https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-939-The-Ancient-Instrument-and-the-Yu-Wang-Ding/13046538/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-941-The-Precarious-Situation-in-Jizhou/13046540/
Chapter 940: The Northern Dominance
Chapter 940: The Northern Dominance
The Rise of a New Power
In the aftermath of the Zhu Liang incident, a new force emerged in the north, one that would soon become a formidable presence. Lu Haikong, the enigmatic figure, had established himself as a powerful entity in the region. His influence extended to Yuzhou, Jizhou, and Qingzhou, where he carefully monitored the local dynamics.
A Watchful Eye
Haikong's trusted companion, a loyal dog, sat comfortably nearby, chewing on a gold bar. Shi Zhicai, a seemingly indifferent individual, glanced at Haikong's documents. Despite his nonchalant demeanor, he discreetly passed some prepared information to Haikong, who settled down to study the data.
The documents Shi Zhicai provided were the reports from the past two months, detailing the activities in Yuzhou, Jizhou, and Qingzhou.
Although Haikong had refrained from direct action during this period, it didn't mean he was oblivious to the surrounding environment. Quite the contrary, his heightened awareness was a result of his current inability to act.
The Northern Landscape
The atmosphere in Yuzhou was tense, with the recent events casting a shadow over the region. Below, in Jizhou, the situation was slightly different. While the local powers respected Haikong's might, they had their own internal struggles.
Jizhou was originally under Yuan Hong's control, and although he didn't dominate the entire region, he held a significant advantage.
The Rise of Yuan Shao
Following the conclusion of the Zhu Liang incident, Yuan Hong planned to assert his dominance in Jizhou. He intended to swiftly eliminate all other forces, whether they were NPC factions or alien lords, and establish complete control over Jizhou.
However, Yuan Shao, who had survived the Zhu Liang incident, stood in his way. Despite losing face and reputation during the incident, he managed to keep his life. Although Yuan Shao wasn't alone, as he had the support of Han Fu, the Jizhou governor, and various alien lords who had established themselves in Jizhou.
The Power Struggle
No one was foolish enough to let Yuan Hong remove them from Jizhou. Instead, they supported Yuan Shao, using him to counterbalance Yuan Hong's influence.
Thus, Jizhou witnessed an intense power struggle between Yuan Shao and Yuan Hong over the past two months.
However, Yuan Shao's position in Jizhou was precarious. Despite having Han Fu's backing and the support of alien lords, his roots in Jizhou were shallow. In contrast, Yuan Hong had a stronger foundation, with top-tier scholars aiding him from the shadows.
Additionally, Yuan Shao's defeat during the Zhu Liang incident had left him vulnerable. The local scholars didn't fully support him, and from the information Haikong was reviewing, Yuan Shao was already showing signs of defeat.
Haikong's Discontent
Haikong frowned as he examined the Jizhou intelligence, "I specifically let Yuan Shao live, and he's already almost at his breaking point in just two months."
Haikong was displeased with this situation. As one of the northern dominants, he had long considered Yuzhou and Jizhou as his territories. He wouldn't tolerate anyone challenging his authority, so he wouldn't allow Yuan Shao to be defeated by Yuan Hong.
Haikong glanced at Shi Zhicai, who nodded in response. Haikong then continued to review the documents.
The Situation in Qingzhou
The next set of documents revealed the dynamics in Qingzhou. There were two major factions in Qingzhou, one led by Bohai Kong, and the other by Donglai Ye Wen.
Both were alien lords who had settled in Qingzhou, but unlike Yuan Hong and Yuan Shao's rivalry, these two lords maintained a peaceful coexistence.
Their circumstances differed from Yuan Hong and Yuan Shao, as they didn't suddenly appear to conquer each other.
Being aware of each other's presence from the start, they had a clearer understanding of each other's strengths. Both lords knew they couldn't easily eliminate each other, so they coexisted peacefully, focusing on expanding their territories.
Chapter: The Negotiation
Scene: The Study
Lu HaiKong sat in his study, deep in thought, when a knock on the door interrupted his musings. He knew who it was even before the voice called out.
"So soon, Guo Jia?" Lu HaiKong raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise in his voice. "Enter."
The door opened, and Guo Jia's figure stepped inside.
"What news of Dong Zhuo?" Lu HaiKong asked, his tone curious.
Guo Jia entered and approached Lu HaiKong, who sat up straighter, his interest piqued.
"They have offered this," Guo Jia said, holding out a wooden box. "And they promise to help us gather the Luoyang refugees. This artifact, according to Li Su, is valued at around two hundred million in gold."
"An artifact from the Chang'an Imperial Palace, they say," Guo Jia added, his voice laced with intrigue.
Lu HaiKong took the box, a glimmer of curiosity in his eyes. As he opened the box, he was met with a surprise—a token lay inside. Lu HaiKong's brows furrowed, not expecting such an item. He picked up the token, and a golden light flashed before him, revealing its attributes.
The Token:
Emperor's Tomb Teleportation Token
Item Type: Special Instance Item
Effect: Can teleport up to 5000 people into the special instance, Emperor's Tomb.
Note: Rumored to contain the elixir of immortality.
Remaining Uses: 1/1
Lu HaiKong's eyes widened at the token's attributes. He was taken aback by Dong Zhuo's gesture, especially since the token turned out to be a teleportation item for a special instance. Despite the unusual nature of Dong Zhuo's offer, Lu HaiKong understood that such items could be valuable to Outsiders like himself. Dong Zhuo, unaware of the token's true worth, had also brought along a promise to help with the Luoyang refugees and a collection of antiques worth two hundred million in gold, according to Li Su.
However, Lu HaiKong saw through Dong Zhuo's gesture, finding it lacking in sincerity. In these turbulent times, the value of antiques could fluctuate wildly. The promised refugees from Luoyang, though, were a different matter. With Bingzhou's vast lands and sparse population, even after the Yellow Turban Rebellion, the demand for people remained high. Adding the Luoyang refugees to the mix could be a bargaining chip...
(End of Chapter)
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