Chapter 397 Negotiation with Sun Jian

Chapter 397 – Negotiation with Sun Jian

Sun Jian, Huang Gai, Hand Dang, and Cheng Pu managed to get to Ye City before the annual competition of various academies. Everyone was astonished by the feats of the children, especially Sima Yi and Wei Yan.

The second son of Sima Fang was as everybody had expected. All scholars and civil officers praised this child as the most promising new generation that could potentially join Tong as one of his strategists in the future.

As for the dark horse Wei Yan, many people had suspicion and thought that he was Tong's secret disciple or a potential groom of the princess Zhang Min. Because ordinary humans without martial art background could not keep up with Wei Yan's speed, they thought that Zhang Min got defeated on purpose.

However, veterans like Sun Jian and his men could follow through Wei Yan and Zhang Min's brief exchanges.

"What do you think?" Sun Jian turned to Huang Gai, who most the strongest among them.

"Both of their speed is on par with elite generals. If they have our stamina and the brain of that Sima Yi, they can roam any battlefield."

Han Dang inserted, "Zhang Tong is wise to promote the next generation like this. All old coots in the court and lazy generals will feel threatened if they slack since these youngsters can replace them in the future. It forces all current personal to work harder as well."

Sun Jian sighed in regret. He wished that Sun Ce could have participated in this competition, too. As for Sun Fang, Sun Jian did not know what to do with him to make his son reconcile with Tong.

.

Later that day, Sima Yi got lectured by his father as usual. He was scolded for taking the princess on a date in public, which could cause some misunderstanding and damaging Zhang Min's reputation.

Tong also punished Zhang Min. She was house-arrested as a punishment for running amok. Until she could recover from her bruises during the competition with Wei Yan, she could not leave the inner palace.

As for Wei Yan, the new star, he was scouted by various ambitious nobles who sought to recruit this young man into their private forces. Many offered their daughters and sisters to seduce this future great general, but Wei Yan turned all of them down.

Thanked Zhang Min's charm and her cheerful nature, Wei Yan had no one else in his heart other than this little princess. He usually got into an argument with Sima Yi regarding Zhang Min, but none of them dare to express their feeling toward her.

Both lovestruck youths were still afraid of the emperor's wrath. Had this matter revealed to the public, their heads would roll.

On the other hand, Cao Ang and Liu Xie had more freedom to do anything they wanted inside the city. Both of them patrolled the town along with the local policemen, which was their daily routine.

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At the moment, Liu Xie's reputation as the next emperor candidate plummeted among the civil officers. However, his standing with the peasants soared. Unlike Tong, who was busy in the palace all-day all-night, Liu Xie was closer to the local citizens and local garrison guards.

This was his way of gaining the trust of everyone. Liu Xie aimed to establish his foundation and attract followers with his own hard work.

Cao Ang, Wei Yan, Zhang Min, Liu Ye, and Sima Yi were a part of Liu Xie's gang. All the peasants called them "the Little Entourage" as they were all talented and had the emperor's backing.

Everybody was hopeful, and Ye City was as peaceful as ever.

.

The next day, Sun Jian and his men were finally summoned to the throne room. The four kowtowed on the red carpet and reported themselves to the emperor.

As usual, Tong and Xun Yu remained in the palace to welcome these generals. Taishi Ci had already returned to Tong's side, and the eunuch Wei You stood behind Tong, waiting for any instruction.

"I'm sorry for the delay, Sir Sun Jian. I had planned to welcome you, but the annual festival made me busy."

"Your majesty has been busy. This servant wouldn't dare to impose."

Sun Jian kept his manner. Huang Gai and others also reserved their expression and thought as they knelt.

"Anyway. I'm sorry for involving you in my politic struggle against Cao Cao. I've prepared a compensation for everyone, but …"

Tong attempted to recruit Sun Jian into his clan.

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Tong revealed a wry smile as he thought, 'Figured as much.'

Sun Jian also received the system notification.

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Sun Jian bit his lower lips. The battle between otherworlders was still far from over, which Sun Jian and his entire clan would be dragged into this mess again.

"A pity," Tong muttered, "Had you not been in league with Sun Fang, I would have given you the Beiping, Ji, and Xiangping as a compensation."

Sun Jian sighed, "If you wish to punish my eldest son for his crime, please let it falls on me. I'll take every punishment in his stead."

Huang Gai and others panicked, "My lord!"

"This is my decision, men. Let me take my son's sins."

Tong rolled his eyes and waved his hand, "I haven't said anything about punishing you. Where is this coming from?"

"… You're not going to punish us?"

"What happened to my wife was unfortunate. Secondly, all of you are not at fault. And lastly, I've already forgiven your idiot son. As long as he is willing to disband his clan and join me, I'm willing to overlook the past grudge we have had."

"R-Really?" Sun Jian could not believe his ears.

"Yes. Look at my Prime Minister. He served Yuan Shao before, but he's working me with now, isn't he? Li Feihong also worked under Lu Bu before. But now, he's my trusted strategist. Many immortals are working with me for a reason, you know? We're trying our best to end this immortal game and pacify the country as soon as possible. Many mortals have suffered because of our infighting for too long already."

"…"

Sun Jian slowly nodded, "I-Is that so?"

"Ah. Can you relay my message to Sun Fang with your clan chat? If he is willing to join me, we can end this pointless rivalry."

"O-Of course. I'll tell my son right away!"

.

Jianye City.

Sun Ce and Sun Fang had already seized this commandery since the last winter.

In the palace, Zhou Yu and the two brothers were reading the reports from Sun Jian's subordinates with a dark face.

Sun Jian relayed Tong's words to the clan while Huang Gai and others supplemented them. The four were excited that they would not have to fight against Tong anymore.

Sun Jian: "How is it, Fang'er? Will you reconcile with the emperor?"

Sun Fang: "As much as I'd love to, but you've been conned, father."

Sun Jian: "I've been conned? How!?"

Sun Fang: "The only way to disband our clan system is my death. Either Tong or I have to die to end this immortal game."

This was Sun Jian's dilemma. He could not kill his son for the sake of joining Tong, but he had no desire to rebel against the Han Court.

As everyone was in despair, a new name flashed. This year, Sun Fang had recruited a new member into the clan, Zhou Yu.

Zhou Yu: "Senior Fang, can you transfer the clan leader status then?"

Sun Fang fiddled with the clan menu. He found the transfer button, but it displayed that they required 1,000,000 lifespans as a fee.

Sun Fang: "I can, but I need some time to gather lifespans for the transfer."

Zhou Yu: "How long do you need? How many lifespans do you require?"

Sun Fang: "A million. At best, I can earn about 400,000 years of lifespan if I do nothing but cultivating. This will take two and a half years to complete."

Zhou Yu: "Very well. Tell the emperor that we require ten years for the clan disbandment."

Sun Jian: "But Fang'er only needs three years? But how are we going to disband our clan? We have to kill the clan leader?"

Zhou Yu: "We can put a random thief as our clan lord and have our subordinate kill him. Then, we can reestablish a new clan again any time, right?"

Sun Jian: "Can we do it this way?"

Zhou Yu: "Yes. First, we'll buy time with the promise that all of us will join him. We will also try to draw Zhang Tong's resources to our clan to establish our new home base."

Sun Jian: "Wait, why are we building a new home base when we're joining the emperor?"

Zhou Yu: "An exit plan, my lord. If Zhang Tong is tricking you, we can have a force ready to retaliate."

Sun Jian and other senior generals did not like Zhou Yu's suggestion, but they could not trust Tong either. In the end, Sun Jian reported to Tong.

"Your majesty, I've consulted with my son. He agrees to disband his guild."

Tong sneered, "Does he have enough lifespans to transfer the clan head title?"

"???"

"I know that we can't disband our clan normally. The clan leader has to die, or nobody can leave the clan. Clan members can't also harm the clan leader either. It's a fucked-up system by the gods."

"Y-You knew? Your majesty?"

"Obviously. I'm a clan leader myself. Why wouldn't I know? It takes a whopping million lifespans to change a clan leader."

Sun Jian had a scare. He was tested by Tong.

Had he lied or attempted to trick Tong, their head might roll.

"How long does Sun Fang need to collect the lifespan?"

"T-Ten years, your majesty."

"That's bullshit. One-wing angel can cultivate 100,000 to 200,000 lifespans a year. Sun Fang has cultivation skills to boost his lifespans, so he should be able to rake 300,000 to 400,000 a year. A million lifespan takes only three years at best. I'll give him three years to resolve this and join my clan. If he resists, I'll mark your entire family as traitors!"

While Sun Jian was shocked by Tong's deduction, Cheng Pu and Han Dang reported an emergency to Zhou Yu and Sun Fang.

Han Dang: "Zhang Tong knows! He demands us to disband in three years!"

Zhou Yu: "It seems that I lack a lot of information regarding the immortal powers and lifespans. Senior brother, I'll consult this with you later."

Zhou Yu: "For now, agree with Zhang Tong that we'll deal with the clan matter in 3 years."

Sun Fang: "Are you sure? We won't have enough time to get everything prepared."

Zhou Yu: "Senior Han Dang, please ask Zhang Tong how many people he can recruit into his clan a year. I know that one immortal can recruit one person a year. I need to know the number of his allies."

Cheng Pu finished reading the instruction. He took the risk.

"Your majesty. We know that one immortal can recruit one person into a clan. We have four people right here, so it might take some time to recruit all of us. I think this matter might take a bit longer."

Tong laughed, "How many immortals do you think I have?"

"This lowly servant is stupid. Please teach us."

"Five."

"So, five people a year. That means it will take more than one year to bring everybody in-"

At this moment, Sun Jian, Huang Gai, and Han Dang turned to Cheng Pu, gesturing him to shut up.

"Demou!"

"… I'm very sorry."

Tong snorted, "I haven't finished yet. Do you know how many immortals remains in this land?"

"Your majesty?"

"Nine."

Sun Jian and the other three got the hidden message. Out of nine immortals, more than half sided with Tong.

Tong continued, "That's not all. There were one hundred of us, but we are the last nine. I think you should understand what I'm implying. Stop resisting and surrender. If you wish for a territory for your clan, I can give that to you. Do not plan to raise a new dynasty to compete with me. The ending won't be pleasant."

"…"

While Tong threatened Sun Jian, Han Dang and the others kept relaying Tong's every word to their clan chat.