Reborn In The Three Kingdoms

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At dawn, Lie Fan stood in the grand hall of Xiangyang’s governor’s mansion, now his command center. Around him was Zhang Chao, Zang Feng, Zhuge Liang, Pang Tong, Xu Shu, Zhao Yun, Huang Chao, and the newly sworn Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, awaited the day’s orders. Then the doors opened, and the Kuai brothers entered, followed by their companions.

Kuai Liang stepped forward and bowed deeply, followed by the others who follow suit in bowing. ”Lord Lie Fan, we have come to accept you invitation and pledge our allegiance to you.”

Lie Fan’s smile was genuine. ”Raise everyone. Your wisdom and strength will be a great asset to my court and consolidating Jing Province under our rule.”

One by one, the others also pledge their service, Cang Xiu, Liao Hua, Chen Dao, Sun Guan, Wang Xiu, each swearing oath of allegiance. Lie Fan also use this as chance to see the stats of everyone using the Eye of Erlang Shen, except for Cang Xiu who will returned becoming an Oriole Agent.

• Kuai Liang

INT: 721 WIS: 87 VIT: 63 CHR: 83

• Kuai Yue

INT: 709 WIS: 79 VIT: 68 CHR: 80

• Wang Xiu

INT: 589 WIS: 72 VIT: 74 CHR: 70

• Liao Hua

STR: 569 VIT: 82 AGI: 85 INT: 64

• Chen Dao

STR: 587 VIT: 80 AGI: 73 INT: 74

• Sun Guan

STR: 461 VIT: 70 AGI: 63 INT: 71

As the last oath was spoken, Lie Fan also finished using the Eye of Erlang Shen, hiding the satisfaction of the stats from showing in his expression, clasped his hands behind his back. ”Now, we will discuss our next course of action.”

He turned to Zhuge Liang. ”Kongming, draft a proclamation. Xiangyang is under new rule, but its people will not suffer for it. Taxes will be lowered for the next harvest season. Corrupt officials will be purged.”

Zhuge Liang nodded. ”It will be done, my lord.”

Next, to Pang Tong. ”Shiyuan, oversee the preparation of our logistics. I want the Qilin Army and Xuanwu Armu to ready march to the southern part of Jing Province at any time, and taking down the remaining of Liu Bei’s influence in this world.”

Pang Tong grinned. ”I will ensure our logistics are ready, my lord.”

Then Lie Fan addressed Guan Yu and Zhang Fei. ”General Guan Yu and General Zhang Fei, the two of you will lead the vanguard of the Qilin Army, just think of this as your first platform in showcasing your talent.

Guan Yu inclined his head. ”As you command, my lord.”

Zhang Fei cracked his knuckles. ”About time we got to work, I got some pent up anger needed to be unleashed.”

After that, Lie Fan turned to Kuai Liang and Kuai Yue, his eyes calm but intent, the weight of leadership sitting well on his shoulders. ”Gentlemen,” he said, his voice steady but with a subtle gravity that filled the hall, ”once Liu Bei’s remaining influence is purged from Jing Province, I will entrust the governance of this land to you both.”

A heavy silence followed.

Kuai Liang and Kuai Yue exchanged glances, their eyes wide, momentarily speechless. Lie Fan’s words had struck them like thunderclaps. After all the years they had spent navigating the precarious waters of court politics, their talents used yet kept at arm’s length by both Liu Biao and Liu Bei, this sudden offer of trust was overwhelming.

Kuai Liang stepped forward, his voice thick with emotion. ”My lord... we are honored beyond words. Never before have we received such faith from any lord we’ve served. We were always advisors in the shadows, but now—”

Kuai Yue continued his brother’s thought, ”—now, you would place the future of Jing Province in our hands. We vow not to betray the trust you have placed in us.”

Lie Fan offered a small but warm smile. ”Your understanding of this land, its people, and its rhythms far surpasses mine. Jing Province needs stability, not tyranny. It will flourish under hands that know it well.”

As the Kuai brothers bowed once more, this time with tears glinting in their eyes, the rest of the court murmured in approval. The loyalty earned through genuine faith always ran deeper than that gained through fear.

Lie Fan then turned to Chen Dao and Sun Guan. ”General Chen Dao and General Sun Guan, the two have shown commendable spirit and discipline. From this day forward, you will serve as generals under the Xuanwu Army. Zhang Chao and Zang Feng will be your commanders. Learn from them, and help carry this army to new heights.”

Chen Dao bowed deeply, his posture crisp. ”I will give my all to uphold the honor of the Xuanwu Army, my lord.”

Sun Guan followed suit. ”Thank you for this opportunity, my lord. I will not disappoint.”

Then Lie Fan’s gaze fell upon Liao Hua. ”General Liao Hua, I assign you a critical role, which was to act as the military commander under the Kuai brothers. You will be in charge of keeping Xiangyang safe and the larger province secure while they administer civil affairs.”

Liao Hua pounded his fist against his chest. ”Consider it done. I will protect them and the people of Jing Province with my life.”

With these appointments solidified, the air in the grand hall had changed. A moment later, a guard stepped into the hall and bowed. ”My lord, Liu Bei has been brought up from the dungeon, as you ordered before.”

Lie Fan nodded. ”Bring him in.”

Two guards escorted Liu Bei into the room. His once proud frame now hunched, hands were bound, his fine robes replaced by tattered prisoner’s garb, and his once proud eyes now burned with a maddened fury.

But when he entered and saw who stood before him, Kuai Liang, Kuai Yue, Wang Xiu, Cang Xiu, Liao Hua, Chen Dao, and Sun Guan, his face twisted into something between disbelief and mocking laughter.

He threw his head back and cackled maniacally. ”So it’s true! I knew it! My accusations were true after all! All of you... traitors! Worms dressed as men! You feasted at my table and now lick the boots of Lie Fan!”

Cang Xiu didn’t flinch. Neither did Wang Xiu nor the others. They stood silently, their expressions resolute.

Kuai Liang’s voice was calm. ”You mistook our counsel for blind loyalty, Liu Bei. You never trusted us, only used us. This land needs a leader who does not fear the strength of his allies. You betrayed yourself.”

Liu Bei let out a hollow laugh. ”Spare me your righteous speeches. You knelt to him the moment it suited you!”

Kuai Yue shook his head. ”We knelt to a man who does not rule with deception. A man who does not strike his own wife or starve his people for personal gain. We serve Jing Province, not your ego.”

Liu Bei sneered. ”And for that, you’ve sided with a child! You think he is any different? Lie Fan is no saint! He is a conqueror, just like me! No even worse than me!”

Before more words could be exchanged, Lie Fan raised a hand, silencing the room.

”Enough.”

His voice, though calm, cut through the room like a blade.

Liu Bei turned his glare toward him. ”Ah, the mighty Lord Lie Fan speaks. Tell me, how does it feel to sit on a throne built on the backs of traitors?”

Lie Fan leaned forward slightly, his eyes cold. ”This is not a debate, Liu Bei. This is your trial.”

He stepped down from the dais and stood just a few paces before Liu Bei.

”Liu Xuande,” he began, using Liu Bei’s courtesy name, ”you are accused of inciting rebellion, misleading the people, executing loyal officials, and attempting to plunge Jing Province into chaos. Today, justice shall be served. I, Lie Fan, shall act as judge.”

Liu Bei’s jaw clenched. ”I deny those accusations. Everything I did, I did for power. Just as you do. The only difference is that I lost, and you won.”

Lie Fan’s gaze didn’t waver. ”Then you admit your guilt.”

Liu Bei scoffed. ”You think yourself worthy to judge me? I am a descendant of the Han!”

”So you always claimed,” Lie Fan replied sharply. ”But your deeds betray the blood you so proudly flaunt. Blood alone does not make a just man. Actions do.”

Lie Fan continued. ”You abandoned your people when they needed you most. You twisted loyalty into chains and shackled your followers with false hope. You, Liu Bei, have become what you once claimed to hate.”

Liu Bei’s defiance was still evident in his posture, but something in his eyes wavered and he tried to hide it.

”You had the chance to build something noble,” Lie Fan said, softer now. ”But you chose ambition over compassion.”

The silence lingered. Then Lie Fan raised his hand again.

”This court finds Liu Bei guilty of his crimes. The sentence is death.”

Liu Bei’s defiance didn’t fade. ”Then do it. Strike me down. But know this, my name will outlive me. And one day, someone will rise to finish what I started.”

Lie Fan’s expression remained impassive. ”Perhaps. But that is a problem for another time.”

He turned to the guards. ”Take him away.”

As the guards seized Liu Bei, he suddenly thrashed, his voice rising to a scream.

”YOU WILL ALL REGRET THIS!” His words echoed through the hall as he was dragged out, his curses fading into the distance.

Liu Bei was brought into the execution ground, which was in the central square of Xiangyang, and when the people of Xiangyang saw the man they once revered, the supposed paragon of benevolence, virtue, and righteousness, now revealed as a liar, a manipulator, and a tyrant, the air shifted with venomous disbelief.

Word had spread like wildfire through the streets and alleyways. Families abandoned their morning meals. Vendors left their stalls unmanned.

Even the elderly hobbled out to see the fall of the man who had ruled them in deceit. Liu Bei’s hands were still bound as he was dragged to the central stone platform where criminals met judgment.

His once regal bearing was reduced to a pitiful, haggard frame wrapped in the soiled garb of a prisoner. The disheveled state of his beard and hair only added to the sight of a man already toppled.

As he was forced to kneel at the center of the square, the murmurs of the crowd erupted into a cacophony of fury.

”Liar!”

”You starved us!”

”You let our sons die in your wars!”

”Rot in hell, Liu Bei!”

One by one, voices rose into a chorus of rage. Rotten vegetables and spoiled eggs began to rain from the crowd.

A half eaten turnip struck him on the cheek. A cabbage leaf slapped wetly against his chest. Still he held his head high, sneering at the crowd as though their scorn did not matter. He tried to shout back, something about legacy, about being misunderstood, but his voice was drowned beneath the jeers.

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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