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"Very well," he said at last, his voice firm. "We will postpone our plans for Yi Province and focus on consolidating our position here. Xun Yu, I want you to oversee the strengthening of our defenses in the north. Guo Jia, you will work with Xi Zhicai to gather more intelligence on the Ma Clan. I want to know exactly what they are up to. The rest of you, continue to monitor Lie Fan's movements. We cannot afford any surprises."
The advisors nodded, their expressions serious. They knew that the coming months would be critical, and that any misstep could have dire consequences. As they left the war room to carry out their orders, Cao Cao remained seated, his thoughts consumed by the challenges ahead.
Meanwhile, to the east of Luoyang, in the bustling center of Lie Fan's power at Xiapi, Lie Fan stood on a vast expanse of empty land within the inner city.
The area, once crowded with buildings owned by nobles, merchants, and landowners, had been cleared through a combination of purchases, trades, and the clandestine activities of the Oriole agents.
Now, it lay bare, a blank canvas ready to be transformed into something monumental. Lie Fan was accompanied by Liu Ye, accompanying as his Chief of Engineering and Construction, and Mi Zhu, as his trusted head of finance and treasury.
Behind them stood the ever watchful Yellow Ghost bodyguards, their presence a silent reminder of Lie Fan's power and the need for constant vigilance.
The reason for their presence on this empty stretch of land was no small matter. Lie Fan had decided that it was time to build a palace befitting his growing influence and authority, a structure that would not only symbolize his power but also serve as a practical stronghold in times of crisis.
The palace would need to be grander than anything Cao Cao had built in Xuchang, a statement of dominance and ambition. Lie Fan had already dismantled Cao Cao's so called "imperial palace" in Xuchang, storing its luxurious materials like jade, ornate tiles, gold, and more for this very purpose.
Now, those materials would be put to use in the construction of his own palace, a testament to his increasing power, and unlike Cao Cao who hid the construction's true purpose for the Emperor, Lie Fan built it for his own ambition.
Liu Ye, ever the meticulous planner, was in the midst of explaining the details of the project to Lie Fan and Mi Zhu. He held a set of blueprints in his hands, his voice steady and confident as he outlined the palace's design. "The palace will span approximately 600 meters in length and 400 meters in width," he began, his eyes scanning the plans as he spoke.
"It will be divided into several sections, each serving a specific purpose. The main hall will be the centerpiece, designed to host grand ceremonies and audiences. The living quarters will be located to the east, while the administrative offices will be situated to the west. The entire structure will be surrounded by high walls, reinforced with stone and cement, and fortified with watchtowers at regular intervals."
Lie Fan listened intently, his expression one of quiet satisfaction. He had always admired Liu Ye's ability to balance aesthetics with practicality, and this project was no exception. "What about the defenses?" Lie Fan asked, his voice calm but firm. "I want this palace to function as a fortress if necessary. It must be able to withstand an attack, whether from within or without."
Liu Ye nodded, clearly prepared for the question. "The defenses will be top notch, my lord. The walls will be thick and reinforced with iron supports, fortifying its hardness. The gates will be made of top quality heavy wood and reinforced with metal, designed to withstand battering rams and siege engines. Additionally, we will install hidden passages and escape routes throughout the palace, ensuring that you and your family can evacuate safely if the need arises. The watchtowers will be manned at all times, Hwacha and Ballista will be stationed across the high walls, and the entire perimeter will be patrolled by your most trusted guards."
Lie Fan's lips curved into a faint smile. "Excellent. I want this palace to be a symbol of my power, but it must also be a place of safety and security. You've done well, Ziyang," he said, praising Liu Ye for his great work and as a sign of approval.
Liu Ye bowed slightly, a look of pride in his eyes. "Thank you, my lord. I will ensure that every detail is executed to perfection, and build the most magnificent palace for you."
Lie Fan then turned to Mi Zhu, his expression shifting to one of curiosity. "Zizhong," he said, addressing Mi Zhu by his courtesy name, "have you calculated the expenses for this project? I imagine the cost will be significant, but given the materials we've salvaged from Cao Cao's palace in Xuchang, it shouldn't be as burdensome as it might otherwise be."
Mi Zhu, who had been quietly listening to the discussion, stepped forward with a scroll in hand. "Indeed, my lord," he replied, his tone measured and precise. "I have prepared a detailed breakdown of the costs. While the project will undoubtedly be expensive, the materials we've acquired from Xuchang have significantly reduced the financial burden. The jade, gold, and ornate tiles alone account for nearly thirty percent of the required materials, and their quality is unmatched. Additionally, we have secured favorable deals with several merchants and craftsmen, further reducing the overall cost."
Lie Fan raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "And what is the estimated total cost of the construction according to your calculation?"
Mi Zhu unrolled the scroll, his eyes scanning the figures. "Based on our current estimates, the total cost will be approximately 600,000 to 750,000 taels of silver. This includes labor, materials, and any unforeseen expenses that may arise during construction. However, given the scale and grandeur of the project, this is a relatively modest sum."
Lie Fan nodded, his expression one of approval. "That is indeed reasonable, considering the scope of the project. Zizhong, you've done an excellent job managing the finances. I trust that you will continue to oversee this aspect of the project with the same level of diligence."
Mi Zhu bowed, a faint smile playing on his lips. "You have my word, my lord. I will ensure that every tael is spent wisely."
As the three men continued to discuss the details of the project, the Yellow Ghost bodyguards remained vigilant, their eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of danger.
The construction of the palace was not just a matter of pride for Lie Fan, it was a strategic move, a statement of his growing power and a safeguard against future threats. The palace would serve as both a symbol of his authority and a fortress capable of withstanding any challenge, for him and his future generations that will come.
Once the discussion concluded, Lie Fan took a moment to survey the empty land before him. In his mind's eye, he could already see the palace rising from the ground, its towering walls and grand halls a testament to his vision and ambition.
He turned to Liu Ye and Mi Zhu, his expression one of quiet determination. "This palace will be more than just a residence," he said, his voice firm. "It will be a symbol of our strength, our unity, and our resolve. I want it to inspire awe in our allies and fear in our enemies. Let us make it a reality."
Liu Ye and Mi Zhu cupped their hand and nodded, their expressions reflecting the same sense of purpose. They knew that this project was more than just a construction job, it was a statement, a declaration of Lie Fan's intent to rise above his rivals and establish himself as the unifier of this fractured land under a new banner.
After the intense discussions about the construction of the grand palace, Lie Fan returned to his residence, his mind still buzzing with plans and visions of the future.
As he stepped through the gates, he was greeted by an unexpected but heartwarming sight. His sister, Wannian, was visiting, and she was currently engrossed in a lively conversation with his wives, Ying Yue, Diao Chan, Cai Wenji, and Lu Lingqi.
The room was filled with laughter and the kind of warmth that only family could bring. Lie Fan paused for a moment, taking in the scene. It was rare to see Wannian so animated, especially since her marriage to Sima Yi had brought a more mature and composed demeanor to her. But here she was, squealing like a young girl, her face lit up with joy.
Lie Fan couldn't help but chuckle as he entered the room, announcing his presence with a playful tone. "Well, well, what do we have here? My dear sister, squealing like a child? I thought you were a lady of the household now. Shouldn't you be setting a more dignified example?"
The sound of his voice immediately drew the attention of everyone in the room. The women turned to him, their faces lighting up with smiles as they greeted him warmly. "Brother!" Wannian exclaimed, her tone a mix of mock indignation and affection. "Husband," the others chimed in, their voices soft and filled with love.
Wannian, ever the spirited one, stuck her tongue out at Lie Fan before rushing to his side. She looped her arm through his, leaning her head against his shoulder. "Even though I'm a lady of the Sima Clan now, in the Lie Clan, I'll always be your little princess and younger sister," she said, her voice dripping with playful defiance. "You can't take that away from me, Brother."
Lie Fan laughed, the sound rich and full of genuine amusement. He gently patted her head, a gesture that was both affectionate and teasing. "Fair enough, little princess. But tell me, what was all that squealing about earlier? You sounded like you'd just discovered a treasure. What were you all talking about?"
Wannian's eyes sparkled with mischief as she glanced at her sister in laws in the room. "Oh, that?" she said, her tone deliberately casual. "I think it's better if you ask my sister in laws yourself. They're the ones with the news."
Lie Fan raised an eyebrow, intrigued by her evasiveness. He turned to his wives, his gaze shifting from Ying Yue to Diao Chan, then to Cai Wenji, and finally to Lu Lingqi.
He noticed that Lu Lingqi's face was particularly flushed, her cheeks a deep shade of red, but her smile was radiant, filled with a happiness that seemed to light up the room. The other three women exchanged knowing glances, their smiles soft and encouraging as they looked at Lu Lingqi.
"Well?" Lie Fan asked, his voice gentle but curious. "What's this big news that has my sister squealing and my wives smiling like they've just won a great victory?"
Lu Lingqi stepped forward, her hands clasped in front of her. She looked up at Lie Fan, her eyes shining with a mix of joy and nervousness.
"Husband," she began, her voice soft but steady, "these past few days, I've been feeling a bit… unwell. Nauseous, mostly. I thought it might just be a passing illness, so I asked Sister Ying Yue and a few physicians to examine me. But it turns out…" She paused, her lips curving into a shy smile as she placed a hand on her lower belly. "It turns out I'm not sick at all. I'm… I'm pregnant, Husband. We're going to have a child."
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Name: Lie Fan
Title: Overlord Of The Central Plains
Age: 33 (200 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