632. 200 AD

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Sima Yi, the youngest of the three yet no less formidable in mind, tapped his chin thoughtfully. "A throne is not won by land alone. You need legitimacy my lord, beyond mere conquest. The people must accept you, the scholars must support you, and the other warlords must fear you enough to submit and squash those who do not use it with force."

Lie Fan nodded. "Which is why the Three Venerable Masters are key. Their endorsement will turn my claim into destiny, at least most of the scholars would not spread a letter of admonishment."

Jia Xu, ever the master of deception and intrigue, steepled his fingers. "It can be done. But we must accelerate our control over the south. Shi Xie still lords over Jiaozhi, and as long as he remains, he provides a possible refuge for our enemies. If we remove him and move into Yi Province before Cao Cao does, the south and west will be in our grasp."

Xun You's eyes flickered with understanding. "And from there, Liu Zhang will have no choice but to submit or be replaced, since Fa Zheng, Zhang Song, and Meng Da already support you, my lord."

Lie Fan allowed a small smile. "Then our path is clear. Wenhe, I want you to draft strategies for securing the south while maintaining our stability in the north. Gongda, you will oversee diplomatic overtures to the Three Venerable Masters. Zhongda, began drawing up administrative reforms for the transition. We must rule as an empire in all but name before I claim the title."

His three advisors bowed in unison. "As you command, my lord."

Just as they were about to continue their discussion, a hurried footstep interrupted them. An oriole agent, drenched in sweat from a long ride, fell to one knee before Lie Fan. "My lord! Urgent news from our Oriole Agents in Luoyang!"

Lie Fan extended his hand, and the man quickly placed the sealed scroll in his palm. As Lie Fan unfurled it, his expression darkened. The gazebo fell into silence as his eyes skimmed the intelligence report.

"Cao Cao moves south," he murmured, his tone grave. "He has set his sights on Yi Province. He feigns diplomacy with Liu Zhang, but war is inevitable."

Jia Xu's lips curled into a knowing smirk. "Then we must ensure that war does not go as he plans."

Sima Yi's mind was already racing with countermeasures. "If Cao Cao commits his forces to the south, it weakens his hold elsewhere. That may be an opportunity."

Xun You, ever the cautious one, raised a hand. "Yet we must be wary. If Cao Cao successfully takes Yi Province, his power will become even greater. It may delay our claim to the throne."

Lie Fan's eyes burned with determination. "Then we will not let him have it."

Jia Xu was the first to speak, his sharp mind already forming multiple scenarios. "If we wish to halt Cao Cao's advance or at least delay him, then deception is our best tool. The Oriole Agents can be used to spread false intelligence, sowing distrust between Liu Zhang and Cao Cao's emissaries. If Liu Zhang believes that Cao Cao's goodwill is a trap, he may resist long enough for us to make our own moves."

Xun You, thinking of pragmatic ways, nodded. "Beyond misinformation, we should encourage resistance within Yi Province itself. Fa Zheng, Zhang Song, and Meng Da are already in place. If we secretly provide them with resources, they can strengthen Liu Zhang's paranoia while preparing to shift allegiance to us when the time is right."

Sima Yi, on the other hand, tapped his fingers against the table. "Cao Cao relies on swift, decisive strikes. If we disrupt his supply lines, his invasion will slow. The mountains of Yi Province make logistics difficult, if we can sabotage roads, bribe local militias to harass his forces, or even instigate minor uprisings or riots, it will drain his momentum."

Lie Fan absorbed their words, his mind sharpening with determination. "We will employ all these strategies. We do not need to defeat Cao Cao now, we only need to stall him. The longer he is tied up in Yi Province, the more time we have to strengthen our own position."

With the plan set, they dispersed, each with their own tasks. Jia Xu began drafting coded messages to the Oriole Agents embedded within Cao Cao's network, instructing them to manipulate information and disrupt communications.

Xun You prepared letters to be sent secretly to Fa Zheng and his allies, ensuring they were ready to counter Cao Cao's influence. Sima Yi devised economic measures to strengthen their own territories, ensuring they had the resources to outlast any prolonged conflict.

As the meeting ended, Lie Fan retired to his chamber, his mind racing despite the exhaustion settling over him. The road to unification was not paved with brute force alone, it required patience, deception, and wisdom.

Time moved swiftly, and within the blink of an eye, the year turned to 200 AD. The city of Xiapi, the heart of Lie Fan's growing empire, buzzed with activity as the people prepared for the New Year celebrations.

But within a secluded residence, three of the most revered but reclusive scholars of the era, Sima Hui, Pang Degong, and Huang Chengyan, gathered to discuss their findings.

Sima Hui, with his nickname as the Water Mirror, sipped his tea thoughtfully. "Lie Fan is a remarkable ruler, unlike any I have observed. His governance is firm yet adaptable, and his understanding of both military and civil matters surpasses most warlords of this era."

Pang Degong, with his understanding of deep philosophy and moral clarity, nodded. "What intrigues me most is his vision. He does not merely seek to rule, he seeks to reform. His policies are not about conquest alone, they are about longevity, about creating a structure that will endure beyond his lifetime."

Huang Chengyan, as the eldest of the three, stroked his beard. "It is rare to see a man who values both scholars and warriors equally. Most rulers lean too heavily on one or the other, yet he cultivate both with care. His treatment of the people is also noteworthy. Taxes are fair, law is enforced without cruelty, and his officials, for the most part, are competent and uncorrupt."

The three sat in silence for a moment, each reflecting on what they had observed in the past months.

Sima Hui finally spoke again. "But such ambition comes with great risk. He seeks to establish a new dynasty, and while he has the strength to do so, history is littered with the corpses of men who attempted the same and failed."

Pang Degong exhaled slowly. "It is a dangerous path. But if he succeeds, he will change the world."

Huang Chengyan smiled. "Perhaps that is why fate has brought us here. If destiny truly favors him, then we must ensure he does not falter."

Their decision was clear. They would throw their full support behind Lie Fan. Not just as advisors, but as architects of the future he sought to build.

The candlelight flickered in the quiet study, illuminating the wise and contemplative faces of Sima Hui, Pang Degong, and Huang Chengyan. Their decision had been made, Lie Fan was the one they would serve, the ruler they would help shape into a true emperor. But they knew that their strength alone was not enough.

Their greatest legacy was not their wisdom, but their students. With that thought, they summoned Zhuge Liang, Pang Tong, and Xu Shu.

The three young prodigies arrived promptly, their eyes filled with curiosity and anticipation. Zhuge Liang, the most composed, adjusted his feathered fan with a calm smile. Pang Tong, his usually carefree demeanor slightly more serious than usual, studied his masters intently. Xu Shu, as the most sincere, looked between them, already sensing the gravity of the meeting.

Sima Hui was the first to speak. "We have reached a decision," he said, his voice steady but firm. "We will pledge our allegiance to Lie Fan and serve as the architects of his future ambition. He is unlike the other warlords, his vision is clear, his rule just, and his ambition tempered with wisdom. He has the potential to unify this land, not as a mere conqueror, but as a true ruler."

Pang Degong continued, "However, this is our path. The three of you must decide your own. Will you follow us and serve Lie Fan, or will you seek another lord, one you believe more suited to your own ambitions?"

Zhuge Liang, Pang Tong, and Xu Shu exchanged glances, each having already contemplated their futures.

Zhuge Liang was the first to step forward, bowing deeply. "I have already made up my mind. I have studied Lie Fan's policies, his military campaigns, and his administration. He does not rule with mere force, he builds foundations for lasting peace. That is the kind of ruler I wish to serve. I will pledge my allegiance to him."

Pang Tong sighed, rubbing the back of his head. "Truthfully, I had considered searching for a lord who would place me in a high position immediately. I have confidence in my own abilities, after all." His lips curled into a smirk before his expression turned serious. "But since my masters have chosen to serve Lie Fan, and since Kongming sees potential in him, I would be a fool not to follow. If we combine our strengths, Lie Fan will become unstoppable."

Xu Shu smiled, his resolve firm. "I have no doubts. Serving Lie Fan is not only the right choice for me, but for my family. His domain is stable, his rule fair, and if I move my mother here, she will live in safety. That alone is reason enough, but beyond that, I see in him a ruler worth fighting for."

Their declarations were met with approving nods from their masters. Huang Chengyan stroked his beard. "Then it is decided. We shall all serve Lie Fan, and together, we will forge an era unlike any before."

With their minds made up, the six scholars left the Xiapi Academy together, heading toward the Lie Clan residence, where history would soon be rewritten.

The streets of Xiapi bustled with energy as the city prepared for the New Year, but within the Lie Clan residence, a different kind of celebration was about to unfold.

Lie Fan, informed of the approaching scholars, personally greeted them at the entrance of his grand estate. Clad in his formal robes, he exuded the presence of a ruler, not just a normal ruler, but a man destined for greatness. He bowed deeply to Sima Hui, Pang Degong, and Huang Chengyan. "It is an honor to welcome such esteemed men to my house."

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Name: Lie Fan

Title: Overlord Of The Central Plains

Age: 32 (199 AD) -> 33 (200 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