Reborn In The Three Kingdoms

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He picked up a chess piece from the board beside him, turning it over in his fingers, before placing git onto the board once again, checkmate the other piece that he played as well. ”And when they do... we will end this in a single stroke.”

Jia Xu chuckled softly as he nodded his head, his aged fingers stroking his beard as he regarded Lie Fan with a knowing glint in his eyes. ”Your Majesty, if I may say, since the day we first met, your ability to play the long game has only grown sharper. I wouldn’t be surprised if, even now, you have contingencies in place should any of your advisors ever... stray from the path.”

Lie Fan leaned back in his chair, a slow smirk curling at the edge of his lips with a glint in his eyes. ”Would you dare? I might have done such a thing unbeknownst to all of you.”

He took a sip of wine, the cup hovering near his mouth as he added, ”After all, the Oriole Agents’ absolute obedience is to me alone. You are their Grandmaster in name and command, Wenhe, but I am the one they serve. I do hope that none of you ever betray me... not because I worry, but because I do not wish to make you experience what I have in store for traitors to me.”

The unspoken warning hung in the air, even you are not beyond suspicion.

Jia Xu didn’t flinch. Instead, he let out an amused exhale. ”A wise precaution, Your Majesty. Though I assure you, Your Majesty, I have no intention of testing it. I’ve seen firsthand the effectiveness of the Oriole Agents. If they were concentrated, not even a single piece of rice could escape their watchful eyes.”

”Good,” Lie Fan said, setting the cup down. ”Because I’d hate to lose you, Wenhe.”

The words were light, almost teasing, but the steel beneath them was unmistakable.

Jia Xu inclined his head. ”Then we are in agreement, Your Majesty.”

Inwardly, Jia Xu took the moment as a warning, not out of paranoia, but as a reminder that Lie Fan, though benevolent to his own, was never careless when it came to threats, even potential ones. He might trust them, but he was also prepared for any eventuality. And that was what made him so formidable.

After that, days passed by.

Lie Fan continued to play his game from the shadows, using the Oriole Agents to silently observe the increasing activity of the so called Gentlemen’s Concord, or more plainly, the Anti Lie Fan faction.

The men who once whispered doubt now began to take bolder steps. The instigator of treason, the noble who first proposed rebellion, had begun to act openly within the hidden corners of the Empire.

He contacted mercenary groups, some from the northern reaches and others from pirate infested coastlines, using generous bribes to court their loyalty.

Disgruntled Imperial Guards officers, passed over for promotion or dismissed for corruption, were quietly approached and offered not just reinstatement, but power. Low ranking officers who bore grudges for not receiving titles or lands were seduced with promises of vast estates, silk lined robes, and titles fit for nobles.

What they didn’t realize was that every meeting, every secret letter, every gold coin exchanged was being meticulously recorded.

The Oriole Agents followed them, listened from attics, watched from rooftops, and intercepted communications under the guise of drunkards, courtesans, stableboys, and even wandering monks. Their reach was absolute.

”They grow bold,” Jia Xu remarked one evening, scanning the latest intelligence. ”The mercenaries have begun gathering outside the city in a hidden estate, Your Majesty.”

”Good,” Lie Fan said, his fingers drumming against the armrest of his throne. ”Let them commit. Let them think they have a chance.”

Far from the brewing storm in Xiapi, Ma Chao and his contingent of 50,000 soldiers finally arrived in Lujiang, their journey marked by Sun Shangxiang’s relentless energy and Cheng Pu’s long suffering sighs.

The Sun Clan’s forces 150,000 strong, were already stationed outside the city, their banners fluttering in the breeze. As Ma Chao’s army settled beside them, the sheer scale of the combined forces was enough to make even seasoned soldiers pause.

”Impressive,” Ma Xiu muttered, eyeing the Sun Clan’s disciplined ranks.

”We’ve been preparing for this campaign for months General,” Cheng Pu said, pride evident in his voice.

Ma Chao nodded. ”Then let’s not keep everyone waiting.”

The city gates were thrown wide in welcome, and banners bearing the Sun Clan and Hengyuan Dynasty symbols fluttered along the stone walls. Crowds of civilians gathered to see the returning princess of the clan and the contingent of soldiers send by his majesty the Emperor who accompanied them.

Ma Chao carefully stationed his men just outside the city proper, ensuring discipline and clear separation from the Sun Clan forces.

Though allies, proper military decorum had to be maintained. His 50,000 stood in perfect order beside the 150,000 troops loyal to the Sun family. From afar, the sight of such unity made onlookers feel both pride and awe.

Once the armies were settled, Ma Chao, Ma Xiu, Ma Tie, and Ma Dai joined Sun Shangxiang and Cheng Pu and made their way toward the governor’s castle, a formidable stone structure nestled in the heart of Lujiang. There, in the main hall, a reception awaited.

Inside the hall, the elite of the Sun Clan stood assembled.

Sun Ce, bold and spirited, stood as host. Beside him were his father, the venerable Duke Sun Jian, and his younger brother, the scholarly and composed Sun Quan.

With them were some of the finest minds and blades in the south, Zhou Yu the strategist, Zhang Zhao the advisor, Huan Jie the scholar, Zhou Tai the stalwart guard, and Lu Meng, the promising young general.

Before formal greetings could be exchanged, Sun Shangxiang shattered protocol entirely.

”Father!”

She sprinted across the hall, ignoring the startled looks from the gathered officials, and threw herself into Sun Jian’s arms.

Sun Jian, caught between stern duty and fatherly love, looked like a man struck by both thunder and laughter. His expression twisted into a mixture of exasperation, embarrassment, and undeniable warmth.

”A-Xiang!” Sun Jian scolded, though his arms wrapped around her all the same. ”What are you... this is a formal reception!”

”I missed you!” she declared, squeezing him tighter.

”I missed you too,” Sun Jian replied softly.

Sun Ce burst out laughing, while Sun Quan pinched the bridge of his nose, though his lips twitched upward.

”Sister,” Sun Ce called, ”must you always make an entrance?”

Sun Shangxiang finally pulled back, grinning unrepentantly. ”Would you prefer I didn’t?”

Sun Jian sighed, though his eyes were warm. ”Go. Sit. Before you embarrass our guests further.”

Realizing her mistake, Sun Shangxiang released him and turned toward the room, her face slightly red. ”Apologies, everyone,” she said with an awkward chuckle.

Then, almost as one, smiles broke out among those present. Sun Ce shook his head in amusement, while Sun Quan gave his sister a fond look. Zhou Yu gave a soft chuckle, and even the serious Zhang Zhao allowed a faint grin.

”She hasn’t changed,” Zhou Tai muttered under his breath.

”She never will,” Lu Meng added with a smile.

With a sheepish bow to the room, and a particularly cheeky glance at Ma Chao, she took her place beside her father.

Once order was restored, Sun Ce stepped forward, his voice carrying the easy authority of a man born to lead.

”General Ma Chao, and honored guests, Ma Tie, Ma Xiu, and Ma Dai, you are most welcome in Lujiang. On behalf of our family and our people, I thank you for coming with 50,000 soldiers to support the southern campaign. Your presence strengthens our combat power and brings us great honor.”

Ma Chao, in full military regalia, returned the gesture with perfect military precision.

”Marquis Dingdong of Changsha,” he began, addressing Sun Ce by his title, ”Duke Wulie of Changsha,” he nodded to Sun Jian. ”The honor is mine to finally meet the both of you and everyone here. Emperor Hongyi ordered our support, I bring my spear and the strength of 50,000 men to support, and we are here to serve under your command for the southern campaign.”

Sun Jian’s eyes gleamed with approval. ”Well said, General Ma Chao. With the Ma family’s famed cavalry and our combined forces, this campaign will be over before the barbarians know what hit them.”

As for Sun Ce, his smile widened. ”While we know you come under imperial orders, General, it is still a relief to have such a capable commander aiding us. We are grateful for your presence and your kin’s.”

With a wave of his hand, he motioned to the servants waiting at the edges of the hall.

”Bring forth the tables and chairs,” he ordered, ”and let us share wine and food with our honored guests.”

The hall quickly transformed into a warm, festive atmosphere. Long tables were placed down the length of the chamber, carved from polished wood and decorated with fine silk runners.

Platters of roasted meats, fish, dumplings, and southern delicacies were brought forth. Bronze cups were filled with fragrant wine, and musicians began to play soft melodies.

As Ma Chao and his brothers were seated, the Sun family members took their places as well. Wine flowed, and conversation filled the air, cordial and celebratory.

As the banquet began, Sun Ce raised his cup. ”To victory!”

”To victory!” the hall echoed.

As the banquet wore on, the atmosphere grew livelier. Sun Shangxiang, ever restless, found herself drifting toward Ma Chao’s table.

”You’ve been quiet, General,” she remarked, leaning against the edge of his table. ”Not one for feasts?”

Ma Chao sipped his wine, his expression unreadable. ”I prefer action to words, my lady.”

”Then you’ll love the southern campaign against the barbarians,” she said, grinning. ”After all, I’m sure there would be plenty of actions to be had.”

Ma Xiu, wanting to be an instigator, smirked. ”Big brother’s just upset you actually could go toe to toe with him in that spar before.”

Ma Chao shot him a glare.

Sun Shangxiang laughed. ”Oh? Is that pride I hear wounded?”

”Not wounded,” Ma Chao corrected. ”Merely... reassessing.”

”Reassessing what?”

”Whether you fight like a demon or just act like one.”

The entire hall immediately burst into laughter, even Cheng Pu, who had been watching the exchange with the air of a man who was witnessing an impending disaster. Sun Ce, overhearing, raised a brow. ”You sparred with my sister, General?”

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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