An Lu (3)

An Lu observed the map spread out on the grand table in his war chamber, a cup of wine in hand and a satisfied expression on his face. Around him, his top generals and advisors stood in attentive silence, waiting for his words. The atmosphere was thick with confidence and certainty. Unlike other warlords who had risen amid the chaos, An Lu had inherited his power. His father had left him a vast territory filled with strategic fortifications and, more importantly, an army of 300,000 elite soldiers, battle-hardened and loyal to his dynasty. He feared no one. Not the Four Families. Not the rebels. Not even the emperor himself. 

With a relaxed movement, he turned to his generals, a slight smile on his lips. 

"The capture of Yuan Guo has placed us in a position of privilege," he said, his voice firm yet calm. "Both the Four Families and the rebels desire his release, but I will decide his fate. There is no honor in this war, only transactions. Yuan Guo will be sold to the highest bidder." 

The generals exchanged glances. Some nodded confidently, while others remained more cautious. One of them, Wei Zhong, a veteran of countless battles, stepped forward. 

"My lord, news of his capture has spread quickly. Armies across the empire are mobilizing. They seek to force his release." 

An Lu shrugged and took another sip of wine. 

"Let them gather. Let them make their threats. Guangling will not fall to words or the mere presence of a few troops. This territory is built on impregnable fortresses, with supplies to withstand years of siege. None of these armies have the power to break me." 

Jiang Xun, another high-ranking general, crossed his arms and spoke in a grave tone. 

"My lord, if this drags on for too long, it could turn into a conflict that needlessly drains our resources. The Four Families are also sending troops. Though they march under the guise of pressuring you to release Yuan Guo, we know they have no interest in making this war public. They want it resolved quickly, without anyone questioning their control." 

An Lu let out a dry laugh. 

"The Four Families... always pretending they control the fate of the empire. Now, they are caught in their own game. If they rescue Yuan Guo by force, it will seem as though they support him. If they attack me, they will break the fragile balance they have with the emperor. Their presence here is not a threat; it is a sign of their weakness." 

Wei Zhong remained silent for a moment before speaking cautiously. 

"If we are going to negotiate, we must do so quickly. Yuan Guo is too valuable to keep prisoner indefinitely. He may be benefiting us now, but in time, he will only attract more problems." 

An Lu placed a hand on the table, letting his gaze sweep over the provinces marked on the map. He knew his position was strong, but he also understood he had to play his cards wisely. Yuan Guo was the most coveted piece on the board, and he had absolute control over his fate. 

"Then we will make them compete for him," he declared. "The Four Families want his head, but they cannot afford to lose more support. The rebels need him alive. And the emperor? Even if he is merely a puppet in the hands of his regents, his faction must have some stake in this game as well. I will make them all come to Guangling. Let them offer me the best they have!" 

Silence fell over the room following his words. It was not just a statement of intent—it was an open provocation. He was turning a covert conflict into an open auction for power, forcing all factions to reveal their hands. 

Wei Zhong nodded slowly. 

"And if any of them attempt to take him by force?" 

An Lu smirked coldly. 

"Let them try. Guangling is my domain, and here, I set the rules." 

Outside the fortress, troops from various regions continued to gather, forming an increasingly suffocating pressure around the city. Generals loyal to Yuan Guo, rebel forces, and detachments from the Four Families prepared for action, though none wished to be the first to launch an attack that could spark an all-out war. 

In the capital, the Four Families convened once again in private. Wei Jian slammed his fist on the table, his fury barely contained. 

"An Lu has made public what should have remained in the shadows!" he roared. "Now the entire empire knows of the struggle over Yuan Guo. If we do not act quickly, we risk losing control of the narrative." 

Li Chang frowned, his expression unreadable but filled with calculation. 

"We cannot allow An Lu to use Yuan Guo as his bargaining chip. He has forced our hand. If we do not show strength now, our authority will be weakened." 

Cong Qing nodded slowly. 

"Then we must do what we have always done—pretend this is for the good of the emperor. We will mobilize our troops, but under the banner of protecting the empire's stability. That way, when we bring him down, we can justify our actions without appearing as the aggressors." 

Bei Xian exhaled heavily, reclining in his seat. 

"The question is—do we attack, or do we negotiate?" 

Silence filled the room. Each option carried its own risks. But one thing was certain: An Lu had changed the rules of the game, and now the entire empire was watching. 

Meanwhile, in his dark cell, Yuan Guo smiled to himself. He knew his capture had sent shockwaves through the empire. No matter how this ended, the war was about to enter a new phase, and the fate of the empire would be decided by those bold enough to seize power. 

And Yuan Guo had no intention of being just another piece on the board. He would play his own game.