Alliance

The army left the village at dawn, advancing slowly along the uneven paths leading to Han Yue's domain. Despite the rest, tension still lingered in the air. Luo Wen couldn't stop thinking about the villagers' faces as the soldiers departed. He knew they hadn't convinced them—only forced them to accept their presence. The reality of the Empire was harsher than he had imagined, and with each step, the shadow of uncertainty grew larger.

As they advanced, Luo Wen stayed close to Yuan Guo, observing and learning. The veteran commander not only led with authority but also listened carefully to his subordinates, evaluating every possibility before making a decision. Luo Wen admired that quality, and although his young mind still had much to learn, he was beginning to see the political board more clearly.

On the seventh day of the march, the army reached the border of Han Yue's lands. Unlike the ruined villages they had passed through, this region appeared prosperous—too prosperous for the times they lived in. The fields were cultivated, the roads were in good condition, and the watchtowers were well-supplied. To Luo Wen, this could only mean one thing: Han Yue not only had absolute control over his territory but had also maneuvered intelligently to keep it safe from war and famine.

When the column stopped outside the fortified city, Yuan Guo ordered a temporary camp to be set up. Han Yue's envoys had already sent their response: they would receive the delegation that very night. Luo Wen knew this was a display of power. He wouldn't make them wait too long, but he also wouldn't receive them immediately. It was a reminder that they were in his territory.

"Han Yue is cautious," Yuan Guo said as he observed the city from his tent. "He hasn't maintained this stability without knowing how to play his pieces well."

Luo Wen nodded. He was still young, but the march and the negotiation with the villagers had made him more aware of power dynamics. He knew that the real battle wasn't fought with swords alone, but with well-chosen words and calculated promises.

"He won't trust us," Luo Wen said with certainty. "At least, not without an advantage for himself."

"That's why you're here," Yuan Guo replied with a slight smile. "I want to see how well you handle this."

Night fell over Han Yue's fortress, shrouding the stone hall in an atmosphere dense with tension and expectations. The oil lamps cast flickering shadows on the walls, as if the very air was aware of the meeting's importance. Luo Wen and Yuan Guo sat before Han Yue, each with their own motivations and strategies, but united by a common goal: securing stability for the Empire amid the chaos consuming it.

Han Yue, with his relaxed yet calculating demeanor, observed his guests with a mix of curiosity and caution. His enigmatic smile revealed nothing of his true intentions, but Luo Wen, with his keen perception, noticed that the man was evaluating every word, every gesture. He was not someone who could be easily impressed, and that made him even more dangerous.

"Han Yue," Yuan Guo repeated, this time with a firmer tone. "We know that you have managed to keep your territory safe from the disputes tearing the Empire apart. That is no small feat. But we also know that your stability does not come solely from your administration, but from… unconventional strategies."

Han Yue tilted his head slightly, as if considering the general's words. Then, he turned his gaze to Luo Wen, who remained composed but with an intensity in his eyes that did not go unnoticed.

"Young Luo Wen," Han Yue said, playing with the rim of his cup, "you have shown a sharp mind. But tell me, what makes you think that I need you? My territory is prosperous, my soldiers are loyal, and so far, I have kept both the four families and the popular uprisings at bay."

Luo Wen did not flinch. He knew Han Yue was testing him, searching for a weakness or a flaw in his argument. But he had come prepared.

"It's true that you have kept your territory safe," Luo Wen replied calmly, "but that doesn't mean you are safe from what's coming. Your position is not sustained by your strength alone, but because you have found a way to turn the rebels of the neighboring province into a shield against the four families. As long as they remain a latent threat, the families fear intervening in your lands. But what will happen when the balance of power shifts?"

Han Yue raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by Luo Wen's bluntness. He leaned back in his seat, crossing his arms over his chest.

"And I suppose you offer yourselves as the allies who will guarantee my security instead of the rebels," he said with a slightly mocking tone. "But what do you offer me that I can't obtain on my own? Why should I trust you?"

Yuan Guo intervened at that moment, his voice firm and full of authority.

"We offer you something the rebels never could: true stability. They can only guarantee you an endless war, chaos, and dependence. We offer you something different. If you ally with us, you won't have to rely on the families' continued fear of you. You will be the one dictating the terms of your survival."

Han Yue remained silent for a moment, as if weighing Yuan Guo's words. Then, he turned his gaze back to Luo Wen, as if seeking confirmation from the young strategist.

"And you, Luo Wen?" Han Yue asked. "What do you think of all this? Do you believe this alliance is my best option?"

Luo Wen met Han Yue's gaze without hesitation.

"I'm not asking you to blindly trust us," he said. "What I'm offering is an opportunity. Right now, you are playing a double game between the rebels and the families, and that has worked for you… so far. But the war is progressing. If the families consolidate their power, they will eliminate the rebel threat and then come for you. If the rebels manage to unify, your authority will also be challenged. No matter the outcome, your position is unsustainable. Without allies who share a clear vision of the Empire, your control over this region will be short-lived."

Han Yue smiled, but this time his smile was more genuine, as if he had found something he liked in Luo Wen's words.

"You are an interesting young man," he said. "Not many would have the courage to speak so plainly in a situation like this. But tell me, what happens if things don't go as you expect? What if the four families win this war?"

Luo Wen did not hesitate.

"Then we will have lost," he replied. "But if we do nothing, if we stand still and wait, we will also lose. The difference is that by taking action, at least we have the chance to change the outcome. And that, Han Yue, is the only thing that matters."

Han Yue chuckled softly, a sound that echoed through the stone hall. Then, he raised his cup, as if toasting to something only he understood.

"To the victory of our cause," he said, and this time his tone was more sincere.

Yuan Guo and Luo Wen raised their cups, but within Luo Wen, Han Yue's words echoed with an unsettling clarity. He knew they couldn't fully trust him, that Han Yue was a man who would always have his own interests at heart. But he also knew that, at that moment, he was the best option they had.

As they toasted, Luo Wen couldn't help but think about the implications of what had just happened. The Empire was no longer governed by blind loyalties or noble ideals. It was a game of interests, fragile alliances, and calculated strategies. And if he wanted to save what remained of the Empire, he would have to learn to play that game better than anyone.

The conversation continued, delving into the details of the alliance, strategic movements, and the possible consequences of each decision. But deep down, Luo Wen knew that the most important thing had already happened. They had gained an ally, but they had also taken another step into the dangerous path that would lead them to face not only the four families but the complexities of power and betrayal.

And in that stone hall, under the flickering light of the oil lamps, Luo Wen felt the weight of that responsibility. He knew there was no turning back. The game had begun, and now there was only one thing left to do: play until the end.