650. Li Wei's Arrival At Gungnae
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This route would cut down on travel time significantly, allowing them to reach Goguryeo's capital, Gungnae, in approximately two weeks to a month. However, Li Wei was determined to push the pace and reach Gungnae even sooner, knowing that every day counted in such a delicate mission.
The preparations for the journey were swift and meticulous. Supplies were gathered, equipment was checked, and the ships were readied for departure.
The elite guards, clad in polished armor and bearing the insignia of Lie Fan's forces, stood in disciplined formation as they awaited the order to move out. The air was thick with anticipation, a sense of purpose driving everyone involved.
As the envoy and his escort set out from Xiapi, the city's inhabitants watched with a mixture of curiosity and pride. They knew that this mission was a pivotal moment in Lie Fan's grand strategy, and they felt a sense of ownership in its success.
The sight of the envoy's procession, with its banners fluttering in the wind and the elite guards marching in perfect unison, was a powerful reminder of Lie Fan's growing influence.
The journey to Huai'An was uneventful but purposeful. The envoy and his escort moved with a sense of urgency, their pace steady but relentless. Along the way, they passed through villages and towns, each one a testament to the stability and prosperity that Lie Fan's rule had brought to the region.
The people they encountered greeted them with respect and admiration, further bolstering the morale of the envoy and his escort.
When they finally reached Huai'An, the port was a hive of activity. Ships of various sizes lined the docks, their sails billowing in the breeze. The envoy's fleet, a collection of sturdy vessels equipped for both speed and defense, was ready and waiting.
The elite guards boarded the ships with practiced efficiency, their discipline evident in every movement. Li Wei took a moment to survey the scene, his mind already focused on the challenges that lay ahead.
As the fleet set sail, the mood on board was a mixture of tension and determination. The journey across the water would take several days, and the envoy and his escort used this time to prepare for the next phase of their mission.
Li Wei spent hours reviewing the terms and rehearsing his presentation to King Sansang. He knew that every word, every gesture, would be scrutinized, and he was determined to leave no room for error.
The elite guards, meanwhile, remained vigilant. They understood the importance of their role, not just as protectors of the envoy but as symbols of Lie Fan's authority. Their presence would send a clear message to Goguryeo, Lie Fan was not a ruler to be trifled with.
When the fleet finally reached the port south of Xiangping, the envoy and his escort disembarked and prepared for the final leg of their journey. From here, they would ride toward Gungnae, Goguryeo's capital.
The terrain was rugged and challenging, but the envoy was undeterred. He pushed his escort to maintain a brisk pace, determined to reach Gungnae as quickly as possible.
As they rode through the countryside, Li Wei couldn't help but reflect on the significance of his mission. Goguryeo was a proud and ancient kingdom, with a history of resisting external pressure.
The terms he carried were designed to weaken Goguryeo's ability to rebel, but he knew that the kingdom's leaders would not accept them without a fight. His task was to present the terms in a way that conveyed both strength and reason, to convince King Sansang that compliance was in his kingdom's best interest.
The journey was arduous, but the envoy and his escort pressed on, their determination unwavering. Along the way, they encountered Goguryeo's border patrols, who eyed them with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion.
Li Wei handled these encounters with his characteristic tact, ensuring that the patrols allowed them to pass without incident. He knew that any misstep could jeopardize the mission, and he was careful to avoid giving Goguryeo any reason to view them as a threat.
Finally, after days of hard riding, the envoy and his escort arrived at the gates of Gungnae. The city was a formidable sight, its walls towering and imposing. The guards at the gate scrutinized the envoy and his escort with a mixture of wariness and respect.
Li Wei announced his presence and requested an audience with King Sansang, emphasizing the importance of his mission.
The guards relayed the message, and after a tense wait, the envoy and his escort were granted entry into the city. As they made their way through the streets of Gungnae, the people of Goguryeo watched them with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension.
The presence of Lie Fan's elite guards was a stark reminder of the power dynamics at play, and the envoy's procession was a clear signal that change was on the horizon.
As Li Wei and his escort approached the grand gates of the Goguryeo Palace, they were met with a scene of calculated formality. The palace, a sprawling complex of towering structures and intricate designs, stood as a testament to Goguryeo's rich history and enduring pride.
The air was thick with an unspoken tension, a blend of curiosity and wariness that seemed to permeate every corner of the city. At the entrance, two figures awaited them, Mo Du, an elder advisor whose weathered face bore the marks of decades of service to the throne, and Dal Gae, a younger, more energetic official whose sharp eyes betrayed a keen intellect.
Together, they represented the old and the new, the wisdom of experience and the vigor of youth inside Goguryeo's Royak Court.
Mo Du, the elder advisor, had been the first to act upon hearing of the envoy's approach. His instincts, honed over years of navigating the treacherous waters of court politics, had immediately sensed that this visit was no mere formality.
He had dispatched a servant to inform King Sansang and Queen Woo of the envoy's arrival, urging them to prepare for what he suspected would be a pivotal moment for Goguryeo. Though he couldn't quite articulate why, a sense of unease had settled over him, a feeling that this envoy carried more than just words of diplomacy.
Dal Gae, on the other hand, was more optimistic, though no less cautious. His youth and energy made him eager to engage with the envoy, to glean whatever information he could from the man who represented Lie Fan, a ruler whose influence was rapidly expanding across the mainland and their overlord should be said as they paid tributes.
Together, the two advisors had made their way to the palace entrance, their presence a clear signal that Goguryeo took this visit seriously.
When Li Wei and his escort finally arrived, the exchange of greetings was formal and respectful. Mo Du, his voice steady and measured, welcomed the envoy in fluent Chinese, his words carefully chosen to convey both respect and authority.
Dal Gae followed suit, his tone more animated but no less courteous. Li Wei, as an experienced diplomat, responded in kind, his demeanor calm and composed. He understood the importance of this moment, the delicate dance of diplomacy that required him to balance strength with humility, resolve with tact.
After the initial exchange, Mo Du and Dal Gae led Li Wei and his escort to the east wing of the palace, where a banquet had been prepared in their honor with the best foods and drinks in Goguryeo served.
The gesture was both a sign of hospitality and a strategic move, designed to buy time for King Sansang and Queen Woo to prepare for the formal audience that would take place later in the main hall.
As they walked through the palace corridors, Li Wei took in his surroundings, noting the intricate carvings and vibrant tapestries that adorned the walls. Each detail spoke of Goguryeo's rich cultural heritage, a reminder that this was no ordinary kingdom.
The banquet itself was a lavish affair, a display of Goguryeo's wealth and hospitality. Tables were laden with an array of dishes, from succulent meats to delicate pastries, all accompanied by fine wines and teas. Musicians played softly in the background, their melodies adding to the atmosphere of refinement.
Li Wei, though mindful of his mission, allowed himself to partake in the feast, knowing that such gestures of goodwill were an essential part of diplomacy as it shows respect to the host. Especially since he was bringing a piece of bad news for them in some sense.
He engaged in polite conversation with Mo Du and Dal Gae, carefully avoiding any mention of the terms he carried. Instead, he spoke of the journey, the beauty of Goguryeo's landscape, and the prosperity that Lie Fan's rule had brought to Goguryeo after they had become tributary.
Meanwhile, in the royal quarters, King Sansang paced back and forth, his mind racing with questions. Dressed in his formal robes, he cut an imposing figure, but his expression betrayed his unease.
The sudden arrival of Lie Fan's envoy had caught him off guard, and he couldn't shake the feeling that this visit was more than a simple diplomatic gesture. He turned to his wife, Queen Woo, who was seated before a mirror, carefully adjusting her hair ornaments.
The mirror, a prized possession acquired from a merchant who traded in Lie Fan's domain, was a symbol of the interconnectedness of their two realms, a reminder that Goguryeo could not exist in isolation.
"What do you make of this, my queen?" King Sansang asked, his voice tinged with frustration. "Why would Lie Fan send an envoy now, of all times? We've had no recent conflicts, no disputes that would warrant such a visit."
Queen Woo, a voice of reason for King Sansang, paused her preparations and turned to face her husband. Her expression was calm, but her eyes held a glimmer of concern.
"It's difficult to say," she replied. "Lie Fan is a shrewd ruler, and his actions are rarely without purpose. Perhaps he seeks to strengthen ties between our kingdoms, or perhaps he has other motives. We won't know until we hear what the envoy has to say."
King Sansang sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I don't like this uncertainty. Mo Du seemed uneasy as well, and he's not one to jump at shadows. Whatever this envoy brings, it will have far reaching implications for our kingdom, much more than becoming tributary to Lie Fan."
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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