Reborn In The Three Kingdoms

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”The Northern Command,” Huangfu Song continued, ”shall be headquartered in Ye. We recommend General Huang Zhong as Marshal of the North and Master Chen Deng as the Army Strategist, with subordinates from the Qinglong Army and Baihu Army combined into one unit.”

”The Southern Command, shall be headquartered in Changsha. We recommend Marquis Sun Ce as the Marshal of the South and General Zhou Yu of the Sun Clan as the Army Strategist, with subordinates from the Sun Clan, and the Shi Clan Army.”

”The Western Command, shall be headquartered in Xiangyang. We recommend General Taishi Ci as the Marshal of the West and General Zang Hong as the Army Strategist, with subordinates from the Xuanwu Army and the Zhuque. Army.”

Gasps again spread across the court. The selections were bold but calculated. The new military hierarchy was vast, coherent, and unprecedented. And it had been crafted in a matter of weeks.

Lie Fan at this time hit his royal scepter.

”This structure shall be enacted immediately. All Marshals and Army Strategists shall report to the Imperial General Staff for deployment orders and logistical preparation. No longer shall command be divided or chaotic. The army is one body, one will, one empire.”

Thunderous applause erupted, courtiers and generals alike bowing low.

After the applause gradually died down, the air in the great hall remained thick with excitement and reverence. Lie Fan, standing firm and resolute, held his royal scepter once more, letting the weight of the moment settle before speaking again.

”There are still warriors of renown and merit who have yet to be assigned their posts within this new structure,” Lie Fan announced, his voice measured but commanding. ”Let it be known to all that I have not overlooked their talents, nor the loyalty they have shown and pledged in a timely manner that smooths several transitions.”

The hall hushed again as the names of legends were about to be called.

”General Guan Yu, General Chen Dao,” Lie Fan continued, his gaze sweeping the assembly, ”you are hereby assigned to the Western Command, headquartered in Xiangyang. General Guan Yu, your ferocity and honor shall fortify the western borders. General Chen Dao, your steadfastness will be the foundation of our strength there.”

Guan Yu, his tall frame and fierce eyes striking beneath his dignified robes, stepped forward and cupped his fists. ”By your will, Your Majesty. I, Guan Yu, Guan Yunchang, shall guard the western skies as if they were my own kin.”

Chen Dao, calm and composed, followed suit. ”This honor bestowed upon me by Your Majesty shall be carried with discipline and devotion.”

”General Liao Hua, General Sun Guan,” Lie Fan continued, ”you shall report to the Southern Command in Changsha. Guard the rivers and the fertile lands. Bring stability and vigilance where needed.”

Liao Hua, once a bandit turned loyal commander, bowed low. ”The South shall know peace beneath my watch, Your Majesty.”

Sun Guan followed, a hint of pride in his voice. ”For the Hengyuan Dynasty, I will see every southern port secured and every line held, Your Majesty.”

”Lastly,” Lie Fan declared, ”General Zhang Fei. You will join the Northern Command, headquartered in Ye. Let your might and courage temper the steel of our northern blades.”

Zhang Fei stomped forward with a booming laugh. ”Finally! Let those northern bastards try and test their luck. I’ll drink their wine and guard our walls in the same breath, Your Majesty.”

The hall responded with soft laughter, not out of disrespect, but in warmth toward the general’s fiery spirit.

Lie Fan nodded. ”Your appointments are now official. Report to your respective commands and coordinate with the appointed Marshals and Army Strategists.”

The five generals bowed as one. ”We obey, Your Majesty.”

A wave of satisfaction moved through the chamber, yet Lie Fan was not done. He turned his attention back to the assembly, letting his voice rise with a steady tone of gravity.

”Let it be known that with this restructuring comes a clear allocation of our military strength. These are not just numbers, they are the shield and spear of our realm.”

Courtiers leaned in, scribes dipped their brushes.

”The Central Command,” Lie Fan declared, ”which oversees the heartlands and serves directly under Our Imperial Household, will field 300,000 men. These troops include all imperial guards, palace forces, and elite formations designated for rapid deployment.”

A murmur of approval ran through the officials.

”The Northern Command shall command 250,000 soldiers,” Lie Fan continued. ”It is the line that shields our capital and northern plains.”

”The Western Command shall also hold 250,000 men, charged with securing our western border against the threat of Cao Cao.”

”The Southern Command shall hold 275,000 soldiers from the Sun Clan and Shi Clan army, including the 50,000 naval forces from the Sun Clan, who have long mastered riverine and coastal warfare.”

There was a collective intake of breath. The scope and scale were awe inspiring.

”And lastly,” Lie Fan said, ”though Gongsun Gong and his 150,000 strong army are not assigned to any of the four commands, they shall retain their full strength. Their charge is threefold which was to protect our northern protectorate, Goguryeo, maintain defense of Xiangping, and should opportunity arise, expand further either north or south of Goguryeo.”

Gongsun Gong stepped forward with a respectful bow. ”I am honored by Your Majesty’s trust. My sword and banner await your command.”

”Let it also be acknowledged,” Lie Fan went on, ”that this army, in total, numbers not merely one million as we had once estimated, but one million, two hundred and twenty five thousand strong.”

Gasps once again echoed in the chamber.

Even those who had heard whispers of the count from the Imperial General Staff were taken aback at hearing it formally.

”This number,” Lie Fan continued, ”is not merely for show or intimidation. It is a measure of our obligation to keep the peace, protect the people, and ensure the realm flourishes under Heaven’s Mandate.”

At these words, Jia Xu stepped forward and knelt, followed by the court in solemn reverence. ”Long live Your Majesty. May Your Majesty’s rule last ten thousand years!”

Lie Fan lifted his scepter, signaling them to rise. He wasn’t finished.

”And now, to the final matter of today’s court,” he said. ”With our territorial waters expanding and maritime commerce becoming vital to our prosperity, I declare the formal establishment of the Imperial Navy. The Imperial Navy will oversee all maritime operations, from coastal defense to overseas expansion. Every vessel, every sailor, every fleet under the banner of the Hengyuan Dynasty will answer to its command.”

Another ripple of murmurs.

”This Navy shall be charged with safeguarding all ports, river routes, and sea lanes. It will operate in tandem with the land commands but maintain its own leadership and charter.”

Courtiers looked toward each other, this was the first centralized navy in the Hengyuan Dynasty, and one of the most forward looking announcements to date.

”While the Sun Clan shall retain partial autonomy over their longstanding naval force, they are now bound by law and duty to coordinate with the Imperial Navy and report to it regularly. Also coordinate fully with the Imperial Navy’s strategic directives.”

Sun Ce gave a firm nod from his position. It was clear they had anticipated this.

”The titles of Grand Admiral and Deputy Grand Admiral shall be announced at a later date,” Lie Fan concluded. ”Until then, I order the Ministry of War shall begin assembling shipwrights, dockyards, and naval officers to support this initiative.”

A final round of thunderous applause shook the court as Lie Fan lowered his scepter. The restructuring of the empire’s military, land and sea, was complete. And with it, the future of the Hengyuan Dynasty had been solidified.

After the last rumbles of applause echoed through the Grand Hall and the courtiers began to disperse under the ushering hands of palace attendants, Lie Fan remained standing atop the dais, watching the tides of his court file out.

The scepter in his hand had felt heavy at the start of the session, symbolizing the burden of reform, but now, with the military structure clarified and the Imperial Navy established, it bore the satisfying weight of accomplishment.

As the ministers bowed and excused themselves, Lie Fan motioned to the Imperial General Staff, Xun You, Sima Yi, Lu Zhi, Zhang Liao, and Huangfu Song alongside his Chancellor, Jia Xu. He descended from the dais with measured steps and spoke quietly.

”Walk with me.”

The group followed without question, flanking their Emperor through the polished corridors of the palace. As they passed gilded windows and carved eaves, evening sun spilled through in soft amber hues, painting the walls in golden calm. The cool air was a welcome contrast to the intensity of the court hall.

They entered a private chamber adjacent to the military archives, a strategic conference room Lie Fan often used for sensitive discussions. Once inside, servants brought warm tea and quietly departed, leaving the seven men alone.

Lie Fan took a seat at the head of the table, gesturing for the others to join him. He looked at each of them, seasoned men who had shaped this dynasty from its bones and finally exhaled.

”We’ve done something historic today,” he began, tone contemplative. ”But as with all triumphs, new decisions await. Today’s was the army... now, we turn to the navy.”

Sima Yi gave a subtle nod. ”An even more delicate matter, Your Majesty.”

Lie Fan leaned forward. ”We need to name a Grand Admiral and a Deputy Grand Admiral. The naval theater is no longer confined to Jiangdong or the Jiao region. With maritime trade increasing and our coastline growing vulnerable to both pirates and foreign incursions, this institution must be watertight, no pun intended.”

There was a small smile from Lu Zhi, but most remained serious.

”Traditionally,” Lie Fan continued, ”names like Gan Ning, Jiang Qin, and Huang Zu would be obvious picks. But now with the Sun Clan, we have an influx of seasoned admirals, Zhou Yu, Huang Gai, Han Dang, Cheng Pu, and others. Even Sun Jian and Sun Ce themselves are well-versed in naval warfare.”

Jia Xu rested his chin on his hand. ”It is indeed a question not of talent, but politics. Giving both naval positions to the Sun Clan risks criticism, too much power centralized in one faction.”

”Exactly,” Xun You agreed. ”The Southern Command already places Sun Ce and Zhou Yu in key leadership. If we assign the Grand Admiral post to another from the Sun Clan, it could give the impression of favoritism, or worse, reliance.”

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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