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Lie Fan's gaze swept over the two generals, pride flickering in his eyes. He motioned for them to rise. "You have done well. Now hear me. Unlike in battles past, I shall not ride with the army this time. This war must prove that the might of Hengyuan does not rest upon one man alone, but upon the strength of its commanders and soldiers united."
Lie Fan explained, his tone leaving no room for question. "My place is here, overseeing the entirety of the empire, the reforms, the logistics, and the diplomacy. Therefore, Grand General Huangfu Song, you will assume overall command of the Cental and Western Command offensive against Hulao Gate. Deputy Grand General Zhang Liao, you will be his vanguard, the tip of the spear. You will coordinate with the Northern Command for the assault on Shangdang. Victory in this campaign will shake the earth itself."
The appointment was a monumental sign of trust. Huangfu Song, the old, reliable campaigner, and Zhang Liao, the ferocious and loyal wolf, were being handed the greatest military undertaking of their lives.
Huangfu Song bowed his head deeply, his voice thick with emotion. "The honor is ours, Your Majesty. We will execute this strategy with precision and ruthlessness. Hulao Gate and Shangdang will fall in mater of days."
Zhang Liao's eyes burned with a fierce, grateful fire. "Your Majesty, we will not fail you. We will break the gates of Hulao and present you with the keys to Luoyang."
"See that you do," Lie Fan said, his voice soft but carrying the force of an imperial decree. "Then let it be so. Go forth and prepare. When the order comes, Hengyuan's drums will thunder, and Cao Cao will learn what it means to stand against the will of a true Emperor. And let the world will know, our destiny cannot be denied."
The generals and strategists bowed deeply, their voices resounding in unison. "We obey, Your Majesty!"
After that, Xun You, Sima Yi, Huangfu Song, and Zhang Liao withdrew from the council chamber with crisp salutes, their footsteps fading down the corridor. The chamber fell into silence, broken only by the soft crackle of a nearby brazier.
Lie Fan slowly rose from his seat, his robes rustling like whispers of authority. He walked toward the tall window at the chamber's side, where the afternoon light poured through.
Beyond lay the Imperial Garden, a place of tranquility deliberately set right at his seat of power. Its pathways wound between trimmed hedges, lotus ponds shimmered with reflected sunlight, and butterflies fluttered lazily over blossoms of violet and gold.
He stood there for a long moment, watching the fragile creatures drift through the air, and a pang struck his heart. How strange it seemed, that in this world of blood and steel, such delicate wings could still find peace.
"Harmony," he thought, his fingers tightening behind his back. "This is what I must bring to the empire. No more endless wars, no more orphans and widows, no more fields burned to ash. At least in china." His jaw set as his gaze hardened.
To achieve such harmony, Cao Cao must be broken. Not merely defeated in battle, but crushed as a rival power forever. Only then could the land of china breathe freely.
Yet even in his resolve, a shadow of doubt tugged at him. Would this campaign, this great stroke of his dynasty's blade, claim too many of his sons and brothers? Would the cost of victory make harmony taste like ashes? He prayed silently that Heaven would spare his men from excessive sacrifice.
Turning from the window, he prepared to leave the chamber when a sudden voice came muffled from beyond the great doors.
"Your Majesty," called a steady tone, belonging to one of the Yellow Ghost Bodyguards, Huang Show, who was stationed outside. "The Crown Prince Lie Muchen requests an audience. He is accompanied by Master Zhuge Jin, Royal Perceptor, and General Zhao Yun, Royal Bodyguard."
Lie Fan's brows arched. Muchen? His son rarely came unannounced, much less with both his appointed guides. "Let the three of them enter," he said aloud, the surprise softened with paternal curiosity.
The doors swung inward, and three figures entered with dignified steps. First came the boy, Lie Muchen, Crown Prince of Hengyuan, only twelve years old yet already tall for his age, with the bearing of one trained to command.
His black hair was neatly bound, his youthful face solemn beyond his years. At his side walked Zhuge Jin, the gentle but keen eyed scholar who served as his royal perceptor, and behind them Zhao Yun, resplendent in white armor that gleamed like moonlight.
The three halted in unison, bowing deeply.
"Imperial Father," Muchen said, his voice still tinged with youth but steady with respect.
"Your Majesty," Zhuge Jin and Zhao Yun intoned, their tones polished by years of discipline.
"Rise the three of you," Lie Fan said warmly, waving his hand. "Be at ease. Tell me, what brings the three of you here today?"
It was Muchen who spoke first, his eyes earnest. "Imperial Father, I have heard that you are preparing to launch a campaign against Cao Cao."
Lie Fan tilted his head slightly, studying his son. "And from where did you hear such a thing?"
Muchen answered without hesitation. "From Master Zhuge Jin and Master Lu Zhi, Imperial Father. They set me a lesson in strategy and military matters, a test, based on the campaign you plan. It was… most enlightening."
Lie Fan turned his gaze to Zhuge Jin, one brow raised.
Zhuge Jin bowed deeply, his voice calm and respectful. "It is true, Your Majesty. The matter came to my ears through the other masters, and I discussed it with State Teacher Lu Zhi. We deemed it an excellent opportunity to teach His Highness. We crafted scenarios based on the upcoming campaign to train his mind in real matters of command."
Lie Fan's stern look softened into a smile. "I do not blame you, Master Zhuge Jin. It was wise of you. Sooner or later, the news will spread through the court. Already, generals and advisors stir in anticipation. If the Crown Prince learns through study rather than rumor, all the better."
He turned back to his son. "But tell me, Muchen, surely you have not come here simply to repeat what you already know?"
Muchen hesitated, shifting slightly on his feet, but then lifted his chin with determination. "Yes, Imperial Father. It's that I have a request I want to ask of you."
Lie Fan's expression grew curious. "And what is it, my son?"
The boy drew in a breath. "I wish to go to the frontlines. I wish to see the battlefield with my own eyes. To broaden my horizon, to understand the burdens of command not only from books, but from the clash of steel and the cries of soldiers."
The words hung in the air like a spark falling into dry tinder. Instantly, the atmosphere within the chamber shifted. The warm, tranquil stillness hardened into something taut and heavy. Even the flickering of the brazier seemed to dim.
Lie Fan's expression darkened at once. His answer came swiftly, sharp as the crack of a whip. "No."
Muchen blinked, startled.
"You are too young," Lie Fan continued, his voice rising, each syllable firm with finality. "The battlefield is not what you imagine. It is not a page from your scrolls, nor a staged lesson. It is chaos, terror, and death. Even if I placed you in what seemed the safest part of the camp, danger would still seek you. Arrows do not care for rank, fire does not ask permission before it burns, and traitors do not wait for permission to strike."
He turned his eyes on Zhuge Jin and Zhao Yun, his voice sharp with reproach. "And you two. Why did you not dissuade him from such foolishness? Why bring him here to ask me such a thing?"
Zhuge Jin bowed so low his forehead nearly brushed the floor. "Your Majesty, we did try. We reasoned with His Highness. Yet his resolve was unshaken, and so we thought it best to let him make his request before you, rather than continue fruitless argument."
Zhao Yun went down on one knee, his hand pressed against his chest. "It is as Master Zhuge Jin says. I sought to counsel him, but his will was firm. In the end, I thought it safer that he petition Your Majesty openly rather than harbor the notion in secret."
Lie Fan exhaled heavily, shaking his head. He could see Muchen's lips parting again, preparing another plea, but he raised his hand at once, cutting him off. "No. Enough of this matter. Not another word."
His voice softened then, though no less resolute. "If your mother heard you ask such a thing at twelve years old, she would storm into this chamber and scold me until the walls cracked, blaming me for planting such thoughts in your mind. Do not think I am blind to what mischief that would bring me."
At that, even Zhuge Jin allowed himself a faint smile, but Muchen's face fell. Disappointment shadowed his young eyes, and he lowered his gaze.
Lie Fan sighed, the stern Emperor giving way to the weary father. He stepped closer, resting a hand upon his son's shoulder. "Listen well, Muchen. When you are fifteen, perhaps sixteen, then I shall allow you to go. By then you will have grown, and your training will be complete. You may ride at my side or command a company under the watch of your guardians. But not now. Not when you are still more boy than man."
Muchen's lips trembled for a moment, but at last he nodded, bowing his head. "I heed your words, Imperial Father."
"Good." Lie Fan patted his shoulder, then, sensing the heaviness of the moment, allowed a mischievous glint to enter his eyes. "But since you have come here, I also have something to discuss with you."
Muchen blinked, wary. "What is it, Imperial Father?"
Lie Fan smirked, turning toward his desk. "Your engagement."
The boy's face instantly froze.
"You know," Lie Fan continued with mock casualness, "since the day you were born, nobles across the realm have tried to bind themselves to our house. Daughters, sisters, nieces, and cousins, they have all been put forward as candidates. Why not come here, look at the scrolls on my desk, and choose for yourself? Their appearances and lineages are listed. Surely one among them would suit the Crown Prince?"
Muchen's face turned scarlet at once, the flush spreading to his ears. He stammered, tripping over his words. "I... I… I would not… I mean, I do not want a political betrothal, Imperial Father! I... I want love! Like you and Imperial Mother! I don't want to choose from a scroll!"
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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