Reborn In The Three Kingdoms

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Lie Fan’s gaze hardened, his tone unwavering. ”I seek the downfall of Yuan Shao and the unification of the north under a banner of stability and prosperity. You three have seen firsthand the decay within his court. His inability to lead, his arrogance, his favoritism to the likes of you three and others, all of it has brought ruin to his once-great army and domain. I need your knowledge to dismantle his remaining power and bring this war to an end.”

Feng Ji, his voice cautious, asked, ”And what of our families? Will they truly be safe?”

Lie Fan nodded. ”Your families are already under the protection of my men. Should you choose to aid me, they will be given land and security far from Yuan Shao’s reach. Should you refuse... well, I trust you understand the risks of returning to his court.”

The three advisors exchanged glances, the weight of their decision evident. Finally, Shen Pei stepped forward. ”If what you say is true, then we have no choice but to follow you. Yuan Shao’s downfall is inevitable, and we would rather be on the side of history that survives.”

Lie Fan smiled, his expression one of satisfaction. ”Then we are in agreement. Together, we will bring an end to Yuan Shao’s reign over the north.”

In the days that followed, the camp buzzed with renewed purpose. The knowledge provided by the three advisors proved invaluable as Lie Fan, Sima Yi, and Xun You refined their strategy.

Maps were redrawn, weak points in Zhongshan’s defenses identified, and plans set into motion. The Qilin, Qinlong, and Baihu armies prepared to march once more, their pause now understood as the calm before the storm.

As the first light of dawn broke over the plains, Lie Fan stood before his assembled troops, his voice carrying across the ranks. ”Today, we march to end Yuan Shao’s reign. Today, we march for unity, for justice, and for the future of this land!”

The soldiers erupted into cheers, their confidence in their leader unshaken.

With Guo Tu, Feng Ji, and Shen Pei now firmly in his camp, Lie Fan’s path to victory seemed clearer than ever. But in the shadows of Zhongshan, Yuan Shao, unaware of the treachery within his ranks, prepared for a battle he could not hope to win.

Meanwhile, within the walls of Zhongshan, Yuan Xi stood resolutely in the makeshift central command center. The atmosphere was oppressive, a mix of urgency and desperation. Yuan Shao had placed the responsibility of defending Zhongshan squarely on his shoulders, giving him full authority to command what remained of their battered army.

The decision had rankled Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang, but they dared not voice their objections. They knew their father’s patience with them was threadbare, and any further discord would only worsen their precarious standing.

For Yuan Xi, however, this appointment was far from an honor. Resentment simmered in his heart. His father had not only blamed him for the catastrophic loss at Nanpi but had also failed to protect what mattered most to him, his wife Zhen Ji.

Her disappearance, orchestrated by the Zhen Clan, remained a mystery to all but the clan itself, and the emotional toll had hardened Yuan Xi. The warm, spirited man he once was had become cold, calculating, and unyielding.

Under his command, the remaining 200,000 soldiers of Yuan Shao’s once-mighty army were dispersed strategically across the vicinity of Zhongshan. Yuan Xi ordered massive collections of resources, from rations to gold, to sustain the army.

These requisitions, though essential for survival, devastated the people of Zhongshan and its surrounding regions. Families were left starving, businesses crumbled, and the seeds of rebellion began to take root among the populace. Yuan Shao’s advisors, alarmed by these measures, pleaded with him to reconsider.

”My lord,” Shen Rong, one of the few loyal advisors left, implored Yuan Shao during a council meeting. ”These actions will destroy what little goodwill remains among the people. Without their support, even victory will feel hollow.”

Yuan Shao’s gaunt face twisted in frustration. ”Goodwill does not win wars, Shen Rong! Resources and soldiers do. If we survive Lie Fan’s assault, the people will return to us in time. If we fail, none of this will matter.”

The room fell silent, the advisors exchanging uneasy glances. Yuan Shao’s once-proud demeanor now carried an air of desperation. Shen Rong bowed his head, retreating into the shadows of the hall.

Meanwhile, in the camp of Lie Fan, the mood was vastly different. Victory after victory had solidified his army’s morale, and the addition of Guo Tu, Feng Ji, and Shen Pei to his ranks gave them a strategic advantage.

The three former Yuan advisors had quickly proven their worth, providing detailed intelligence on Zhongshan’s defenses and Yuan Xi’s disposition. Lie Fan, flanked by Sima Yi and Xun You, stood before a massive map of Zhongshan and its surroundings. The three advisors hovered nearby, offering their insights.

”Yuan Xi will definitely station his troops across the city’s perimeter,” Shen Pei began, tracing his finger along the map. ”His forces are spread thin, which makes them vulnerable to concentrated attacks. However, since he come from Nanpi, he had turned cold and unyielding nature which means he will not hesitate to sacrifice his men to hold key positions.”

Feng Ji added, ”The move that Yuan Xi had taken which was a massive requisitioning of resources has created unrest among the populace. If we exploit this, we can turn the people against him.”

Guo Tu’s lips curled into a sly smile. ”Sabotage and psychological warfare will break their morale before we even step foot inside the city.”

Lie Fan nodded, his expression thoughtful. ”Good. We will divide our forces into three divisions, the Qilin Army will lead the frontal assault, the Qinlong Army will target supply depots and weaken their logistical support, and the Baihu Army will infiltrate the city from the secret entrance, inciting rebellion among the people.”

Sima Yi’s sharp mind seized on a key detail. ”My lord, we must also ensure that Yuan Xi cannot consolidate his forces. Striking simultaneously across multiple fronts will force him into a reactive position.”

Lie Fan’s gaze swept across the room, landing on each of his head generals. ”Prepare the men. At dawn, we march to end Yuan Shao’s reign once and for all.”

As the first light of dawn pierced the horizon, Lie Fan’s army moved with precision. The Qilin Army, led by Lie Fan himself with his wife Lu Lingqi at his side, advanced toward the main gates of Zhongshan, their banners billowing in the wind.

The Qinlong Army, under the command of Huang Zhong, moved themselves to strike at the city’s supply lines, setting fires to granaries and intercepting caravans. The Baihu Army under Dian Wei’s lead, prepared themselves to find the right opportunity to enter the secret entrance, to slip into the city under the cover of darkness, and sowe discord among the already discontented populace.

Yuan Xi stood atop the walls of Zhongshan, his eyes fixed on the horizon as Lie Fan’s army approached. The sight was both awe-inspiring and terrifying, a sea of soldiers stretching as far as the eye could see, their banners fluttering like waves in a storm.

Beside him stood his older brother Yuan Tan and younger brother Yuan Shang. Unlike Yuan Xi, whose expression remained stoic, the other two were visibly panicked. Their faces betrayed a mix of fear and desperation, the weight of the impending battle crushing their composure.

”We’re doomed,” Yuan Shang muttered, his voice trembling. ”This army... it’s larger and more disciplined than even Cao Cao’s forces when they counterattacked us at Luoyang. How can we possibly stand against this?”

Yuan Tan paced nervously, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword. ”We need a strategy, a way to hold them off. But how? Our generals are no match for the likes of Lie Fan’s men. He has the finest strategists and warriors in the land.”

Yuan Xi listened to their frantic exchange in silence, his gaze unwavering. His brothers’ words were not without merit, but their fear disgusted him. Finally, he spoke, his tone cutting through their chatter like a blade.

”Enough,” Yuan Xi said coldly. ”We will defend Zhongshan to the end of our lives. This city is our last stronghold, and we have a duty to protect it. If we die here, so be it. Better to fall with honor than to live as cowards.”

Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang turned to him, their eyes wide with disbelief. Yuan Tan was the first to speak, his voice incredulous. ”You’re mad! Do you truly mean to throw your life away for a lost cause? There’s no honor in dying when we could flee and live to fight another day.”

Yuan Shang nodded vehemently. ”He’s right! We still have so much to live for. To throw it all away now would be foolish.”

Yuan Xi’s gaze hardened as he turned to face them fully. ”You speak of living, but what kind of life would it be? Wandering as fugitives, disgraced and dishonored? If you’re so eager to abandon your responsibilities, then go. But know this, I will not forgive such cowardice.”

The words hung in the air, heavy with finality. Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang exchanged uneasy glances, their resolve wavering. Despite their protests, they knew Yuan Xi was right, to abandon Zhongshan now would be to forfeit their legacy and any hope of redemption.

As the brothers argued, Lie Fan’s army advanced steadily. The Qilin Army, led by Lie Fan himself, approached the main gates with precision, their movements a testament to their discipline. Beside Lie Fan rode his wife, Lu Lingqi, her fierce determination mirroring his own. She carried the halberd of her late father with ease, her presence a source of inspiration to the troops.

Behind them, the Qinlong Army, commanded by Huang Zhong, executed their mission with ruthless efficiency. Supply depots were set ablaze, and caravans intercepted, leaving Zhongshan’s defenders scrambling to mitigate the damage.

Meanwhile, the Baihu Army, under Dian Wei’s leadership, began their covert infiltration. Disguised as commoners, they moved through the secret entrance, preparing to incite rebellion within the city.

At the heart of the operation, Lie Fan’s command tent buzzed with activity. Sima Yi and Xun You stood over a detailed map of Zhongshan, coordinating the multi-pronged assault. Guo Tu, Feng Ji, and Shen Pei hovered nearby, their knowledge of the city’s defenses proving invaluable.

”Yuan Xi is no fool,” Shen Pei remarked, his tone cautious. ”He’ll anticipate a frontal assault and reinforce the main gates. We must exploit his rigidity.”

Feng Ji nodded. ”The unrest among the populace is our key advantage. If we can fan the flames of discontent, Zhongshan will collapse from within.”

Guo Tu’s sly smile returned. ”And once his people turn against him, Yuan Xi will find himself isolated. Even his brothers will abandon him.”

Lie Fan’s gaze swept across his advisors, his mind absorbing their counsel. ”Then we proceed as planned. The Qilin Army will draw their attention, the Qinlong Army will cripple their supplies, and the Baihu Army will incite rebellion. Together, we will end this.”

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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