568. Landscape Of Situations

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Zhuge Liang took a deep breath before answering, his tone becoming more reflective. "The lord I would serve must possess both wisdom and virtue. He must be a man who understands the plight of the common people and seeks to alleviate their suffering. Yet, he must also have the ambition and courage to unify the land, to bring peace to this era of chaos. He must value his advisors and foster an environment where their counsel is heeded and their loyalty rewarded."

Xu Shu nodded thoughtfully. "Such a man would indeed be worthy of your talents, Kongming. But do you see such a lord in the world today?"

Zhuge Liang paused, his gaze distant. "Perhaps. Liu Bei, Cao Cao, and Lie Fan all possess qualities that could make them great leaders. Liu Bei's compassion for the people is unmatched, but his resources are limited. Cao Cao is a man of unparalleled ambition and military prowess, but his methods often border on cruelty. Lie Fan...he is an enigma, but his moves always show both boldness and careful planning, he cared for the people with the innovations he made as it made people's lives easier, delegated power, and trusted his retainers, he may yet prove to be the one who can unite the land."

Their conversation continued as they walked, each sharing their thoughts and aspirations for the future. Despite their differences, all three agreed on one thing: the times called for action, and they would each play their part in shaping the destiny of the land.

As the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting the village in a warm golden glow, the three friends returned to their hut, their hearts filled with a renewed sense of purpose. For now, they were content to enjoy the simple pleasures of life in the village, sharpening their minds and spirits for the challenges that lay ahead.

Unbeknownst to Zhuge Liang, Xu Shu, and Pang Tong, their conversation had not gone unnoticed. Hidden in the shadows of the serene and secluded village were members of the Oriole, Lie Fan's elite intelligence network.

Tasked with monitoring Zhuge Liang, these agents listened carefully to every word exchanged between the three strategists. Their mission was not only to protect Zhuge Liang but also to gather any information that could aid their lord, Lie Fan.

The conversation, filled with musings about the future and deliberations on worthy lords, was meticulously documented and compiled into a report. Within three days, this report traveled back to Xiapi, carried by the Oriole's messenger birds.

Lie Fan sat in his study when the messenger arrived with the letter. Eagerly, he broke the seal and began to read. As his eyes scanned the contents, his expression shifted from curiosity to satisfaction. When he read Zhuge Liang's assessment of him, a genuine smile bloomed across his face.

"This is confirmation," Lie Fan thought, "that Zhuge Liang has already aligned his aspirations with mine, even if subtly." The weight of uncertainty he had carried for so long, wondering if Zhuge Liang would eventually serve him after being allowed to leave Xiapi, was lifted. With both Zhuge Liang and Sima Yi as part of his think tank, Lie Fan knew no rival could match the intellectual strength of his court.

He folded the letter and placed it carefully among his most important documents. Just as he leaned back to savor the moment, a gentle knock interrupted his thoughts.

Lie Fan looked up to see one of his wives, Lu Lingqi, standing at the doorway with a warm smile. Her presence brought a different kind of light to the room, and Lie Fan gestured for her to enter.

"Qi'er," he said, smiling, "come in. What brings you here?"

Lu Lingqi approached and perched herself on the armrest of his chair. She leaned slightly toward him, her voice both gentle and determined. "Husband, I have a request. I wish to join you in the campaign against Yuan Shao."

Lie Fan wasn't surprised about Lu Lingqi's request, since he had anticipated this. Lu Lingqi was a warrior at heart, much like her father, Lu Bu. Her desire to be by his side in battle was something he both admired and understood.

Placing a protective arm around her waist, Lie Fan responded, "Of course, Lingqi. But you must promise me one thing, you are to stay close to me at all times. I won't take risks with your safety."

Hearing his agreement, Lu Lingqi's face lit up with joy. Overwhelmed with excitement, she kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you, Husband. I promise to stay close and follow your every command."

Lie Fan chuckled, holding her closer for a moment. "Then it's settled. But remember, this campaign will be unlike any other. Yuan Shao is not an opponent to be underestimated."

Lu Lingqi nodded eagerly, her determination unwavering. They spent the next hour together, discussing preparations for the campaign and enjoying a rare moment of peace amidst the chaos of war planning.

Meanwhile, at the Sima Clan residence in Xiapi, Sima Yi was engaged in a thoughtful conversation with his younger brothers, Sima Fu, Sima Kui, and Sima Xun. The younger Simas, though not as prodigiously gifted as Sima Yi and Sima Lang, were bright in their own right.

All three were currently studying at Xiapi's prestigious academy, benefiting from the reforms Lie Fan had implemented to promote education and governance, following the footsteps of Sima Yi to learn under the tutelage of great scholars such as Zhuge Xuan, Cai Yong, and Lu Zhi.

Sima Fu, the eldest of the three brothers and closest in age to Sima Yi, spoke first. "Second brother, you and eldest brother already carved out a prominent position for yourself under Lord Lie Fan. But what about us? Do you think there's room for all of us in the Sima Clan to serve him?"

Sima Yi leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Lord Lie Fan is not a petty man. He values talent and loyalty above all else. If you prove yourselves worthy, there is no doubt he will find roles suited to your abilities. Don't expect that since we will become family in the future, you will receive a high position."

Sima Kui, always the most ambitious of the younger brothers, leaned forward. "But what roles? You've already taken a place in the inner council and eldest brother had become the Governor of Guangling. Will we merely serve as minor officials unlike the two of you?"

Sima Yi smirked and knocked on the head of his brother. "Kui, ambition is good, but remember that positions of power are earned, not given. Focus on your studies. Master governance, military strategy, and diplomacy. When the time comes, your work will speak for itself."

Sima Xun, the youngest and most reserved of the brothers, finally spoke up. "Second brother, do you think Lord Lie Fan's vision will truly unify the land? There are so many powerful warlords, like Cao Cao and Liu Bei each with their own ambitions. Can one man bring order to this chaos that was caused by the Han Dynasty?"

Sima Yi's gaze turned serious as he recalled his days serving as Lie Fan's page and finally accepted as his advisor and gained permission to be with Wannian. "Lord Lie Fan is no ordinary man. His reforms, his strategies, his ability to inspire loyalty, all of these are the traits of a ruler who can achieve the impossible. But unifying the land is not the work of one man alone."

As Sima Yi said those words, he looked toward the window showing the blue sky before continuing, "It requires a team, a vision, and time. That is why we must prepare ourselves. The future is uncertain, but we must be ready to play our part in assisting him, and bring glory to our clan as well ."

The brothers nodded, their respect for Sima Yi evident. Despite their different personalities and ambitions, they shared a common goal, which was to contribute to the rise of their lord and their family's legacy.

As the four Sima brothers talked animatedly, their voices rising and falling with the rhythm of their spirited discussion, Lady Sima stood silently behind the door. The warmth of the family bond between her sons brought a soft smile to her face.

Each of them, though different in temperament and ambition, showed an unshakable loyalty to each other and a shared purpose to serve their lord, Lie Fan. The sight of this harmony filled her heart with gratitude.

She reflected on the tumultuous years that had brought her family to this point. Dong Zhuo's tyranny in Luoyang had torn their lives apart, claiming the life of her husband, who had chosen to stay behind.

But it was Lie Fan who had saved them, offering them refuge and a chance to rebuild their lives in Xiapi. It was not only his protection but also his unwavering commitment to justice and stability that had allowed her family to thrive. "Lie Fan," she thought, "is truly the Sima Clan's lucky star."

The thought of her second son, Sima Yi, soon to be married to Lie Fan's younger sister, Wannian, brought another smile to her lips.

It was a union that symbolized not only political alliance but also the deep trust and mutual respect between the two families. The upcoming wedding filled her with pride and hope. "To see one of my sons married, after all we have endured, is a blessing I never dared to dream of," she mused.

After saying so, Lady Sima finally entered the room where her sons sat, startling them with her presence. "Mother!" Sima Fu exclaimed, rising to greet her.

Lady Sima smiled gently and gestured for them to remain seated. "I did not mean to interrupt your conversation. I simply wanted to see my sons and hear their voices. You have grown into fine men, each of you. Your father would be so proud."

The brothers exchanged glances, their expressions softening at the mention of their father. Sima Yi, who was the oldest present among the brothers, spoke on behalf of them all. "We owe much of who we are to you, Mother. Your strength and wisdom have guided us through the darkest times."

Lady Sima placed a hand on Sima Yi's shoulder, her eyes shining with emotion. "And now, you all have a chance to serve a lord who values your talents and sees the potential in each of you. Never forget the blessings we have received, and never stop striving to repay them."

Far to the north, in Shangdang, the armies of Yuan Shao were preparing for their campaign. Two mighty forces, led by his famed generals Yan Liang and Wen Chou, stood poised to march to Luoyang after resting in Shangdang. Each army was bolstered by Yuan Shao's eldest and youngest sons, Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang, respectively. The two of them were eager to prove themselves, driven by the hope of earning their father's recognition and favor to become Yuan Shao's successor.

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Name: Lie Fan

Title: Overlord Of The Central Plains

Age: 32 (199 AD)

Level: 16

Next Level: 462,000

Renown: 1325

Cultivation: Yin Yang Separation (level 9)

SP: 1,121,700

ATTRIBUTE POINTS

STR: 951 (+20)

VIT: 613 (+20)

AGI: 598 (+10)

INT: 617

CHR: 96

WIS: 519

WILL: 407

ATR Points: 0