Reborn In The Three Kingdoms

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Guan Yu and Zhang Fei oversaw the preparations with visible enthusiasm, barking orders and occasionally stepping in to demonstrate techniques for the awed spectators. Meanwhile, In Xiapi, Lie Fan received word of Liu Bei’s martial contest from his Oriole agents stationed in Xiangyang. He laughed. ”Desperation disguised as spectacle, truly Liu Bei you are nothing if luck weren’t at your side.”

After that Lie Fan put down the letter and gave an order to the Oriole Agent who was kneeling in front of his table, which was to infiltrate the martial arts contest and have one of the strongest and also smartest to join the contest.

This is to infiltrate Liu Bei’s rank and become his general and slowly get close to Kuai Yue and Kuai Liang, showing shared suspicions of Kiu Bei’s true facade and becoming their ally slowly by gaining their trust first. Hearing that the Oriole agent cupped his hand received the order, and left the room through the open window.

The moment the Oriole agent slipped out through the window, vanishing into the night like a wisp of smoke, Lie Fan returned to his paperwork. The candle on his desk flickered, casting dancing shadows across the piles of scrolls and ledgers that demanded his attention.

Bureaucracy was the unglamorous backbone of governance, and though he would rather be drilling with his spear or discussing strategy with his generals, he knew these documents were just as vital to his ambitions.

His brush moved swiftly, approving tax reforms here, allocating resources there, his mind already turning over the implications of planting a mole in Liu Bei’s ranks. The martial contest was a gift, an open invitation to infiltrate his rival’s inner circle. And if this agent could win the trust of Kuai Yue and Kuai Liang, men who were already suspicious of Liu Bei’s true nature?

Perfect.

But before he could delve deeper into his plans, a sharp knock at the door interrupted his thoughts.

Bo Cai’s voice rumbled from the other side. ”My lord, a servant brings the word, Zhen Yi, head of the Zhen Clan, has arrived in Xiapi and seeks an audience.”

Lie Fan’s brush stilled.

Zhen Yi? Here?

The Zhen Clan had been a useful ally in the north, their merchant networks stretching deep into the territories once controlled by Yuan Shao. After Yuan Shao’s fall, Lie Fan had allowed them to retain control of the northern markets, so long as they paid their dues and remained loyal. But for Zhen Yi to come personally...

”Tell him to wait in the main hall,” Lie Fan said, setting down his brush. ”I will receive him shortly.”

As Bo Cai’s footsteps faded, Lie Fan leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples. What could Zhen Yi want? The man was shrewd, calculating, and not one to make unnecessary moves. If he had come all this way, it was for something significant.

When Lie Fan entered the main hall, he found Zhen Yi already seated, and engaged in polite conversation with Mi Zhu and Lu Su. The three men rose immediately as Lie Fan approached, bowing deeply.

”My lord,” Mi Zhu said, his voice warm with deference. ”Master Zhen Yi was just telling us of the thriving trade in the north.”

Lie Fan waved a hand, taking his seat at the head of the hall. ”No need for formalities. Sit.”

As the others settled back into their chairs, Lie Fan studied Zhen Yi. The merchant lord had aged since their last meeting, his beard now streaked with silver, but his eyes were as sharp as ever.

”Master Zhen Yi,” Lie Fan began, ”it’s been some time. To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?”

Zhen Yi smiled, his hands folded neatly in his lap. ”Yes it’s been some time, and my lord is as direct as ever. Very well, I come with a request.”

Lie Fan arched an eyebrow. ”Go on.”

”The northern markets are flourishing right now thanks to my lord’s policies and the safety of the northern province,” Zhen Yi said, ”but demand for certain goods, mirrors, bronze wares, fruity wines, beer, far outstrips supply. The Mi Clan and the Yu Merchant Group have shifted their focus to the western and southern routes, leaving the north underserved. I humbly ask for the rights to trade these commodities in their stead.”

Lie Fan’s expression remained neutral, but his mind raced. The Zhen Clan handling luxury goods? That would give them immense influence and wealth. The Mi Clan and Yu Merchant Group had monopolized those trades precisely due to him giving them the right to trade it, because they were so profitable.

Before he could respond, Mi Zhu stood, his tone diplomatic but firm. ”My lord, I see no issue with granting Master Zhen Yi’s request. The northern markets are indeed a gateway to foreign merchants from beyond the Great Wall. However,” he added, turning to Zhen Yi, ”I assume Master Zhen Yi has come prepared with concessions?”

Zhen Yi nodded smoothly. ”Of course. The Zhen Clan have unwavering loyalty to Lord Lie Fan, but not all of our merchants and affiliations think the same, and so now we have made our merchants to be at his disposal, and we are prepared to make a substantial donation to my lord’s treasury.” He paused, then added, ”And... I offer the hand of my youngest daughter, Zhen Ji, in marriage.”

A beat of silence.

Then Lu Su shot to his feet, his face darkening. ”Master Zhen Yi, your other offers are acceptable, but the last one, this, how dare you propose such a thing? Zhen Ji was the former wife of Yuan Xi, your lord’s enemy and the one Lord Lie Fan had executed himself! She herself already died on the fire as well and now you would have him marry his widow? The scandal alone could cause—”

Zhen Yi raised a hand, his voice calm. ”Actually my daughter was alive, she survived the fire and no she doesn’t have any wounds on her. I assure you, my daughter remains pure. There are... records. Witnesses. Yuan Xi never laid a hand on her.”

Lu Su’s jaw tightened. ”What?! Now you told us she was alive?! Wait, that is not the point! The optics—”

”Is manageable,” Zhen Yi interrupted smoothly. ”With the right narrative. This union would solidify the North’s loyalty to you, my lord. Don’t worry I will handle how about the rumors on how my daughter survived, and also the Yuan remnants still hold influence in Ji Province. Marrying Zhen Ji would send a message, that you are not their conqueror, but their rightful ruler.”

Lie Fan said nothing, His fingers drummed silently against the armrest of his chair.

The room fell silent.

For a long moment, Lie Fan said nothing. His gaze was fixed on Zhen Yi, searching for any hint of deception. The merchant lord met his eyes steadily.

Mi Zhu, at this time acting as the diplomat, cleared his throat. ”Master Zhen, while your reasoning is sound, the optics are... complicated. The common people may not understand the nuances. They will only see their lord taking the widow of a man he defeated, one that he goes to great lengths to fake her death so he could take her himself.”

Zhen Yi’s jaw tightened. ”Then let them see what comes after. Let them see the prosperity you bring, the stability. In time, they will forget the whispers.”

Meanwhile, Lie Fan was thinking, about the marriage to Zhen Ji, it was a bold move, and it wasn’t a surprise to him that Zhen Ji was alive, as the Oriole agents had informed him that the fire was just to fake her death.

The Zhen Clan was powerful, their connections vast. An alliance through marriage would bind them to him irrevocably. But Zhen Ji’s past as Yuan Xi’s widow was a complication.

The Yuan family had been his enemies, and Yuan Xi’s death at his hands was no secret. Taking his widow as a wife would raise eyebrows, to say the least. Especially when Zhen Yi now wanted to brought her to light again, saying that she survived the fire.

But...

It would also send a message. That Lie Fan was above petty grudges. That he could turn even the remnants of his enemies into assets, but only nobles, merchants, and several scholars caste could understand that and it was all part of playing the game. But the rest like the common people and self righteous scholars wouldn’t understand, and even condemn him.

Lie Fan leaned forward, steepling his fingers. ”Master Zhen Yi, your loyalty is noted. As for your daughter...” He paused, letting the tension build. ”I will consider it. But first, we will discuss the terms of your trade rights in detail.”

Zhen Yi bowed his head. ”Of course, my lord.”

Lu Su looked like he wanted to argue further, but a sharp glance from Mi Zhu silenced him. The negotiations began in earnest. The negotiation lasted for some time, and Zhen Yi fought to the end to prove that the Zhen Clan was worthy enough and also would serve loyally to Lie Fan until the end.

Lie Fan mostly just listened and spoke when he was needed, Mi Zhu and Lu Su were the ones who spoke for him and gave valid arguments, where subtly they also told Zhen Yi that in the end, it was Lie Fan’s decision, whether to give Zhen Clan the right.

In the end, Lie Fan decided to talk privately with Zhen Yi before deciding whether to give the rights to Zhen Yi and the Zhen Clan or not. While there is a large benefit by bringing the Zhen Clan closer to him could bring many more benefits to him in the long run, and he could monopoly and control the market much easier, but such trust was very hard to give.

After the negotiation reached a stalemate due to Lie Fan still not giving his decision, Lie Fan exhaled his breath slowly. ”Zizhong, Zijing, Leave us.”

The command was soft but absolute. Mi Zhu and Lu Su exchanged glances before bowing and stepping out of the hall. Only when the doors shut behind them did Lie Fan speak again.

”You’re desperate, Master Zhen Yi.”

Zhen Yi flinched when he heard Lie Fan’s words.

Lie Fan continued, his voice devoid of judgment. ”The Zhen Clan’s grip on the northern markets is slipping. The Mi Clan and the Yu Group have expanded their reach very quickly in the north, and when they leave, you’re scrambling to retain your control over the market. This marriage, it’s not just about trade rights. It’s about the Zhen Clan’s survival.”

Zhen Yi’s shoulders slumped. For a moment, the proud merchant looked every bit his age, a man who had gambled too much and was now staring at ruin. ”My lord... if we don’t get the rights to the mirror and wine trades, we lose everything. The northern nobles already look south for their luxuries. Without those commodities, the Zhen name becomes meaningless in the north and slowly our influence and position will wane.”

Lie Fan studied him. The truth was, he didn’t need the Zhen Clan. Not really. The North was his, with or without their influence. But a house divided was easier to topple, and the Zhen Clan, for all their desperation, still had their influence and large connections, connections that could be useful for him in the long run.

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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