Reborn In The Three Kingdoms

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Upon his head, the crown of the Emperor rested. A tall, regal headpiece adorned with strings of pearl beads that cascaded down in rows before his eyes, symbols of divine wisdom and impartiality. And he holds the royal scepter in his hand, which he wants to become a new heirloom and symbol just like the Imperial Seal.

The weight of it all should have been crushing.

Instead, it felt like armor.

Two Yellow Ghost Bodyguards materialized at his door, their masked faces impassive. Behind them, two pages who were Oriole Agents in disguise, stood ready with scrolls and ink.

”Your Majesty,” one murmured, bowing. ”The court awaits.”

Lie Fan exhaled, then stepped forward.

By the time he emerged from his chambers, the palace had come alive. Courtiers in official robes filled the walkways leading to the Main Hall. Musicians played stately tunes on zithers and flutes, their melodies solemn and stirring. Attendants lined the path, heads bowed.

Ahead, the doors to the Grand Hall loomed, carved with dragons and qilins, their eyes seeming to follow him as he approached.

A beat.

Then, the doors swung open.

Lie Fan walked. Slowly. Deliberately. Each step was measured, and each breath was controlled. The hall itself, was vast and adorned with banners of the Hengyuan Dynasty, and it was already filled with rows of civil and military officials standing in careful formation. Their silks rustled softly as they bowed in unison.

At the center of it all, the Dragon Throne awaited. Carved from sandalwood, inlaid with gold and jade, it rose upon a tiered dais. Lie Fan walked forward with composed grace, his robes trailing behind him, and took the final steps up to the throne. As he seated himself, the air shifted.

Jia Xu, who was informally recognized as Chancellor, stepped forward, his voice carrying clearly through the hall, ”All courtiers, bow and give reverence to His Imperial Majesty, Son of Heaven, Emperor Hongyi of the Hengyuan Dynasty. May His Majesty’s reign be prosperous and eternal!”

The officials dropped to their knees in unison, foreheads touching the floor, and voices rang together in thunderous harmony, ”Long live the Emperor! May His Majesty reign for ten thousand years!”

Lie Fan lifted a hand slightly, and Jia Xu called, ”Rise.”

The crowd stood again, their expressions reverent. Lie Fan’s smile was measured but genuine as he gazed across the sea of faces, some familiar, many new. This was the beginning of a new age, and today, the first formal court of the Hengyuan Dynasty would convene.

”We thank you all for your kind words and loyalty,” Lie Fan began, his voice calm and clear. ”Today, we take our first step not as warlords, not as survivors, but as stewards of an empire. Let the affairs of court begin the step toward a realm of justice, prosperity, and strength.”

He paused to let the moment settle.

”But no emperor rules alone. Behind every great reign stands greater men. To begin,” he said, ”we hereby announce the appointments of the Three Excellencies, who shall serve as the backbone of this government and guide our realm through wisdom, diligence, and loyalty.”

All eyes turned attentively and a ripple of anticipation ensued when everyone heard that. This moment would shape the future.

Lie Fan’s gaze found Jia Xu. ”Master Jia Xu, step forward.”

The spymaster did so, his movements precise, his face betraying nothing.

”For years, you have been the unseen hand guiding our cause. Your wisdom, your ruthlessness, and your unwavering loyalty, alongside your intellect, integrity, and long standing service under us, these are the qualities the Chancellor of the Realm must embody. Thus, I name you the Chancellor of the Hengyuan Dynasty. As Chancellor, you will oversee the imperial court and its affairs, administration, and serve as my principal advisor.”

Jia Xu knelt, pressing his forehead to the floor. ”This unworthy servant accepts Your Majesty’s decree.”

A murmur ran through the crowd. None were surprised, but all understood the weight of the appointment. No one dared challenge the wisdom of this choice.

Next, Lie Fan’s eyes sought Chen Qun. ”Master Chen Qun.”

The stern legalist stepped forward, his posture rigid with discipline.

”The laws of this land must be just, clear, and unbreakable even by us, the emperor himself. You have drafted our reforms, shaped our policies, and upheld integrity where others faltered. A man of law and unshakeable principle, you shall guide the bureaucracy and ensure that justice is never subverted by greed or ambition. I name you Grand Secretary, arbiter of law and policy.”

Chen Qun bowed deeply. ”Your Majesty’s trust humbles me. I shall serve without fail.” This appointment was also met with murmurs of approval.

Finally, Lie Fan turned to Xun You. ”Master Xun You.”

The quiet strategist moved forward, his usual calm undisturbed.

”The military is the sword of the empire but a sword must be wielded with precision, not recklessness. You have tempered our generals, coordinated our campaigns, and ensured our armies serve the people, not prey upon them. Your discipline and clarity of thought have shaped our military’s evolution and ensured our victories. I name you Grand Commandant, supreme commander of the imperial military.”

Xun You knelt. ”Your Majesty’s will shall be my command.”

Respectful silence reigned as the officials absorbed all of the appointments. It was a solid, even brilliant selection, one that balanced experience, integrity, and discipline. These were not appointments made to appease factions or families. They were made for the good of the realm.

”Let it be recorded in the imperial register and proclaimed to the provinces,” Lie Fan finished. ”These three men will aid me in building a state worthy of our people’s sacrifice.”

A second chorus rang out, ”Long live the Emperor! Long live the Three Excellencies!”

Lie Fan nodded to a court scribe, who stepped forward with a scroll bearing the imperial seal. Jia Xu, Chen Qun, and Xun You each approached the dais to receive their mandates. One by one, they bowed and stepped back to their places.

With the appointments of the Three Excellencies was made, the court session moved into its next phase. The appointment of the head of the Six Ministries consisting of the Ministry of Personnel which is responsible for court appointments, merit ratings, promotions, and demotions, and granting honorific titles.

The Ministry of Revenue which responsible for gathering census data, collecting taxes, and handling state revenues. The Ministry of Rites which responsible for state ceremonies, rituals, and sacrifices. It oversaw registers for Buddhist and Taoist priesthoods, foreign relations (reception of envoys), and managed the imperial examinations.

The Ministry of War which responsible for military appointments, promotions, and demotions, the maintenance of military installations, equipment, and weapons, as well as the courier system. The Ministry of Justice which responsible for judicial and penal processes but had no supervisory role over the Censorate.

Lastly, the Ministry of Works which responsible for government construction projects, hiring temporary workers (like artisans and labourers), manufacturing government equipment, maintaining roads and canals, standardizing weights and measures, and gathering resources from the countryside.

But Lie Fan had made changes in the rule of the Six Ministries, changes that symbolized not just reform but the careful rebalancing of power at the highest echelons of governance.

Traditionally, these Six Ministries fell solely under the purview of the Department of State Affairs, and thus, the Chancellor. But Lie Fan had no intention of allowing even a trusted and proven figure like Jia Xu to hold unchecked authority.

Instead, he implemented a deliberate structure: while the Six Ministries would still report to the Department of State Affairs for overarching policy direction, their internal appointments and personnel decisions would now also be under the joint oversight of the Grand Secretary.

This ensured a healthy system of checks and balances, no one man, not even the Chancellor, could dominate the machinery of government alone.

As the murmurs in the hall settled, he spoke again, his voice carrying the weight of imperial decree.

”The Six Ministries shall answer to the Department of State Affairs under the Chancellor, as is tradition. However—” He paused, letting the word hang. ”—they shall also report to the Grand Secretary in matters of personnel appointments.”

After Lie Fan explained this structure, his voice carried clarity and purpose across the Grand Hall. ”In this court,” he said, ”there shall be no room for unchecked power, nor shall loyalty be rewarded with complacency. Our people have entrusted us with the future of their children. Let us govern with justice and not with ambition.”

A ripple of surprise sounded. This was a subtle but profound shift, a check on Jia Xu’s and the future Chancellor’s authority, ensuring that even the Chancellor could not unilaterally control the ministries.

Even though it was a surprise, heads nodded. Many in the court understood the wisdom of this move, the empire was still fragile, and centralization in the hands of any one figure could lead to corruption, abuse, or even rebellion.

The appointment process of the ministers and its personnel would therefore reflect not favoritism, but capability, and Lie Fan opened the floor for discussion.

”Let us begin,” he said, lifting his scepter slightly as a signal. ”All gathered, you are the minds of this empire. Speak freely. Let your counsel help shape the heart of our government. Let us find those who shall guide the Six Ministries.”

The hall stirred. Murmurs broke out immediately. Civil and military officials leaned toward one another, whispering names, and evaluating merits. Some favored experienced veterans, and others pushed for newer, younger blood to bring vigor and reform.

Jia Xu stepped forward amid the tide of debate. His presence instantly quieted the chamber.

”Your Majesty,” Jia Xu said with calm and authority, bowing deeply. ”If I may, I would speak of one I believe fit to serve as Minister of Revenue.”

Lie Fan inclined his head. ”Speak, Chancellor.”

Jia Xu straightened, his tone measured. ”Mi Zhu, who has long overseen the imperial treasury, has done so with tireless diligence, clarity, and integrity. Through war and peace, Your Majesty’s coffers remained full, and your armies never went unpaid. In times of hunger, he found grain. In deficit, he uncovered solutions. I believe no one more suited to serve the Ministry of Revenue.”

As Jia Xu finished, a quiet wave of agreement swept through the assembled officials. Many had worked alongside Mi Zhu or witnessed firsthand the efficient management of state finances. A few even nodded openly, murmuring words of approval.

Lie Fan nodded. ”A sound recommendation. Master Mi, step forward.”

Mi Zhu, standing quietly to the side, hearing his name being called took a step forward and bowed slightly. ”Your Majesty.”

”The Ministry of Revenue is the lifeblood of the empire. Taxes, census, state revenues, all flow through it. Are you prepared to bear this responsibility?”

Mi Zhu hearing that immediately bowed deeply. ”Your Majesty,” he said with solemnity, ”if you believe this humble servant worthy of such a task, I shall give my every breath and drop of ink to ensure the people’s burdens are eased, and the treasury remains a wellspring of the state.”

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Name: Lie Fan

Title: Founding Emperor Of Hengyuan Dynasty

Age: 34 (201 AD)

Level: 16

Next Level: 462,000

Renown: 2325

Cultivation: Yin Yang Separation (level 9)

SP: 1,121,700

ATTRIBUTE POINTS

STR: 966 (+20)

VIT: 623 (+20)

AGI: 623 (+10)

INT: 667

CHR: 98

WIS: 549

WILL: 432

ATR Points: 0