Reborn In The Three Kingdoms

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”We present to you a list of candidates, each one chosen for their integrity and dedication to ensure the cleanliness of the bureau, away from corruption or abuse of power. We believe with that, alongside Envoy Li Wei at the helm of the bureau’s leadership, this bureau will serve as a force for unity and progress not just for Lord Lie Fan, but for Goguryeo as well.”

The grand hall of Goguryeo’s palace was a cacophony of murmurs, gasps, and hushed whispers as the court officials absorbed the audacity of Sima Yi’s request. The air was thick with tension, the weight of the moment pressing down on everyone present.

Sima Yi’s words had struck like a thunderclap, leaving the court in a state of stunned disbelief. Never before had a foreign envoy been so brazen, so calculated in his demands.

The request for the immediate establishment of the Lie Clan Supervision Bureau, the selection of Goguryeo officials to serve within it, and the appointment of Li Wei, Lie Fan’s envoy, to lead it was a masterstroke of political maneuvering. It was a trap, meticulously laid, and King Sansang found himself caught between the proverbial rock and hard place.

The king’s face was a mask of stoic composure, but his mind raced. If he refused Sima Yi’s request, he would be seen as going back on his word, breaking the terms he had accepted just days ago.

Such an act would undermine his authority and credibility, not only in the eyes of Lie Fan but also among his own courtiers.

On the other hand, if he accepted, he would be sanctioning the formal entrenchment of Lie Fan’s influence within the very heart of Goguryeo’s royal court. It was a decision with no easy answers, and the king could feel the weight of it pressing down on him.

As the court clamored, Sima Yi remained calm, his expression unreadable. He handed the scroll containing the list of chosen officials to Mo Du, who stood the closest to him. Mo Du accepted the scroll with a nod, his sharp eyes scanning the names listed within.

His initial reaction was one of confusion. The names on the list were not what he had expected. There were no obvious allies of Lie Fan, no officials known to have backdoor dealings with Lie Fan’s envoy or people from his domain.

In fact, some of the names were individuals who had openly resisted Lie Fan’s influence in the past, even going so far as to challenge his representatives. This unexpected twist left Mo Du momentarily perplexed, but he quickly masked his surprise and handed the scroll to the king’s eunuch, who in turn presented it to King Sansang.

The king unrolled the scroll, his eyes darting across the names. His brow furrowed as he recognized several officials who had been vocal critics of Lie Fan’s growing influence in Goguryeo.

He glanced at Mo Du, seeking some form of guidance. Mo Du gave a subtle nod, a silent signal that the king should proceed with caution but consider accepting the request. King Sansang’s jaw tightened as he weighed his options. The situation was delicate, and any misstep could have far reaching consequences.

It was at this moment that Queen Woo, who had been quietly observing the proceedings, decided to intervene. Her voice, calm and measured, cut through the murmurs of the court. ”Master Sima Yi,” she began, her tone polite but probing, ”you have presented a compelling case for the immediate establishment of this bureau.”

”However, I must ask, why is Envoy Li Wei the best choice to lead it? Surely, there are other candidates within Lord Lie Fan’s circle who could serve in this capacity. What makes Envoy Li Wei uniquely suited for this role?”

The room fell silent as all eyes turned to Sima Yi, awaiting his response. The queen’s question was pointed, designed to test the legitimacy of Sima Yi’s request and to expose any potential ulterior motives. Sima Yi, however, was prepared. He bowed respectfully to Queen Woo before answering.

”Your Majesty,” he said, addressing the queen with the utmost respect, ”Envoy Li Wei’s qualifications are beyond reproach. He was the first envoy under Lord Lie Fan, who was assigned to cultivate and maintain relationships between Goguryeo and Lord Lie Fan.”

”Due to this, he had gained a deep understanding of your kingdom’s political landscape and way of life. His diplomatic skills are unparalleled, and his loyalty to Lord Lie Fan is unwavering. Moreover, Li Wei’s extensive experience in navigating the complexities of Goguryeo’s court intrigues makes him uniquely suited to lead the bureau. He is not only a capable administrator but also a skilled mediator who can bridge the divide between our peoples.”

Sima Yi paused, allowing his words to sink in before continuing. ”As for other candidates, while there are indeed many capable and talented individuals within Lord Lie Fan’s circle, none possess the same level of insight and familiarity with Goguryeo as Li Wei. His appointment would ensure that the bureau operates with the utmost efficiency and integrity, serving the interests of both Goguryeo and Lord Lie Fan.”

Queen Woo listened carefully, her expression thoughtful. She glanced at King Sansang, who was still holding the scroll, his face a mixture of frustration and resignation. The queen knew that her husband was in a difficult position, and she sought to provide him with a way out or at least, a way to delay the inevitable.

”Your points are well made, Master Sima Yi,” she said, her tone diplomatic. ”However, such a significant decision cannot be made hastily. The establishment of this bureau and the appointment of its leader will have far reaching implications for our kingdom. We must take the time to carefully consider all aspects of your proposal.”

Sima Yi inclined his head, acknowledging the queen’s words. ”Of course, Your Majesty. We understand the gravity of this decision and would not wish to rush it. However, we must also consider the urgency of the situation. The divisions within Goguryeo’s court threaten the stability of the kingdom, and the sooner the bureau is established, the sooner it can begin its work to address these issues.”

The queen’s eyes narrowed slightly, but she maintained her composure. ”Your concern for our kingdom’s stability is noted, Master Sima Yi. However, haste often leads to oversight. We must ensure that this bureau is established on a foundation of careful deliberation and mutual agreement.”

King Sansang, sensing an opportunity to buy time, spoke up. ”My queen speaks wisely. This is not a decision to be made in haste. We will take the time to review your proposal and the list of candidates. Once we have reached a decision, we will inform you.”

Sima Yi bowed again, his expression unreadable. ”As you wish, Your Majesty. We await your decision with patience and respect, but remember that time is running, Your Majesty.”

With that, the court session was adjourned, and the officials began to disperse, their conversations filled with speculation and debate. King Sansang remained seated on his throne, his mind racing as he considered the implications of Sima Yi’s proposal. Queen Woo placed a reassuring hand on his arm, her presence a source of comfort amidst the turmoil.

”My lord,” she said softly, ”we must tread carefully. Sima Yi is a master strategist, and his request combined with the formal session he asked for is designed to trap us. We must find a way to navigate this situation without compromising our kingdom’s sovereignty.”

King Sansang nodded, his expression grim. ”You are right, as always. But how do we counter such a move? If we refuse, we risk breaking our word. If we accept, we risk surrendering control to Lie Fan.”

Queen Woo’s eyes sparkled with determination. ”We must find a third path, one that allows us to uphold our agreement while safeguarding our interests. Perhaps we can propose modifications to the bureau’s structure or insist on additional oversight to ensure that it serves Goguryeo’s needs as much as Lie Fan’s.”

The king considered her words, a glimmer of hope flickering in his eyes before it died down. ”You may be onto something, my queen. But that’s something that has been negotiated in our counter proposal, and was rejected.”

Queen Woo’s gentle sigh carried the weight of a kingdom teetering on the edge of uncertainty. She turned to King Sansang, her eyes filled with a quiet resolve. ”My lord,” she said softly, her voice steady despite the gravity of their situation, ”we must not lose hope. Even if time is running out and the path ahead seems shrouded in darkness, we must continue to strive for a solution. There is always a way, even if it is not yet clear to us. We owe it to our people to try our best until the very end.”

King Sansang looked at his queen, her words a balm to his troubled mind. He nodded, though the weariness in his eyes betrayed the immense pressure he felt. ”You are right, my queen,” he replied, his voice heavy with the burden of leadership. ”We cannot give up, no matter how dire the circumstances. But I fear that Sima Yi’s plans are already in motion, and we are running out of time to counter them.”

Queen Woo placed a reassuring hand on his arm. ”Then we must act swiftly and decisively. We will consult with our most trusted advisors and explore every possible avenue. There must be a way to protect our kingdom’s sovereignty without breaking our word.”

As the king and queen strategized in the palace, Sima Yi and Li Wei were making their way down the grand steps of Goguryeo’s palace, their guards forming a protective circle around them.

The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the courtyard. The air was crisp, and the faint hum of activity from the city beyond the palace walls provided a stark contrast to the tension that had filled the grand hall just moments ago.

Sima Yi walked with his usual calm demeanor, his hands clasped behind his back. Li Wei, however, was visibly unsettled. The events of the court session had left him with a lingering sense of unease.

He glanced at Sima Yi, his expression a mix of curiosity and concern. ”Master Sima Yi,” he began cautiously, ”do you think King Sansang will accept our proposal? He seemed hesitant, and Queen Woo’s intervention suggests they are looking for a way to delay or alter our terms.”

Sima Yi’s lips curved into a faint smile, though his eyes remained sharp and calculating. ”Envoy Li Wei,” he replied, his tone measured, ”King Sansang is indeed trying to buy time. He hopes to find a way to renegotiate the terms or perhaps even undermine our efforts. But time is a luxury he does not have.”

Li Wei frowned, his confusion evident. ”What do you mean, Master Sima Yi? Are you suggesting that we should not wait for his decision?”

Sima Yi stopped walking and turned to face Li Wei, his expression serious. ”Precisely, Envoy Li Wei. King Sansang’s attempts to stall are futile. We cannot afford to give him more time to rally his forces or devise a counterstrategy. It is time to escalate our plans.”

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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