274. 195 AD

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Zhao Yun wanted to reject once again but seeing the finality in Gongsun Zan's eyes whose life are weapon away, could only nod his head with tears flowing down. Gongsun Zan who saw this smiled and finally closed his eyes, and with that another warlord closed the chapter of his life, leaving a legacy of a hero who guarded the border against foreign enemies but ultimately succumbed in the battle for hegemony.

Zhao Yun saw the lifeless body of Gongsun Zan in his arms with tears flowing down from his eyes and unbridled anger toward Yuan Shao, Zhang Yang, & Zhang Yan.

He put down Gongsun Zan's body and told Gongsun Zan's elite guards to bring Gongsun Zan's body toward his family, while he took his spear in His hand and slaughtered many of Yuan Shao, Zhang Yang, and Zhang Yan's men before getting down from the wall alongside his closest aides.

Zhao Yun headed toward the location of the White Horse Cavalry which numbered 5,000 men, and when he reached there he asked all of them if they would follow his lead and accomplish Gongsun Zan's dying request to look for a Lord worthy of Gongsun Zan's legacy.

Of 5,000 men almost all of them agreed to follow Zhao Yin except for 1,000 men who already had families here in Beiping and they couldn't leave them, Zhao Yun understood them and told them to take care of themselves.

So Zhao Yun alongside 4,000 of the White Horse Cavalry or Baima Cavalry, after taking some supplies and money alongside them, waited for a chance to escape from Beiping, and after an hour the Eastern Gate was broken down by Yuan Shao's army.

Zhao Yun took this chance and led the Baima Cavalry to leave through the Eastern Gate surprising Yuan Shao's infantries after a tough battle, Zhao Yun managed to lead the Baika Cavalry to leave Beiping and head south to find what Gongsun Zan told him to find which was a worthy Lord for him.

Zhao Yun and the Baima Cavalry leaving Beiping was known by Yuan Shao, but after knowing that it was only 4,000 men he arrogantly told his army to not pursue as they weren't worth their time and continued to siege Beiping.

After several hours passed by, Beiping was finally taken over by Yuan Shao who ordered for all of Gongsun Zan's family and relatives to be captured, when he tried to look for Gongsun Zan, he was presented with his dead body.

Knowing that Gongsun Zan had fallen in battle, as conceited and arrogant Yuan Shao was, he still admired Gongsun Zan's spirit in defending the broader, so he ordered for Gongsun Zan's body to be buried with honor as the hero of the border and frontier of the Empire.

As for Gongsun Zan's family and relatives, they were to be stripped of all of the titles and positions they received and were under house arrest where they would live there forever, if they ever wanted to go outside they needed to be accompanied by a guard.

This can be considered a very gracious sentence given by Yuan Shao, but Guo Tu & Xu You advised Yuan Shao to behead all male descendants of Gongsun Zan's clan except for children below 10 years old so as to have them become a threat or a spy for their enemies in the future.

Tian Feng who heard this immediately center persuaded Yuan Shao to not do so, as it would destroy his prestige in front of the commoners in the frontier and it would become their rear in the future when they expanded south, but Gou Tu & Xu You instigate Yuan Shao by saying that Tian Feng is not acting for his best interest.

This enraged Yuan Shao who scolded Tian Feng and ordered the execution of all males above 10 years old in Gongsun Zan's Clan, Tian Feng tried to persuade Yuan Shao once again but was silenced by Yuan Shao.

Soon all male members of the Gongsun Zan clan above 10 years old were executed, and the news of this spread throughout the land alongside Gongsun Zan's demise and defeat which indicated that Yuan Shao was the hegemon of the north.

The death of Gongsun Zan was sad news for all except for the Yuan Clan who had some problems with him, other warlords perceived him as an honorable man, and the execution of his male relatives caused some outrage but no one dared to move since Yuan Shao now was the hegemon of the north.

The only one who dared to rebuke Yuan Shao openly was Lie Fan who may considered to be the second-strongest warlord in the land now, where he petitioned the Imperial Court to put a heavy punishment for Yuan Shao's barbaric act.

Unfortunately, there was no definite answer from the court because Cao Cao was the controller and there was no immediate benefit for him to offend Yuan Shao right now because he was facing Liu Bei currently in an intrigue battle for the land in Qing Province.

Seeing that there was no immediate response from the Emperor and the Imperial Court, the commoners who believed in the Emperor to enact justice were shaken and clamored for punishment for Yuan Shao, and this unknowingly shook the foundation of the Han Dynasty as the people slowly lost its trust.

Back to Lie Fan who stayed in Changyang County, after rebuking Yuan Shao and Changyag County was progressing as he wanted it to be, Lie Fan decided to head back to Xiapi.

Taishi Ci and Bu Zhi led the Zhuque Army to return to Guangling where it was their headquarters to guard Lie Fan's northern domain, Lie Fan's journey toward Xiapi took a long before he reached Xiapi.

When he arrived at Xiapi, Lie Fan immediately ordered that accommodations be prepared for Lady Yan and Lu Lingqi, of course, Chen Going, Zhang Liao, and the others were also given accommodations appropriate to the position they have right now.

As several days passed since Lie Fan's return to Xiapi, the city came alive with the vibrant celebrations of the new year. Festivities resonated throughout the streets, bringing joy to every corner of Xiapi. Lie Fan, recognizing the significance of the occasion, extended an invitation to Lady Yan and Lu Lingqi to join in the festivities with his own family.

In a warm and welcoming atmosphere, Lady Yan, Lu Lingqi, and Lie Fan's family came together to celebrate the new year. All corners of the city were filled with echoes of laughter, music, and the glow of lanterns, creating a tapestry of joy that momentarily lifted the weight of recent sorrows.

Lady Yan and Lu Lingqi expressed deep gratitude to Lie Fan for the heartfelt invitation to join in the New Year festivities with his family. The warmth shared during the celebration provided a much-needed respite from the weight of recent events.

As the evening unfolded, Wannian, who had the chance to meet Lu Lingqi for the first time, became enamored with her tales of battle. Lu Lingqi's participation in several battles immediately elevated her to the status of Wannian's idol.

Excited and full of admiration, Wannian began to pester Lu Lingqi with a barrage of questions and requests, especially when she realized that Lu Lingqi was also the one who dueled against her brother several years ago.

Lie Fan found himself with a headache, trying to navigate the whirlwind of enthusiasm that Wannian had unleashed. Meanwhile, the others present couldn't help but laugh at Wannian's antics.

Lu Lingqi, in good spirits, graciously answered Wannian's questions, unknowingly becoming a source of inspiration for the energetic Wannian, seeing Wannian as her own sister that she always wanted.

As the New Year celebration continued, Sima Yi joined Lie Fan, his family, Lady Yan, and Lu Lingqi in the festivities. To everyone's amusement, Sima Yi found himself sitting beside Wannian, attentively taking care of her throughout the evening.

His actions didn't escape the notice of those in the room, particularly Ying Yue, Diao Chan, and Cai Wenji, who observed the unfolding situation with growing concern because they knew what their husband was like and how protective he was toward Wannian.

True to their thoughts, Lie Fan who had noticed Sima Yi's attentiveness, felt a surge of fury building within him. His protective instincts for Wannian were undeniable.

However, before his anger could take hold, Ying Yue, Diao Chan, and Cai Wenji intervened, holding him back and persuading him to remain calm in the face of the unexpected scene that happened before his eyes.

Sima Yi, sensing the tension, realized that his actions had not gone unnoticed. In his heart, he felt a genuine feeling toward Wannian and decided it was time to address this with Lie Fan, he sought Lie Fan's approval, understanding that his approval was the first thing he needed to have.

Lu Lingqi and Wannian were oblivious to what was happening around them, the two of them were engrossed in their conversation, Lie Fan who was too focused on Wannian and Sima Yi's matter also didn't realize that his wife kept looking toward Lu Lingqi with a different look in their eyes.

The Three of them had a tacit understanding after living together for several years and regarded each other as close sisters and family, with just a look they understood what each other was thinking and right now they were thinking the same thing.

The three of them have reached an agreement that there's a high chance that Lu Lingqi could be their first sister, and it was Diao Chan who first thought so because she knew her Husband would never invite a woman to join their dinner.

Diao Chan Spoke through experience because she and Cai Wenji face the same thing, and Lie Fan never invited or even met other Noble Ladies, the only woman who met him was either the there of them, Wannian, his daughters, Yu Yan, and their personal maids.

Ying Yue and Cai Wenji agreed and supported Diao Chan's thinking, so right now they were observing Lu Lingqi with discerning eyes trying to see if she was a good person and would not cause a fire in Lie Fan's backyard.

Due to this the three of them while calming down Lie Fan and observing Lu Lingqi, were oblivious to Lady Yan who saw all of this happening right before their eyes, she shook her head in amusement at what happened and also worried for her daughter because she knew that these three women could rise or lower her chances to be with Lie Fan, as from what she heard and observe Lie Fan doted on his wife heavily.

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Name: Lie Fan

Title: Three Heroes Who Defeat Lu Bu

Age: 27 (194 AD) -> 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