Reborn In The Three Kingdoms

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”Equally battered, Your Majesty. But they have the advantage of terrain.” A muscle twitched in Cao Cao’s jaw. He had expected Liu Zhang to fold quickly and end the war in a short time. But instead, the man had divided to dug in like a cornered rat, which was also what he expected but he didn’t expect the resistance would be this big.

Far from the bloodshed of Jianmen Pass, the southern borders of the Hengyuan Dynasty stirred.

In Jiaozhi, Shi Xie received Lie Fan’s orders with a grim smile. The time had come.

His generals, hardened by years of battling mountain tribes and pirates, gathered in the war hall. Maps of the barbarian chiefdoms, small kingdoms, Champa, and Funan that Shi Xi’s men had made were unfurled, especially the coastlines of Champa and Funan were marked for potential landing sites.

”We strike at the monsoons’ end,” Shi Xie declared. ”When their rivers are low and their armies scattered.”

In Lujiang, the Sun Clan led by Sun Ce, prepared their fleets. Ships were loaded with supplies, soldiers drilled relentlessly, and scouts slipped across the border, gathering intelligence on Champa and Funan’s defenses along their coast and their navy.

Sun Ce at this time stood on the docks, watching the last of the transports being loaded in preparation for the campaign. His sister, Sun Shangxiang, approached, her bow slung across her back.

”Brother,” she said quietly. ”Do you think this war is just?”

Sun Ce did not answer immediately. His gaze was fixed on the horizon, on the distant shores they would soon invade.

”Just or not,” he finally said, ”it is necessary. Brother Lie- no, Emperor Hongyi had ordered us to do so.”

Sun Shangxiang nodded, her eyes clouded with thought, before speaking again. ”Brother... may I go to Xiapi? I wish to see Princess Wannian. I want to congratulate her on her pregnancy properly, not just through letters.”

Sun Ce turned to look at her. A knowing smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he reached over and ruffled her hair.

”Brother!” Shangxiang shrieked, slapping his hand away, her face scrunched in frustration.

He laughed heartily. ”Fine, fine! You can go. But don’t think I don’t know there’s another reason you’re heading to the capital.”

”Wha... what are you talking about?!” she stammered, cheeks flushed with embarrassment. ”There isn’t anyone, I’m just going to visit Wannian! That’s all!”

Sun Ce just chuckled, watching her stomp away in faux anger. Shaking his head with a sigh, he muttered to himself, ”Now to figure out which man in Xiapi has caught her eye. Father, my brothers, and I will have to investigate him thoroughly...”

He made a mental note to send Cheng Pu with her. The old veteran doted on Shangxiang like a granddaughter, and he would make an excellent guardian and informant.

Meanwhile, in Xiapi, the bustling market of Xiapi’s outer city was alive with the sounds of merchants hawking their wares, children laughing as they darted between stalls, and the rich aroma of sizzling meats and spices filling the air. For Zhen Ji, this was a world she had never truly experienced before.

Dressed in simple but elegant robes, her face half hidden behind a delicate veil, she clung to Lie Fan’s arm as they wandered through the lively streets. The Emperor himself wore the garb of a wealthy scholar, his sharp features softened by the disguise, though his bearing still carried an unconscious authority that made lesser men instinctively step aside.

The two strolled hand in hand, flanked subtly in the crowd by Zhou Chang, Huang Shao, and Pei Yuan Shao moved like shadows, their hands never far from the concealed blades beneath their cloaks. Oriole Agents, ever watchful, blended seamlessly into the throng, their eyes scanning for any threat.

Their relationship had grown rapidly. What began as a union of duty and empathy had evolved into true affection. Though they hadn’t yet passed the final threshold of intimacy, the warmth between them was undeniable, with gentle kisses, lingering embraces, and shared laughter.

Zhen Ji’s eyes sparkled as she took in the vibrant scene. ”It’s so... alive,” she murmured, her voice filled with wonder.

Lie Fan chuckled, squeezing her hand gently. ”Not quite like the quiet gardens of the palace, is it?”

She shook her head, then gasped as a street vendor thrust a skewer of candied hawthorns toward her. The bright red fruit glistened under a glossy coat of syrup.

”Try it,” Lie Fan urged, already fishing coins from his sleeve.

Zhen Ji hesitated, then took a small, delicate bite. The sweetness burst across her tongue, and her eyes widened in delight. ”It’s wonderful!”

Lie Fan grinned, buying another skewer for himself. ”There’s more where that came from.”

And so they wandered, sampling steamed buns stuffed with pork, crispy fried dough twists, and cups of fragrant tea brewed right before their eyes. Zhen Ji, usually so composed, giggled like a girl as she tried each new treat, her earlier shyness melting away.

Lie Fan handed Zhen Ji a skewer of grilled lamb from a street vendor. ”Try this,” he said, smiling.

She bit delicately, and her eyes widened. ”It’s delicious! I’ve never had anything like this before.”

”You never had the chance, I imagine,” he replied. ”The Zhen family likely kept your diet... refined.”

She nodded shyly. ”Too refined. Thank you, Your Majesty... for showing me this world.”

She leaned up and kissed him softly on the cheek. Blushing, she turned away, pretending to focus on a nearby vendor.

Lie Fan’s heart warmed. In these moments, away from the weight of the throne, he could almost forget he was an emperor.

But their moment was interrupted by loud, boisterous laughter. A young man swaggered toward them, flanked by a group of burly bodyguards. He was dressed in fine silks, his hair oiled and perfumed, his face twisted into a smug leer as his eyes raked over Zhen Ji.

”Well, well. What do we have here?”

The man didn’t even glance at Lie Fan. Instead, he bowed theatrically to Zhen Ji. ”What a beauty,” the man leered, eyes locked on Zhen Ji. ”I am Hao Tian, heir of the illustrious Hao Merchant Clan. Surely a flower like you should not be hidden away in the markets and be wasted walking with this nobody.”

Zhen Ji stiffened and shrank back, clutching Lie Fan’s arm tightly.

Lie Fan’s smile vanished, his expression hardening.

Hao Tian continued, undeterred. ”I would be honored if you would join me for tea. Or perhaps... something more private?” His gaze turned predatory. ”I promise, you won’t regret it.”

Lie Fan’s blood turned to ice.

The Hao Clan? He racked his memory but came up empty. A merchant family, then, one arrogant enough to think their wealth made them untouchable.

And this fool had just threatened an imperial concubine.

Before Lie Fan could react, ”Come now, unveil that face for me,” Hao Tian continued his words, reaching toward her veil with a lecherous grin.

Before his fingers could make contact, Lie Fan’s hand snapped out like lightning. He caught Hao Tian’s wrist in a crushing grip.

”You—! Do you know who I am?!” Hao Tian shrieked.

”No,” Lie Fan replied, his voice icy and deathly calm. ”And I don’t care.”

Hao Tian yelped in pain, trying to twist free.

His bodyguards surged forward, but the crowd parted like waves as Zhou Chang, Pei Yuan Shao, and Huang Shao stepped forward, blades halfway drawn, their expressions unreadable.

The Hao Clan guards froze. The threat was clear.

”Wh... what is this?!” Hao Tian stammered, sweat dripping down his face. ”You’re mad! I am Hao Tian, heir to the Hao Merchant Clan!”

Lie Fan leaned in close, still gripping Hao Tian’s wrist, and spoke in a low voice. ”And I am Lie Fan, Son of Heaven. Emperor Hongyi of the Hengyuan Dynasty.”

Hao Tian’s face drained of color. ”No... no... that’s impossible...”

Lie Fan dropped his arm, and the young man crumpled to the ground. With a gesture, Zhou Chang moved forward and pulled out a seal.

”By order of the Son of Heaven, Hao Tian, heir of the Hao Clan, is hereby arrested for insulting the dignity of the Imperial household and harassing a Imperial consort.”

The bodyguards dropped their weapons immediately, kneeling. Hao Tian could only stammer as he was dragged away.

The market goers, who had frozen at the confrontation, whispered and spread like wildfire. The Emperor was here? And that meant the veiled beauty beside him was the Empress or one of the concubines.

The Oriole Agent who was around immediately created a circle around Lie Fan and Zhen Ji, joined by Zhou Chang, Pei Yuan Shao, and Huang Shao.

Lie Fan sighed. So much for anonymity.

Zhen Ji remained silent for a long time before she exhaled shakily, ”Th... Thank you, Your Majesty,” she said softly, finally.

Lie Fan turned to her, cupped her face, his thumb brushing her cheek. ”No one will ever harm you. Never.”

Her breath hitched at the possessiveness in his tone, and she lowered her eyes shyly, while Lie Fan just hugged her into his arms.

In that moment, there were no Emperors or Consorts. Just a man and woman, bound by fate, protected by power, and brought together by something rare and real in a world ruled by ambition.

After that, Lie Fan and Zhen Ji, flanked by Zhou Chang, Pei Yuan Shao, Huang Shao, and the Oriole Agents, returned to the palace in Xiapi’s inner city. The guards at the palace gates bowed low as the group passed through, their eyes briefly widening when they caught sight of the Emperor out of disguise.

The market incident had already begun to echo among the palace staff. Rumors would soon turn to truth, and Lie Fan intended to act before others dared interpret the situation on his behalf.

Zhen Ji, still shaken but visibly reassured, lingered for a moment in the Emperor’s chambers as Lie Fan personally escorted her. He gently cupped her cheek once more, promising, ”What happened today will never happen again. I will make sure he and his clan learn their place.”

Zhen Ji blushed, her heart fluttering at his words. She was unused to such intensity from him, and while it made her bashful, it also stirred something warm and secure within her. She lowered her gaze and nodded, before excusing herself quietly to return to her own palace wing.

Lie Fan watched her go, his gaze unreadable, the calm mask of the Emperor settling over him once again. Then, with his mind focused like the edge of a drawn blade, he turned and made his way toward the main hall.

Word was sent immediately. Jia Xu the Chancellor, Mi Zhu the Minister of Finance, and Chen Gong the Minister of Justice, were summoned without delay. Within the hour, the three stood in the main hall, bowed before the dragon throne, awaiting the Emperor’s command.

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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