Well, I noticed something else, it might not be much, but perhaps its something? I don't really know.
Korbas sudjests that symps might know of one master.
Alkend throws a 'curveball' saying symps might be linked but know of one master.
Korbas again mentions something about this theory.
So, I went back the OP opening scene:
Quote
Liu Bei read the imperial edict through his tears. He could not sleep that night and in the morning returned to the library to reread the document. But no concrete plan occurred to him. Finally he fell asleep against his desk pondering the means to get rid of Cao Cao.
The courtier Jian Yong arrived, intending to discuss with Liu Bei the most recent news of Yuan Shu's defeat in Zhong by Liu Yao. Recognizing his master's intimate friend, the gateman did not stop him, and he straight into the library. Jian Yong saw Liu Bei dozing at his desk, a silk scroll under his sleeve. The imperial "we" was barely visible on it. Becoming curious, Jian Yong quietly took up the document. After reading it, he stowed it in his own sleeve. "Imperial Uncle Liu," he cried, "are you not ashamed? How carefree to be sleeping so!" Liu Bei came to immediately. Missing the decree, he felt his senses swim and his limbs fail. "You plan to murder Yuan Shao, then?" Yong demanded. "I shall have to denounce you." "Brother," Liu Bei wept, "if that is your intention, the house of Han expires."
"I was simply playing a part," Jian Yong reassured Liu Bei. "Our clan has enjoyed the fruits of service to the Han for many generations. Far from failing in loyalty, I mean to lend my all to the task of destroying the traitor." "The dynasty is fortunate indeed if you are so minded," Liu Bei responded. "Let us retire, then," Jian Yong suggested, "and draw up a loyalist pledge to do our duty to the Emperor whatever the risk to ourselves and our clans."
In great excitement Liu Bei fetched a length of white silk and wrote his name at the head. Jian Yong added his, and suggested his trusted friend General ______ would surely be willing to make cause with them. Liu Bei also proposed his trusted friends Commandant _______ and Counselor _______. At the moment a servant announced all three officials had arrived in quick succession. "Thus Heavan aids us!" Liu Bei exclaimed and sent for the three. Each eagerly added his own name to the pledge.
So, Jian Yong reads about the plot, confronts Liu Bei, and agrees to help him.
Trying to recruit more conspirators, Jian Yong adds his trusted General friend
Liu Bei adds his trusted Commandant and Counselor
(So far we see that it appears as if Iian Yong has one symp and Liu Bei has two symps, no indication if the symps know each other)
After that, the three grentlemen (or women) arrive in the scene and add their names on the paper personally.
(That though says that the five conspirators met in person, so they do know each other)
So, from the opening scene, I understand that all scum know each other, prior to the games begining, so all symps know all masters and all the other symps as well.
Am I correct in this?
If yes, then we must be looking for trails of TWO individual people trying to deflect of someone