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Shi Xie laughed heartily and waved his hand, his modesty effortless but sincere. "No, no, Marquis Dingdong, Master Zhou, you flatter me. I merely obeyed His Majesty's command. My position here, so close to these lands, grants me convenience, a network of merchants, envoys, and even monks who travel between our borders and the southern kingdoms. What I did was but a trifle compared to what you achieved in the field."
At this, Ma Chao leaned forward, his cup half-raised, his voice earnest yet carrying the firm weight of conviction. "Duke Jingnan, you are too humble. Every victory is the result of shared effort, the soldier's courage, the strategist's wisdom, the general's foresight, and many more. Without one, the others falter. Tonight, there is no rank, no title, only comrades who carried His Majesty's will to the ends of the earth."
A cheer rose at that, and laughter rippled across the table. Sun Quan smiled and lifted his own cup. "Well spoken, Brother Ma Chao. Let it be known that tonight, under this roof, we drink not as northerners or southerners, but as brothers of the same empire."
"To brothers!" Zhou Tai echoed, slamming his cup against the table. "And to the endless flow of wine!"
The hall erupted in good natured laughter. Music swelled, zithers and flutes accompanied by the soft rhythm of drums, and dancers entered, their movements fluid as waves, their sleeves trailing like mist. The candlelight glimmered on the wine cups as the feast deepened into revelry.
Between courses of roasted duck, river prawns, and fragrant rice steamed in lotus leaves, the conversation turned from pleasantries to matters of the south.
It was then that Shi Xie, after sipping his wine, turned his calm gaze toward Sun Ce and Ma Chao. "I wonder," he began mildly, "have either of you received word from my sons, Shi Xin, Shi Zhi, and Shi Hui? The last letter I had mentioned their campaign in the Champa lands. Have you heard how the situation unfolds there?"
Sun Ce nodded immediately, setting his cup down. "Indeed, we have, Duke Jingnan. We maintained correspondence with your sons during our march north. The last message arrived not long before we reached Jiaozhi. They've done admirably."
He leaned back, glancing briefly at Zhou Yu and Ma Chao before continuing, "As of our latest report, they have taken Vijaya, Champa's capital, with minimal resistance once the local rebellion against the old king broke out. It seems fortune favored them, the people themselves rose against their ruler. Your sons have wisely taken advantage of the situation and are now consolidating control."
Zhou Yu added, his tone precise as ever, "They've also begun selecting a new ruler, one whose loyalty lies firmly with the Hengyuan Dynasty and His Majesty's long term design for the southern region. Their letters suggest the process is nearly complete. The southern seas will soon be fully pacified."
Shi Xie's expression softened with visible pride, though his composure remained dignified. "Ah, so the heavens continue to bless our cause," he said, voice warm with relief. "Shi Xin has always been steady minded, though a touch too daring for my liking. To hear that he has not only succeeded but acted with prudence brings me great comfort."
Ma Chao smiled faintly. "From what I know of Shi Xin, Duke, his boldness is matched by his loyalty. The dynasty could use more men with his spirit."
Shi Xie inclined his head graciously. "You are kind, General Ma Chao. Still, boldness without restraint is a double edged sword. The seas may be calm today, but one must always guard against the tides."
Sun Ce chuckled, raising his cup once more. "Wise words, Duke Jingnan. But I suspect your son's sword knows well where to strike. The campaign in Funan proved that fortune favors those who dare. Hengyuan's southern domain will soon be secure from coast to coast."
The musicians shifted their tune to something livelier, a melody reminiscent of waves and gulls, as servants brought in trays of golden rice cakes and candied fruits. Conversation ebbed and flowed, but Shi Xie's eyes grew thoughtful.
"Still," he murmured after a moment, "I wonder what the people of Champa think of their new fate."
Sun Quan, always the philosopher among the Suns, replied calmly, "It depends, my lord. If they see in us stability where before there was chaos, they will accept the change readily. History teaches that peace, even under a foreign banner, is preferable to endless war."
Zhou Yu nodded. "True. And His Majesty's policy is not conquest for its own sake. The southern realms will not be stripped bare but guided into harmony under imperial administration."
Ma Tie, who had remained quiet for most of the night, added thoughtfully, "And if they resist, our fleets and legions are ready to remind them of the price of defiance."
Shi Xie smiled faintly, his fingers tracing the rim of his cup. "A balance of benevolence and strength… it is a delicate art. But I believe you are right. The Emperor's will is just, and if my sons carry it out faithfully, the southern seas may yet know an age of peace unseen since the old Han."
Sun Shangxiang, who had been listening silently, spoke then, her voice clear and proud. "The Duke's family has done great service to His Majesty and the empire. I would wager even the Emperor himself will hear of this soon and perhaps reward Jiaozhi for its loyalty."
Shi Xie bowed his head slightly. "The true reward is to see the empire prosper, Lady Sun. Titles fade, but legacy endures."
Meanwhile, the banquet continued with music and laughter, wine flowing like a river, and the air thick with the scent of roasted meats and incense.
On the outside, beneath the shadow of the city walls, the soldiers continue to sang drunken songs beside campfires. The scent of roasted pork and rice wine drifted through the air.
Yet not all shared the ease.
Later, after the revelry faded and the guests retired, Shi Xie stood alone upon the balcony overlooking the dark river. The torches along the docks burned low, their light reflected in the slow current. Behind him, the sound of faint laughter still echoed from the inner halls, but he heard only the whisper of the wind.
He thought of his sons, far away in Champa, consolidating the conquered land. Of the Emperor, the sovereign he have pledged his allegicne to. And of Hengyuan, the new power that loomed larger every year, its influence stretching to the entire land.
A small sigh escaped him. "The world changes faster than men grow old," he murmured to himself. "Let us hope His Majesty's light remains steady, or all this, all we've built, will become the next tide to fade."
The next day, the noon sun cast its glow over Jiaozhi's port, gilding the river with shimmering light as drums beat a slow, steady rhythm to mark the departure of the armies. The banners of the Sun Clan fluttered crimson and gold in the breeze, while beside them, the deep azure flags of the Imperial Army waved proudly.
The scent of incense still lingered faintly from the farewell rites that had been conducted earlier that morning at the Governor's Castle. Now, on the open roads leading northeast, the long columns of men, horses, and wagons stretched for miles, their armor gleaming beneath the sunlight like rippling waves of steel.
Shi Xie stood at the gates of his city, flanked by his son Shi Gan and his officers, watching the army depart. Though he wore a smile and his hands were folded in respect, his heart carried the weight of unspoken thought. As the last ranks began to move out, Sun Ce and Ma Chao dismounted to give their formal farewell.
"Duke Jingnan," Sun Ce said with his characteristic vigor, "your hospitality has been unmatched. Jiaozhi shall remain forever in our memory. May fortune continue to bless your lands."
Shi Xie bowed in return, his robes flowing lightly with the wind. "It is I who should thank you, Marquis Dingdong. Without the valor of the Sun Clan and the Ma family, peace in the southern waters would remain a dream. Travel safely, and may the spirits guide your steps home."
Ma Chao clasped a hand over his heart and bowed deeply. "Your wisdom, Duke, is as great as your kindness. I shall return one day, perhaps when our Emperor decrees another expedition south."
Shi Xie's eyes twinkled with amusement. "Let us hope the next meeting is in peace, General Ma, and not in the shadow of war."
As they parted, drums rolled once more, and the combined forces of the Sun Clan and the Imperial Army began their march northeast. Jiaozhi's people gathered along the roadsides, cheering and tossing petals of hibiscus and lotus as a final tribute to the heroes of the south. The air was filled with laughter, the neighing of horses, and the rhythmic thud of boots on packed earth.
The march northwest was steady but unhurried. Sun Ce and Ma Chao rode often side by side, their banners intertwined in the wind. The Sun brothers, Sun Ce and Sun Quan, rode at the head of their forces, while Sun Shangxiang, though technically a lady, refused to travel in a carriage. She wore light armor, her hair tied back in a ribbon, riding her stallion with the same poise as any warrior.
Ma Chao, as always, found his gaze drawn toward her. Despite the noise of the march, their eyes often met, and in those fleeting glances, unspoken words seemed to pass.
That evening, when the armies camped along the banks of the You River, the campfires burned bright against the darkening horizon. Laughter and the scent of grilled meat drifted through the night. Ma Chao and Sun Shangxiang sat a short distance from the main fire, speaking quietly beneath a canopy of stars.
"It feels strange," Sun Shangxiang said softly, her eyes reflecting the firelight. "We have fought and bled for months, and now the campaign is over. When we reach Yuzhang, you will ride north again… and I will remain."
Ma Chao smiled faintly, though his tone carried melancholy. "The duty of a soldier never ends. But for once, I wish I could defy that duty."
She looked at him, her voice barely above a whisper. "Would you, if you could?"
His eyes lingered on her face. "For you, yes."
The fire crackled between them, and for a long moment, neither spoke. Then she smiled, half teasing, half wistful. "Be careful with such words, Ma Chao. If my father heard them, he would test whether your courage equals your tongue."
Ma Chao chuckled. "Then I pray for the chance to prove both before him."
Several days passed by, and by the time they reached the fertile plains of Yuzhang, the air had turned cooler. The scent of river reeds and the distant hum of cicadas filled the landscape. The city walls rose ahead majestic, crowned with the banners of the Sun Clan and Hengyuan Dynasty, as the gates swung open at the sight of their returning heroes.
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Name: Lie Fan
Title: Founding Emperor Of Hengyuan Dynasty
Age: 35 (202 AD)
Level: 16
Next Level: 462,000
Renown: 2325
Cultivation: Yin Yang Separation (level 9)
SP: 1,121,700
ATTRIBUTE POINTS
STR: 966 (+20)
VIT: 623 (+20)
AGI: 623 (+10)
INT: 667
CHR: 98
WIS: 549
WILL: 432
ATR Points: 0