Reborn In The Three Kingdoms

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The challenges for him were immense, but he was ready to face them. For now, his focus was on the journey home and the task of conveying Goguryeo’s counterproposal to his lord. The decisions that followed would determine the course of history, and Li Wei knew that every step he took carried the weight of that responsibility.

As Li Wei and his guards hurriedly packed their belongings in their quarters, the urgency of their departure was palpable. The tension from the grand hall still lingered in the air, and Li Wei’s mind was preoccupied with the weight of the counterproposal he now carried.

He knew that every moment counted, and the sooner he returned to Xiapi, the sooner he could deliver Goguryeo’s response to Lord Lie Fan. The stakes were high, and the envoy was acutely aware that his lord’s patience was not infinite.

Just as they were finishing their preparations, a sharp knock echoed through the room. One of the guards moved to answer the door, revealing a man whose presence was as enigmatic as his appearance.

He was dressed in simple, unassuming clothing, but there was something about his demeanor that set him apart, a quiet intensity, a sense of purpose that made the guard hesitate. Before the guard could demand his identity, the man spoke, his voice low and measured.

”I am here to see Envoy Li Wei,” the man said, his tone calm but insistent.

The guard, trained to be cautious, narrowed his eyes. ”State your name and purpose,” he demanded, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.

The man, however, remained unfazed. ”I am Lord Lie Fan’s contact here in Goguryeo,” he replied, his words deliberate but vague. He offered no name, no further explanation, and the guard’s suspicion only deepened.

The commotion at the door drew Li Wei’s attention. He stepped forward, his expression a mixture of curiosity and caution. ”What is going on here?” he asked, his voice firm but calm.

The man’s eyes met Li Wei’s, and without a word, he reached into his robe and produced a small badge. It was an intricate piece of craftsmanship, bearing a logo that was unmistakable to those who knew its significance.

Li Wei’s eyes widened slightly as he recognized it, the emblem of the Oriole Agents, Lord Lie Fan’s most trusted network of spies and operatives.

For a moment, Li Wei stood frozen, his mind racing. The Oriole Agents were a shadowy presence, their reach extending far and wide across the land. They were the eyes and ears of Lord Lie Fan, tasked with gathering intelligence, eliminating threats, and ensuring that his will was carried out without question.

To encounter one here, in the heart of Goguryeo’s capital, was both a surprise and a reminder of the gravity of his mission.

”Leave us,” Li Wei said abruptly, his voice cutting through the tension. The guards, though confused by the sudden order, obeyed without hesitation. They filed out of the room, leaving Li Wei alone with the mysterious man.

Once the door closed behind them, the atmosphere in the room shifted. The man’s demeanor changed subtly, his posture relaxing as he stepped further into the room. ”Envoy Li Wei,” he began, his voice low and steady, ”I am here on behalf of Lord Lie Fan. My presence is not to interfere with your mission but to ensure its success.”

Li Wei nodded, his expression serious. ”I understand. What is it that you require of me?”

The man, now confirmed to be an Oriole Agent, wasted no time. ”You are to leave Gungnae immediately and make your way to Xiangping. Stay there until further notice. The counterproposal from Goguryeo, along with a detailed report of the events that transpired in the court, will be delivered to Lord Lie Fan by us. We have already recorded everything, every word, every gesture, every reaction. Lord Lie Fan will be fully informed.”

Li Wei’s brow furrowed as he processed the agent’s words. The idea of not delivering the counterproposal himself was unsettling. He had been entrusted with this mission, and the thought of handing it over to someone else, even an Oriole Agent, felt like a dereliction of duty. Yet, he also knew better than to question the orders of Lord Lie Fan’s most trusted operatives.

”Why Xiangping?” Li Wei asked, his voice tinged with curiosity. ”Why not return directly to Xiapi?”

The agent’s expression remained impassive. ”Xiangping is a strategic location with Governor Gongsun Gong at the helm. It allows us to monitor the situation in Goguryeo more closely while keeping you out of harm’s way. Lord Lie Fan values your service, Envoy Li Wei, and he does not wish to see you caught in the crossfire should tensions escalate.”

Li Wei nodded slowly, though a part of him still chafed at the idea of being sidelined. ”And what of the counterproposal? Do you believe Lord Lie Fan will consider it?”

The agent’s gaze was unwavering. ”That is not for me to speculate. Our role is to ensure that Lord Lie Fan has all the information he needs to make an informed decision. The rest is in his hands.”

There was a finality to the agent’s words that left no room for further discussion. Li Wei knew that his role in this matter was effectively over, at least for now.

He would follow the agent’s instructions, not out of fear, but out of loyalty to Lord Lie Fan and the understanding that the Oriole Agents operated with a level of precision and secrecy that was beyond his comprehension.

”Very well,” Li Wei said, at last, his voice resolute. ”I will leave for Xiangping at once. But tell me, what should I expect once I arrive?”

The agent’s expression softened slightly, though his tone remained businesslike. ”You will be met by one of our operatives in Xiangping and to u don’t need to meet with Governor Gongsun as we have informed your presence to him that needed to stay in secret. They will provide you with further instructions and ensure your safety. In the meantime, focus on maintaining a low profile. The situation in Goguryeo is volatile, and it is imperative that you remain unseen and unheard.”

Li Wei nodded again, his mind already shifting to the logistics of the journey ahead. ”Understood. I will prepare my guards for departure immediately.”

The agent inclined his head in acknowledgment. ”Safe travels, Envoy Li Wei. Lord Lie Fan’s plans depend on your cooperation.”

With that, the agent turned and left the room as quietly as he had arrived, leaving Li Wei alone with his thoughts. The encounter had been brief but impactful, a reminder of the intricate web of alliances and operations that underpinned Lord Lie Fan’s ambitions.

Li Wei knew that his role, though seemingly diminished, was still crucial. He was a piece in a much larger game, and every move he made had consequences.

As he gathered his guards and prepared to leave Gungnae, Li Wei couldn’t shake the feeling that the events of the past few days were merely the prelude to something far greater. The counterproposal, the Oriole Agents, and the tension in Goguryeo’s court, it all pointed to a looming conflict, one that would test the resolve and ingenuity of all involved.

The journey to Xiangping was uneventful, the roads quiet and the weather favorable. Li Wei and his guards moved with purpose, their pace steady but cautious. As they approached the city, Li Wei’s thoughts turned to the future.

What would Lord Lie Fan’s response be? Would he accept Goguryeo’s counterproposal, or would he see it as an act of defiance? And what role would Li Wei play in the events to come?

When they finally arrived in Xiangping, they were met by another Oriole Agent, just as the first had promised. The agent provided them with safe lodging and assured Li Wei that his presence would remain undisclosed. For now, all he could do was wait, wait for word from Lord Lie Fan, wait for the next move in this high stakes game of diplomacy and power.

As Li Wei settled into his temporary quarters, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease. The weight of the counterproposal, the presence of the Oriole Agents, and the uncertainty of the future all weighed heavily on his mind. Yet, amidst the uncertainty, there was also a glimmer of hope. He had done his part, and now it was up to Lord Lie Fan to decide the course of action.

Meanwhile, the Oriole Agents worked tirelessly to deliver the counterproposal and the detailed report to Lord Lie Fan. Their network was vast and efficient, and within more than a week, the documents were in the hands of Lie Fan at Xiapi.

Lie Fan’s quiet afternoon with his family was abruptly interrupted by the arrival of the Oriole Agents. The serene atmosphere of his residence, filled with the laughter of his children and the gentle chatter of Ying Yue, Diao Chan, Cai Wenji, and Lu Lingqi, was replaced by a sudden tension as the agents entered with the urgency of their mission.

The scroll they carried was no ordinary document, it was Goguryeo’s counterproposal, a response that Lie Fan had anticipated but not in the form it now took.

As the agents presented the scroll, Lie Fan’s expression shifted from one of familial warmth to the sharp focus of a ruler. He dismissed the agents with a nod, his mind already racing ahead to the implications of what he was about to read.

Sensing the gravity of the situation, Ying Yue gently ushered the children away, her eyes meeting Lie Fan’s briefly in a silent exchange of understanding. Diao Chan, Cai Wenji, and Lu Lingqi followed suit, their presence a calming influence as they guided the children to another part of the residence, leaving Lie Fan to his thoughts.

Alone in the room, Lie Fan unrolled the scroll, his eyes scanning the meticulously written characters. The counterproposal was detailed and nuanced, a far cry from the outright rejection he had half expected.

It proposed a gradual reduction of Goguryeo’s standing army, a phased implementation of the currency conversion, and the establishment of a joint council to oversee the Lie Clan Supervision Bureau. Additionally, it included a clause requesting military assistance from Lie Fan in the event of an external threat, a provision that caught him off guard.

Lie Fan’s initial surprise gave way to a deeper concern as he read further. The Oriole Agents’ accompanying report detailed the events that had transpired in Goguryeo’s court, the heated debates, the defiance of General Yeon Gaesomun, and King Sansang’s calculated move to present the counterproposal in a public forum.

More troubling was the revelation that Goguryeo had already begun reaching out to Baekje, Gaya, and Silla to form a united front against him. The situation was escalating faster than he had anticipated, and the stakes were higher than ever for him which could impact the plans he had in 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