537. The Grand Celebration Begun!

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But for now, patience and subtlety would be his greatest weapons. He would let the Sun Clan deliberate, and when the time was right, he would act. For now, the future was filled with possibility, and Lie Fan would make sure that whatever the outcome, it would be one that strengthened his position and brought him one step closer to unifying the fractured land under his rule.

As the intrigues and subtle diplomatic games unfolded behind the scenes, Xiapi's Grand Celebration was set to begin the very next day. The city had been buzzing with anticipation for weeks, and now, in the early morning, the streets were alive with the excitement of a people ready to indulge in a day of festivities.

Lie Fan had declared the day a public holiday, allowing the entire populace of Xiapi, from commoners, scholars, merchants, and nobles, to partake in the celebration without worrying about doing their work.

This celebration was more than just a festival for the populace of Xiapi, especially the commoners—it marked the completion of Xiapi's recent expansion and symbolized the city's growing prosperity and stability under Lie Fan's rule from the very first day he was in office until today, developing Xiapi to reach what it had become.

The morning sun cast a golden glow over the city's towering walls and newly constructed buildings, as Lie Fan's force banner was unfurled alongside numerous banners in vibrant colors along the streets. Music filled the air, with drums, flutes, and the strumming of guqin echoing throughout the city.

The people of Xiapi, dressed in the finest clothes they had in their wardrobe, had gathered at the heart of the city inside the inner city, where commoners were allowed to enter without any security checking needed, waiting for Lie Fan's speech, which would officially open the celebration.

From the balcony of the Governor's Castle, Lie Fan stood before the assembled crowd, flanked by his closest advisors and three of his bodyguards. Beside him stood Jia Xu, Xun You, Chen Qun, Liu Ye, Chen Gong, Lu Su, Sima Yi, Chen Gui, Yi Ji, Mi Zhu, Sun Qian, Cai Yong, Zhuge Xuan, Lu Zhi, Man Chong, Mao Jie, and Zhuge Jin.

These men represented the finest minds he had that were present in Xiapi and were under his service—men who had helped him build Xiapi into the beacon of strength and prosperity that it had become in these chaotic times.

Lie Fan, wearing his ceremonial armor adorned with intricate designs of dragons and phoenixes, raised his hand to signal for silence. The crowd, composed of commoners, merchants, scholars, and nobles alike, quieted instantly, their eyes fixed on him in anticipation. Behind him, the banner of the Lie Clan fluttered in the wind, which had become a symbol of the unity and strength that Lie Fan had forged in this time of chaos.

His voice, firm and commanding, carried over the crowd as he began his speech. "People of Xiapi, my domain, and guests from outside, today we celebrate more than just the completion of our city's expansion. Today, we celebrate the birth of a new era for Xiapi—an era of peace, prosperity, and unity in a time when the world around us is fractured by war and strife which result in numerous deaths and hunger."

His words struck a chord with the crowd, who had experienced firsthand the transformation of their city under his rule. Xiapi had once been the capital city of Xu Province without anything special, but under Lie Fan's leadership, it had become a thriving metropolis, a hub of trade and culture that rivaled even the capital city of the Han Dynasty, Luoyang.

Lie Fan continued, his tone filled with hope but also determination. "Xiapi stands as a symbol of what can be achieved when people work together toward a common goal. It is a beacon of harmony in these dark times. But let us not put down our guards. We must remain vigilant, for there are those who seek to bring further chaos to our land. Together, we will ensure that Xiapi continues to stand strong, not just today, but for generations to come."

As he spoke, his words were received with enthusiastic applause from the crowd, who had come to admire their lord not just for his military prowess but for his vision of a peaceful and prosperous society. Merchants from distant lands who had come to Xiapi for trade and opportunity cheered alongside the city's scholars and artisans.

The Nobles, who had supported him from the first day he took office as the Governor of Xu Province or joined to support him along the way, had seen firsthand Lie Fan's growing influence, nodded in agreement, recognizing the stability and prosperity his leadership had brought to the region.

With a final flourish, Lie Fan raised his hand high and declared with a resolute voice, "Well then, Let the Grand Celebration begin!"

A roar of approval swept through the crowd as the celebrations officially commenced. The streets of Xiapi, both within the Inner City and the Outer City, erupted into a vibrant display of festivity. Street vendors lined the thoroughfares, selling all manner of food, trinkets, and souvenirs.

The aromas of roasted meats, steamed buns, and exotic spices filled the air, enticing the crowds to sample the diverse culinary delights on offer. Performers of all kinds—acrobats, fire-breathers, musicians, and dancers—entertained the masses with their skills, adding to the sense of wonder and excitement that filled the city.

In the Inner City, where the wealthier and more powerful resided, lavish banquets were being prepared in the grand homes of Xiapi's nobility. Guests from distant regions mingled with local aristocrats, discussing trade, politics, and the ever-shifting balance of power in the fractured land.

The markets were bustling with activity, as merchants from all over China and beyond conducted business deals, exchanging goods that ranged from silks and spices to weapons and horses. Inns, restaurants, and taverns were packed with people eager to join in the celebration, their laughter and conversation spilling out onto the streets.

Xiapi's economy flourished during the festival, with Lie Fan reaping the rewards of his careful planning. Almost half of the businesses in the city were under his control through the Yu Merchant Group, and the influx of visitors, combined with the massive sales generated by the festival, meant a significant increase in revenue for his administration.

This money, in turn, would be used to further strengthen the defenses of his domain, fund new construction projects, fund new research projects, and ensure that his troops remained well-equipped and ready all the time either to invade or defend.

Throughout the day, the festivities continued unabated. In the Outer City, where the common folk lived and worked, the atmosphere was equally jubilant. Farmers, laborers, and craftsmen who had toiled for months even year's on the city's expansion now had a chance to relax and enjoy the fruits of their labor.

They gathered in the town squares, where they watched opera performances and participated in traditional games. Children ran through the streets with bright lanterns, while families sat together, enjoying the rare occasion of rest and celebration.

The streets of Xiapi bustled with an almost magical energy as the Grand Celebration unfolded. Every corner of the city was alive with vibrant sights, sounds, and smells. As the festivities spread across the city, Sun Jian and his family found themselves immersed in the joyous atmosphere.

Accompanied by their royal guards, the Sun Clan wandered through the tree-lined avenues of the inner city, taking in the marvels that Xiapi had to offer during such a large-scale event.

Sun Ce recognized the significance of the grandeur of the celebration had and was impressed by the scale of it. He couldn't help but admire how Lie Fan had pulled off such an extravagant festival, especially during a time when most warlords were hoarding resources, hesitant to spend even a fraction of their wealth for fear of instability. Yet here was Lie Fan, seemingly without concern, flaunting Xiapi's prosperity for all to see.

Sun Ce murmured to Zhou Yu, who walked by his side as he held Xiao Qiao's hand, "Gonglu, the scale of this celebration... the funds required must be enormous. Brother Lie Fan truly knows how to display his strength and wealth."

Zhou Yu, equally impressed by what he has seen nodded thoughtfully. "It's not just about wealth, Bofu. This is a statement. He's showing everyone, from commoners to nobles, that Xiapi and his domain are thriving under his rule. It's a display of power, a subtle way to secure loyalty from his people and even entice others to join him."

Lady Wu, walking with her daughter Sun Shangxiang and her daughter in law Da Qiao, couldn't help but smile as they passed through crowds of cheerful citizens and skilled street performers. She admired the way Xiapi's people seemed genuinely happy and content.

It was rare to see such joy in these chaotic times. Da Qiao, her daughter in law, was equally captivated by the sights, her delicate features glowing with delight as they watched acrobats tumble through the air and musicians perform lively tunes on the street corners.

Meanwhile, Sun Quan, the youngest of the Sun brothers, found himself entranced by the merchants in the market. He marveled at the goods on display—silks from the south, spices from distant lands, and even some exotic trinkets from beyond the borders of China. It was clear that Xiapi had become a prosperous trade hub, with goods flowing in from every corner of the land.

As they explored further, Sun Ce suggested they take lunch at the Serenity Inn, a well-known establishment famed for its delicacies and comfortable setting. What the Sun Clan didn't know was that the Serenity Inn was one of Lie Fan's many covert hubs, a place where his Oriole agents quietly operated behind the scenes, gathering intelligence from throughout the land.

The family entered the lavish inn, marveling at its elegant décor and the tantalizing aromas that filled the air. After booking a large private dining room, they settled in to enjoy the finest dishes Xiapi had to offer, unaware that they were dining in one of Lie Fan's most strategically placed establishments.

At the same time, in another part of Xiapi, Lie Fan made his way back to the Lie Clan residence after delivering his speech. As he entered the grand residence, he was greeted by his parents, Lie Shang and Yu Yan, along with his wives, Ying Yue, Diao Chan, Cai Wenji, and Lu Lingqi. His sister, Wannian, alongside Sima Yi, was also present, beaming as she saw her brother.

Lie Fan's children, still young and full of energy, were also in the dining hall. The older two, Chenchen and Yaoyao, both nine years old, immediately ran up to their father, their faces filled with joy at seeing him.

Yanyan and Nuonuo, at five years old, followed suit, their laughter echoing through the room as they hugged his legs. Diao Chan held their youngest, Xuanxuan, who was still a baby, in her arms, smiling warmly at the reunion.

Lie Fan bent down to embrace his children, his stern exterior softening as he spoke gently to them. "Have you been enjoying the celebration?" he asked, his tone affectionate.

Chenchen, the more outgoing of the twins, grinned widely. "Yes, Father! The streets are filled with so many people, and there are dancers, musicians, and all kinds of food! I would love to enjoy it with you Father!"

Yaoyao, ever the quieter one, nodded in agreement, holding onto Lie Fan's hand. "Yes Father, like brother had said it's like nothing I've ever seen before."

Lie Fan chuckled, ruffling their hair before standing and turning to his wives. They had gathered around the main table, where a lavish meal was spread out before them. It was rare for the entire family to be gathered together like this, especially since Lie Shang and Yu Yan live outside of Xiapi, so the occasion was not lost on any of them.

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Name: Lie Fan

Title: Overlord Of The Central Plains

Age: 32 (199 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