Reborn In The Three Kingdoms

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As the captives were led away, the soldiers of Lie Fan’s army began the grim task of clearing the battlefield. The western gate, once a symbol of hope for Yuan Shao’s sons, now stood as a testament to their downfall. Back at the castle, Lie Fan and Lu Lingqi awaited the news of their capture. When Zhang Liao and Zhao Yun arrived with the prisoners, Lie Fan’s expression remained calm, though his eyes betrayed a flicker of satisfaction.

”The eldest and youngest sons of Yuan Shao,” he said quietly, addressing the bound brothers. ”Your father fell because of his hubris, and now you follow in his footsteps. You betrayed each other in your desperation to escape. Tell me, what legacy do you think you leave behind?”

Yuan Shang glared at him, defiant even in defeat. ”You may have won today, Lie Fan, but you are no different from us. You too will fall, just as we have.”

Lie Fan regarded him for a moment before turning to Yuan Tan. ”And you? Do you share your brother’s sentiments?”

Yuan Tan said nothing, his head bowed in shame.

Lie Fan sighed. ”Take them to the dungeons. Their fate will be decided once order has been truly restored on Zhongshan .”

As the brothers were led away, Lie Fan turned to his commanders. ”Zhongshan is ours, but the war is far from over. Send word to the people. We are here to bring stability, not destruction. Let them see that their lives will be better under our rule.” With those words, the Chapter of Yuan Shao’s legacy truly came to a close.

The fall of Yuan Shao and the capture of his sons marked the end of an era, in which the once-mighty Yuan clan was reduced to ashes. In the halls of Zhongshan, Lie Fan’s victory resonated, but he himself did not revel in triumph.

Instead, he focused on the weight of responsibility that came with it. As his generals and advisors worked tirelessly to restore order, his thoughts drifted to the south, wanting to know how Cao Cao would react when he heard the news.

To the north, the banners of Gongsun Gong fluttered proudly in the strong winds. His army of 120,000 men marched resolutely toward Ji after consolidating Beiping, a city that had once been a proud bastion of Yuan Shao’s northern domain.

The soldiers stationed at Ji, however, harbored no such pride. News of Yuan Shao’s defeat at Zhongshan had reached them in fragmented whispers, spreading doubt and fear. When Gongsun Gong’s forces arrived, they found the gates open, the defenders either surrendering outright or fleeing in haste.

The nobles and merchants within Ji initially greeted Gongsun Gong as a liberator, believing he came to claim the city for himself. For years, they had viewed the Gongsun clan as a northern rival to the Yuan family, a lesser power that had never posed a serious threat. Their surprise was palpable when Gongsun Gong declared that he served not his own ambitions, but the vision of Lie Fan.

The realization sent shockwaves through Ji’s political and social circles. For generations, the Yuan family had dominated the northern plains, their reach unchallenged. Now, not only had they been dethroned, but their northern rival which was looked down upon had pledged fealty to Lie Fan, the one that had crushed Yuan Shao’s armies with precision and ruthlessness.

Gongsun Gong wasted no time consolidating Ji for Lie Fan’s cause. He met with the city’s influential families, his tone one of measured authority. ”The chaos that plagued our lands is ending,” he proclaimed. ”Lord Lie Fan does not seek to plunder or exploit you. His vision is one of unity, of a stable and prosperous north. Those who align with him will prosper. Those who resist will share Yuan Shao’s fate.”

The nobles, wary but pragmatic, offered their allegiance. Merchants, ever attuned to shifting tides, quickly pledged their support, eager to secure favorable terms under the new administration. Within a matter of days, Ji had transformed from a stronghold of Yuan loyalty to a thriving center of Lie Fan’s growing influence.

To the south of Ji, the Zhuque and Xuanwu Armies, led by Taishi Ci and Zhang Chao, pressed their advance. After securing Ye, they had turned their attention to Henei, one of the last major towns still flying the Yuan banner. The people of Henei remained unaware of Yuan Shao’s downfall, clinging to the belief that their lord would rally his forces and reclaim the north.

Taishi Ci stood at the head of the Zhuque Army, his fiery red armor gleaming under the pale sun. Zhang Chao, more of the tactician, coordinated the movements of the Xuanwu Army, ensuring their advance was steady and disciplined. Together, they formed a formidable force, bolstered by the strategic insights of Bu Zhi and Zang Hong.

As they approached Henei, the defenders rallied, determined to hold their ground. The town’s governor, a loyal servant of the Yuan family, addressed his troops, his voice firm. ”The Yuan family has stood against countless threats. This is but another test of our resolve. Stand firm, and we shall prevail!”

However, the resolve of Henei’s defenders was no match for the strategic might of Bu Zhi and Liu Ba, Taishi Ci’s strength, and Zhang Chao’s coordination. The four of them worked together and employed a pincer strategy, surrounding the town and cutting off its supply lines. Skirmishes erupted along the outskirts, with Taishi Ci leading the charge, his twin halberds carving through enemy ranks with ease.

Inside the town, panic began to spread. The citizens, unaware of the true scope of the conflict, pleaded with the governor to surrender. ”We have families!” they cried. ”Do not sacrifice us for a lost cause!”

The governor, torn between loyalty and pragmatism, hesitated. This indecision proved fatal. On the fifth day of the siege, Zhang Chao’s forces breached the eastern gate, overwhelming the defenders. Taishi Ci led a simultaneous assault from the west, his presence a rallying cry for his troops.

By nightfall, Henei had fallen. The governor, captured and brought before Taishi Ci, knelt in defeat. ”I fought for my lord,” he said, his voice heavy with resignation. ”Now that he has fallen, I surrender to you. Please, spare the people.”

Taishi Ci nodded solemnly. ”Your loyalty is commendable, but the time for blind allegiance has passed. Serve the people now, and you may yet find redemption.”

With Henei subdued, the final remnants of Yuan Shao’s power crumbled. News of his death, along with the capture of Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang, spread rapidly across the land. Across the north, towns and villages that had once pledged loyalty to the Yuan family began to swear fealty to Lie Fan.

Meanwhile, in Luoyang, Cao Cao sat on his throne, the light from the grand hall’s lanterns casting shadows across his face. Around him stood his most trusted advisors, Guo Jia, Xun Yu, Cheng Yu, Jia Kui, and Xi Zhicai. The room buzzed with a mixture of urgency and triumph as reports were delivered one by one. Each advisor’s voice carried the weight of victory and the promise of consolidation.

Guo Jia was the first to speak, presenting a detailed report on the aftermath of their counteroffensive against Yuan Shao’s forces. ”My lord,” he began, his tone measured, ”we have captured over 150,000 of Yuan Shao’s soldiers. These men, while demoralized, could prove valuable if incorporated into our ranks. Additionally, they will serve as laborers to repair Luoyang’s walls, which suffered considerable damage during the siege led by Yan Liang and Wen Chou.”

Cao Cao nodded, his piercing eyes scanning the parchment Guo Jia handed him. ”A wise use of resources. Ensure that those who show loyalty are treated fairly. We must turn enemies into allies where we can. What of the counterattack?”

Xun Yu stepped forward, his calm demeanor exuding confidence. ”Xiahou Yuan and Yue Jin led a force of 100,000 to aid Zhang He, Gao Lan, and Zhang Yan. They are working to secure Zhang Yan’s former domain, which had been absorbed by Yuan Shao when Zhang Yan surrendered to him. Tian Feng and Xu You are overseeing the bureaucratic transition in Shangdang, ensuring the towns and villages pledge allegiance to you.”

Cao Cao’s expression softened, a rare moment of satisfaction crossing his features. ”Good. Yuan Shao’s collapse has left a power vacuum, but we will fill it swiftly. The people must see that we bring order, not chaos.”

As Xun Yu finished, a sudden commotion erupted outside the hall. The heavy doors burst open, and a messenger, his armor dusted with the dirt of long travel, hurried inside. The guards moved to intercept him, but Cao Cao raised a hand, signaling them to let the man pass.

The messenger dropped to one knee, his voice trembling with urgency. ”My lord! News from the north! Yuan Shao is dead! Lie Fan has claimed victory, seizing all of Yuan Shao’s territories except for Zhang Yan’s former domain, which belongs to you, my lord.”

A murmur rippled through the hall. Though the news was momentous, Cao Cao and his advisors remained composed. They had anticipated this outcome when Yuan Shao foolishly launched his full force against Luoyang, leaving the rest of his domain vulnerable.

Cao Cao leaned forward, his fingers steepled beneath his chin. ”So, it has come to pass. Yuan Shao’s hubris was his undoing. Lie Fan...” He paused, a hint of admiration creeping into his voice. ”He moves swiftly and decisively, like a tiger seizing its prey. But his ambitions will clash with ours before long.”

Guo Jia smirked. ”Lie Fan’s victory is impressive, but it also spreads his forces thin. The north is vast, and consolidating it will not be easy. If he falters, we must be ready to act.”

”Indeed,” Xun Yu added. ”For now, we should solidify our hold on Zhang Yan’s domain and integrate it fully into our administration. Stability in our territories will be our greatest weapon against any potential offense on Lie Fan.”

Cao Cao’s eyes gleamed. ”Proceed with all haste. We must remain vigilant. Send emissaries to the surrounding regions, spreading word of Yuan Shao’s defeat and our role in securing peace. The people must see us as their protectors.”

As the advisors dispersed to carry out their orders, Cao Cao remained seated, his thoughts turning inward. The demise of Yuan Shao marked the end of an era, but it also heralded the increase of his other rival power.

With Yuan Shao’s death, Lie Fan now loomed large in his mind as he is the only rival he had. Cao Cao had long recognized in him a kindred spirit, a man driven by ambition and an unyielding will to achieve greatness. Their paths would inevitably cross, and when they did, the outcome would shape the fate of the land.

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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