Reborn In The Three Kingdoms

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Kuai Yue nodded, his resolve firm. ”It won’t be easy, but it’s the only way. We cannot let Liu Bei’s ambition destroy everything the Kuai Clan has built.” The two brothers spent the rest of the night strategizing, their minds focused on the task ahead. They knew that the road ahead would be fraught with danger, but they were determined to protect Jing Province and everything the Kuai Clan had built from the threat that Liu Bei posed.

Meanwhile, unbeknownst to the Kuai brothers, their every move was being closely monitored by the Oriole agents, Lie Fan’s network of spies and informants. The agents, skilled in the art of observation and stealth, had infiltrated the Kuai residence and were meticulously documenting the brothers’ activities.

They watched as Kuai Liang and Kuai Yue pored over the evidence against Liu Bei, their expressions growing increasingly grim with each passing moment. The agents took detailed notes, recording every word of the brothers’ conversation and every scroll they examined.

However, they chose not to report their findings to their lord and grandmaster immediately. They believed it was crucial to continue observing the Kuai brothers, to gather more information and understand the full extent of their plans. The Oriole agents were patient and methodical, knowing that their work could have far reaching implications on their lord Lie Fan’s strategies and plans.

Far to the southeast, in the Sun Clan’s capital, Sun Ce was enjoying a rare moment of peace with his wife, Da Qiao. The couple sat together on a terrace overlooking the city, the warm afternoon sun casting a golden glow over the landscape. Da Qiao, who was pregnant, rested her hand on her belly as she and Sun Ce discussed the gender of their unborn child.

”Do you think it will be a boy or a girl?” Da Qiao asked, her voice soft and filled with anticipation.

Sun Ce smiled, his eyes warm with affection. ”It doesn’t matter to me,” he said. ”Whether it’s a boy or a girl, I will love them all the same. What matters is that they grow up strong, healthy, and happy.”

Da Qiao’s smile widened, her heart swelling with love for her husband. ”You will make a wonderful father, Husband. I have no doubt about that, I have seen how to scared for your younger brothers and sister.”

Sun Ce reached out and took her hand, his expression thoughtful. ”I hope so. I want our child to grow up in a world that is safe and prosperous, where they can pursue their dreams without fear and have a stable life.”

As they sat together, Sun Ce couldn’t help but reflect on how much his life had changed since the Sun Clan had sworn secret allegiance to Lie Fan. The burden of leadership, which had once weighed heavily on his shoulders, had lessened considerably.

He no longer had to constantly worry about the future of the Sun Clan or the intricate web of political intrigue that came with being a lord. Lie Fan’s support had provided a sense of stability and security that allowed Sun Ce to focus on his family and his duties as a warrior.

Sun Ce sighed, his thoughts turning to the nature of the Sun Clan. ”You know,” he said, ”I sometimes think that the Sun Clan was never meant to be lords or emperors. We are warriors at heart, born to fight and uphold the code of honor and brotherhood. Politics and diplomacy have never been our strengths.”

Da Qiao nodded, her expression thoughtful. ”Perhaps that is true. But you have done well, Husband. You have led the Sun Clan with courage and integrity, living up to father in laws legacy, and that is something to be proud of.”

Sun Ce smiled, grateful for his wife’s words of encouragement. ”Thank you, my wife. Your support means everything to me.”

Their peaceful moment was interrupted by the arrival of a servant, who bowed deeply before speaking. ”My lord and my lady, I apologize for disturbing you, but the second young master, Sun Quan, is here to see you.”

Both Sun Ce and Da Qiao were surprised by the news. Sun Quan had been avoiding his brother and their father, Sun Jian, ever since the Sun Clan had sworn allegiance to Lie Fan. His sudden appearance was unexpected, and Sun Ce couldn’t help but wonder what had prompted his younger brother to visit.

”Bring him to the private living room,” Sun Ce instructed the servant. ”I will meet him there.”

The servant bowed and left, and Sun Ce turned to Da Qiao. ”I should go see what Zhongmou wants. Will you be alright here?”

Da Qiao nodded, her smile reassuring. ”Of course. Go and speak with your brother. I’ll stay here and enjoy the scenery.”

Sun Ce kissed her forehead before making his way to the private living room, where Sun Quan was waiting. When he entered, he saw his younger brother sitting at the table, sipping a cup of tea. Sun Quan stood up immediately upon seeing Sun Ce and greeted him with a respectful bow. ”Big Brother.”

Sun Ce smiled and embraced his younger brother warmly. ”Zhongmou, it’s good to see you. Please, sit.”

The two brothers took their seats, and Sun Ce poured himself a cup of tea. ”It’s been a while since we last spoke, you have been avoided me and Father,” Sun Ce said, his tone gentle but probing. ”What brings you here today?”

Sun Quan hesitated for a moment, his expression a mix of apology and determination. ”I needed time to process everything,” he admitted. ”The decision to swear allegiance to Lie Fan... it was a lot to take in. I admire Lie Fan and respect him greatly, but I couldn’t help but wonder if it was truly necessary for the Sun Clan to become his vassals. We are strong, and our domain is vast, our chances of uniting the land were third in line after Lie Fan who was first, and Cao Cao who was second. Could we not have stood on our own and pursued our own path?”

Sun Ce listened patiently, his expression calm and understanding. When Sun Quan finished, Sun Ce took a sip of his tea before responding. ”Zhongmou, you have always admired Brother Lie Fan and looked up to him. But have you truly seen the full extent of his capabilities? His advisors, generals, his army, and his navy, they are unmatched in the land. Even our own navy, which is the second strongest, cannot compare to his navy. His strength as a warrior is number one in the land, and let us not forget the many times Lie Fan has supported us. Without his help, our father might have died tens of years ago. I might have died due to poison if he hadn’t sent Hua Tuo and Zhang Zhongjing to treat my injuries. Much of what the Sun Clan has achieved today is thanks to Lie Fan’s support. You know this as well as I do.”

Sun Quan’s expression softened as he considered his brother’s words. ”I do,” he admitted. ”But it’s hard to let go of the idea that we could have been more, that we could have united the land under our own banner.”

Sun Ce placed a hand on his brother’s shoulder, his gaze steady and reassuring. ”I understand your feelings, Zhongmou. But sometimes, the path to greatness is not the one we envision for ourselves. By aligning with Lie Fan, we ensure the survival and prosperity of the Sun Clan. We may not be the ones to unite the land, but we can still play a crucial role in shaping its future. And who knows? Perhaps, in time, our descendants will achieve even greater things.”

Sun Quan sighed, his shoulders relaxing as he absorbed his brother’s words. ”You’re right, Big Brother. I suppose I needed to hear that from you. I’ve been so focused on what we could have been that I lost sight of what we are and what we can still become.”

Sun Ce smiled, his heart swelling with pride for his younger brother. ”You have always been the thinker of the family, Zhongmou. Your ambition and vision are what will guide the Sun Clan in the years to come. But remember, ambition must be tempered with wisdom and humility. Together, we will ensure that the Sun Clan remains strong and respected, no matter what the future holds.”

The two brothers spent the rest of the afternoon discussing their plans and aspirations, their bond stronger than ever. As the sun set and the stars began to twinkle in the night sky, Sun Ce felt that his brother had finally truly accepted what happened.

The next day, Sun Ce convened a meeting with his chief military advisors and generals, Zhou Yu, Cheng Pu, Han Dang, Huang Gai, and Zhu Zhi. The topic of discussion was a sensitive one, the reduction of the Sun Clan’s army, as per the agreement made with Lie Fan.

The goal was to bring the army’s numbers down to a range of 150,000 to 250,000 men, a size that would allow the Sun Clan to defend its territories efficiently without overextending its resources. However, this process had been fraught with challenges, and the meeting was tense from the outset.

Sun Ce sat at the head of the table, his expression calm but firm. Around him, the generals and advisors exchanged uneasy glances, their reluctance palpable. The Sun Clan’s army had once numbered between 500,000 and 600,000 men, a formidable force that had been built over years of struggle and sacrifice.

Reducing it by more than half was no small task, and the implications were far reaching. Immediate downsizing would lead to massive unemployment, creating a security risk as thousands of trained soldiers found themselves without livelihoods. The process had to be gradual, but even then, it was met with resistance.

Cheng Pu, one of the Sun Clan’s most seasoned generals, was the first to speak. ”My lord,” he began, his voice heavy with concern, ”while I understand the necessity of this reduction, I cannot help but worry about the consequences. Our soldiers are loyal and dedicated. To dismiss them so abruptly would not only destabilize our domain but also risk alienating those who have fought for us for years.”

Han Dang nodded in agreement. ”Cheng Pu speaks the truth, my lord. Many of these men have families to support. If we cast them aside, we risk creating unrest that could undermine our authority.”

Huang Gai, who was holding back his fiery temper, added, ”And what of our defenses, my lord? With fewer soldiers, we may struggle to protect our borders, especially if Shi Xie or Liu Bei decides to test our resolve.”

Zhu Zhi, the fourth general, remained silent but his expression mirrored the concerns of his colleagues. The reluctance of these four veterans had been a significant obstacle in the reduction process.

While they had not openly defied Sun Ce’s orders, they had used their influence to subtly slow down the implementation of the plan.

Sun Ce was well aware of their actions, but he had been hesitant to reprimand them harshly. These men were not just his generals, they were his elders and mentors who had fought alongside his father, Sun Jian, and had played a crucial role in the Sun Clan’s rise to power. Sun Ce respected them deeply, and the thought of alienating them weighed heavily on his mind.

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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