Reborn In The Three Kingdoms

If you want to read 20 Chapters ahead and more, be sure to check out my Patreon!!!

Go to https://www.patreon.com/Tang12

___________________________

The nobles and officials who received these letters were a mix of those who had already aligned themselves with Lie Fan and those who had been coerced into compliance. For some, the appointments were a reward for their loyalty, for others, they were a reminder that the consequences of defiance will be very harsh. But one thing was very clear, their future would be bright as long gas they follow Lie Fan.

Finally, Mo Du and Dal Gae began preparations for the ceremony to appoint Li Wei as the head of the Lie Clan Supervision Bureau. The event was to be a grand affair, attended by the most influential figures in Goguryeo. It was both a celebration of Lie Fan’s victory and a stark reminder of the kingdom’s subjugation. The ceremony would mark the official beginning of the bureau’s operations, and with it, the consolidation of Lie Fan’s control over Goguryeo.

As the preparations continued, King Sansang remained in his chambers, his thoughts consumed by the future. He knew that the establishment of the bureau was a significant blow, but he refused to let it break him. He would bide his time, waiting for the right moment to strike back. The letters and envoys he had sent to Baekje, Gaya, and Silla were his lifeline, his only hope of building an alliance that could challenge Lie Fan’s dominance.

Then three days passed by in the blink of an eye, and now the air in Gungnae was thick with a strange, oppressive energy, a mix of forced celebration and underlying despair. The city, once a vibrant hub of Goguryeo’s culture and power, now bore the weight of its subjugation.

The streets were adorned with banners and decorations, but the festive atmosphere felt hollow, as if the people were merely going through the motions. The appointment ceremony of Li Wei as the head of the Lie Clan Supervision Bureau was about to begin, and while the event was meant to symbolize a new era of stability and order, it was also a stark reminder of Goguryeo’s fall from grace.

Inside the palace, the atmosphere was equally tense. The grand hall, where the ceremony would take place, was filled with the most influential figures in Goguryeo, nobles, officials, and military leaders who had either aligned themselves with Lie Fan or been coerced into compliance.

The room buzzed with quiet conversations, the attendees exchanging uneasy glances and hushed words. For some, this was a moment of triumph, a chance to solidify their positions under Lie Fan’s new order. For others, it was a bitter acknowledgment of defeat, a painful reminder that their kingdom’s fate was no longer in their hands.

In a private chamber adjacent to the grand hall, Li Wei stood before a large mirror, adjusting his ceremonial robes. The attire was a deliberate blend of Han and Goguryeo styles, a symbolic gesture meant to represent the merging of the two cultures under Lie Fan’s rule.

The robes were richly embroidered, with intricate patterns that reflected both the elegance of Han design and the boldness of Goguryeo tradition. Li Wei examined his reflection, a faint smile playing on his lips. Today was the culmination of long planning and maneuvering, and he intended to savor every moment.

Sima Yi stood nearby, his expression calm but observant. He had been invited to the ceremony as a witness and representative of Lie Fan, a role he accepted with his usual air of quiet confidence.

Dressed in his own formal attire, Sima Yi exuded an aura of authority, his sharp eyes taking in every detail of the preparations. He knew that this ceremony was more than just a formality, it was a statement, a declaration of Lie Fan’s dominance over Goguryeo. And as always, Sima Yi was determined to ensure that every aspect of the event went according to plan.

”You look every bit the part,” Sima Yi remarked, his tone measured but approving. ”The robes suit you.”

Li Wei turned to him, his smile widening. ”Thank you, Master Sima Yi. I must admit, I never imagined I would be standing here, preparing to take on such a role. It’s... surreal, to say the least.”

Sima Yi nodded, his expression thoughtful. ”Surreal, perhaps, but well deserved. You’ve played your part admirably, and today is a testament to that. Just remember, this is only the beginning. The real work starts now.”

Li Wei’s smile faded slightly, replaced by a look of determination. ”I understand. The bureau’s success will depend on how effectively we can consolidate power and maintain order. I won’t let Lord Lie Fan down.”

Sima Yi’s lips curved into a faint smirk. ”I have no doubt of that. But be mindful of the challenges ahead. King Sansang may have conceded for now, but he is not a man to be underestimated. There will be those who resist, both openly and in secret. You must be prepared to deal with them swiftly and decisively.”

Li Wei nodded, his expression hardening. ”I will. Those who oppose us will learn the consequences of defiance.”

As they spoke, a group of elite guards and Oriole agents stood silently in the shadows, their presence a reminder of the power and influence that Lie Fan wielded.

The guards were impeccably trained, their loyalty unwavering, while the Oriole agents moved with the precision and stealth that had made them so effective. Together, they formed an impenetrable barrier, ensuring that no threat could reach Li Wei or Sima Yi.

Outside the chamber, the sound of music and chatter began to grow louder, signaling that the ceremony was about to begin. Sima Yi glanced toward the door, his expression calm but alert. ”It’s time,” he said, his voice steady. ”Are you ready?”

Li Wei took a deep breath, his eyes gleaming with determination. ”I am.”

The two men exited the chamber, their elite guards forming a protective circle around them as they made their way to the grand hall. The corridors of the palace were lined with attendants and officials, all of whom bowed respectfully as Li Wei and Sima Yi passed. The atmosphere was charged with tension, the weight of the moment palpable.

As they entered the grand hall, the room fell silent, all eyes turning toward them. The attendees rose from their seats, their expressions a mix of respect, fear, and resentment.

At the far end of the hall, King Sansang sat on his throne, his face a mask of composure. Beside him stood Mo Du and Dal Gae, their expressions grim but resolute. The king’s presence was a reminder of the power he once held, but today, he was little more than a figurehead, his authority overshadowed by Lie Fan’s dominance.

Li Wei and Sima Yi approached the dais, their steps measured and deliberate. As they reached the foot of the throne, Li Wei bowed slightly, a gesture of respect that was more symbolic than sincere. Sima Yi, meanwhile, remained standing, his gaze sweeping the room as he assessed the reactions of the attendees.

The ceremony began with a series of formalities, each one carefully orchestrated to emphasize the significance of the occasion. Officials read aloud the decree establishing the Lie Clan Supervision Bureau, their voices echoing through the grand hall.

The letters of appointment were presented to the selected nobles and officials, each one stamped with King Sansang’s seal. The attendees watched in silence, their expressions a mix of resignation and apprehension.

Finally, it was time for the main event, the appointment of Li Wei as the head of the bureau. King Sansang rose from his throne, his movements slow and deliberate. He stepped forward, his eyes meeting Li Wei’s for a brief moment before he began to speak.

”Today marks a new Chapter in the history of Goguryeo,” the king said, his voice steady but tinged with bitterness. ”The establishment of the Lie Clan Supervision Bureau is a testament to the strength and vision of Lord Lie Fan. It is my hope that this bureau will bring stability and prosperity to our kingdom, and that its leaders will act with wisdom and integrity.”

The words were carefully chosen, a subtle reminder that the king’s cooperation was not born of choice but necessity. Li Wei bowed again, his expression one of quiet confidence. ”Thank you, Your Majesty,” he said, his voice firm. ”I accept this responsibility with humility and determination. I will do everything in my power to ensure the success of the bureau and the well being of Goguryeo.”

As Li Wei spoke, the attendees exchanged uneasy glances, their reactions a mix of skepticism and resignation. They knew that his words were little more than a formality, a scripted performance meant to legitimize Lie Fan’s control.

The ceremony concluded with a series of rituals and gestures, each one designed to reinforce the authority of the bureau and its new head. As the attendees began to disperse, the atmosphere in the grand hall remained heavy with tension.

Meanwhile, far to the west in Liang Province, within the fortified walls of Wuwei, the Ma Clan was undergoing a quiet but profound transformation. Ma Chao, who had returned from his secret visit to Xiapi with a wealth of knowledge and a clandestine alliance with Lie Fan, had wasted no time in implementing the strategies he had learned.

His goal was clear, to free the Ma Clan from the oppressive grip of Cao Cao, who had been slowly but surely squeezing them out of power. The Ma Clan, once a formidable force in the region, had been reduced to a shadow of its former self under Cao Cao’s rule.

But now, with the insights gained from Lie Fan, Ma Chao was determined to reverse their fortunes.

The first order of business had been the implementation of the fabricated four way rotation system in the Ma Clan agriculture, a method Lie Fan had shared with Ma Chao during their secret meeting.

Ma Chao had ordered the system to be rolled out immediately across the Ma Clan’s domain, and while the results were promising, they were not as spectacular as those in Lie Fan’s territories.

Ma Chao attributed this discrepancy to the lack of expertise among his farmers and the comparatively lower fertility of the land in Liang Province, not relazing or suspecting that Lie Fan I the actuality fabricated the real one to create a lower level one for him.

Still, the system had brought noticeable improvements in crop yields, and Ma Chao was satisfied with the progress. He knew that even incremental gains were crucial in their preparation for the inevitable conflict with Cao Cao.

In addition to the agricultural reforms, Ma Chao had also suggested a thorough cleansing of the bureaucracy within their domain.

Corruption and inefficiency had long plagued the Ma Clan’s administration, and Ma Chao believed that rooting out these issues would streamline operations, reduce unnecessary expenditures, and increase income.

His father, Ma Teng, had agreed to the proposal, and a series of investigations and purges had been carried out. Corrupt officials were removed from their positions, and new, more capable administrators were appointed in their place.

The results were almost immediate, work progressed more efficiently, corruption rates dropped, and the Ma Clan’s treasury began to grow. The morale of the army, which had been languishing under the weight of Cao Cao’s oppressive policies, also saw a significant boost as resources were redirected toward their training and equipment.

______________________________

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