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Cao Cao was persuaded by his advisors, so that's why he was standing here today. Yesterday they received Lie Fan's letter, in which he mobilized his army and prepared an announcement that when he usurped Liu Dai's title and control of Yan Province, he would be the first to recognize his rule, and together they would defeat the Yellow Turbans problem.
Xi Zhicai and Xun Yu were behind Cao Cao, they told Cao Cao that everything was ready and that they could start marching towards Puyang. So with Cao Cao's order, the 50,000 men under his leadership began to march toward Puyang.
Liu Dai's death has been known to all warlords in the Central Plains. Yuan Shu, Kong Rong, and Kong Zhou were surprised that Liu Dai was killed by Yellow Turbans, everyone thought that this was a chance to carve up Yan Province.
That's what they thought at first, but soon they heard the news that Cao Cao and Lie Fan had mobilized their troops. Remembering that both of them have a Military Alliance, looks like they have to fight against Lie Fan and Cao Cao if they want some land.
Kong Rong is divided to back up, as he is also fighting some Yellow Turbans rebels that come from Yan Province. Kong Zhou was momentarily blinded by greed, he soon remembered that his true enemy was Yuan Shu.
Yuan Shu on the other hand was dead set on taking some lands from Yan Province, maybe even taking Qiao one of the Major Town. Suddenly to the north and west of Shouchun, Lie Fan's army led by Dian Wei and Zhang Chao does military training near the border of Yu Province.
Yuan Shu panicked when he heard about this, his advisors all told him that Lie Fan was just bluffing, but Yuan Shu who had seen firsthand how powerful Lie Fan and his soldiers were, decided to stop his intention to expand and concentrate on defending his territory at the south.
After about one month, Lie Fan and Cao Cao finally meet at Puyang. Lie Fan on the way to Puyang, joined his army with Huang Zhong and Xun You Qinglong's army numbering 30,000 men.
So Lie Fan brought 79,000 men in total, more number than Cao Cao's army. Lie Fan and Cao Cao finally meet after the dissolution of the Alliance at Luoyang, both accompanied by their advisors greeted each other like brothers.
Lie Fan: "Brother Mengde! I finally met you again after almost 2 years, you don't age one bit."
Cao Cao: "Haha! Brother Lie has become more mature, your fight against Lu Bu with General Huang Zhong and Dian Wei is famous in the world now."
Lie Fan: "It's nothing, if not for Huang Zhong and Dian Wei, maybe I will be slain by Lu Bu. Brother Mengde now that we have become allies, I will help you in securing Yan Province."
Cao Cao: "Haha then I will rely on Brother Lie's help when I have consolidated Yan Province under my rule and ousted the Yellow Turbans, we will attack Yuan Shu together!"
Lie Fan: "Of Course! I will help Brother Mengde in defeating the Yellow Turbans, they are just a group of bandits banding together and hiding under the banner of justice to pillage!"
Lie Fan and Cao Cao are talking happily, like they're long lost brothers reunited. Their advisors on the other hand are sizing up each other, Xi Zhicai and Xun Yu are facing face to face with Jia Xu, Chen Qun, and Xun You.
Xi Zhicai and Xun Yu have United Guo Jia to come and serve Cao Cao, he can evaluate Cao Cao himself and see if he is worthy of being his lord, but Guo Jia refuses saying that he wants to see if Cao Cao can control Yan Province.
Cao Cao's name is not as famous as in the original history, due to his being undermined by Lie Fan's moves several times, especially since Cao Cao at this time didn't chase DDong when he was defeated by Xu Rong.
Xun Yu: "Xun You, I didn't expect that you have serve Lord Lie Fan, I was thinking of inviting you to come and join me in serving Lord Cao Cao."
Xun You: "Lord Lie Fan has seen through me and knew my talents, first Uncle, he invited me long before all of this ever happened, and when I thought that only the Yellow Turbans and the Eunuchs were the problems of Han."
Xun Yu: "That's true Haha! That looks like it was a long time ago, well it's already in the past, now let me introduce you to Xi Zhicai, Lord Cao Cao's Military advisor."
Xi Zhicai: "Hello Master Jia Xu, Master Xun You, and Master Chen Qun we meet again."
Jia Xu: "Ah so this is the famous Master Xi Zhicai, you are truly a talent, you alone helped Lord Cao Cao in establishing his force before Master Xun Yu joined you."
Xi Zhicai: "Haha Master Jia Xu is jesting, You are famous now in the World, the Spider who was hiding in the Imperial Court and was picked up by Lord Lie Fan."
Everyone laughs out loud, maybe it looks harmonic but every one of them knows that they are probing against each other, for now, Xi Zhicai and Xun Yu are losing as they were 2 against 3.
Lie Fan and Cao Cao could see the tense situation between their advisors, so both of them introduced their advisors to each other to reduce the tension.
Cao Cao and Lie Fan entered the Governor's Castle at Puyang together, they were welcomed by Bao Xin and Cheng Yu who were ready to give the official seal and token of Yan Province Governorship to Cao Cao.
They made the ceremony fast and efficient, as Cao Cao wanted to eliminate the Yellow Turbans threat which would become an obstacle in consolidating his influence in Yan Province.
While the ceremony is progressing, Lie Fan is looking at Cheng Yu and Bao Xin. These two men are pretty famous in their own right, especially Cheng Yu who is almost like Jia Xu in how he handles Domestic matters.
With Cheng Yu joining under Cao Cao, his Think Tank capability will rise and there's Guo Jia on the sideline who will join him. While they are a threat, Lie Fan has Sima Yi as a backup plan, and maybe if he is sincere enough the Sleeping Dragon will join him.
If Zhuge Liang doesn't want to join him and still chooses Liu Bei, he could have Xu Shu and Pang Tong the Fledgling Phoenix. These two are capable enough, only losing some fame to Zhuge Liang.
After the Ceremony was done, Cao Cao became the official Governor of Yan Province. Lie Fan congratulated Cao Cao and without wasting any time, the two mobilized their army to begin a march toward Jibei.
After spending about 15 days, they finally reached the outskirts of Jibei, where Lie Fan also received words that Taishi Ci and Bu Zhi with the Zhuque army were on standby in the southeast of Jibei.
Lie Fan: "Brother Mengde, do you know how many Yellow Turbans that are rampaging in Jibei right now?"
Cao Cao: "I don't really know, but according to Bao Xin there are about hundreds of thousands of Yellow Turbans, this could become a problem if I don't have your help, Brother Lie."
Lie Fan: "Haha Brother Mengde is jesting, you alone can handle this problem, albeit it needs a longer time."
Cao Cao: "That's true, that's why I appreciate your help as these Yellow Turbans if we let them do whatever they want, many innocent lives will be lost."
Lie Fan agrees with Cao Cao's words as the Yellow Turbans are just a pest now. Lie Fan and Cao Cao along with their advisors are making a strategy together, on how to attack Jibei.
They finally agreed to split up their army, as Lie Fan would go Northeast while Cao Cao Northwest. The battle against the Yellow Turbans began, Lie Fan led his army of 79,000 men, and when they entered Jibei County, Lie Fan met up with Taishi Ci and Bu Zhi increasing his soldiers to 94,000 men.
Lie Fan less his army to clear the Yellow Turbans in southern parts of Jibei, when they march they saw a small town on fire. Around the small town, many people are wearing Yellow scarves or clothes, seeing this Jia Xu and Xun You estimate there are about 20,000 to 30,000 Yellow Turbans.
Lie Fan: "Huang Zhong! Taishi Ci! Lead the new 40,000 recruits and attack this Yellow Turbans bastard! Chao Bo, Zang Ba, Ling Cao, Xu Rong, and Ze Rong assist them by leading your units!"
Jia Xu: "Generals remember to use speed and the element of surprise as they are on their side, and don't be ashamed to fight dirty, as our Lord wants everyone to come back safe!"
Lie Fan: "Haha Jia Xu you're truly different! You are the only advisors who advocate openly to play dirty, that's why you are my main advisor!"
Jia Xu: "My Lord, I'm just conveying what you wanted to say to the generals, fortunately, all of them have faced Yellow Turbans so they knew the enemy they were against."
Huang Zhong and Taishi Ci split up the 40,000 recruits into two separate armies, Chao Bo and Xu Rong joined Dian Wei, while Ling Cao, Zang Ba, and Ze Rong joined Taishi Ci.
They lead the units according to their specialty, Lie Fan stayed back with Jia Xu, Chen Qun, Xun You, and Bu Zhi alongside the 54,000 veterans.
The Yellow Turbans had just finished pillaging this small town, they were talking with each other while laughing happily, not caring about the cries and shouts of despair of the people of the town.
Pei Yuan Shao: "Brother Cang, this is more than enough supplies! Maybe we should leave now, as there's still time before Cao Cao's and Lie Fan's army arrive!"
Zhou Cang: "I agree Brother Pei, Let's leave Jibei before they arrive, I heard that Runan is a good place for us to hide, Yuan Shu will not notice people like us."
Pei Yuan Shao: "I agree, let-"
Yellow Turban: "Commanders! There's an army approaching our location at a fast speed!"
Zhou Chang: "What?! Do you know what banners are being shown?!"
Yellow Turban: ''I'm sorry commander but I can't read!"
Zhou Chang heard that go towards the rear of the Yellow Turbans, followed by Pei Yuan Shao. Seeing the word on the banner, both Zhou Chang and Pei Yuan Shao's face turn pale as they meet Fan's army here.
Zhou Chang and Pei Yuan Shao told everyone to enter the defensive formation, and 30,000 Yellow Turbans slowly entered the defensive formation. Lie Fan who sees this from a far whistle, looks like there's an experienced general there is what he thought.
Both Huang Zhong and Taishi Ci saw this and just sneered as they knew the Yellow Turbans would be just a meat experience for the recruits, they ordered Zang Ba and Xu Rong to lead the Cavalries to attack them fast-paced, picking up their weak parts in the formation.
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Name: Lie Fan
Title: Three Heroes Who Defeat Lu Bu
Age: 24 (191 AD)
Level: 15
Next Level: 1.588.000
Renown: 605
Cultivation: Yin Yang Separation (level 8)
SP: 371.700
ATTRIBUTE POINTS
STR: 884 (+20)
VIT: 440 (+20)
AGI: 428 (+10)
INT: 435
CHR: 93
WIS: 359
WILL: 257
ATR Points: 0