Reborn In The Three Kingdoms

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”That girl is smarter than her father gives her credit for. And she’s desperate. Desperate people make dangerous allies or dangerous enemies. Better to have her where I can see her.” As he said so, Lie Fan took one of the documents in the stack he had made and opened it to read it.

Jia Xu nodded slowly, his smile fading as he considered his lord’s words. He took another deliberate sip of his tea, the silence in the room punctuated only by the soft rustle of parchment as Lie Fan’s eyes scanned the document.

Finally, setting his cup down, Jia Xu inquired, his tone now more serious, ”Should the news of your accepting Lady Zhen as your concubine be disseminated throughout the land with haste, my lord? It would serve as a clear signal to all that the Zhen Clan now stands firmly within your sphere of influence, that they have committed their resources and prestige to your cause.”

Lie Fan looked up from the document, his gaze meeting Jia Xu’s. He nodded decisively. ”Yes, Wenhe. I want the news to spread tomorrow, through the Oriole Agent networks. Let it be known that the union is secured. However,” a thoughtful pause entered his voice, ”I wish to inform my wives myself today. They are aware of the Zhen Clan’s proposal and my deliberations. Now that I have made my final decision, it is only right that they hear it directly from me first.”

Jia Xu finished his cup of tea, his movements economical and precise. He cupped his hand in a respectful gesture towards Lie Fan, acknowledging the order. ”As you command, my lord.” With a final, almost imperceptible nod, the famed strategist turned and quietly left Lie Fan’s office.

Lie Fan watched Jia Xu’s retreating figure, a faint smile playing on his lips, accompanied by a slight shake of his head. Only Jia Xu dared to act with such casual familiarity in his presence when they were alone, a testament to their long and complex relationship.

But it was acceptable, the ”poisonous strategist,” as he was often called, had earned his unique standing through unwavering loyalty and unparalleled intellect, which he gained in the past.

After spending the remainder of the day until late afternoon immersed in the endless stream of reports and strategic documents that constantly demanded his attention, Lie Fan finally set aside his work and made his way back to his residence.

The sun had begun its slow descent by the time Lie Fan reached the Lie Clan residence, the golden light casting long shadows across the courtyard. Servants moved quietly about their duties, bowing as he passed, but his mind was elsewhere, on the conversation he needed to have with his wives.

He reached the inner residence, the part of the residence few were allowed to enter. The guards here were the most trusted, their loyalty unwavering, and the maids and stewards were the same, chosen carefully not just for skill, but for discretion.

In there he found his wives in the inner living room. Ying Yue was embroidering by the window, her fingers moving with practiced ease. Diao Chan lounged on a cushioned bench, idly plucking at the strings of a guqin. Cai Wenji sat nearby, reading from a scroll, while Lu Lingqi rocked baby Lu Liang gently in her arms, humming softly.

The scene was peaceful and domestic, a stark contrast to the political machinations that had occupied his day.

At his entrance, all four women looked up.

”Husband,” Ying Yue said with a warm smile, setting aside her needlework. ”You’re back early.”

Lie Fan exhaled, rolling his shoulders to ease the tension. ”I had matters to discuss with all of you.”

Diao Chan’s fingers stilled on the guqin strings. ”Oh? This sounds serious.”

Cai Wenji carefully rolled her scroll. ”Is it about the Zhen Clan’s proposal?”

Lie Fan nodded, taking a seat beside them. ”Yes, I’ve made my decision.”

A beat of silence. Then Lu Lingqi, much more direct, arched a brow. ”Well? Don’t keep us waiting Husband.”

He couldn’t help but chuckle at her bluntness. ”I’ve accepted Zhen Ji as my concubine.”

Ying Yue’s expression remained composed, but her fingers tightened slightly around the edge of her embroidery hoop. Diao Chan’s lips curled into a playful smirk. Cai Wenji’s gaze softened with understanding. And Lu Lingqi, well, she simply shrugged, adjusting the baby in her arms.

”About time,” Diao Chan said, stretching lazily. ”I was beginning to think you’d lost your taste for pretty things, Husband.”

Lie Fan shot her a look. ”This isn’t about that, Chan’er.”

”Of course not,” Diao Chan agreed, though her eyes sparkled with mischief.

Ying Yue, wanting to know the reason her husband reached his decision, cleared her throat. ”Husband, you said you’ve made your decision, but you haven’t told us why.”

Lie Fan leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. ”Because she’s a girl trapped by her father’s ambitions, and I took plight on her situation.”

He then recounted the conversation, how Zhen Ji had initially refused, how she’d trembled when speaking of her fate, how she’d ultimately chosen to marry him not for power or prestige, but because it was the only path to freedom she could see.

Cai Wenji’s eyes darkened with sympathy. ”Her father faked her death to sever ties with the Yuan Clan, only to ’resurrect’ her when a better opportunity arose. That’s... cruel.”

Lu Lingqi snorted. ”It’s typical noble family politics, Sister Wenji. Many saw their children just as bargaining chips.”

Lie Fan nodded. ”Exactly. I also gave her three things. First, her own quarters, separate from all of you unless she chooses to mingle with the four of them. Second, an allowance and servants of her own choosing. And if she ever finds someone she loves, she could tell me and I will release her.”

Diao Chan tilted her head. ”And when she comes to our residence, will there be any intimacy between you and her, Husband?”

”There would be no intimacy and I will not force her,” Lie Fan said firmly. ”She comes to me willingly or not at all.”

A pause. Then Ying Yue smiled, soft, knowing. ”You always did have a soft spot for strays.”

Lie Fan rolled his eyes, but didn’t deny it.

Lu Lingqi shifted the baby to her other arm. ”So when do we meet this girl?”

”Soon, maybe this week,” Lie Fan said. ”Zhen Yi is preparing her belongings and the betrothal gifts.”

Diao Chan grinned. ”Then I have ample time to prepare a welcome gift. Something suitably intimidating.”

Cai Wenji elbowed her. ”Be nice, Sister Chan.”

”Who says I’m not?”

As the women bantered, Lie Fan felt some of the day’s tension ease. His wives, sharp, compassionate, unshakable, had taken the news better than he’d expected.

Ying Yue, noticing his silence, reached over to squeeze his hand. ”We’ll look after her, husband. She won’t be alone here.”

Lie Fan squeezed back, grateful for her understanding. ”I know.”

The next morning, as planned, the Oriole agents went to work to spread the news of Zhen Ji becoming his concubine. By noon, whispers of Lie Fan’s union with the Zhen Clan had spread through every teahouse, market, and government office in the land.

As expected, the common people took little notice of the development, after all, to them, Lie Fan had simply taken another wife, albeit with a concubine’s status. However, the nobles and merchants were far more intrigued by the move, their conversations turning from business matters to political alliances and strategic marriages.

For the elites, this union with Zhen Ji represented far more than a personal affair, it was a power move. The Zhen Clan, renowned for its wealth, influence, and the formidable financial backing it had accumulated over generations, now pledged its full support to Lie Fan.

Despite the earlier shift in allegiances when the Zhen Clan had first turned their back on the Yuan Clan and aligned with Lie Fan, this formal union cemented their commitment.

The news sent ripples through the merchant networks and among the aristocracy, signaling that Lie Fan’s power was no longer just a political force but one backed by a financial powerhouse capable of rivaling the likes of the Mi Clan.

The combination of wealth and military might that now stood behind Lie Fan was a formidable prospect for any who sought to challenge him.

At the same time, Lie Fan was not one to bask in the immediate effects of his decisions. Though the news had already spread throughout the land, he turned his attention to the next step in his long term plans, the completion of his palace.

The construction had been underway for several months, and now, as the final stages neared completion, Lie Fan found himself alongside two of his advisors, Liu Ye and Huang Chengyan, overseeing the palace’s development.

The structure itself was nothing short of magnificent. Tall walls, intricately designed battlements, and expansive courtyards surrounded the main halls, which were adorned with all manner of fine materials imported from across the region.

Inside the rooms were spacious and furnished with the finest silks, gold, and marble. It was a palace that reflected the gravity of Lie Fan’s rise to power.

As they stood before the unfinished structure, Lie Fan nodded in satisfaction, his eyes scanning the work that had taken months to bring to fruition. He turned to Liu Ye, his long-time confidant and the chief architect behind the palace’s construction. ”Ziyang, this has exceeded my expectations. You’ve done well.”

Liu Ye, composed and modest, bowed slightly. ”It is my duty, my lord. I could not have done it without the support of our engineers and craftsmen, and the resources you have provided.”

Lie Fan turned his gaze to Huang Chengyan, who had joined the project later, after pledging his loyalty along with Sima Hui and Pang Degong. ”Master Huang Chengyan, your input has been invaluable. The additions you’ve suggested have enhanced both the beauty and practicality of this place.”

Huang Chengyan, hearing that, inclined his head. ”It is my honor, my lord. The palace will stand as a testament to your rule for generations to come.”

Lie Fan’s satisfaction was evident, but he knew that the palace, for all its grandeur, was merely a tool, one of many that would help him consolidate his power.

As the final preparations for its completion continued, he turned his attention to the political currents flowing through the land.

Several days after the news of his union with Zhen Ji had reached its peak, the messenger from Ma Chao finally arrived at Xiapi. The man had journey with limited rest, and his arrival at Xiapi finally eased his heart.

The messenger, though bearing a letter that Ma Chao himself write, was clearly nervous as he was led into the main hall of Xiapi’s governor’s castle. There, Lie Fan was accompanied by his inner council, Jia Xu, Xun You, Chen Qun, Liu Ye, Chen Gong, Lu Su, Sima Yi, Zhuge Liang, Pang Tong, and Xu Shu.

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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