Reborn In The Three Kingdoms

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Yuan Shao relied on his overwhelming numbers and his sons’ ability to execute his plans. Cao Cao placed his faith in his disciplined troops and the wisdom of his advisors. And Lie Fan, the quiet manipulator, watched and waited, ready to capitalize on the chaos that would inevitably follow the clash of titans.

As the situation in the North was a powder keg waiting to blow up, Meanwhile, the situation in the south-central region of the land was a brewing storm, overshadowed by the larger conflict in the north.

Inside the imposing Governor’s Castle in Xiangyang, Liu Bei sat on his throne, surrounded by his closest advisors and sworn brothers. The atmosphere in the room was tense as Kuai Liang, Kuai Yue, Wang Xiu, and Ju Shou debated alongside Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and General Sun Guan about an ambitious and controversial plan, the fate of Lingling.

The Lingling agreement, established months earlier, had been a precarious arrangement between Liu Bei, Shi Xie, and Sun Ce, intended to foster mutual control over the territory and its resources. However, Liu Bei’s true ambitions had simmered beneath the surface. He now saw Lingling not as a shared holding but as a critical piece of his strategy to expand his power and eventually launch an offensive against Shi Xie.

Yet Liu Bei, ever mindful of the image he had cultivated as a paragon of virtue and benevolence, could not afford to openly display greed or ambition. His sworn brothers, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, as well as his retainers, had come to believe deeply in the moral ideals he projected. To maintain their loyalty, Liu Bei cloaked his desires in the language of righteousness.

”We cannot ignore the plight of the people in Lingling,” Liu Bei began, his voice steady and filled with feigned sorrow. ”The shared governance has left the land fragmented, and the people suffer under divided rule. As protectors of the Han, it is our duty to bring order and stability.”

Kuai Liang and Kuai Yue, hearing what Liu Bei had just said, exchanged uneasy glances. Kuai Liang stepped forward, bowing slightly before speaking. ”My lord, while your concern for the people is noble, the agreement has not yet reached its first anniversary. If we are the ones to break it, others will see us as untrustworthy. It could tarnish your reputation, which has been built on justice and virtue.”

Kuai Yue added, ”Lord Liu Bei, if we are perceived as opportunists, it will erode the trust others have placed in us. Even the people might begin to doubt our intentions, whether my lord truly cares about their plight or not.”

Their words resonated with Guan Yu and Zhang Fei. Guan Yu, ever mindful of honor, nodded solemnly. ”Big brother, Master Kuai Liang and Kuai Yue speak wisely. We have always stood for righteousness. Breaking the agreement now, even with good intentions, could cast us in a dishonorable light and ruin your reputation.”

Zhang Fei, fiery and impulsive, added some words as well, ”We can’t let anyone think we’re the same as those scheming warlords, big brother. If the agreement has to end, it shouldn’t be by our hands.”

Liu Bei, hearing the dissent, struggled to contain his frustration. His ambition screamed for action, but outwardly he maintained his practiced demeanor of humility and concern.

Adopting a sorrowful expression, he sighed deeply. ”I understand your concerns, my brothers and advisors. It pains me to see the suffering of the people while we remain bound by this agreement. But I shall abide by your wisdom.”

Ju Shou, at this time, stepped forward, his mind already racing to find a solution. ”My lord,” he said with a measured tone, ”if we cannot openly break the agreement, then perhaps we can lead others to do so for us. Shi Xie, in particular, might be persuaded to act against our mutual accord, unwittingly, of course.”

All eyes turned to Ju Shou. Guan Yu frowned but said nothing, while Zhang Fei crossed his arms, clearly skeptical. Liu Bei, however, leaned forward with interest. ”Explain your idea, Ju Shou.”

Ju Shou continued, ”Through subtle intrigue, we could influence Shi Xie to take an action that violates the agreement. For example, if rumors were to spread that Sun Ce intended to seize Lingling entirely for himself, it might provoke Shi Xie into defensive measures that contravene the pact. Alternatively, if we could sow dissent within Shi Xie’s ranks, his forces might act in ways that seem aggressive toward Lingling.”

Kuai Liang frowned, his unease evident. ”This path is fraught with danger, Master Ju Shou. If we are discovered to be the instigators, it could backfire and there’s nothing we could do to salvage our lord’s reputation.”

Ju Shou smiled faintly. ”Which is why we must be meticulous. Shi Xie already has tensions with Sun Ce, we merely need to give those tensions a slight nudge. With the right rumors and subtle provocations, we can ensure that any disruption appears to originate from him, not us.”

Liu Bei’s expression softened into one of thoughtful agreement. ”You have given me much to consider, Master Ju Shou. If this can be done delicately and without risk to our reputation, it may be the solution we seek to alleviate the suffering of the people. Begin laying the groundwork, but proceed with utmost caution.”

As the meeting concluded, Liu Bei’s sworn brothers remained skeptical but ultimately trusted their elder brother’s judgment. Kuai Liang and Kuai Yue, while uneasy, began drafting contingency plans should the intrigue unravel. Ju Shou alongside Wang Xiu, meanwhile, retreated to begin crafting his web of deception.

Far to the south, Shi Xie remained unaware of the plots brewing against him. His court in Jiaozhi was focused on strengthening trade and fortifications, unaware that spies and provocateurs had already begun infiltrating his domain. Rumors of Sun Ce’s ambitions reached his ears, planting seeds of doubt in his mind about the stability of the Lingling pact.

Sun Ce, for his part, was equally oblivious to the machinations. Having secured his alliance with Lie Fan, he concentrated on consolidating Jiangdong, ensuring that the reforms introduced by Lie Fan’s agricultural experts would take root. His advisors, the Four Pillars, Zhou Yu, Zhang Zhao, Zhang Hong, and Huan Jie didn’t notice the growing tension in Lingling as their mind was fully focused on implementing the agricultural innovation across Jiangdong.

To the west of Liu Bei’s domain, in Yi Province, tensions were reaching a boiling point within the walls of Chengdu. The grand hall of Liu Zhang’s Governor’s Castle was filled with heated debate, the air thick with the sounds of voices raised in argument.

Zhang Wei and Wang Shang, who had wielded significant power as regents during Liu Zhang’s early rule, found themselves under siege. For years, they had maintained control, citing the young ruler’s inexperience. However, their grip on power was being eroded, piece by piece, by a coalition of reformists led by Zhang Song, Fa Zheng, and Meng Da.

Unbeknownst to many, these reformists had the covert backing of Lie Fan. His Oriole agents had infiltrated Yi Province, subtly shifting allegiances and undermining Zhang Wei and Wang Shang’s authority. For Lie Fan, destabilizing the old guard in Yi Province was a strategic maneuver.

With Liu Zhang firmly in power and having supporters inside that aligned with Lie Fan, Yi Province could become a stable land and ripe for the taking in the future, securing his grip inside Yi Province and ensuring Liu Bei wouldn’t have any chance to slip inside Yi Province in the future.

The debate inside Liu Zhang’s court had raged for hours. Zhang Song, who had proven himself to be an eloquent orator, stood at the forefront of the reformists, his voice clear and persuasive as he took control of the debate and the attention of everyone in the hall.

”My lords,” Zhang Song began, his sharp eyes scanning the room, ”we stand at a pivotal moment in the history of Yi Province. Lord Liu Zhang is no longer the young clueless man of the past. He has demonstrated wisdom and capability in his decisions. The people of Yi Province call for stability, for a ruler who leads not through regents but by his own hand. It is time to dissolve the regency of Zhang Wei and Wang Shang.”

A ripple of agreement ran through the reformist faction. Fa Zheng stepped forward, adding his voice to the argument. ”Indeed, my lords. The continuation of this regency undermines the legitimacy of our Governor. The people do not revere the regents, they revere lord Liu Zhang. How can we expect loyalty and prosperity when their true leader’s authority is shackled by those who claim to guide and teach him?”

Wang Shang, his face flushed with anger, slammed his hand on the pillar beside him. ”How dare you question our motives? Everything we have done has been for the stability and prosperity of Yi Province! Lord Liu Zhang himself has never once requested the dissolution of our regency. Do you presume to speak for him?”

Meng Da, calm but firm, replied, ”Governor Liu Zhang’s silence may stem from respect for tradition or fear of offending those who have long held power. But this time we must ask ourselves, are we serving our lord, or are we serving ourselves? The time for change is now and must be done immediately.”

Zhang Wei, sensing that his position was slipping, turned to Liu Zhang, who sat at the head of the chamber, trying to act confident even though his timidness could be seen through the naked eye. ”My lord, speak! Tell these men that you value our guidance, that our experience is what keeps Yi Province strong and going the way it is.”

Liu Zhang, who had remained silent for most of the debate, afraid that the attention would be on him, was surprised when he was called out and all the brave front he tried to act was shattered.

Looking around, he saw Zhang Song who had gained his trust nod his head to him and tried to call him down, and it worked, where after he calmed down, Liu Zhang finally spoke.

His voice was low and somewhat trembling but carried an undercurrent of resolve that he found from Zhao Song’s nod. ”M-master Zhang Wei and M-master Wang Shang, your service to my family has been invaluable, and I respect all you have done. But times have changed. I am no longer the boy who needed your protection and g-guidance. I am ready to lead Yi Province with my own vision.”

The chamber erupted into murmurs. Zhang Wei and Wang Shang exchanged uneasy glances, their power slipping away with every word from Liu Zhang. Zhang Song, Fa Zheng, and Meng Da seized the moment, pressing their advantage. While the debate played out in Chengdu, Lie Fan’s Oriole agents continued their work behind the scenes.

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Name: Lie Fan

Title: Overlord Of The Central Plains

Age: 32 (199 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