491. Continued Discussion In The Cottage & Lujiang

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As they prepared to retire for the night, the three strategists shared a final glance. The world outside their secluded village was changing rapidly, and they knew that their time of isolation would not last much longer. War and politics were coming for them, just as they were coming for Lie Fan and every other warlord who sought to carve out a piece of the fractured empire.

As the night deepened, the terrace of the cottage provided a peaceful refuge for the three elder scholars—Sima Hui, Pang Degong, and Huang Chengyan—who sat under the moonlit sky, enjoying the cool breeze and savoring the subtle fragrance of their high-quality tea leaves.

Their keen ears had picked up the ongoing conversation between their disciples—Zhuge Liang, Pang Tong, and Xu Shu—whose thoughts had been preoccupied with the unfolding events surrounding Lie Fan's rise. Though the younger strategists were bright and insightful, Sima Hui and his companions could see a broader picture, forged from years of experience and wisdom.

"Their insights are sharp, especially Zhuge Liang's," remarked Sima Hui, his tone filled with pride. "He has grown remarkably over the past year."

Pang Degong nodded slowly, his fingers tracing the rim of his tea cup. "Indeed. His intellect is unmatched, and his foresight is already miles ahead of most others. But there is something troubling about how he speaks of Lie Fan. It's as though he holds a personal grudge against the man."

Huang Chengyan, stroking his beard thoughtfully, chimed in. "I've noticed that too. At times, Zhuge Liang's words carry an edge, as if he wants to distance himself from Lie Fan. Yet, it feels more like a calculated act rather than genuine disdain. Perhaps Zhuge Liang sees something in Lie Fan that he is not ready to reveal."

Sima Hui sipped his tea, his gaze distant. "You may be right, Old Huang. Zhuge Liang is no fool. He understands the power of perception, and sometimes it is necessary to hide one's true intentions behind a mask. But what concerns me is what lies behind that mask. Is it admiration? Or is it something deeper, more complex?"

The three elders sat in contemplative silence for a moment, listening to the rustling of the leaves in the gentle night breeze. It was not unusual for the younger generation to have hidden motivations or conflicting feelings, especially in times as turbulent as these.

The land was fractured, warlords battled for supremacy, and each step taken by those with ambition carried consequences that reverberated far beyond their immediate actions.

Pang Degong broke the silence, his voice carrying a note of authority. "Let us not speculate on Zhuge Liang's personal motivations for now. What is clear is that Lie Fan's actions are reshaping the entire southern region. His ability to influence other warlords without direct confrontation is remarkable, and it has already paid off. The Cai Clan is no more, and the southern warlords are all dancing to his tune."

Sima Hui smiled knowingly. "Yes, it is quite the spectacle. Lie Fan has orchestrated this situation with such precision that even Cao Cao, a man known for his cunning, is now wary of him. Yet, Lie Fan has avoided any direct conflict, strengthening his position with minimal losses."

Huang Chengyan added, "The southern warlords—Sun Ce, Liu Bei, and Shi Xie—are strong in their own right, but they've played into Lie Fan's hands by competing for the spoils of the Cai Clan's fall. What they fail to realize is that they are merely pieces on Lie Fan's chessboard. His public declaration of protecting the people of Lingling was a masterstroke—framing his ambitions as a righteous cause."

Pang Degong looked thoughtful, his sharp eyes narrowing. "It is not just the southern warlords that Lie Fan has manipulated. The people themselves see him as a savior. That is the true genius of his maneuvering. While other warlords focus on expanding their territories through brute force, Lie Fan has cultivated a loyal following among the common folk. And we all know that a ruler who commands the hearts of the people is far more dangerous than one who controls armies."

Sima Hui chuckled softly. "The other warlords are too preoccupied with their immediate gains to see the long-term implications. Lie Fan is positioning himself for something far greater than regional dominance. If his plans continue to unfold as they have, he will soon be in a position to claim the Mandate of Heaven."

The three elders exchanged knowing glances. They had witnessed enough political upheavals and dynastic changes in their lifetimes to recognize the patterns of power.

Lie Fan was not the first warlord to make a bid for the throne, but his approach was unique. He wielded influence like a weapon, subtle yet devastating, and his understanding of human nature allowed him to manipulate not just other warlords, but entire populations.

Pang Degong leaned forward, his voice taking on a more serious tone. "But while we may admire Lie Fan's political acumen, we must not forget that his ambition will eventually bring him into direct conflict with those who currently hold power. Yuan Shao and Cao Cao are formidable adversaries, and they will not stand idly by while Lie Fan tries to take control of the entire south."

Sima Hui nodded in agreement. "True. Cao Cao has already taken notice of Lie Fan, and while he may bide his time for now, he is not one to allow threats to grow unchecked. When the time comes, Cao Cao will strike with the full might of his armies."

Huang Chengyan frowned slightly. "But Lie Fan may already be preparing for that. By consolidating his influence in the south, he is creating a stronghold that will be difficult to breach. The southern warlords, despite their rivalries, may unite under his banner if they see him as the best chance to resist Cao Cao's ambitions or have him act like a shield for them."

Pang Degong sighed. "That may be, but such alliances are fragile. As Zhuge Liang pointed out earlier, Lie Fan's manipulation of the southern warlords may eventually backfire. If they realize they are being used, they could turn on him, maybe except for the Suj Clan. And once internal dissent begins, his carefully constructed web of intrigue could crumble."

The conversation drifted into speculation about the future of the land, as Sima Hui, Pang Degong, and Huang Chengyan considered the many variables that could shape the next phase of the conflict.

They knew that war and political intrigue were inevitable, and that Lie Fan's controlling influence, while impressive, was only the beginning of a much larger struggle for control of the realm.

As the night wore on, and the moon reached its zenith, Sima Hui spoke again, his voice softer this time, as if addressing an unspoken truth. "There is one thing that sets Lie Fan apart from the other warlords. He is not driven solely by personal ambition. He truly believes in his vision of a new order—a realm where the people are protected and where chaos is replaced by stability. That belief gives him a strength that others lack."

Huang Chengyan nodded slowly. "Yes, but that belief also makes him dangerous. Those who are driven by ideals are often willing to go to great lengths to achieve them. And in times of war, ideals can quickly become justification for ruthless actions."

Pang Degong, with his pragmatist thinking, shrugged. "In the end, it does not matter what drives him. What matters is whether he can succeed. If he can maintain his control of the south and expand his influence, he will be in a position to challenge anyone who stands in his way. But if he falters, his vision will collapse, and the land will fall into further chaos."

The three elders sat in silence once more, each lost in their own thoughts. The night was peaceful, but they all knew that this peace was fleeting. The land was on the verge of a great upheaval, and Lie Fan was at the center of it. His actions over the coming months would determine not only his own fate, but the fate of the entire realm.

As the tea in their cups grew cold, Sima Hui rose to his feet and gazed out at the dark horizon. "We will watch and wait," he said quietly. "The time for action has not yet come, but when it does, we must be ready to guide those who seek to restore order."

Pang Degong and Huang Chengyan stood as well, their expressions resolute. They had trained Zhuge Liang, Pang Tong, and Xu Shu for this very moment—to navigate the turbulent waters of politics and war. But now, it was time for the younger generation to step into the fray. The world was changing, and they would soon have to choose their own paths.

As they retired for the night, the cottage fell into silence, save for the soft crackle of the dying hearth. Outside, the wind whispered through the trees, carrying with it the promise of conflict and the faint echoes of a new era dawning over the fractured land.

Meanwhile, at Lujiang to the northeast of Sima Hui's tranquil cottage, inside the imposing Governor's Castle, the atmosphere was anything but peaceful. Wang Lang and Lu Xun were deeply immersed in their work.

Parchments and scrolls cluttered the table in front of them, detailing military logistics, economic strategies, and the shifting political alliances across the fractured empire. The candlelight flickered over their faces, casting long shadows on the stone walls of the room.

Though only sixteen, Lu Xun was quickly proving himself an invaluable asset to his lord, Lie Fan. His sharp intellect and keen understanding of statecraft made him stand toe to toe with Wang Lang, a seasoned statesman.

The two men had spent the better part of the evening discussing Lie Fan's recent maneuvers across Jing Province and Jiaozhi Province. These lands, once the battlegrounds of competing warlords, had now fallen into Lie Fan's hands through cunning manipulation and strategic alliances.

The fall of the Cai Clan had been a masterstroke, allowing Lie Fan to expand his influence over the southern regions while his rivals continued to squabble for the remnants.

Wang Lang took a deep breath, placing his brush down on the table. He looked up at Lu Xun with an appraising gaze. "LordLie Fan's actions in the last few weeks have been nothing short of remarkable," he said thoughtfully. "To weaken the southern warlords without raising a single sword—it's as though he's allowed them to destroy themselves while we recover and consolidate our power."

Lu Xun nodded, his youthful face serious. Despite his age, he carried himself with the confidence of someone far older, and his eyes gleamed with understanding. "Indeed," Lu Xun replied, his voice steady. "The chaos in the southern lands works to our advantage. While they bleed their armies dry fighting over territory, we strengthen ours. Lord Lie Fan has masterfully turned the ambitions of others into tools for his own gain."

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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