538. The End Of The Grand Celebration

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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.

Ying Yue seeing the interaction between the children and Lie Fan, smiled at him warmly. "You've done an incredible job, husband. The city is alive with joy today and the people was happy to rest down their body to enjoy such festivity."

Cai Wenji, agreeing with what Ying Yue said, added, "The people love you, husband. I could hear the admiration in their voices as they cheered for you earlier, and I heard from my connections that many musicians and poets are creating work about the new Xiapi and some even dedicated to you."

Diao Chan who held Xuanxuan on her arm, spoke softly, "Our family has grown so much, both here in Xiapi and in our hearts. It's a blessing to see how far we've come, especially since you, husband, had done so many things for us to reach this point."

Lu Lingqi nodded with pride, as she heard what her sisters said about Xiapi and how everything was thanks to Lie Fan. "Xiapi is secure, prosperous, and growing stronger by the day, and even I who had stayed before in Xiapi with my father and now you husband, could see it's transformation let alone the people. It had become a fortress in this world of chaos, all thanks to your leadership, husband."

Lie Fan looked around at his family—his parents, his wives, his children—and felt a deep sense of contentment. The family settled down for lunch, sharing stories of the day's festivities and discussing the future. The air was filled with laughter and joy, a stark contrast to the turmoil that plagued the rest of China.

Outside, the streets of Xiapi continued to buzz with activity. Performers dazzled crowds with their tricks and stunts, while merchants haggled over prices in the busy markets.

For the Sun Clan, the day was an eye-opening experience. As they finished their lunch at the Serenity Inn and returned to the streets, Sun Ce couldn't help but think about how this celebration, while grand and extravagant, was also a subtle reminder of Lie Fan's power and influence. He glanced at his father, Sun Jian, who was deep in thought as they walked through the bustling streets.

"Father," Sun Ce said quietly, "this city is something else. Brother Lie Fan has built something here that no other warlord has been able to match. I think... perhaps we should seriously consider his offer of cooperation."

Sun Jian, his face unreadable, merely nodded. "We will discuss this further when the time is right, Bofu. For now, let us enjoy the celebration."

Sun Ce, hearing his father's response, became silent and turned his attention away from political matters for the moment. His eyes shifted to his wife, Da Qiao, who stood beside him, holding onto his arm while glancing left and right, mesmerized by the vibrant scenery of Xiapi.

The flickering lanterns, the performers dancing through the streets, and the festive spirit captured her attention fully, and her expression was one of pure delight. Sun Ce couldn't help but smile as he admired her. The stresses of war and the ever-present dangers of the time faded away in this moment of peace, and Da Qiao's happiness was all that mattered to him.

Seeing his eldest son so easily distracted by his wife's beauty, Sun Jian chuckled and shook his head in amusement. It was moments like these that reassured him of Sun Ce's good nature, despite his sometimes impulsive decisions. While his political sense might not always be the sharpest, Sun Ce was undeniably a born leader with a heart that was in the right place.

Behind them, Sun Quan, walking alongside his father and older brother, overheard their brief exchange about cooperating with Lie Fan. He furrowed his brow in confusion. Cooperation? he wondered.

Hadn't they already formed an alliance with Lie Fan? The alliance which had been formalized many years ago, a partnership meant to mutually protect their territories from other warlords and external threats. What more cooperation could they need? The thought lingered in his mind, and he made a mental note to ask his father about it later.

As each of the Sun Clan men became lost in their own thoughts, the festivities around them continued as the streets remained alive with music, laughter, and celebration. Even as the sun set, the city buzzed with activity, transitioning seamlessly into an evening celebration.

At the Lie Clan residence, the festivities continued in a more intimate setting. Lie Fan had gathered his entire family in the expansive courtyard of their estate. Chairs and tables had been set up beneath the open sky, each table adorned with plates of sweet snacks and fragrant teas. The courtyard itself was beautifully decorated with lanterns, and the soft glow of their light cast a serene atmosphere over the gathering.

Lie Fan, dressed in more casual attire now that his official duties for the day were over, stood with his parents and wives, looking content as they settled into the relaxing evening. The sounds of the celebration in the city echoed faintly in the distance, but here, in the privacy of the family courtyard, it felt as if the world had slowed down for just a moment, allowing them to enjoy the tranquility of the night.

His children, already full of energy from the day's events, were buzzing with excitement. Chenchen and Yaoyao, the eldest, had run ahead to the edge of the courtyard, eager to see the fireworks that would soon light up the sky. Yanyan and Nuonuo, the younger sisters, sat near their mother, Diao Chan and Cai Wenji, their small hands grabbing at the snacks laid out before them, giggling as they shared sweets.

Lie Shang, Lie Fan's father, sat nearby with Yu Yan, his wife. He watched the joyful scene unfolding before him with pride in his eyes. His son had come far since the early days of asking him for men to train.

Now he was a big warlord, with Xiapi as his capital which had grown into a prosperous, fortified metropolis, a true testament to Lie Fan's leadership, visision, and most importantly talent.

For Lie Shang and Yu Yan, moments like these were a blessing. They didn't live in Xiapi but had traveled here to be part of this grand celebration, and seeing their son's success filled them with a deep sense of fulfillment.

As the family gathered, the conversations flowed easily. Ying Yue, who sat close to Lie Fan, speaking softly about miscellaneous things alongside Diao Chan, Cai Wenji, and Lu Lingqi.

Lie Fan listened to his wives talking and smiled, hearing them conversing with each other filled his heart with warmth and affection. For all the battles he fought, for all the political maneuvers he had to navigate, it was these moments with his family that made it all worthwhile.

The evening air was cool, and as the family continued to talk and enjoy their tea, the first of the fireworks was set off. A loud crack echoed through the courtyard, followed by a brilliant display of light that painted the sky in shades of red and gold. The children gasped in awe, their faces lit up by the glowing explosions overhead.

Chenchen pointed to the sky. "Look, Father! The fireworks! They're so bright!"

Yaoyao clapped her hands in delight, while Yanyan and Nuonuo, sitting beside their mother, watched wide-eyed as more fireworks followed, each one more vibrant than the last.

The smallest, Xuanxuan, who was nestled inside Diao Chan's arm, was at first surprised by the sound of fireworks and cries, but when he sees the beautiful skynight filled with colors he stopped crying and his hand goes to the sky like wanting to grab the fireworks.

Lie Fan watched his children's reactions with a warm smile, wrapping an arm around Ying Yue's shoulders as they all looked up at the sky together. "This is only the beginning," he said softly, more to himself than to anyone else. "Xiapi will continue to grow, and one day, all of China will see fireworks lighting up their sky."

As the fireworks continued to light up the night, Lie Fan's thoughts returned to the Sun Clan. He knew that Sun Jian and his family had been attending the festival, so he need to carefully ensure that the Sun Clan was well-received in Xiapi, offering them the best hospitality.

Cooperation with the Sun Clan was crucial, especially as the land continued to fracture under the strain of warlords vying for power. If the Sun family could be persuaded to fully integrate into his vision of a unified China, it would greatly strengthen his position.

As the night wore on, Lie Fan remained in the courtyard with his family, watching as the fireworks painted the sky in brilliant colors. He hoped that the beautiful fireworks lighten up the sky would be like the future—a future he was determined to protect and expand.

The fireworks show stretched on late into the night, painting the skies of Xiapi in vibrant bursts of light and color. The crackling sounds and dazzling visuals held the city's populace in awe. It was not just the residents of Xiapi who were captivated by the spectacle, but also those visiting from outside its walls.

Merchants and travelers from distant lands—particularly from Goguryeo and the hostages from Goguryeo—looked on with wide-eyed wonder, witnessing something they had never seen before.

In a private dining room at the Serenity Inn, a group of merchants from Goguryeo sat around a low table, the faint hum of the festival outside echoing into their secluded space.

The room was filled with the fragrance of rich food, but the meal was all but forgotten as the merchants discussed the incredible spectacle they had just witnessed. They were seasoned traders, well-traveled across various regions of China and beyond, but none of them had ever seen anything like these fireworks before.

"This… 'fireworks,' they called it," one of the merchants said, rubbing his beard thoughtfully. His face was illuminated by the flickering lanterns in the room, but his mind was focused on the potential profit this new discovery could bring.

Another merchant, younger but just as shrewd, nodded in agreement. "It's unlike anything we've seen back home. The artistic value alone could make it a coveted item among the nobles, not to mention the King."

A third merchant leaned forward, his voice lowered to a near whisper, even though they were in private. "There's more than just art to it, though. Think of the military potential. If we could bring these fireworks to Goguryeo, or at least learn how they're made, our King would be interested not just for festivals but for other purposes… perhaps even in battle."

The room fell silent as they considered this possibility. Fireworks were more than just entertainment; they could be a powerful tool. The merchants imagined what it would be like to wield such a resource—not only for trade but for strategic advantage. The booming sounds, the flashes of light, and the smoke that followed each burst could easily be repurposed to confuse or intimidate enemy forces.

One of the older merchants, who had seen many conflicts in his lifetime, stroked his chin as he spoke. "If we were to acquire these fireworks, we could become invaluable to the King. Not just for his celebrations but for his wars. The noise alone could terrify enemy troops."

The others nodded in agreement, each merchant calculating the potential riches such an endeavor could bring. They would need to be discreet, of course. Fireworks appeared to be a guarded technology, something that was likely not available to just anyone in China. But they had their ways. With the right contacts and enough gold, anything could be bought. Their minds were already racing with ideas of how to acquire this mysterious and powerful product.

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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