259. Lie Fan's Decision

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Seeing Gao Shun have returned safe and sound, even completing the assignment he gave to him, Lu Bu stood up under the protest of the others and oat Gao Shun on the shoulder, thanking him for the service he had done and allowing him to take a rest, while at the same time ordered Chen Gong to hold a feast for his army to raise their morale tonight after knowing the rumor of him being poisoned have spread.

Chen Gong heeds Lu Bu's order but asks for him to lie down on his bed, and the others also request for Lu Bu to lie down and let the doctor take care of him, Gao Shun who is nearest to him helps him return to his bed.

Lu Bu feels his body is severely weakened due to the effect of the poison, so he accepts Gao Shun's help and lets the doctor take care of him because this is the first time he feels that the poison affected him so badly.

After making sure that Lu Bu was being treated carefully by the doctor, Chen Gong left Lu Bu's protection to Zhang Liao and Cheng Lian and told Gao Shun to rest and then leave the room alongside Hou Cheng and Hao Meng to prepare the feast for Lu Bu's army.

The arrival of Gao Shun and his army soon reached Cao Cao and Liu Bei's ears, which means that while they managed to take down Lean County, Gao Shun managed to escape bringing many supplies for Lu Bu.

Gao Shun's arrival means Lu Bu's army has the supplies to prolong this battle, and since their plan of using Zhang Miao and Xu Si to cause a commotion has failed, Cao Cao and Liu Bei convened along their advisors to come up with a new plan.

At this time, Guo Jia suggested for them to send an envoy to Lie Fan, to send a warning and also ask which side Lie Fan is supporting, is it Lu Bu or them or his own to know the level of threat Lie Fan is projecting.

Xi Zhicai who heard Guo Jia's suggestion agreed with him, that Lie Fan was one of the biggest anomalies in the battle, and in the entirety of the political landscape, his cunningness and expert play managed to convince everyone that his focus was Yang Province.

But now he suddenly arrived at Beihai bringing around 100,000 men who were skilled and experienced on the battlefield, not like Kong Zhou's paper army that they faced before 2ith experienced generals and advisors under Lie Fan's disposal that rivaled Cao Cao and Liu Bei's combined officers.

No, maybe Lie Fan has more famed and talented generals and advisors at his disposal because, in Xi Zhicai's eyes, Lie Fan is just like Dong Zhuo but smarter, more cunning, and a charmer from the way he sees it when they meet.

Ju Shou also agrees with this suggestion, even though it seems like a foolish thing to do, they better send an envoy to know which side Lie Fan stands on, maybe they could broker a deal if Lie Fan supported Cao Cao and Liu Bei or his own side.

Seeing that Guo Jia was supported by both Xi Zhicai and Ju Shou, both Cao Cao and Liu Bei agreed to send the envoy, and after careful deliberation, they chose Guo Jia as the envoy with Xu Chu and Zhang Fei as the escort to keep Guo Jia safe.

Guo Jia receiving the mandate cupped his hand and received the order given to him, Xi Zhicai and Ju Shou didn't protest the decision made by their Lords because they considered Guo Jia as the best choice.

After some careful preparation, Guo Jia alongside Xu Chu, Zhang Fei, and a handful of elite cavalries under Cao Cao headed toward Lie Fan's encampment, raising a white flag along the way.

In Lie Fwn's command tent, none of the people there know that Guo Jia and his party are heading toward them, as the situation is filled with high tension as everyone waits for Lie Fan's decision about Lu Bu.

Lie Dan was still seated in his seat, contemplating whether he let Lu Bu die or continue to live and have him serve him, if Lu Bu served him he would be more suited to become a frontier general guarding it from the Xiongnu and Wuhuan just like Huo Qubing of Eastern Han, even having the chance to be more famous than him.

Of course, he will become a special existence where his reputation could be more influential than his in the frontier lands in the future when Lie Fan decided that he would expand his dynasty border further north.

On the other hand, Lu Bu's death could also open many opportunities for him, like he could immediately take over his force and the Wing Province still in his hand, the land is not his main target but the generals and advisors under him are his main target.

For example, there are Zhang Liao and Gao Shu are both top tier generals in their own right, Zhang Liao with his prowess and excellent strategic mind while Gao Shun is a top military trainer and excellent leadership in formation battles.

Lu Bu's other generals are also not a small tier generals, the three sworn brothers of Hou Cheng, Song Xian, and Wei Xu for example are middle tier generals who in the original timeline caused the downfall of Lu Bu.

As for Lu Bu's advisor, Chen Gong is a top tier advisor which is on par with Xun You, having Cehn Gong serving him will boost the capability of his Think Tank much faster, where he has 5 Top Advisors at his disposal.

Of course, there's a chance that they would not be sure to serve him and choose to pledge loyalty to Lu Lingi who according to the Oriole has entered the General path after Lu Bu agreed for her to go to battle.

After considering many things, the advantages and disadvantages in which he has to consider, Lie Fan finally made up his mind and announced the decision that he would let heaven decide Lu Bu's life if Lu Bu could survive the poison that was his luck.

On the other hand, if he died either poisoned to death or died on the battlefield, then it was not their problem. He wanted to know if Heaven would be on Lu Bu's side once again, just like how he took over Qing Province from Liu Bei.

Lie Fan's decision was expected by Xun You, Zhuge Jin, and Man Chong while Lu Zhi was surprised by Lie Fan's choice, but when the surprise sank in Lu Zhi realized that he couldn't think Lie Fan like the kindhearted young man he meets in the past.

Now Lie Fan is shouldering a heavy responsibility where his love could dictate tens of thousands even hundreds of thousands of lives, something that will surely change someone to be more stoic and cold-hearted.

Lie Fan also announced that he wanted no one to speak of this ever again, he didn't want anyone outside of the people in this tent to know of his decision, he wanted all of them to bring this as a secret into their grave.

When everyone echoed their oath that they would not speak about this anymore, a soldier entered the tent and informed Lie Fan that an envoy from Cao Cao and Liu Bei had arrived outside their encampment wanting to have an audience with him.

The news surprised everyone including Lie Fan, who ordered the soldier to let Guo Jia and his party pass to meet him and for him to escort them here.

The soldier gives his acceptance of the order and leaves the tent, where the tension that had been lowered after Lie Fan announced his decision, rises again due to the sudden news of Guo Jia's arrival.

After some time passed by, the tent entrance was opened and Guo Jia walked in alongside Xu Chu and Zhang Fei who felt the atmosphere in the room, Guo Jia was surprised to see Lu Zhi who was presumed to be dead was alive and was serving Lie Fan.

Lie Fan: "Greetings Master Guo Jia, General Xu Chu, and Zhang Fei may I know the reason for the three of you wanting to have an audience with me?"

Guo Jia: "Greetings Lord Lie Fan, thank you for allowing us to have an audience with you, I think Lord Lie Fan now the reason for me wanting to have an audience with you."

Lie Fan: "Haha of course I'm just asking for formality's sake, do Brother Mengde and Brother Xuande want to know which side I supported in this matter?"

Guo Jia: "Looks like Lord Lie Fan knows My Lord and Lord Liu Bei very much, yes the reason I was sent here is to enquire which side Lord Lie Fan is supporting in this matter, is it My Lord and Lord Liu Bei or Lu Bu or... Lord Lie Fan's own side."

Zhuge Jin: "Master Guo Jia are you trying to say that My Lord is supporting his agenda? What a preposterous thing to say, I hope you take back the words to just said!"

Man Chong: "Master Zhuge I'm sure that's not what Master Guo Jia meant, right Master Guo Jia?"

Guo Jia: "No that's what I truly meant, everyone in this world who was smart and capable of playing the chessboard surely has known how Lord Lie Fan is an opportunist, of course, a cunning and tricky individual to handle as well."

Lu Zhi: "Master Guo Jia what a disrespectful thing to say to My Lord who has the same stature as Lord Cao Cao!"

Lie Fan let out a loud laugh overshadowing Lu Zhi's scolding of Guo Jia which attracted the attention of everyone in the room, they didn't expect Lie Fan would suddenly laugh so loud surprising them, even Guo Jia was surprised by Lie Fan's reaction.

Lie Fan on the other hand let out a loud laugh because he was amused by Guo Jia's forthrightness and daringness, Guo Jia is a rule breaker and someone who didn't care about etiquette, which is one of the reasons why Cao Cao loved Guo Jia not just because of his talent but also his personality.

After laughing, Lie Fan replied to Guo Jia's words that all of the things he said were true, and he was proud of it because Cao Cao was also the same as him, so Guo Jia's words sounded like an insult but actually a compliment and praise to him, that's why Xun You and Man Chong doesn't react because they saw through Guo Jia's insinuated words just like Lie Fan.

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Name: Lie Fan

Title: Three Heroes Who Defeat Lu Bu

Age: 27 (194 AD)

Level: 15

Next Level: 938.000

Renown: 645

Cultivation: Yin Yang Separation (level 9)

SP: 571.700

ATTRIBUTE POINTS

STR: 906 (+20)

VIT: 598 (+20)

AGI: 583 (+10)

INT: 587

CHR: 93

WIS: 509

WILL: 397

ATR Points: 0