Reborn In The Three Kingdoms

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Despite the lukewarm responses, the sycophantic ministers laughed nervously, undeterred. They mistook his restraint for contemplation, never realizing the blade had already been drawn. King Jinji, seated beside Gongsun Gong, watched in visible disgust. His wine remained untouched. Every toast made his stomach churn. Yet he said nothing. Not yet.

At this time, one particularly eager official, a man that King Jinji had once promoted, dared to raise his cup. ”To Emperor Hongyi! May his reign bring prosperity to all under heaven!”

The toast was echoed around the room, glasses clinking, laughter ringing. King Jinji did not lift his cup.

Gongsun Gong noticed. But he said nothing.

As the banquet neared its end, the treaty was brought forth, it was a heavy parchment was unrolled upon the central table, the Treaty of Submission. Its words were elegant, its script flawless, but its meaning was simple, Gaya bows to the Hengyuan Dynasty.

Alongside the heavy parchment was the royal seal of Gaya and the Marquis Zhenbei sigil of the Hengyuan Dynasty, which Gongsun Gong will use to stamp as representative of Lie Fan and the Hengyuan Dynasty.

King Jinji stared at it, his vision blurring for a moment. This was the moment his kingdom died.

”Your seal, Your Majesty,” Gongsun Gong said quietly, offering the ink.

King Jinji exhaled. Then, with hands that did not shake, he would not give them the satisfaction, he pressed the royal seal into the crimson ink and stamped it onto the document.

The sound echoed like a coffin closing.

Gongsun Gong followed suit, his own seal, the word Zhenbei, symbol of his Marquis peerage, joining King Jinji’s on the page.

With the final stroke of the brush, Gaya’s future was sealed. Gaya had become a vassal and protectorate of the Hengyuan Dynasty. It was done. Gongsun Gong and King Jinji have signed together under the watchful eyes of both the court and the generals. The scroll would be dispatched to Xiapi at once, delivered to Emperor Hongyi himself.

Silence followed the signing.

And then, Gongsun Gong turned his attention to everyone.

”With this treaty enacted,” he said, his voice rising clearly over the hall, ”there are matters of internal stability we must address.”

The room shifted uncomfortably.

”Gaya’s integration cannot succeed under fractured leadership. Trust must be absolute.”

Minister Park stood, smiling. ”Of course, Marquis. That is why we are all prepared to serve as loyal subjects of the Emperor.”

Gongsun Gong’s expression hardened.

”That will not be necessary.”

Confusion rippled through the hall.

”Minister Park,” Gongsun Gong said calmly, ”you have played your part. But the time for opportunists has passed. From this day forth, Gaya’s administration will be rebuilt, with loyal men and women whose allegiance has never wavered.”

Minister Park’s smile cracked. ”I beg your pardon?”

From behind the pillars, Gongsun Gong’s guards stepped forward, elite men in black and crimson, armed not with ceremonial swords, but sharp, gleaming blades.

”By order of Emperor Hongyi, and under my authority as his representative, you and all court members who conspired for personal gain are hereby stripped of title and detained pending full investigation.”

”You... you can’t!” Minister Park finally spluttered. ”We swore allegiance! We helped you!”

Gongsun Gong’s expression did not change. ”And now you are no longer needed.”

”You can’t do this!” one courtier shouted, rising to his feet.

”I already have,” Gongsun Gong replied.

The hall erupted into chaos. Guards moved swiftly, subduing the traitorous ministers. Minister Park tried to protest once more, but he was seized mid sentence, his voice choking into growling then silence.

King Jinji watched with grim satisfaction as the man who had betrayed him was dragged away.

Later that evening, with the palace quieter, Gongsun Gong stood with King Jinji on the balcony overlooking Gimhae. The city lights flickered like stars fallen to earth.

”You kept your promise,” Jinji said quietly.

”I always do,” Gongsun Gong replied. ”This is not the end, Your Majesty. It is only the beginning. Gaya will rise again, stronger. Under Emperor Hongyi’s guidance, your people will flourish. But it must be rebuilt on loyalty. Not convenience.”

”Also, your queen will be returned to you,” Gongsun Gong said, as if discussing the weather. ”And your court will be rebuilt with men of proven loyalty.”

King Jinji met his gaze. ”And what of me?”

Gongsun Gong studied him for a long moment.

”You are still king. In name, at least. Rule well, and the Emperor will not interfere.”

It was more mercy than King Jinji had expected.

King Jinji nodded slowly. ”Then let us begin again.”

Below them, the banners of Hengyuan waved high, and in Xiapi, Lie Fan would soon receive news of Gaya’s submission, not as an act of conquest, but of total political mastery.

When the signed treaty reached Xiapi several days later, Lie Fan received it with a satisfied smirk.

*Another piece falls into place.*

Jia Xu, standing at his side, chuckled. ”Minister Park’s fate will serve as a lesson to others.”

Lie Fan nodded. ”Loyalty must be absolute to a king that was just, competent, and brave, to which King Jinji was such king. Those who betray such king once will betray such person again.”

He set the document aside and turned to the southern maps spread across his war table.

”Now,” he murmured, ”it is time for those barbarians, wannabe lords, Champa, and Funan to learn the same lesson as the Peninsula kingdoms that have fallen before our movement.”

Meanwhile, at this time, a fleet of carriages belonging to the Sun Clan finally arrived at Xiapi. Inside one of the finely adorned carriages sat Sun Shangxiang, her eyes wide with amazement as she peeked out the window, taking in the sprawling grandeur of the city for what felt like the hundredth time. Despite all her previous visits, the sheer scale of Xiapi always left her breathless.

”Uncle Cheng, look! It’s so big... and so beautiful,” she exclaimed, her voice alight with wonder.

Cheng Pu, seated across from her, let out a hearty laugh and nodded his head. ”Indeed, Xiapi is not only large, but look there, see the walls? Both inner and outer fortifications are as sturdy as they come. And the gates, you see how thick they are? Entirely new, too. Nothing short of impenetrable.”

Sun Shangxiang’s eyes sparkled with curiosity. Her brothers and father had never told her about such details.

They were careful not to stoke her fascination with warfare, fearing she would soon insist on following her idol, Lu Lingqi, into battle. Lu Lingqi, Lie Fan’s famed warrior concubine, was everything Shangxiang aspired to be.

”Uncle Cheng, really? Are they stronger than before?” she asked, leaning forward eagerly.

Cheng Pu stiffened slightly. He had let too much slip. Sun Jian, her father, had made it abundantly clear: never encourage her in matters of war. And yet, as she tilted her head and gave him that innocent, mischievous smile that she knew worked like magic, Cheng Pu could only sigh and relented.

”Yes, Shangxiang,” he said, his voice heavy with the resignation of a man who loved her like his own daughter. ”They’re reinforced with layers of iron and thickened with compressed stone. They say the inner gate could withstand a dozen battering rams.”

”Wow! That’s amazing!” she clapped her hands with excitement. ”I wish I could see the smiths who made it! Or maybe even train to protect it one day, like Lady Lu!”

Cheng Pu could only smile wearily and pray that Sun Jian would forgive him.

The carriage finally rolled to a gentle stop outside the Sun Clan’s designated residence within the inner city. It was a lavish compound, sprawling yet modestly integrated with Xiapi’s elegant architecture.

As the guards opened the door, Sun Shangxiang hopped out with boundless energy, her feet touching the polished stones of Xiapi with a dancer’s grace.

Just as Cheng Pu descended behind her, a young maid in simple, pale-blue robes hurried toward them, bowing deeply.

”Young Lady Sun, Master Cheng,” she greeted respectfully. ”I am a maid from the Sima Clan residence, sent by Her Highness Princess Wannian. She has been awaiting your arrival since receiving your letter. She extends her warmest congratulations and invites you to visit her at your earliest convenience.”

At the mention of her dear friend, Sun Shangxiang practically bounced in place.

”I want to go now! Uncle Cheng, let’s go now! Please!” she pleaded, tugging lightly at his sleeve.

Cheng Pu’s cold sweat returned in full force. He cleared his throat, glancing around as if trying to find someone to save him.

”Ahem, Shangxiang,” he said gently, placing a hand on her shoulder, ”You must remember to refer to her as Princess Wannian in public. She’s the Emperor’s sister now, and such titles are important.”

Sun Shangxiang pouted but nodded. ”Fine... Princess Wannian. But I’m still going, right?”

Cheng Pu sighed, defeated once more by her persistence. ”Yes, yes. Let me just inform the others where we’re going.”

With that, Sun Shangxiang rushed toward the waiting maid, excitement brimming in every step as they began to walk toward the Sima Clan’s estate.

The Sima residence was a stately compound nestled in the noble quarter of Xiapi, its walls adorned with climbing ivy and its courtyards filled with the scent of blooming plum trees.

Princess Wannian, Lie Fan’s beloved younger sister, had move to the estate becoming her residence after her marriage to Sima Yi and entering the Sima Clan.

When Sun Shangxiang burst through the gates that startled several guards followed by Cheng Pu who apologize to them, she found Wannian waiting in the central garden, her swollen belly barely hidden beneath flowing silk robes.

”Wannian!” Sun Shangxiang cried, rushing forward.

Wannian turned, her serene face breaking into a radiant smile. ”Shangxiang!”

The two women embraced, Wannian wincing slightly as Shangxiang squeezed a little too tightly.

”Careful,” Wannian laughed, patting her stomach. ”There’s a little one in here.”

Sun Shangxiang pulled back, her eyes wide. ”Oh! Right! Sorry!” She peered curiously at Wannian’s belly. ”So this is what pregnancy looks like up close. Does it hurt? Can you still fight? When is it due? Can I—”

Wannian covered Sun Shangxiang’s mouth with a gentle hand. ”One question at a time, firebrand.”

Sun Shangxiang huffed but obediently sat beside her on the garden bench. Servants brought tea and sweets as the two caught up, Wannian’s quiet elegance a stark contrast to Shangxiang’s boundless energy.

”You haven’t changed at all,” Wannian observed, sipping her tea.

Sun Shangxiang grinned. ”Why fix what isn’t broken?”

Wannian’s smile softened. ”I heard about your brother’s preparations in Lujiang. The southern campaign will begin soon, won’t it?”

Sun Shangxiang’s eyes gleamed when she heard Wannian brought that topic. ”Yes! And I should be going with them it was logical for me to join them, but a usual Father and my brothers insist I stay behind at Lujiang. As if I can’t handle myself out there!”

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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