Reborn In The Three Kingdoms

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Liao Hua stood, adjusting his robes. ”Then let us begin, while there is still time to steer this province away from ruin.” Outside, dawn was breaking. The first light of morning filtered through the lattice windows, casting pale shadows on them. The world beyond the Kuai residence remained unaware of the storm that was gathering in secret.

Meanwhile, to the northwest at Wuwei, the winds howled across the northwestern plains of Wuwei, carrying with them the scent of smoke and the distant echoes of war drums. The Ma Clan’s banners, crimson with the black silhouette of the word Ma, fluttered defiantly against the gray dawn.

Ma Teng stood atop the battlements of Wuwei’s fortress, his grizzled face set in grim determination. Beside him, his son Ma Chao, clenched his fists as he surveyed the gathering forces below.

”It begins,” Ma Teng muttered.

Ma Chao’s lips curled into a fierce grin. ”Yes Father, let Cao Cao once again feel the bite of our blades.”

For months, the Ma Clan had worked in secret. Bribes had been distributed like seeds in fertile soil, and governors, generals, and even low ranking officers were swayed by promises of wealth, power, and vengeance against Cao Cao’s iron fisted rule.

Now, the harvest was ripe.

The governors of Jincheng, Tianshui, and Anding had pledged their support, swelling Ma Teng’s forces from 70,000 to 120,000 overnight. But the true coup came from within Han Sui’s own ranks.

Yang Qiu, Liang Xing, and Li Kan, three of Han Sui’s famed ”Eight Riders”, had been bought by the Ma Clan. And they brought 25,000 men with them.

Han Sui, whose sphere of influence was just to the east of Ma Teng’s somewhere of influence, had been caught completely off guard.

When news of the Ma Clan’s rebellion reached him, he had mustered his 100,000 strong army with the intent of holding Ma Teng while sending the news of the rebellion to Cao Cao in Luoyang.

But then the reports came that Yang Qiu, Liang Xing, and Li Kan had turned their coats. Their forces, stationed along the border, had defected en masse to the Ma Clan.

Han Sui’s face turned ashen as his advisors delivered the news.

”Traitors!” he snarled, slamming his fist onto the war table. ”They dare spit on decades of loyalty and camaraderie?”

His remaining generals exchanged uneasy glances. The balance of power had shifted violently. Ma Teng’s forces now numbered 145,000. Han Sui’s, once formidable, had been reduced to 75,000.

And worse, there’s news that Ma Chao was leading an army of 50,000 men to join the trio of traitors, coming for him.

On the other hand, Ma Chao rode at the head of the 50,000 men under his command, his silver armor gleaming under the pale sun heading east to join Yang Qiu, Liang Xing, and Li Kan who awaited for him alongside their 25,000 men.

When he finally meets with the three of them, Ma Chao praises them and allows them to retain control of the 25,000 men, causing their faces to alight with happiness and swear that they will live up to his trust.

”We strike Han Sui first,” Ma Chao declared, his voice cutting through the cold air. ”Crush him before Cao Cao can react. Then we turn south and face the real enemy there.” The defectors nodded. They had been promised glory, and Ma Chao intended to deliver.

Ma Chao then led the combined force of 75,000 men and began their rapid march eastward from the border entering Han Sui’s sphere of influence, with their main target being Han Sui’s capital a town called Zhenyuan.

Yang Qiu, Liang Xing, and Li Kan acted as local guides, knowing the terrain and supply routes well, allowing Ma Chao to coordinate a series of swift raids on Han Sui’s outer garrisons to destabilize his control and isolate him further.

The morale of Han Sui’s army began to falter, as news of betrayal from three of the Eight Riders under Han Sui, spread like wildfire inside Han Sui’s army and domain. Many officers under Han Sui grew wary, unsure whether their comrades would remain loyal or defect the next day.

Han Sui, alarmed by the quick collapse of his western line under Ma Chao’s attack, began to consolidate his forces at Zhenyuan, trying to hold the key passes leading into the heartland of his domain. Yet internal strife brewed among his ranks.

He issued orders to arrest any officers suspected of collusion with Ma Teng, and several commanders were executed on suspicion alone. These actions only further eroded trust within his camp.

At the same time, Ma Teng, having secured Jincheng, Anding, and Tianshui, began organizing a supply chain to support the offensive. He appointed his loyal retainers to govern these commanderies temporarily, ensuring grain stores were protected and local militias reinforced the defenses.

Scouts were sent toward the borders of Longxi and Hanyang, anticipating Cao Cao’s reaction and preparing to fortify choke points such as the Qilian Pass and the Tao River valley.

News of the rebellion finally reached Luoyang through urgent dispatches sent by Han Sui’s envoys. Cao Cao, though angered by the betrayal of the Western governors, remained calm.

He summoned Guo Jia, Xun Yu, Xi Zhicai, Cheng Yu, and Jia Kui for an emergency war council. When they arrived, Cao Cao immediately informed them of the letter he received from Han Sui, and asked them how they should handle this matter.

Guo Jia immediately said that they should send reinforcement to Han Sui as soon as possible, ”My lord, Han Sui was caught off guard by this and he would be at a disadvantage compared to Ma Teng and Ma Chao, who had been preparing for this rebellion.”

”Ma Teng,” Cao Cao spat the name like venom. ”That old wolf has been biding his time, waiting to sink his teeth into my back.”

Guo Jia’s voice remained calm, yet urgent. ”This is not a moment for delay, my lord. If we allow Ma Chao to march to Zhenyuan with his 75,000 men and defeat Han Sui, they will consolidate the northwest, and from there, the west will be lost to us.”

Cao Cao exhaled sharply through his nose, his knuckles whitening around the letter. ”You speak sense, Fengxiao. But this treachery—”

Xun Yu, standing with his hands folded into his sleeves, interjected calmly. ”My lord, your anger is justified. However, we must act with deliberation. This rebellion has clearly been in planning for quite some time. Ma Teng has shown remarkable restraint in concealing such preparation. We must match that cunning with our own.”

Xi Zhicai folded his arms and nodded his head in agreement. ”Indeed, my lord. We cannot underestimate the Ma Clan. Their forces, though smaller in number compared to our own, are of high quality.”

”These are not mere conscripts. They are battle hardened warriors of the northwest through years of border warfare. Especially their cavalry, they are renowned for their ferocity and speed. Even if they have taken in recruits, their elite corps will be the backbone of the rebellion.”

Cao Cao’s jaw tightened, but he forced himself to breathe, the rage cooling in his veins as he listened to the insight of his most trusted advisors.

”You are right,” he said at last. ”This is not a rebellion we can crush with brute force alone. We must be methodical.”

He straightened in his seat, his voice taking on the familiar tone of command.

”Summon Xiahou Dun, Zhang He, Xu Huang, and Li Dian. They will lead an army of 250,000 men. Reinforce Han Sui immediately and crush Ma Teng and Ma Chao before they gain more ground, and bring me the heads of that father and son.”

Cao Cao’s gaze shifted to Guo Jia and Jia Kui. ”Fengxiao, Liangdao, you will accompany them as chief strategists. I trust your counsel will ensure this campaign ends swiftly.”

Guo Jia bowed, his expression focused. ”We shall give them no room to breathe, my lord.”

Jia Kui cupped his hands beside him. ”We will not fail your true, my lord.”

Cao Cao’s orders were penned and dispatched with haste. The palace bustled into motion like a stirred hive of bees. Messengers ran with sealed scrolls, flags were raised, and drums beat the call to arms.

Within the day, camps along the outskirts of Luoyang began assembling into an organized tide of iron and resolve. Armor was polished, war horses prepared, supplies measured and packed. Within days, the mighty army of 250,000 men began to set out on a road that would decide the fate of the Northwest.

The army moved with disciplined haste. Xiahou Dun, his missing eye covered by a black patch, rode at the forefront, his expression grim. Beside him, Zhang He and Xu Huang discussed potential routes, while Li Dian oversaw the supply trains, ensuring that food and weapons would not slow their advance.

Guo Jia, wrapped in furs against the chill, studied the maps in his carriage. Jia Kui sat across from him, his fingers tracing the mountain passes and river valleys that lay between them and the Ma Clan’s forces.

”Ma Chao will not wait for us to reach Han Sui,” Guo Jia murmured. ”He will strike fast, hoping to eliminate Han Sui before we can intervene.”

Jia Kui nodded. ”Which means we must force him to divide his attention. If we can threaten Tianshui or Anding, Ma Teng will have no choice but to recall some of his son’s forces.”

Guo Jia’s lips curved slightly. ”A feint, then. Let us make Ma Teng think we aim for his heart while we reinforce Han Sui’s position.”

Meanwhile, back in the northwest, Ma Chao’s campaign continues to unfold like a blade unsheathing.

His combined army of 75,000 swept through Han Sui’s outer garrisons with terrifying efficiency. The defectors, Yang Qiu, Liang Xing, and Li Kan, continue to prove their worth, guiding him through the most vulnerable points in Han Sui’s defenses.

Villages surrendered without a fight. Local commanders, uncertain of their own men’s loyalty, hesitated, and hesitation was fatal. By the time Ma Chao reached Zhenyuan, Han Sui’s forces had been whittled down to 60,000, their morale brittle as winter ice.

Han Sui had fortified the town as best he could, but the walls of Zhenyuan were not built to withstand a prolonged siege. Worse, his own soldiers continuously be on alert and eyed each other with suspicion, who among them might be the next traitor?

Ma Chao arrayed his forces outside the city, his silver armor gleaming under the pale sun. He did not immediately attack. Instead, he sent messengers to provoke Han Sui and lower the morale of Han Sui’s army. ”Han Sui!” one of his heralds shouted from horseback, just beyond arrow range. ”Your own men abandon you! Three of your Eight Riders now ride with the Ma Clan! How many more will turn before this day is done?”

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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