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Jia Xu stood at the head of the long table, hands folded calmly. Lu Su sat a short distance away, face thoughtful. Xun You, Mi Zhu, Zhuge Liang, and several other key advisers, those currently accompanying the emperor in Xiapi, were positioned along the table. Maps, bamboo slips, inkstones, and bound records lay arranged before them like the pieces of an ever shifting puzzle.
And seated off to the side, with perfect posture and a carefully neutral expression, was Wu Tai.
When Lie Fan entered, every person in the room immediately stood. Chairs scraped softly against the polished floor.
"Your Majesty!" they greeted in unison, bowing deeply.
A warmth, not soft, but firm and resonant, touched Lie Fan's expression. He raised a hand.
"Be at ease."
Only after he took his seat at the main position did the rest sit down. The atmosphere, though respectful, thrummed with anticipation. They had all witnessed the court display earlier. They all knew what delicate, intricate currents swirled beneath the envoy's words.
Lie Fan first directed his gaze toward Wu Tai.
"You performed admirably today Wu Tai," he said. "I can see Fa Zheng's polish in every syllable. Zhang Song's court experience in your posture. Meng Da's sharpness in how you delivered the final declarations. They have trained you thoroughly."
Wu Tai's composure broke for just a moment, only in the faintest widening of the eyes, a flicker of shock. Then he rose to his feet and bowed deeply.
"This humble servant is honored beyond words, Your Majesty," he said, his voice steady but filled with emotion. "I only executed what the three masters instructed me. It was their planning, their guidance, and their meticulous preparation that allowed me to present myself well in your august presence."
Lie Fan smiled, a genuine one.
"You underestimate yourself. But even so… your loyalty and competence are noted."
Wu Tai bowed again.
When he straightened, he reached into his sleeve with careful, deliberate motion.
"In addition," he announced, "I bring a letter from the three masters, Fa Zheng, Zhang Song, and Meng Da addressed directly to Your Majesty."
The room stirred.
Even those whose expressions rarely shifted, Jia Xu, Zhuge Liang, Xun You, allowed a flicker of interest to break through their disciplined facade.
Lie Fan leaned slightly forward.
"Oh? A letter from them?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Bring it here."
Wu Tai approached, both hands presenting the sealed letter with ritualistic respect. Lie Fan accepted it, broke the seal, and unfolded the parchment.
Silence thickened like honey.
Lie Fan's eyes scanned the page… and then a low chuckle escaped him.
The sound startled the room, Jia Xu's brows lifted, Lu Su blinked, Zhuge Liang's feather fan paused mid motion. Even Dian Wei, who stood by the door like a sentry iron statue, tilted his head slightly in curiosity.
It was rare for the emperor to laugh during state matters.
Jia Xu, ever the embodiment of composed inquiry, bowed his head lightly.
"May this humble servant ask," he said smoothly, "what the three have written that brings amusement to Your Majesty?"
Lie Fan set the letter onto the table, tapping it once with a finger.
"They wrote," he said, "that Yi Province will fall into our hands within two months."
Several people stiffened.
He continued, tone still touched with quiet amusement. "Three months if complications arise. But they are taking steps to ensure that even two months will suffice."
For a heartbeat, the entire room was silent.
Then shock erupted, not chaotically, but spreading like a wave.
Xun You's eyes widened sharply before narrowing into deep contemplation.
Lu Su exhaled a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding.
Zhuge Lianh's fan resumed moving, but more slowly, more thoughtfully.
Jia Xu's lips curved into the barest hint of a smile, one of approval, not amusement.
Even Chen Gong who always put on a prgamatic and stony expression, muttered, "Two months? Those three are bold."
Wu Tai bowed again, this time with pride mingling with the respect.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty," he said earnestly. "The three masters worked tirelessly for this day."
The rest of the council followed suit, offering their congratulations, words overlapping lightly.
"A tremendous gain for the empire—"
"A masterstroke of planning—"
"With Yi Province secured, the southwest becomes unassailable—"
"Your Majesty's foresight has borne fruit—"
Lie Fan chuckled lightly.
"There is no need to congratulate me yet. The fruit is still on the branch. We will harvest it soon… but not today."
He waved a hand.
"Let us first focus on our immediate matter, the response letter to Emperor Xian."
The room's attention shifted instantly. Several advisers straightened, pens and bamboo slips ready.
Lie Fan interlaced his fingers atop the table.
"What tone," he asked, "should Hengyuan adopt?"
Jia Xu did not hesitate.
He rose, bowing respectfully.
"This humble servant recommends," Jia Xu began, "that the response be neither excessively arrogant nor falsely modest. Fa Zheng, Zhang Song, and Meng Da have made Emperor Xian placed himself in a position of extreme vulnerability, one that Emperor Xian doesn't knew but can't do anything about it since he don't have any power."
He gestured lightly.
"Thus, Your Majesty should respond from a place of clear superiority, for such is our true position. However… there must be a layer of restraint. Otherwise, it will appear as though we mock the Han's desperation."
Lu Su nodded thoughtfully.
"Additionally," he added, "it would be wise to embed certain expectations, conditions subtly phrased, but unmistakable. Since Emperor Xian has effectively declared himself willing to bend even though he doesn't knew it yet, we may shape the contours of that bend."
Xun You spoke next, voice calm and measured.
"Too gentle a response may seem like pity… which could breed resentment. Too harsh, and the court in Chengdu may panic and damage the smooth transition we desire."
Sima Yi closed his fan.
"Balance," he said simply. "With the blade hidden inside the silk."
Lie Fan smirked.
"That aligns with my own thinking."
He leaned back.
"The acceptance must be firm, decisive. It must acknowledge their offer without lending them equal standing. And since Emperor Xian is the one kneeling, our words should reflect that reality."
He lifted the letter from Fa Zheng, tapping it once against the table.
"And after all… since Yi Province will soon come under our direct control, then Emperor Xian's 'kneeling' will be nothing more than a polite formality before the inevitable that all of us knew except him."
Several advisers exchanged subtle glances.
It was not arrogance.
It was simply truth.
Lie Fan's voice softened, not with warmth, but with razor clarity.
"Drafting this letter will be the first step toward reshaping the continent."
He set the letter down, fingers steepling.
"Now, let us begin."
Inkstones were opened.
Brushes dipped.
The room seemed to lean forward as one entity.
Jia Xu spoke first, as though setting the tone of the discussion itself.
"To begin, Your Majesty should emphasize Hengyuan's magnanimity, that accepting the offer is an act of generosity, not obligation. That the marriage binds the Han to us, but grants them protection they could not earn otherwise."
Zhuge Liang followed.
"We should also suggest, delicately, that Hengyuan expects order and obedience in all future dealings. Emperor Xian sought our strength, it is reasonable to require clear channels of cooperation."
Lu Su added in a calm tone.
"And we must indicate that Hengyuan will send a delegation to Chengdu soon, both to formalize the marriage discussions and to… observe the situation."
The implication was obvious. A polite way of saying, "We will be watching you closely."
Xun You supported the point.
"Such a delegation ensures smooth transition and prevents last minute interference from Wei, loyalists remnants, or any opportunistic faction."
Lie Fan nodded with satisfaction.
"Good. Continue."
For the next hour, the advisers debated phrasing, tones, subtexts, political implications. The conversation wove between strategy and diplomacy, each adviser refining the message like artisans carving jade.
Jia Xu often suggested the overarching structure.
Lu Su tailored the diplomatic nuances.
Zhuge Liang sharpened the subtle authority.
Xun You ensured historical and political precedent was applied appropriately.
Through it all, Lie Fan occasionally interjected, not to correct them, but to direct them, steering the conversation with precise, visionary intent.
When the initial draft outline was finally formed, Lie Fan leaned back, considering.
"This letter," he said slowly, "must accomplish three goals:
"First, accept Emperor Xian's offer in a manner that reinforces our superiority.
Second, ensure the Han understands that this alliance comes with expectations.
Third, prepare them for the arrival of our 'delegation' which will help Fa Zheng, Zhang Song, and Meng Da, the first step toward absorbing Yi Province without resistance."
His advisers bowed their heads in acknowledgment.
Jia Xu closed his eyes briefly, then opened them with clarity.
"In that case, Your Majesty," he said, "I recommend concluding the letter with a tone of benevolent finality, something akin to, 'since the Han seeks its survival through Hengyuan, we shall guide its future.'"
Zhuge Liang's lips curved faintly.
"Guidance… yes. Gentle chains are still chains."
Lie Fan let out a soft laugh.
"Well put."
The ink on the final draft dried in a thin, elegant sheen across the parchment. The brush strokes, sharp in some places, deliberate and heavy in others, reflected the collected wisdom and precision of the men seated around the table.
The chamber held a deep, almost reverent silence as the last character was set into place. Jia Xu lifted his hand from the parchment with a composed breath, signaling the conclusion of hours of refined debate and careful crafting.
Lie Fan stood, sleeves cascading like falling gold as he took a step away from the table. His expression wasn't triumphant, but satisfied, quietly confident in the architecture of the future he was shaping.
"Well done," he said, his voice resonating with a warm authority. "Each of you has contributed with clarity and foresight. This letter… is a blade wrapped in silk. It shall pierce without drawing blood."
The council bowed as one, pride hidden beneath disciplined expressions.
Lie Fan's gaze swept over them. "Tomorrow, the content of this letter will be presented to the full court. Its reception will mark the first step toward solidifying the Han's submission." He paused, then added, "As for who will lead our delegation to Chengdu, you need not concern yourselves. I have already decided, and tomorrow, I will announce it before all."
At that, a murmur rippled softly through the council, curiosity restrained by propriety. The emperor's tone left no room for speculation. What mattered was simply that the chosen person would be capable, worthy, and aligned with his vision.
And the council agreed wholeheartedly.
One by one, they rose to their feet, bowing deeply.
"We trust Your Majesty's judgment without reservation."
"Your decisions have always brought prosperity."
"Your Majesty always chooses wisely."
Their voices wove together in a tapestry of respect. Lie Fan responded with a brief chuckle, soft, warm, tinged with familiarity.
"No need for praise. All of you are my most trusted advisers. Some of you have been with me since my youth, long before I wore the crown. You have shaped the man I have become as much as I have shaped this realm."
His eyes shifted knowingly toward Jia Xu and Xun You, who both inclined their heads with quiet pride. A shared history bound them, years of campaigns, reforms, impossible gambles, and victories that would one day be written into the chronicles of the empire. "Rest now," Lie Fan said. "Tomorrow… the next step begins."
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Name: Lie Fan
Title: Founding Emperor Of Hengyuan Dynasty
Age: 35 (202 AD)
Level: 16
Next Level: 462,000
Renown: 2325
Cultivation: Yin Yang Separation (level 9)
SP: 1,121,700
ATTRIBUTE POINTS
STR: 966 (+20)
VIT: 623 (+20)
AGI: 623 (+10)
INT: 667
CHR: 98
WIS: 549
WILL: 432
ATR Points: 0