Reborn In The Three Kingdoms

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The three masters returned the bow, with Sima Hui speaking first. ”We have come to offer not just our wisdom, but our loyalty. We have seen your governance, your leadership, and your vision for the land. We believe you are the one who can unify China, not through tyranny, but through order and justice.”

Pang Degong stepped forward. ”With our guidance, we will help you shape a government that can withstand the test of time. Not just war, but administration, culture, and philosophy, these will be the cornerstones of your reign.”

Huang Chengyan smiled. ”And we bring more than just ourselves.” He gestured toward Zhuge Liang, Pang Tong, and Xu Shu. ”These three young men are the future. Their talents will be invaluable to your cause.” Lie Fan’s eyes scanned the three prodigies, each of them exuding brilliance in their own way.

Zhuge Liang stepped forward, bowing respectfully. ”My lord, I have known you for some time, and I have studied your policies. I believe you will not only succeed in uniting the land, but in creating a lasting era of peace. I, Zhuge Liang, in accordance with my promise to you as well, pledge my loyalty and service to you.”

Pang Tong smirked. ”I may not have the looks of a great man, but my mind is as sharp as any blade. With my masters and Zhuge Liang by your side, I believe your path to the throne is inevitable. I, Pang Tong, pledge my service to you.”

Xu Shu nodded with conviction. ”My lord, I come to serve not just because of my own ambition, but because I believe in the stability you offer. I wish for my family to live in peace under your rule. I, Xu Shu, pledge my service to you.”

Lie Fan felt a surge of excitement and gratitude. These were no ordinary men, these were the brightest minds of their generation, and they had chosen to follow him while at the same time, he used the eye of Erlang Shen to the six of them.

• Sima Hui

INT: 696 WIS: 130 VIT: 65 CHR: 84

• Pang Degong

INT: 678 WIS: 121 VIT: 67 CHR: 80

• Huang Chengyan

INT: 688 WIS: 128 VIT: 55 CHR: 78

• Zhuge Liang

INT: 788 WIS: 85 VIT: 75 CHR: 96

• Pang Tong

INT: 731 WIS: 76 VIT: 75 CHR: 88

• Xu Shu

INT: 718 WIS: 79 VIT: 75 CHR: 86

Satifued by the stats, he stepped forward, his gaze firm. ”Then from this day forward, we are bound by fate and ambition. With your wisdom, I will build a realm that will not only conquer but endure. Together, we will not only end this age of chaos, we will usher in a new age of prosperity and peace.”

His words resonated deeply, and in that moment, the foundation of his empire was set. With the formal pledges of loyalty completed, Lie Fan wasted no time in putting his newfound allies to work.

He understood the weight of what he had gained, not just six brilliant minds, but the ability to reshape his domain into something far greater.

Sima Hui, Pang Degong, and Huang Chengyan were given positions of immense influence within Xiapi. While they would act as advisors to Lie Fan himself, they were also placed in charge of Xiapi Academy, elevating its status to one of the most prestigious institutions in the land.

Their role was twofold, consisting of:

1. Cultivating Future Talents – They would personally oversee the education of scholars, strategists, and administrators, ensuring that Lie Fan’s government would never lack competent officials.

2. Expanding Lie Fan’s Influence – They would use their vast networks of contacts across the land to promote Lie Fan’s legitimacy, drawing more intellectuals, bureaucrats, and even merchants to his cause.

While the Three Masters focused on education and diplomacy, Zhuge Liang, Pang Tong, and Xu Shu were immediately given positions within Lie Fan’s core administration. Their talents were far too valuable to leave unused.

Zhuge Liang was assigned to assist Chen Gui in managing Xiapi. While Chen Gui was an excellent administrator, he was already past his prime. Zhuge Liang, with his near-unmatched intellect, was given the task of Improving Xiapi’s infrastructure like roads, waterways, and granaries were expanded under his direction.

Optimizing taxation and governance, ensuring that revenue collection was efficient and fair, and preventing corruption. And lastly creating new agricultural policies, where he introduced reforms to improve crop yields, ensuring food security for the people.

As for Pang Tong was placed in charge of intelligence and military strategy. His cunning mind was ideal for handling the likes of countering enemy spies where he worked closely with the Oriole Agents to root out internal threats.

Disrupting Cao Cao’s campaign in the south through misinformation, supply sabotage, and political maneuvering, he made sure Cao Cao’s attempt and plan to conquer Yi Province would not be easy. And also Prepare for future military campaigns, like designing strategies for the inevitable clashes with rival warlords.

Xu Shu was tasked with fortifying Lie Fan’s internal defenses. While Pang Tong focused on external deception, Xu Shu ensured that Lie Fan’s government remained stable by identifying and eliminating potential traitors where corrupt officials and military commanders were quickly purged with the help of Oriole Agents.

At the same time Strengthening local governance, working with administrators, prefects, and governors to improve law enforcement and maintain order.

Meantime, Lie Fan knew that power was not just about military strength, it was also about perception. He ordered the Oriole Agents to spread the news of the Three Masters’ allegiance to him.

Rumors through letters and word of mouth were spread to scholars, merchants, and nobles across the land, emphasizing that three of the most respected intellectuals had chosen Lie Fan over Cao Cao, Sun Ce, and Liu Bei.

Indicating that the message trying to be conveyed was clear, Lie Fan was no mere warlord. He was a ruler worthy of scholars, a man who would bring stability and prosperity to the land at this time of chaos.

As the news spread, more scholars and talented individuals began to consider seeking refuge in Xiapi. Some even thought of defecting from the lords they served of course these were minor and small time scholars, while others simply migrated to learn from the great masters at Xiapi Academy.

Across the land, scholars debated and discussed this shift in power. Merchants whispered about Xiapi becoming the new center of governance and wisdom. Even minor lords took notice, some reconsidering their allegiances, while others viewed Lie Fan as an even greater threat.

For Lie Fan, this was exactly the outcome he had desired. His name now carried weight, not just among warriors but among the intellectual elite. It was no longer merely his military might that made him a contender in the chaotic land, it was his vision, his governance, and his ability to draw the greatest minds to his side.

Cao Cao, as a master strategist himself, was not blind to what was happening. He knew that his position as the Emperor’s protector still gave him legitimacy, but it was not as ironclad as before. The Emperor’s presence in his court was a shield that had protected him from outright rebellion, but prestige and public sentiment were shifting.

The allegiance of the Three Masters to Lie Fan was a heavy blow. While Cao Cao had many brilliant advisors, losing these scholars meant that potential intellectual recruits were now looking toward Xiapi instead of Xuchang.

Cao Cao summoned Xun Yu, Guo Jia, and Xi Zhicai to discuss the matter. ”Lie Fan continues to grow. His court now rivals our own in prestige, and this will only invite more scholars and warriors to his cause. How do we counter this?”

Xun Yu, the most level-headed of Cao Cao’s advisors, spoke first. ”My lord, we still hold the Emperor. While his influence may have waned, he remains a symbol that cannot be ignored. We must emphasize this in our dealings with scholars and officials. We must remind them that without us, there is no legitimate central government.”

Guo Jia, thinking of some cunning plans, smirked. ”Why not sow discord? If we cannot stop scholars from flocking to him, then we must make it seem as if his growing influence is a threat to stability. We can spread rumors that he plans to claim the Mandate of Heaven himself.”

Cao Cao nodded, considering the options. ”And Liu Bei?”

Xi Zhicai scoffed. ”Liu Bei is in a worse position than us, my lord. His only claim to fame is being an Imperial Scion, but that has lost its luster. Lie Fan now holds the image of a true ruler who can unify the land. If anything, Liu Bei will be more desperate than ever to seek allies.”

Cao Cao leaned back in his chair, deep in thought. ”We will continue monitoring Lie Fan’s moves. If the opportunity arises, we may need to move against him before he consolidates further.”

If Cao Cao had options, Liu Bei had almost none. His prestige had been hit the hardest. His reputation as a virtuous leader was no longer enough.

While he had managed to gather capable warriors like Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, and had gained the trust of some smaller lords, the shift in scholarly influence toward Lie Fan had severely weakened his standing.

He sat in counsel with his brothers and advisors, frowning deeply. ”Lie Fan has done what I wished to do. The scholars flock to him, and the people now see him as a unifier. If I do not act soon, I will become irrelevant.”

Zhang Fei, with his fiery temper, slammed his fist on the table. ”Then we challenge him! If he is rising too high, we should remind him that warriors, not scholars, decide the fate of the land!”

Guan Yu, more measured, shook his head. ”That would be foolish. He has fortified his lands and is not a reckless warlord. If we challenge him without reason, it will only make us look like jealous rivals.”

Chen Dao, who had recently pledged his allegiance to Liu Beu, nodded in agreement. ”We must find a way to reclaim the people’s faith. Perhaps diplomacy is the answer. We could seek an alliance.”

Liu Bei sighed. ”With whom? The Sun Clan, Sun Ce and Sun Jian, will not side with me, as they value their alliance with Lie Fan. Cao Cao holds the Emperor, and I cannot trust him. Who else remains?” Silence filled the chamber. For now, Liu Bei had no answer.

While warlords debated and strategized, a young warrior was making his way toward Xiapi. Ma Chao, heir of the Ma family, had disguised himself and a small entourage as commoners, slipping through Hulao Gate unnoticed by Cao Cao’s guards.

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Name: Lie Fan

Title: Overlord Of The Central Plains

Age: 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