254. Beihai Undercurrents

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As plans were set in motion to bring the brass telescope to fruition, Lie Fan's thoughts lingered on the boundless potential that the mastery of glass-making could unlock new kinds of modern wonder that he could introduce in this era, where his dynasty would be known as realms of ingenuity and technological advancement.

Mi Zhu and Liu Ye were put in charge of this new project, Liu Ye was one of the best engineering minds in this era, and Mi Zhu controlled Lie Fan's treasury so he could control Liu Ye's spending while also overseeing the workers who will join this project.

The meeting ended with Lie Fan giving Man Chong and Mao Jie the position they had where Chen Gui was promoted to become Inspector Of Xu Province by Lie Fan, Man Chong then succeeded Chen Gui's position as Governor of Xiapi.

Mao Jie will enter the Agriculture Department to handle and oversee Xu Province Agriculture, the assignment was accepted by all of Lie Fan's advisors who were present in Xiapi currently.

Man Chong didn't expect that he would revive such a high position as his trust tenure serving Lie Fan, so he vowed to repay Lie Fan's promise after remembering how he doubted Lie Fan's personality and was still not sure if he would serve Lie Fan or not.

Lie Fan after the meeting returned to Lie Clan Residence alongside his bodyguards, arriving there he was welcomed by all of his family members. His wives each hold their son or daughters or both in their hand, with Wannian at the upfront hugging Lie Fan first.

Wannian who's already 16 years old this year is much taller, almost the same height as Cai Wenji and many marriage proposals have come to his desk from other Noble clans that want to tie themselves to him.

Of course, Lie Fan rejected all of the marriage proposals, some of these Noble Clans dared to even propose that Wannian marry some of the middle-aged Nobles who were on the same level of generation as his father.

He immediately sends Oriole to the estate of this Clan and investigates what kind of crimes they had committed, then has Jia Xu send them the book full of their past crime as a warning to never contact him about the marriage proposal ever again.

Seeing Lie Fan was in a daze while hugging Wannian, Ying Yue called his name waking him up from his daze while Ying Yue asked Lie Fan if there was something wrong.

Lie Fan: "Ah no it's nothing, I was just amazed at how Wanniang has grown up so much, I still remember the small girl who always ran up to me for a hug now has grown to become a beautiful young lady."

Wannian: "Big Brother! I'm still the same small girl you remember, it's just I have grown taller almost the same high as Sister Cai!"

Ying Yue: "That's true Wannian has grown so much, and become such a beautiful young lady that I heard many young men have grown emitted by her beauty every time she goes to the Academy."

Cai Wenji: "If only she could act more ladylike, I'm sure that many of those young men at the academy would there themself to Wannian, and many Marriage proposals would have surely come, I've failed as her tutor and big sister in teaching her."

Diao Chan: "Fufu Sister Cai it's not that you have failed, Wannian is too influenced by her big brother making her have almost the same temperament as him, if not for Mother In Law I think she would become more naught and unladylike but it's okay I like Wannian like this Fufu."

Lie Fan: "Ji'er what Chan'er said is true, you do not have to blame yourself it's just that I and My Father can't be strict to Wannian that's why she becomes naught like this, and for Marriage Proposal they had come to my table but I rejected all of them! How could they covet my little sister?!"

Wannian: "Everyone stop saying that you're making me embarrassed! Big Sister Cai I can do all of the ladylike manners and crafts but I'm sorry I feel much better acting this way hehe."

Wannian who's embarrassed hearing the words said by her Big Brother and Big Sisters, let out these words while fidgeting and holding Lie Fan's arm.

What everyone there doesn't realize is that several meters away from their location, Sima Yi is eavesdropping and looking at the happy family reunion, and the smile on Wannian face is so bright that captures his full attention.

Sima Yi loves seeing the bright smile on Wannian's face after realizing his feelings, which makes him smile but after hearing Cai Wenji's words about Wannian's marriage proposal his mile disappeared only to come back when he heard Lie Fan rejected all of them.

He knows that his future oath to gain Wannian's affection is blocked by a big mountain by the name of Lie Fan, he needs to gain Lie Fan's approval first before he can be with Wannian and the only way he can do so is by coming to be like Jia Xu or even surpass him becoming Lie Fan's right-hand man.

Fortunately, he is talented enough, and with enough hard work, he knows that he will surpass Jia Xu and be one step closer to being with Wannian, while Sima Yi is becoming more determined to make himself smarter, at Beihai a big battle is about to happen.

After Zhang Miao and Xu Si returned from Xiapi bearing good news to Lu Bu and Chen Gong about the establishment of the alliance between Lu Bu and Lie Fan, several days passed by and Cao Cao-Liu Bei's combined army arrived at Beihai.

Lu Bu surveyed the sprawling landscape from the towering walls of Beihai, a sense of urgency hanging in the air. The alliance with Lie Fan was a beacon of hope for his army, but now, facing the imminent threat of Cao Cao and Liu Bei's combined forces, celebrations were put on hold.

Chen Gong's strategic mind quickly sprang into action, organizing Lu Bu's forces into a formidable defensive formation. On the opposing side, the rhythmic clang of construction echoed as Cao Cao and Liu Bei's armies efficiently built their encampment, an ominous sign of the impending clash.

Lu Lingqi, who was aware of the gravity of the situation, stood by Lu Bu's side, her unwavering support a source of strength for Lu Bu, He allowed Lu Lingqi to join this battle as he needed all able-bodied men or women to fight against Cao Cao and Liu Bei.

As Chen Gong meticulously directed the defensive preparations, Zhang Miao and Xu Si approached, faces burdened with the weight of a troubling revelation.

With urgency in their voices, they disclosed Lie Fan's cunning condition for the alliance a condition that sent shockwaves through Chen Gong's strategic mind.

Frustration etched across his face, Chen Gong scolded the two of them for falling into such an obvious trap.

The revelation added an extra layer of complexity to an already precarious situation. However, with the battle looming, there was little time for dwelling on past missteps.

Lu Bu, sensing the tension, approached the trio. His gaze flickered between Chen Gong's furrowed brow and the remorseful expressions of Zhang Miao and Xu Si.

Lu Bu asked Chen Gong what caused him to become so frustrated when Cao Cao and Liu Bei's Army arrived, Chen Gong wasn't that frustrated now after talking to Zhang Miao and Xu Si he became like that.

Chen Gong knowing that it's better to tell Lu Bu the truth rather than lie or hide it from him, tells Lu Bu what Zhang Miao and Xu Si have just told him, underlining that it is not Zhang Miao and Xu Si's fault to be tricked with the level of Lie Fan's advisors they have to face.

Lu Bu's eyes narrowed as Chen Gong relayed the unsettling truth. The revelation stirred a tempest within him, and frustration manifested as a thunderous scowl on his face. He demanded to know the details, and when Chen Gong laid bare Lie Fan's cunning condition, Lu Bu's frustration escalated into seething anger.

The weight of revelation bore down on him, and he turned his ire towards Zhang Miao and Xu Si. Unable to contain his rage, Lu Bu scolded and cursed both generals for their failure to discern Lie Fan's deceit.

There was no room for excuses as the gravity of the situation demanded acute awareness, and their oversight threatened the very foundation of his army.

As Lu Bu's scathing words echoed through the tense atmosphere, resentment festered within Zhang Miao and Xu Si. Their faces, once filled with loyalty, now bore the marks of wounded pride. They couldn't shake the feeling that their efforts in securing the alliance had been overshadowed by the weight of Lu Bu's anger.

Amid this simmering discord, Chen Gong, recognizing the potential rupture within the ranks, stepped forward, attempting to bridge the widening gap. Urgently, he pleaded with Lu Bu to reconsider, emphasizing the crucial role Zhang Miao and Xu Si played in solidifying the alliance.

However, the damage had been done. The seeds of discord had been sown, and as the night deepened, the once-united front against Cao Cao and Liu Bei now faced an internal struggle, threatening to weaken Beihai's defenses.

Zhang Miao and Xu Si have a personal meeting just the two of them, the two of them feel that Lu Bu doesn't appreciate their effort and the result they have achieved, and only appreciates Chen Gong while the rest of his advisors are always scorned by him.

They feel that the sacrifices they made from betraying Cao Cao, losing their land in a matter of months or a year, and then having to follow Lu Bu running away to take shelter in Liu Bei alongside their family aren't appreciated by Lu Bu.

While the two of them begin to feel their resentment toward Lu Bu growing stronger, suddenly the door of their room is knocked and Zhang Miao alongside Xu Si takes the sword in their waist while Zhang Miao asks who is knocking on the door.

They waited for some time and didn't receive any reply when Zhang Miao and Xu Si wanted to open the door together, a letter suddenly came in from below the door and sounds of footsteps walking away from their room were heard.

Xu Si takes the letter and after checking the letter, he opens it to read the contents inside he is soon shocked by what he read, Zhang Miao who sees Xu Si's shocked face takes the letter from his hand and begins to read the content of the letter, he was also shocked after finish reading it with mixed feelings as he didn't expect that he was forgiven for what he did.

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Name: Lie Fan

Title: Three Heroes Who Defeat Lu Bu

Age: 27 (194 AD)

Level: 15

Next Level: 938.000

Renown: 645

Cultivation: Yin Yang Separation (level 9)

SP: 571.700

ATTRIBUTE POINTS

STR: 906 (+20)

VIT: 598 (+20)

AGI: 583 (+10)

INT: 587

CHR: 93

WIS: 509

WILL: 397

ATR Points: 0