463. Meeting Wang Yi, Liang Xi, & Lu Qian

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Wannian's blush deepened, a mixture of excitement and nervousness evident in her demeanor. Her eyes remained locked on Sima Yi's, and the shared understanding and love between them was clear where everyone in the hall could see. The prospect of their engagement and eventual marriage was beginning to feel more real, and her heart swelled with hope and happiness.

With Lie Fan giving his agreement to Sima Yi's request to marry Wannian, the next important matter to discuss was the dowry that the Sima Clan needed to present to the Lie Clan.

That is why to address this matter, Lie Fan had Jia Xu, Sun Qian, Chen Qun, and Lu Su to represent him. These men were not only skilled in their respective fields but also dedicated to the prosperity of the Lie Clan. Sima Yi had his brother, Sima Lang, to represent him in these crucial discussions.

The meeting commenced with an air of formality and seriousness. The dowry, a significant element in the marriage, was discussed in detail. Jia Xu began by outlining the expectations and customary practices associated with dowries, emphasizing the importance of a fair and respectful agreement.

Sun Qian added, "The dowry symbolizes the union of the two families and should reflect the mutual respect and goodwill. It's not just a transaction but a gesture of commitment to a shared future."

Sima Lang, understanding the gravity of the situation, spoke on behalf of his family. "We recognize the importance of this dowry and are committed to ensuring it meets the expectations of my lord's Clan. However, we seek guidance on the specific requirements and preferences you might have."

Chen Qun, who knew the political influence and wealth of all the nobility clans under Lie Fan, proposed, "Given the varying assets and resources that Lord Lie Fan and the Sima Clan hold, it would be practical to allow flexibility in the form of the dowry. Whether it's in money, treasures, commodities, or land, the aim should be to provide something meaningful and valuable."

Lu Su nodded his head agreeing with the statement and concurred. "This approach will not only simplify the process but also ensure that the dowry can be tailored to the strengths and capacities of the Sima Clan. It will allow Master Sima Lang and Sir Sima Yi to present what they can offer most generously."

After several rounds of discussion, it was agreed that the Sima Clan could provide the dowry in any form they deemed suitable, be it monetary wealth, precious treasures, valuable commodities, or parcels of land.

This flexibility was a gesture of goodwill from the Lie Clan, reflecting the respect and trust Lie Fan had for the Sima Clan's integrity.

Lie Fan then explained, "The dowry will be directly given to Wannian as her pocket money, for her personal expenditures in the future. This will be combined with the betrothal gift from the Lie Clan, ensuring that she has sufficient resources at her disposal."

Sima Yi and Sima Lang recognized the generosity behind this arrangement. They understood that this decision came from Lie Fan himself, as such terms were unlikely to have originated from his advisors alone. Grateful for this magnanimity, they accepted the terms without hesitation.

With the terms of the engagement settled Lie Fan turned to the next steps. "Two of my wives, Diao Chan, and Cai Wenji will search for an auspicious day to consult with the monks to hold the engagement ceremony within the next few months. Once the date is set, I will inform you both to discuss the details of the ceremony."

The meeting concluded on a note of mutual respect and anticipation. Lie Fan then allowed Wannian and Sima Yi to spend some time together, albeit under the watchful eyes of several handmaidens he had assigned to Wannian, to ensure that nothing shouldn't happen before the marriage happened.

The following days passed quickly, filled with preparations and the buzz of impending celebration. Wannian and Sima Yi grew closer, their bond strengthened even more due to Lie Fan agreeing to their engagement.

In the midst of these personal and family affairs, Lie Fan received news from Liu Ye. The appointment to meet with Wang Yi, Liang Xi, and Lu Qian at the main hall of the Governor's Castle had been confirmed.

Lie Fan prepared for this important meeting, knowing that the discussions with Wang Yi, Liang Xi, and Lu Qian would require his full attention because if the three of them were truly qualified they can play an important role in some of his plans or projects.

Entering the main hall of the Governor's Castle, Lie Fan was greeted by the sight of Wang Yi, Liang Xi, and Lu Qian already seated and waiting for him alongside Liu Ye, and the four of them immediately stood up when they saw Lie Fan and greet him.

Lie Fan returned their greeting and gestured for them to take a seat after taking his place at the head of the table. Liu Ye then formally introduced Wang Yi, Liang Xi, and Lu Qian to Lie Fan, each standing up and cupping their hands in a respectful gesture as their name was announced.

Lie Fan welcomed the three to Xiapi, his expression open and curious. "Welcome to Xiapi. I am pleased to meet you all. May I ask what brought all of you here specifically? What motivated your journey to come here to Xiapi and meet me?"

Lu Qian was the first to respond. Standing up, he addressed Lie Fan with a confident and respectful tone. "My lord, I came here at the invitation of my close friend, Liu Ye, who spoke highly of you and the work you are doing here in Xiapi. I wish to pledge my allegiance to you and contribute my skills to your cause if you would have me."

Lie Fan nodded, appreciating the directness of Lu Qian's response. "Thank you, Lu Qian. Your decision to join us is both welcome and appreciated."

Next, Liang Xi stood to speak. "My lord, I also come with a similar intention. I have heard of your innovative approaches, particularly in agriculture and domestic development. I believe my expertise in these areas can be of significant use to you. I wish to pledge my allegiance and assist in the continued growth and prosperity of Xiapi."

Lie Fan's eyes lit up with interest since he truly needed people with this talent after the expansion of his domain. "Your expertise in agriculture and domestic affairs is indeed valuable, Liang Xi. We welcome your knowledge and skills."

Finally, Wang Yi, who had been silently observing, stood to address Lie Fan. Her demeanor was more critical, her gaze piercing. "My lord, I seek refuge here. I was advised to come to Xiapi if I wished to remain safe after certain past experiences. Someone told me that under your protection, I would find safety and a chance to rebuild my life."

Lie Fan studied Wang Yi thoughtfully. Her critical tone and mention of past experiences were something he knew about, but the mention of someone telling her to come here caused him to be curious and to learn more.

"Lady Wang Yi, you are welcome here. We will provide the refuge and protection you seek. Xiapi is a place where people can rebuild and thrive, and I hope you will find the peace and opportunity you are looking for." Lie Fan said as he gestured toward Xiapi's scenery, which could be seen from outside of the main hall entrance.

With the introductions and initial reasons for their arrival established, Lie Fan leaned forward, his tone becoming more engaging and inclusive. "Now that the introduction has passed, I would like to hear more about your skills and how you envision contributing to our efforts in Xiapi. Lu Qian, Liang Xi, and Lasy Wang Yi, your unique talents and experiences are valuable, and I want to ensure that we utilize them effectively for the benefit of all."

Lu Qian began, detailing his background and expertise in strategic planning and scouting. "My lord, I have extensive experience in strategic planning and scouting due to my background as a ranger. I believe I can assist in organizing and optimizing the various scout regiments you have and ensure the safety of the rear of each army we have."

Lie Fan nodded, seeing the potential in Lu Qian's abilities for future warfare. "Your skills will indeed be valuable, Lu Qian. We need to secure the rear of my army, especially with the position of my domain current needs to ensure the safety of three fronts."

Liang Xi then shared his vision after Lu Qian. "My lord, my expertise lies in agricultural development and innovations in domestic affairs. I have ideas for improving crop yields, irrigation systems, and overall community well-being. I believe these improvements can significantly enhance the prosperity of the domain under my lord's leadership."

Lie Fan smiled, impressed by Liang Xi's forward thinking approach. "Your ideas align with our goals for sustainable growth and prosperity. I look forward to seeing your plans put into action in the future."

Finally, Wang Yi spoke, her voice steady and determined. "My lord, my skills are varied, but I have a strong background in logistics and resource management. I can help streamline supply chains and ensure that resources are distributed efficiently. Additionally, I have some experience in espionage, which may prove useful."

Lie Fan's interest was piqued. "Your experience in logistics and resource management is crucial, especially as we continue to expand. And any additional insights into my espionage network are always welcome."

With their skills and potential contributions laid out, Lie Fan felt a renewed sense of optimism about the future. "Thank you all for sharing your backgrounds and skills. I am confident that with your help, we can achieve great things here in the future. I look forward to working closely with each of you to ensure our collective success."

As Lie Fan was saying that, he used the eye of Erlang Shen to see the attributes each of them had. To see the level of advisor or general they were.

• Lu Qian

STR: 489 VIT: 85 AGI: 93 INT: 86

• Liang Xi

INT: 512 WIS: 71 VIT: 75 CHR: 67

• Wang Yi

INT: 610 WIS: 82 VIT: 70 CHR: 94

Seeing the numbers, Lie Fan feel that they were pretty reasonable attributes the three of them had especially Wang Yi, who was put into the advisors class, and the high charisma attributes he concluded were due to the beauty she has and the eloquence of her words which she had shown.

The meeting after that was concluded on a positive note, with plans set in motion to integrate Lu Qian, Liang Xi, and Wang Yi into the various projects and initiatives underway in Lie Fan's domain. As they left the main hall, Lie Fan felt a sense of satisfaction and anticipation. The addition of these talented individuals would undoubtedly strengthen their efforts and bring him closer to his goals.

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Name: Lie Fan

Title: Overlord Of The Central Plains

Age: 31 (198 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