288 280. Reaction From Across The Land

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This also elevated Cao Cao's prestige but on the other hand, revived the Han Dynasty's stained prestige, which was a small price to pay to keep other forces guessing what Cao Cao meant by giving them these titles and promotions, which bought Cao Cao time to finish his intrigue battle with Liu Bei over Qing Province and prepared himself for the inevitable battle with Yuan Shao on his north while also eying Hongnong, which was under Zhang Ji's rule.

Cao Cao knew that his expansion could only go west or north, as his south and east were already occupied by Lie Fan who held a considerable amount of soldiers than him, while Yuan Shao was also the same as Lie Fan, but he had a natural barrier of the Yellow river which he could use to his advantage.

As for Lie Fan, Cao Cao knew he didn't have any natural barriers he could take advantage of in his attack or defense against Lie Fan, and Lie Fan also became some sort of a figure like Lu Bu with the might he had, had a large number of talented generals and advisors under him, unlike Yuan Shao.

Xun Yu then proposed for Cao Cao to also receive the title Marquis of Wei and also used this opportunity to insert himself as the Minister Of Works, leveling his power over the Imperial Court, also to reduce the cautiousness of 9ther warlords, as it will be weird if other receive titles while he doesn't.

Cao Cao immediately applauded Xun Yu inside his heart, because he also wanted to confer himself but thought it would be too rude if he suggested it himself, Cao Cao who heard this acted that he shouldn't become a marquis and minister.

Of course, all of Cao Cao's advisors knew that Cao Cao just maintained courtesy so he acted like that, they began to 'persuade' him before Cao Cao finally rented and agreed with their persuasion.

After That, All of Cao Cao's advisors soon gave their approval to Cao Cao's plan, and after receiving the approval Cao Cao ordered Xun Yu to draft up the letters that would be sent to each people, then ordered Cheng Yu and Dong Zhao to prepare for the seal of each title and peerage that have been decided.

After the order was given Xun Yu, Cheng Yu, and Dong Zhao both cupped their hands toward Cao Cao and then left the hall to do their assignment, while at this time Guo Jia, Xi Zhicai, and Jia Kui had another proposal they want to propose to Cao Cao.

Guo Jia: "My Lord since you have planted for every one of our Neighbors some presents that will take their focus off us, I think it's time for us to recuperate but at the same time focus on the West."

Cao Cao: "At Zhang Ji? But isn't to fast Fengxiao? We haven't completely ousted Liu Bei from Qing Province, if we focus on Zhang Ji now I'm afraid we will be fighting on two separate fronts."

Xi Zhicai: "Don't worry My Lord as for Liu Bei I and Jia Kui have prepared some plans that will completely oust Liu Bei from Qing Province, so My Lord can fest easy on the matter of Zhang Ji."

Jia Kui: "That right My Lord, and we also have Yang Feng to the west who has been keeping an eye on Zhang Ji from Hangu Pass west of Luoyang, we can use him to weaken Zhang Ji and swoop in for the taking when both are on weak situation."

Cao Cao: "Hmm a marvelous plan, Zhicai, and Liangdao have the plans arrived on my table as soon as you can. Talking about Yang Feng, I heard of a fearsome general named Xu Huang under him, do you think we have the chance to get him on our side?"

Guo Jia: "I have heard of him My Lord, and from the information I gathered about him, he has led a humble and simple life while also being a very self-discipline man and a very loyal man, except for Yang Feng he doesn't have any friends there, so the only chance of recruiting him is by defeating Yang Feng."

Cao Cao: "I see, after the plan, Zhicai and Liangdao have been put on my table, I will decide our next move, for now, we focus on Liu Bei and recuperate our strength while also keeping an eye on Yuan Shao."

After Cao Cao finishes what he said, he disperses the meeting and everyone returns to do the assignment they have, and after several hours pass Cao Cao receives both the letters of the title that will be conferred and promotion alongside the Plan that Xi Zhicai and Jia Kui have made.

Cao Cao examined the letters to make sure that it was right and then called for his aide to present them to The Emperor and put his seal on them, before having them sent out to the respective person who would receive them.

Then he analyzed the plan he received from Xi Zhicai and Jia Kui, after reading it he felt that the plan wasn't an out of the box plan, but something steady and at the same time could be flexible so he approved the plan.

On the other side of Cao Cao's office, at the Governor's Castle that has been turned into the Palace for the Emperor, Emperor Xian receives the letters that were presented to him, accompanied by Dong Cheng.

Emperor Xian who was only 14 years old still needed someone who could help him make a decision, so Cao Cao made Dong Cheng to be responsible for Emperor Xian's welfare and worked as the Emperor.

So Dong Cheng read the letters that were sent to them and was immediately angered as this was not a letter of request, but already a letter of inauguration and just needed Emperor Xian's seal as Emperoe to make it official.

Dong Cheng protested toward Cao Cao's side who brought the letter but only received silence and a hard-eyed stare, which pressured him to tell Emperor Xian to stamp his seal on the letters.

Realizing that Cao Cao's true nature began to emerge, Dong Cheng knew that he and the ministers of the court didn't have any power or influence whatsoever, since they lived in Cao Cao's land.

Emperor Xian was old enough to understand certain situations and see the bad look on Dong Cheng's face, he knew that something bad was going on but didn't what it was.

Dong Cheng helps Emperor Xian by stamping his seal on all of the letters, and when it is finished Dong Cheng gives it to Cao Cao's aide who after cupping his hand toward Dong Cheng and Emperor Xian, leaves the hall to send the letters.

Soon the letters spread all across the land and arrived at each of the people designated for them, and when they arrived shook the land considerably as no one expected Cao Cao to do this, some rejoiced, some were cautious, and some were neutral.

The ones who rejoiced like Liu Zhang and Yuan Shao, feel that they were legitimized and that it increased their influence across their domain, especially Yuan Shao who just received almost all of You Province, except for the lands under Gongsun Du.

Liu Zhang was also supported by this since he felt that he would be taken more seriously now as he inherited the Duke title from his father, not knowing that even with that all the Nobles would still treat him as a puppet.

The ones who are cautious would be Lie Fan and Liu Bei, Liu Bei feels like it was a mockery to him since the other Imperia Scions receive the title of Duke, while he only receives Earl, even Lie Fan receives a title higher than his which is Marquis.

Ju Shou told Liu Bei that this was a situation to undermine his influence in Qing Province, and for him to be cautious as there should be more of Cao Cao's plan, considering that he conferred himself as Marquis of Wei, which symbolized what ambition he had.

As for Lie Fan, he was very surprised as Cao Cao had never done this in the original timeline, maybe due to him having controlled almost all of the Central Plains, and preparing for the showdown against Yuan Shao.

Now the situation is different, He controlled Xu Province, half of Yu Province, and 2/8 counties of Qing Province, which posed a heavy threat to Cao Cao who held all of Yan Province, half of Sili Province, half of Yu Province, and 6/8 counties in Qing Province

Lie Fan consulted his advisors about this move that Cao Cao had planned, and instantly Jia Xu alongside Xun You could see what Cao Cao's motives were and told Lie Fan which was almost the same as what Cao Cao had in mind.

Lie Fan after hearing what Cao Cao might have planned, began to truly understand that even the history books and Rotk's novel don't depict Cao Cao's true abilities.

Lie Fan then asked all of his advisors what they should do next since he had been awarded the title of Marquis of Xu and elevated from General of The Left to General Who Pacifies the East.

Jia Xu suggested that Lie Fan take advantage of this and use it to increase his prestige since becoming a Marquis elevated his status amongst the nobles and alongside the title of General Who Pacified the East, it could attract more talented people under him.

Xun You and the others agree with Jia Xu's suggestions, since there's nothing they can do right now, even though they know it was Cao Cao who did this, the commoners think that it was the Emperor's decision that increased the Han Dynasty's reputation.

Lie Fan nods his head and accepts Jia Xu's suggestion and what others say is true that there is nothing they can do except accept it and roll with it, while also being cautious against Cao Cao's next move.

After the rejoiced and cautious group, there was the neutral party like Ma Teng and Han Sui alongside Sun Jian who felt that he didn't need recognition from others, especially Cao Cao who controlled the Emperor.

Of course, that's his personal feelings, for his retainers it was worth a celebration because they also wanted to persuade Sun Jian to declare himself as the Governor of Yang Province, but was afraid of what Lie Fan would do since they were allies and Lie Fan have some lands in Yang province.

Now that Cao Cao through the Emperor has officially promoted Sun Jian as the Governor of Yang Province, they don't need to be afraid of a backlash from Lie Fan since it was all Cao Cao's doing, and with Sun Jian being legitimized as Governor of Yang Province, talents in Yang Province would come to serve Sun Jian.

True to Cao Cao and his advisor's thought, all people across the land were shaken by his move, but unbeknownst to Cao Cao and his retainers, since Cao Cao had forced and used Imperial Power like it was he who had the power, Dong Chao and the Imperial Court officials who still loyal to the Han Dynasty, held a secret meeting the night after Emperor Xian was forced to stamp his seal on the letters.

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Name: Lie Fan

Title: Three Heroes Who Defeat Lu Bu

Age: 28 (195 AD)

Level: 16

Next Level: 2,462,000

Renown: 725

Cultivation: Yin Yang Separation (level 9)

SP: 1,071,700

ATTRIBUTE POINTS

STR: 936 (+20)

VIT: 598 (+20)

AGI: 583 (+10)

INT: 587

CHR: 93

WIS: 509

WILL: 397

ATR Points: 0