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As the night deepened, Liu Bei watched the celebration with a pleased expression. He had gained two new generals, his reputation had soared, and his army had grown stronger. Yet, amidst the festivities, he failed to see the shadow lurking beneath Cang Xiu's mask, and this would be his downfall in the future.
Meanwhile, back in Xiapi, Lie Fan sat in his private study, a single candle flickering beside him as he read through the latest reports from his intelligence network. His sharp eyes scanned the parchment, absorbing the details of the martial contest in Xiangyang and the unexpected turn of events.
He set the report down, leaned back on his chair, and exhaled deeply, his fingers tapping against the wooden table in contemplation.
Cang Xiu, or whatever his true name was, had successfully infiltrated Liu Bei's government, securing a position as a general through the martial contest.
He was the only one who had managed to attract Liu Bei's attention, while the other agents planted in the tournament had failed to progress far enough to gain recognition or show enough skill or talent.
It was a notable success but also an immense responsibility. Cang Xiu's mission had changed from simple infiltration to long term espionage and eventual subversion. He had to survive within Liu Bei's forces, climb the ranks, and await the perfect moment to strike.
What intrigued Lie Fan even more, however, was the unexpected emergence of Liao Hua. From his knowledge of history and Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Liao Hua was not a particularly extraordinary general, he was competent, above average at best, but his true advantage lay in his longevity.
The man had outlived nearly all of Shu's great generals, forced to take the frontlines in his twilight years due to a lack of talented successors during the later years of Shu Han.
Such longevity was rare, and the prospect of recruiting a general who could serve for decades was an opportunity Lie Fan wished he could seize. Such a man could be trained and improve his skills, especially the Liao Hua now was still very young.
Yet, for now, Liao Hua was Liu Bei's man. That did not mean he would remain so forever. Lie Fan had proven before that loyalty could be shifted, alliances could be reforged, and even the most stalwart warriors could be persuaded under the right circumstances.
The same could be done with Liao Hua in the future. Perhaps through Cang Xiu's influence or through another avenue entirely.
Lie Fan reclined slightly in his chair, rubbing his temples as he considered his next moves. The Ma Clan's rebellion was still in its preparatory stages, where he would let the Ma Clan and Cao Cao weaken each other first, meaning he had to wait before making any major military moves.
But he could not afford to be idle. Reports about Liu Bei's continued use of the Imperial Scion title painted a clear picture, his influence remained formidable, combined with the so called Imperial Uncle, he had been carefully crafting his image as a virtuous, benevolent ruler, all while expanding his influence in Jing Province.
His recent martial contest had only bolstered his reputation, and now, with Liao Hua and Cang Xiu who were momentarily under his command, his military strength had grown. His public facade of virtue and righteousness still deceived many. That would have to change.
"Eliminating Liu Bei outright would be difficult," Lie Fan mused aloud, his voice barely above a whisper. "But if his true nature is exposed first, the process becomes easier."
He thought of Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, Liu Bei's sworn brothers. They were formidable warriors, but their devotion to Liu Bei was built on the belief that he was a righteous leader, a paragon of virtue, and lastly true scion of Han.
If that illusion was shattered, if they could be made to see the true Liu Bei, the schemer, the manipulator, then there was a chance to turn them. And if they turned, then Liu Bei's forces would collapse from within.
The same applied to Liao Hua. If Lie Fan could offer him an alternative, a cause truly worth fighting for, and Liu Bei's true nature, he might eventually defect. Chen Dao, another competent officer under Liu Bei, could also be swayed. And then there were Ju Shou and the Kuai brothers.
Ju Shou was a brilliant strategist and orator, one of the finest minds of this era. If he could be convinced that Liu Bei's rule was nothing but an act, that his loyalty was misplaced, then he too might seek a new master.
The Kuai brothers, Kuai Liang and Kuai Yue, were already skeptical of Liu Bei's true intentions. They already saw through his act. If Lie Fan extended his hand through Cang Xiu, offering them an alternative before Liu Bei inevitably betrayed them, they would have no choice but to accept.
Lie Fan rose from his chair and walked to the window, gazing out at the city of Xiapi. His forces were growing stronger, his foundation was solidifying. The pieces were falling into place, but patience was necessary. A hasty move could undo everything.
"Cang Xiu must continue to observe, to build trust within Liu Bei's ranks, especially with Kuai Yue and Kuai Liang," Lie Fan murmured. "At the same time, we must plant the seeds of doubt within his inner circle. Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Liao Hua, Chen Dao, and Ju Shou."
He turned back to his desk and took out a fresh sheet of parchment, beginning to draft a message for Cang Xiu. The message had to be carefully worded, brief yet meaningful, enough to instruct without arousing suspicion if intercepted. Cang Xiu had done well thus far, but the real test was only beginning.
'Maintain your cover. Gain their trust. Watch for cracks in Liu Bei's alliances. Slowly come into contact with the Kuai Brothers. When the time is right, we will act.'
Sealing the parchment, he summoned the Oriole agent who delivered the letter. "Deliver this to safely and secretly to Xiangyang. Ensure it reaches Cang Xiu's hand personally."
The Oriole agent bowed and departed swiftly. Lie Fan exhaled once more, settling back into his chair. The game was shifting, and the pieces were moving into position.
Soon, Liu Bei's mask would be torn away, and when that happened, Lie Fan would be ready to strike. For now, patience. The moment to act would come soon enough.
As the days turned to weeks, Lie Fan remained ever vigilant in his plans and strategies. The affairs in Xiangyang continued to develop, and his intelligence network provided him with steady updates on Cang Xiu's progress within Liu Bei's ranks.
But even as his agents worked tirelessly in the shadows, events within his own domain required his immediate attention.
It was during this time that Sima Yi, after a long and arduous journey, finally returned to Xiapi. His mission in Gungnae had been a delicate and complex one, but as expected of a man of his intellect, he had succeeded wonderfully.
The moment news of his arrival reached Lie Fan's ears, he made preparations to receive his trusted advisor in the main hall of the Governor's Castle.
The doors swung open, and Sima Yi stepped forward, his expression as composed as ever. Without hesitation, he cupped his hands and bowed deeply. "My lord, I have returned from my task. I have not let you down."
Lie Fan, leaning comfortably against his seat, let out a hearty laugh. "Excellent! You have done well, Zhongda." His eyes gleamed with satisfaction. "With the Lie Clan Supervision Bureau firmly established in Gungnae, we now hold the means to dictate the movements of Goguryeo in all of their sectors. Their every action, every strategy will be known to us before they even set them in motion, as it will pass through us first."
Sima Yi, who was humble in the presence of his lord, responded, "It was all according to your plan, my lord. I merely followed the steps laid before me, and you also have laid the foundation through the Oriole agents network, which helped me immensely."
Lie Fan chuckled, shaking his head. "You are too modest, Zhongda. The success of a plan lies in one adaptability and execution, and none could have done it better than you."
They conversed a while longer, discussing the finer details of the mission and its long term implications. However, Lie Fan was aware that Sima Yi had been away from home for an extended period.
His wife and Lie Fan's sister, Wannian, no doubt longed for his return. With a knowing smirk, Lie Fan waved his hand dismissively. "Go, return to your residence. My sister has surely been waiting impatiently for you. I would rather not have her storming my residence, demanding answers as to why I hold you back for so long here."
Sima Yi, who rarely displayed much emotion, allowed a small, appreciative smile to cross his lips. He bowed once more. "Thank you, my lord. I shall take my leave."
And with that, he departed to reunite with his wife, his mother, and his younger brothers at the Sima Clan residence. Lie Fan, watching him go, let out a contented sigh. With capable minds such as Sima Yi's working under him, his path to greatness became clearer by the day especially since he was his brother in law.
Two months passed in a flurry of activity. The world beyond Xiapi did not remain idle, nor did Lie Fan. In these passing months, breakthroughs were achieved, innovations that would change the course of his rule.
Liu Ye and Huang Chengyan, alongside his specialty group of workers, had finally completed their prototypes, the South Pointing Chariot and the Cupola Furnaces. When they presented their work to him, their pride was evident, and rightfully so.
Lie Fan carefully examined the South Pointing Chariot, an ingenious device that used differential gears to ensure the indicator always pointed south, no matter the direction in which the chariot turned. It was truly a marvel of engineering of this era, he was happy that the prototype was finally shown to him, since he had been waiting for it since he had copied it from the Book of Knowledge.
"This was truly a marvel," Lie Fan murmured, tracing a finger along the intricate mechanisms, " as it will give us an unparalleled advantage. We would not be afraid anymore for our army to lose their way in foreign land."
Liu Ye nodded enthusiastically. "Indeed, my lord. With further refinements, this device can ensure that even in the most treacherous foreign lands, we will always find our path."
Huang Chengyan, at this time, stepped forward to present the Cupola Furnaces. "My lord, with these furnaces, our iron production will reach new heights. Stronger weapons, more durable armor, and superior infrastructure, all of these will become realities."
Lie Fan studied the prototype, listening intently as Huang Chengyan explained the technical aspects. With the controlled smelting process, the increase in efficiency, it was clear that this innovation would have an immense impact on his military and economic strength, as he had expected after sewing it the the Book of Knowledge.
"Implement these two immediately when it had passes the final testing," he commanded. "Let no resource go to waste. Our enemies grow stronger by the day, and we must ensure that our might surpass theirs." The two scholars bowed, eager to see their work bear fruit.
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Name: Lie Fan
Title: Overlord Of The Central Plains
Age: 33 (200 AD)
Level: 16
Next Level: 462,000
Renown: 1325
Cultivation: Yin Yang Separation (level 9)
SP: 1,121,700
ATTRIBUTE POINTS
STR: 951 (+20)
VIT: 613 (+20)
AGI: 598 (+10)
INT: 617
CHR: 96
WIS: 519
WILL: 407
ATR Points: 0