worked to achieve.

As Xu You and Guo Tu passionately argued for prioritizing the investigation of the Xiongnu threat, Tian Feng listened intently before raising his voice in dissent.

With a furrowed brow and a stern demeanor, he admonished his fellow advisors for their narrow focus and failure to recognize the true scope of the dangers that loomed on the horizon.

Tian Feng, with a voice tinged with frustration, scolded Xu You and Guo Tu for their lack of foresight. He emphasized that both Cao Cao and the Xiongnus posed equally significant threats to their lord's ambitions and the stability of their domain.

He warned that neglecting either one of these threats would be a grave mistake that could have disastrous consequences.

He reminded them that Cao Cao, with his cunning and ambition, posed a long-term strategic threat that could undermine their lord's authority and aspirations. He argued that underestimating Cao Cao's influence and capabilities would leave them vulnerable to his machinations, potentially leading to the downfall of Yuan Shao and his entire force.

Furthermore, Tian Feng stressed that while the Xiongnus presented an immediate military threat, their actions could also have far-reaching consequences if left unchecked, that's why they should also guard and investigate them while preparing to invade Cao Cao.

He urged Xu You and Guo Tu to consider the broader implications of their decisions and to adopt a more comprehensive approach to address the challenges they faced which was both Cao Cao and the Xiongnus.

As the debate continued to rage, Yuan Shao found himself torn between the conflicting advice of his advisors. He knew that both sides had some truths in their argument, he wanted to guard against the Xiongnus but at the same time wanted to show his dominance to Cao Cao.

As the debate raged on, Xu You and Guo Tu keenly observed the conflicted expression on Yuan Shao's face. They could sense the weight of his decision bearing down upon him, torn between the pressing threats of Cao Cao and the Xiongnus, each demanding his attention and resources.

With a silent exchange of glances, Xu You and Guo Tu shared a moment of understanding. They recognized the opportunity presented by Yuan Shao's conflicted state of mind and knew that their next words would be critical in swaying his decision.

Understanding Yuan Shao's penchant for vanity and desire for praise, they chose their words carefully, weaving a narrative that played to his ego and bolstered his confidence.

They painted a vivid picture of Yuan Shao's superiority over Cao Cao, extolling his virtues as a leader and emphasizing his unmatched prowess in all aspects of governance and warfare.

With honeyed words, they assured Yuan Shao that he was more than capable of defeating Cao Cao without the need for extensive preparations. They emphasized that victory was inevitable, as luck and skill were on his side, and Cao Cao stood no chance against his might.

In contrast, they portrayed the Xiongnus as an unpredictable and unstable factor, a threat that could not be easily subdued through skill and strategy alone. They warned that even the most meticulous planning could be rendered futile in the face of the Xiongnus' relentless aggression.

As their persuasive words washed over Yuan Shao, they could see the resolve hardening in his eyes. With a nod of determination, Yuan Shao made his decision to halt the preparation and focus on the Xiongnus, swayed by the promise of glory and the assurance of victory over Cao Cao.

As Xu You and Guo Tu exchanged a knowing glance, they knew that their carefully crafted words had caused Yuan Shao to seal the decision he had in his mind, and once again they managed to win against Tian Feng.

As Yuan Shao's decision solidified, Tian Feng's frustration boiled over, unable to contain his discontent with the direction their lord had chosen. Rising to his feet, he protested vehemently against halting preparations against Cao Cao, his voice ringing out with urgency and conviction.

He accused Xu You and Guo Tu of pandering to Yuan Shao's vanity and failing to offer truly helpful suggestions, blinded by their desire for Yuan Shao's favor and their own jealousy for their lack of skills and foresight.

Before Xu You and Guo Tu could respond to Tian Feng's accusations, Yuan Shao's temper flared, slamming his hand on the table with a resounding sound. He rebuked Tian Feng for speaking out of turn, his words laced with anger and indignation at the insubordination displayed by his retainer.

This sudden outburst silenced any further retorts from Xu You and Guo Tu, though they couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction as they witnessed the growing divide between Tian Feng and Yuan Shao.

Meanwhile, in Chang'an, tensions simmered between the retainers of Ma Teng and Han Sui, as both wanted their own lord to give control over Chang'An, which symbolized prestige and power as the former Capital of the Han dynasty.

As tensions escalated in Chang'an, the simmering conflict between the retainers of Ma Teng and Han Sui reached a boiling point, culminating in a physical altercation between Pang De and Cheng Yi. The clash sent shockwaves through the gathered crowd, threatening to erupt into full-blown violence if left unchecked.

In a bid to restore order and prevent the altercation from escalating, Ma Teng and Han Sui swiftly intervened, stepping in to separate their respective retainers and quell the rising hostility.

With firm commands and stern admonishments, they admonished their followers to stand down and reminded them of the importance of unity in the face of external threats.

Despite their desire to assert control over Chang'an, both Ma Teng and Han Sui understood the necessity of maintaining a united front against their formidable neighbors, Cao Cao and Liu Zhang, whose vast domains and formidable armies posed a significant threat to them if they weren't united.

In the aftermath of the altercation, Ma Teng convened a discussion with Pang De and Ma Chao to address the escalating tensions. While they all agreed that the desire to control Chang'an was a pressing concern, they also recognized the importance of maintaining unity at least until they were strong enough against Cao Cao and Liu Zhang.

Ma Chao: "Father while I understand this, I couldn't stand against Han Sui's arrogance! If it weren't for me and General Pang De, Chang'An wouldn't have fallen as fast and as easily as it happened!"

Pang De: "I agree with the Young Lord My Lord, Han Sui's insolence has gone too far! And that bastard Cheng Yi even dared to say that My Lord wasn't worthy of having Chang'An under your control because you aren't worthy! If he hadn't said that, I wouldn't have a physical fight with him."

Ma Teng: "I understand the feelings the two of you have, but at the end of the day we still need Han Sui to guard against Liu Zhang to our south and Cao Cao to our east, especially with the Tong Pass under his control."

Ma Chao: "But Father you are the one worthy to have Chang'An! In the past, Han Sui wasn't that great if it weren't for you alliancing with him, which allows him to have the power he has today!"

Ma Teng: "Okay that's enough! While k doesn't want to fight with Han Sui, it doesn't mean I will just stand on the side letting Han Sui assert his control over Chang'An, we need to do this in a much smarter way, and that's why I called for the two of iu her tonight."

Ma Teng's words silenced any protest that was going to come out from Pang De and silenced Ma Chao from retorting any further, which allowed Ma Teng to finally discuss his plan to assert his control over Chang'An, to rely on his Han ethnicity to convince the people and officials of Chang'An that he was a much better ruler for them, rather than Han Sui who have different ethnicity and was an enemy in the past against the Han Dynasty.

_____________________

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