The grand hall of the noble estate was vast and solemn, built from the finest southern woods and adorned with bronze statues that depicted the glory of their ancestors. Along the walls, tapestries embroidered with golden threads narrated the exploits of the Four Families—the same families that had shaped the empire's destiny for generations.
The air inside was thick with the dense aroma of incense. A veil of smoke curled upward from ornate braziers, diffusing the light from lanterns hanging from the cedar pillars, masking the scent of old parchment and aged wine that filled the goblets on the main table.
At the center of the hall, four men occupied intricately carved seats, each adorned with their respective family emblems. They sat in a semicircle, a formation symbolizing their shared dominion over the nobility. Wei Chao, Li Chang, Bei Xian, and Cong Qing—the four most powerful men in the empire—watched the kneeling figure before them with unreadable expressions.
The representative, a man with angular features and simple yet immaculate attire, had stood beside Yuan Guo and An Lu only a night ago. Now, with his head bowed in deference, he awaited their judgment. He had come bearing a proposal forged in the embers of desperation, a plan that could either secure their victory or doom their ambitions entirely.
The flickering flames of the braziers cast shifting shadows across the walls, lending the scene an air of ancient conspiracy.
Wei Chao, the eldest of the four, was the first to lean forward. His cold, calculating eyes studied the messenger with the patience of a predator. His long black beard, now streaked with gray, swayed slightly as he moved.
"Speak," he commanded in a firm voice.
The representative took a slow breath, steadying his voice before he began.
"My lords, the situation on the front is becoming increasingly dire. Luo Wen continues to consolidate his position, and our troops suffer from a severe lack of competent officers. Without proper leadership, our forces risk crumbling before we can launch a decisive offensive."
A brief silence settled over the hall. Li Chang, a man of medium build with sharp features, adjusted his posture thoughtfully.
"A recurring problem," he murmured. "What solution do they propose?"
The representative bowed his head in respect before continuing.
"Generals Yuan Guo and An Lu have devised a strategy that capitalizes on our only remaining advantage: our numbers. They plan to launch an all-out assault, driving the peasant militias as the spearhead while the cavalry ensures they press forward with no option to retreat."
His words elicited an immediate reaction from the nobles. Bei Xian, who had remained silent until now, narrowed his eyes and rested his fingers on the polished wooden table.
"A brutal strategy," he whispered, his voice tinged with hidden malice. "But… does it have a real chance of success?"
The representative nodded with conviction.
"Yes, my lord. It is cruel, but effective. It turns our greatest weakness into a strength—our soldiers have no choice but to fight or die. However, even with this plan, the generals know it will not be enough to ensure victory. They need Luo Wen to be weakened before the attack even begins. They need chaos within his ranks."
A heavy silence filled the chamber, thicker than the incense smoke.
Finally, Cong Qing, the youngest but undoubtedly the most ambitious of the four, let out a quiet chuckle. His hand idly swirled the wine in his goblet, watching as the crimson liquid spiraled inside the glass.
"At the very least, they understand how to use power," he remarked with a sly smile. "They've learned well."
The other three nobles exchanged subtle glances, a silent conversation laden with meaning.
"So?" Cong Qing continued, raising an eyebrow. "Do we grant them their request?"
Wei Chao stroked his beard slowly, lost in deep thought.
"The outcome of this battle will decide the fate of the war," he finally said. "If Yuan Guo and An Lu fall, our room for maneuver will shrink drastically. Luo Wen will become unstoppable."
Li Chang folded his arms.
"Then we must ensure that the battle is fought on our terms."
Bei Xian smirked, his eyes glinting with a sharp, knowing light.
"Wars are not won on the battlefield alone. If we wish to guarantee victory, we must ensure that Luo Wen bleeds from within before the first arrow is even loosed."
Cong Qing leaned forward, his smile widening.
"Then it is decided."
Wei Chao turned to the representative with a decisive gaze.
"Inform Yuan Guo that the Four Families stand with him. We will do our part."
The representative bowed deeply.
"As you command, my lords."
Once the messenger had departed, the Four Families sat in a brief moment of contemplation. They had made their decision. Now, it was time to execute it.
Wei Chao spoke first, his voice carrying the weight of authority.
"Activate our spies within Luo Wen's camp. I want detailed reports on every officer in his army—who can be bribed, who has weaknesses we can exploit, and who might turn against him when the time is right."
Li Chang was already thinking several moves ahead.
"We have allies among the lesser nobles in his ranks. A few well-placed whispers in their ears, and they may begin to question his leadership. Doubt is a poison that spreads quickly."
Bei Xian tapped his fingers idly against the table, his mind weaving possibilities.
"And what of his supply lines? An army without food is an army doomed to collapse."
Cong Qing chuckled darkly, reclining in his seat with a venomous confidence.
"I will handle that. I have contacts among the merchants who owe me favors. By the time Luo Wen realizes his supplies have been tampered with, his men will be starving, his weapons will be rusting, and his morale will be crumbling."
Wei Chao nodded in satisfaction.
"Good. By the time Yuan Guo and An Lu launch their offensive, Luo Wen will already be fighting on multiple fronts—a battle he never saw coming."
The four nobles exchanged one final look. War was not just about armies and battles. True victory was decided in the shadows, where the Four Families had always reigned supreme.
Now, the real battle would begin.