Reborn In The Three Kingdoms

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”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.”

”But deny them both, and we risk insult,” Huangfu Song countered calmly. ”And that could damage the unity we’ve only just secured.”

Zhang Liao grunted thoughtfully. ”Then perhaps we split it. A Sun Clan general as Grand Admiral, and an outsider as Deputy. Or vice versa.”

Sima Yi’s eyes flickered. ”Or we choose candidates with Sun Clan affiliations who have proven themselves worthy, but who are respected independently not just due to their affiliation with the Sun Clan. Zhou Yu, for example, commands respect across the land due to his ingenuity, strategic mind, and naval warfare, not just in Jiangdong.”

”Zhou Yu...” Lie Fan echoed, eyes narrowing in thought. ”A brilliant mind. Charismatic. Skilled. And less politically combustible than Sun Ce or Sun Jian.”

”Precisely, Your Majesty.” Lu Zhi added. ”And for Deputy Grand Admiral? Perhaps someone like Cheng Pu or Jiang Qin? They are competent, but not overly ambitious.”

”Or Zhu Huan or Zhu Ran,” said Huangfu Song. ”Younger, more adaptable to a centralized structure. Could be molded into loyal officers of the Empire, rather than just Jiangdong.”

Lie Fan tapped his fingers on the table. ”Huang Gai has seniority, but age may be a concern for longevity in command.”

”And Gan Ning, Your Majesty?” Sima Yi raised an eyebrow.

Lie Fan let out a short laugh. ”Gan Ning is bold, brilliant, and unpredictable. I might wake up to find him halfway to another island one day.”

That drew chuckles around the room.

”A solid warrior,” Jia Xu mused, ”but not the best choice for the top of central leadership, as for becoming the Deputy he is more than adequate. But it is better to give him command of a special fleet or raiding unit under the navy’s larger umbrella.”

Lie Fan nodded. ”So... Zhou Yu as Grand Admiral. He has the vision, discipline, and strategic genius. As Deputy... I lean toward Gan Ning. He was our first Navy admiral and a loyal one. His skill was already recognized by the Sun Clan and was the perfect balance to Zhou Yu. Like Wenhe has said, his administrative skills are adequate at best, but as Deputy, administrative work wasn’t as much and he could just assign it to his men to do the work.”

Everyone exchanged glances before nodding slowly, one by one.

”It is a balanced choice, Your Majesty,” Sima Yi agreed. ”It offers the Sun Clan recognition, but prevents domination as well.”

”Then it is settled,” Lie Fan said firmly. ”Tomorrow, I will summon them both and issue the appointments.”

As the meeting began to wind down, the men sipped their tea and reviewed minor matters, dockyard construction, naval conscription, and ship production overseen by the Ministry of Works. The room slowly emptied after an hour, leaving Lie Fan alone with Jia Xu.

The Chancellor rose to refill his tea and returned silently.

”You’re thinking about the consequences,” Lie Fan said softly, not looking up.

”Always, Your Majesty.” Jia Xu replied.

”Speak your mind.”

Jia Xu set the cup down and studied the Emperor. ”The court trusts your leadership, Your Majesty. But once Sun Jian passes, all eyes will turn to Sun Ce. If he controls both land and sea... even if loyal... others may not rest easy.”

Lie Fan nodded. ”Then we ensure balance. Empower Shi Xie more in the south. Nurture naval talent from the north and central regions. And make sure no single blade points too close to the throne.”

”A wise plan, Your Majesty,” Jia Xu said with a faint smile.

The Emperor’s eyes darkened slightly. ”The dynasty is young, Wenhe. Too many sparks could ignite rebellion.”

”And yet too many doused flames leave you defenseless.”

”Then we shall wield both fire and water carefully.”

Jia Xu bowed his head with respect. ”As always, I shall serve in both roles, Your Majesty.”

They said nothing more for a time.

Meanwhile, far to the west, in his capital of Luoyang, Cao Cao received a very different kind of report. His trusted strategists, Guo Jia and Xi Zhicai, stood before him, their expressions conveying a mix of relief and accomplishment.

”My Lord,” Guo Jia announced, a slight bow accompanying his words, ”the preparations for the westward expedition are complete. Our forces are ready to march towards the Gansu Corridor and the Qinghai Plateau.”

Xi Zhicai elaborated, ”We estimate a force of approximately 150,000 men will be deployed for this campaign. The logistical arrangements are finalized, and the supply lines have been secured to the best of our ability given the challenging terrain.”

A flicker of genuine excitement lit up Cao Cao’s eyes. This was the kind of news he craved, news of expansion and conquest.

For weeks, the gnawing issue of Xun Yu’s silence and the stalled discussions about his own ascension to Emperor by forcing Emperor Xian to abdicate had been a persistent thorn in his side. In that moment, the entire thorny problem was thrown out the window, overshadowed by the prospect of immediate military action.

”Excellent!” Cao Cao boomed, a rare, unburdened smile gracing his features. ”Approve the immediate deployment! Final checks and preparations, then let them march! The West awaits our dominion!”

He waved a dismissive hand, eager to move. ”Inform the generals chosen for this expedition. I want this executed with utmost efficiency.”

Having issued the order, Cao Cao’s mind, momentarily clear, turned to another pressing matter. He needed to speak with Xun Yu. The silence from his long time advisor had become deafening, and he felt an urgent need to mend the rift that had grown between them. He started to move, his stride purposeful, heading towards Xun Yu’s quarters.

But then, as if an invisible wall had appeared before him, Cao Cao suddenly stopped. His momentum faltered, and his brow furrowed. The truth, stark and painful, crashed down upon him. His relationship with Xun Yu wasn’t as it used to be.

The once unshakable bond, forged through years of shared ambition and trust, had frayed, largely due to Xun Yu’s staunch objections to Cao Cao’s ambition of ascending to the imperial throne and, more importantly, of forcing Emperor Xian to abdicate.

Xun Yu had been unyielding in his loyalty to the Han Dynasty, and that loyalty had created an insurmountable chasm between them.

The memory of Xun Yu’s quiet but firm disapproval, his unwavering adherence to the Han, became a crushing weight. Cao Cao’s earlier excitement evaporated, replaced by a growing sense of frustration and, paradoxically, a deep weariness. The constant political maneuvering, the endless strategizing, the betrayals and allegiances, it all suddenly felt incredibly draining.

A sharp, throbbing headache began to pound at his temples. It started subtly, a dull ache that quickly intensified, each beat of his heart sending a fresh wave of agony through his skull. He pressed a hand to his forehead, his vision momentarily blurring. The weight of his ambitions, the burden of leadership, and the growing distance from his most trusted advisor, it all converged into an overwhelming pressure. The headache became unbearable, a searing pain that consumed his thoughts.

”My Lord... are you well?” a nearby servant stammered, noticing Cao Cao’s distress.

But Cao Cao couldn’t respond. The pain was too much. His knees buckled, and he felt the floor rush up to meet him. With a soft thud, Cao Cao fainted on the spot.

A massive uproar instantly erupted. Servants, maids, and guards, who had been quietly attending to their duties, suddenly converged around him, their shouts echoing through the hall. ”The Chancellor has fainted! Call the physicians! Quickly!”

A flurry of panicked activity ensued. Strong arms gently, but swiftly, lifted Cao Cao’s unconscious form. He was carefully carried into his private quarters, the sounds of shouting and rapid footsteps following him.

Simultaneously, other attendants dashed off in various directions, their urgent mission to inform Cao Cao’s closest advisors, his most trusted generals, and, of course, his family at their residence.

In a room at the Palace, Guo Jia and Xi Zhicai stood before a detailed relief of the Gansu Corridor and the Qinghai Plateau. Lines of ink marked supply routes, elevation zones, and the movement patterns of roaming tribes.

As they were planning, a servant burst into the chamber, pale and breathless. ”Advisors! It’s the Lord, Lord Cao Cao! He has collapsed!”

Guo Jia’s eyes sharpened. ”What?”

”In the corridor outside his study. He was... walking and suddenly stopped, then his face slowly turned white, and then, then he fell.”

Both men rushed past the servant without further words.

Meanwhile, slowly but surely, news of Cao Cao’s collapse rippled through his domain like a sudden storm across a calm lake. The messengers, breathless and pale, rushed through the palace corridors and into the various residences of his closest circle.

Cheng Yu, ever shrewd and composed, dropped his brush mid letter as he received the messenger’s words. He stood in silent shock for only a heartbeat before gathering his robes and storming out of his study.

Jia Kui, always loyal and steady, was in the barracks overseeing drill reports when the message came. Without hesitation, he turned and began barking orders to his assistants, ensuring military operations would continue in his brief absence before dashing toward the Cao Clan residence.

Tian Feng, who was preparing documents for Cao Cao’s ascension as Emperor, heard the news from a shaken steward. When he heard what had transpired, he immediately ran, his feet slapping the stone floor.

Xu You, perpetually shifty but cunning in his own right, had been working through a set of trade tariffs when the words reached him. Though no stranger to courtly drama, the panic in the servant’s voice struck a nerve. He rose swiftly, muttering under his breath, ”This can’t be happening now...”

The generals, stalwart and unshaken in war, were no less swift. Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan received the news almost simultaneously. They met in the corridor, both grim, both wordless as they broke into a run together.

Cao Hong, who was giving tactical instructions in a war room, immediately halted everything, pushing maps and tokens aside before moving with urgency. Xu Chu, silent as always, merely nodded when told, picked up his sword by instinct, and marched off without a word.

At the family quarters, Lady Bian, matron of the Cao household and Cao Cao’s wife, almost fainted herself even she heard the news of her husband fainting. She immediately headed into Cao Cao’s quarters, cradling his head with trembling fingers when she saw him in his bed. Now, she remained inside his chamber as the physicians examined him.

Cao Ang, the eldest son, pale and stunned, had arrived only moments earlier and now stood outside his father’s quarters, wringing his hands. Cao Pi, younger but sharp eyed and composed, looked toward the entrance with a storm of questions brewing behind his brow.

Then, almost as if fate had held him back for a reason, Xun Yu received the news. He had been in quiet contemplation in his own residence, hands folded before an altar dedicated to the Han Dynasty, when a runner burst in, face stricken. ”Master Xun Yu! The Chancellor, he collapsed! He is in his quarters now, unconscious!”

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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