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Lie Fan was ecstatic that Zhao Yun accepted his offer because he would never let this rare general enter the service of another Lord, Lie Fan, and Zhao Yun then rode their horses side by side talking about Zhao Yun's experience heading to Xiapi, whole Jia Xu was surprised after hearing the story and knew now why the Oriole doesn't report to him about Zhao Yun's location because Zhao Yun and his men only stop to rest for an hour in the wilderness before continuing their march.
Jia Xu marveled at Zhao Yun's remarkable feat, he admired Zhao Yun as he reflected on the general's determination and prowess. Despite the odds stacked against him, Zhao Yun's resolve and skill in maneuvering through enemy territory left Jia Xu in admiration of his skill.
This is a true testament to Zhao Yun's skill because not many people can make the Poisonous strategist admire them, Lie Fan is a special case just like Cao Cao who in some sense was the only person who could truly give Jia Xu the platform to show his skill.
The title of Poisonous Strategist itself shows Jia Xu's personality and how his mind works, a genius in military strategy but a master at social manipulation and crowd control, In the original timeline Li Ru himself recommended Jia Xu because he know about Jia Xu's true ability.
But Jia Xu who was known as the man who liked to save himself first, could see that Dong Zhuo would not last long so he downloaded his ability and had him assigned to Zhang Ji which led to him joining Cao Cao after his conquest of Hognong which result in losing both Cao Hong and Dian Wei.
Back to the main matter, Lie Fan right now guided Zhao Yun and his men through the gates of Xiapi, where he introduced Xiapi to Zhao Yun describing its brilliance and how developed it had become from its previous situation.
He also points out that Xiapi owes its prosperity and security to all of the people who come to work together under him, their talent and skills were the ones that made this to be achievable, praising all of his retainers whenever the old ones or the new ones.
Zhao Yun on Lie Fan's side riding his horse could see that what Lie Fan said came from his heart, he doesn't know why he felt like that but his heart told him that it was all true and that Lie Fan was a perfect candidate to become his lord replacing Gongsun Zan.
Actually, he had another choice before Lie Fan which was Liu Bei whom he met due to Gongsun Zan, but when he arrived at Beihai what received him was the news of Liu Bei fleeing Qing Province and heading south.
Disappointed that he missed Liu Bei, it was at this time that he remembered about Lie Fan and how Gongsun Zan told him that his master had taught Lie Fan for some time, so he decided to see Lie Fan on the way to the South but he never expected that Lie Fan could have such a magnetic presence.
Lie Fan and Zhao Yun conversed with each other and not long they arrived at Xiapi's Governor Castle, where they headed toward the main hall to have a conversation there, while Zhao Yun's 5,000 men were escorted to the barracks in the city.
At the main hall, Lie Fan called for a servant to prepare tea for Zhao Yun and then told Zhao Yun to take a seat while waiting for the tea, it was at this time that they could have a more serious discussion, where they were also joined by Chen Qun and Chen Guiwho hear about Zhao Yun.
Lie Fan: "General Zhao Yun, once again let me say my condolences for Brother Gongsun Zan's passing, by the time I heard the news of what transpired, I was already fighting my own war and couldn't send help, especially since The Emperor has sent an edict to crusade Brother Gongsun Zan."
Zhao Yun: "Thank You Governor Lie Fan, and no need to apologize I understand since everyone has their own problem to handle, it was just My Lord was stuck in the wrong place at the wrong time and it was all due to that bastard Yuan Shao for not upholding his deal with My Lord!"
Lie Fan: "Hah I had previously warmed Brother Gongsun Zan to not trust Yuan Shao since he was a snake, much worse than Yuan Shu! However, it looks like my words at the time sounded empty, don't worry General Zhao Yun I promise that I will avenge Brother Gongsun Zan and end that bastard, Yuan Shao!"
Zhao Yun: "Thank You Governor Lie Fan! If you ever need any help in vanquishing Yuan Shao, you can call for me and I will bring my 5,000 brother alongside me!"
Lie Fan: "Of Course! I feel that we are too formal General Zhao Yun considering that you are my senior apprentice, how about I call you senior brother and you can call me junior brother?"
Zhao Yun: "What? No Governor Lie Fan I didn't deserve such honor, the rules of martial artists don't apply to us, especially since Governor Lie Fan is a hero of the Han! It was actually my honor to meet the man who defeated the Yellow Turbans and Lu Bu at Hulao Pass!"
Lie Fan: "General Zhao Yun's praise for me is too high, I'm not a hero I just want to vanquish evil people from this world and restore peace across the realm, since General Zhao feels that way then how about we just call each other Brother? I hope General Zhao doesn't deny my request."
Zhao Yun: "That's... Alright, I will call you Brother, Brother Lie Fan. I never expected that amongst all of Master apprentices, Brother Lie Fan was the last but the most successful amongst all of us!"
Lie Fan laughs at what Zhao Yun said and downplays the praise Zhao Yum just has for him, he doesn't feel ashamed that he is lying about being tested by Master Tong Yuan, who can't even tell the truth because by this time he already passed away.
It's not that he doesn't respect Tong Yuan, but the chance was there for the taking and Lie Fan just grasped it, especially since Zhao Yin was a special existence and having him serving Liu Bei is just a waste of Zhao Yun's talent.
Jia Xu, Chen Qun, and Chen Gui saw and heard Lie Fan acting and lying about him becoming Tong Yuan half apprentice doesn't feel ashamed of Lie Fan for a bit because they were people who understood the truth that diplomacy is based on lies and acting.
That's why there are many top orators but not many top advisors, you can become a top orator but that doesn't mean you are a top advisor, but if you are a top advisor that means you are a top orator.
It's confusing but that is how it was, Sun Qian is one of these people for example, he was a topnotch orator and Lie Fan's first advisor and is now assigned as Lie Fan's foreign advisor because diplomacy and building relations is what he is best at.
However, in terms of giving advice on situations outside of diplomacy and relations, Sun Qin can be considered mediocre in the original timeline, but now due to learning under Lu Zhi in the past, he can be said to be above average in this timeline.
So Lie Fan used Tong Yuan and Gongsun Zan as the foundation of the conversation between him and Zhao Yun soon bore fruit with the two of them having a great conversation, Lie Fan also introduced Jia Xu, Chen Qun, and Chen Gui to Zhao Yun.
Zhao Yun hearing Jia Xu's name greeted him with high respect and admiration, he had heard about Jia Xu and some of the advisors that Gongsun Zan had met who served Lie Fan during the Alliance against Dong Zhuo.
Jia Xu is not Lie Fan's first advisor, but it was he and Xun You who elevated Lie Fan's power becoming the powerhouse he is right now, that's what Gongsun Zan said to Zhao Yun and Zhao Yun remembered this name ever since.
Jia Xu acted as if he was flattered to receive such respect and admiration from Zhao Yun, even though he actually felt it was a waste of time because the fewer people knew his face, the safer he was from a target of assassination.
Nonetheless, he knew it was just a hope he had because since he had gambled and chosen Lie Fan as the tree he perched in, his face would be known by many people, something that comes with the risk of the gamble he took.
After some more miscellaneous talk, Lie Fan then takes this chance to subtly find out about Zhao Yun's plans after meeting him here in Xiapi, and Zhao Yun does not realize that he said his true purpose and how he wanted to meet with Liu Bei and serve him.
Hearing that Lie Fan doesn't panic because it was like in the original timeline, but minus the White Horse Cavalry that Zhao Yun brought, he then calmly asks Zhao Yun the reason for Zhao Yun choosing Liu Bei as his new lord.
Zhao Yun then described how kind and virtuous Liu Bei was during the time he met him when Liu Bei and Gongsun Zan met each other after the Alliance Against Dong Zhuo.
Liu Bei's kindness and care for the people was what touched him and considers him to be the best lord after Gongsun Zan, Lie Fan hearing that let out a small chuckle that attracted Zhao Yun's attention.
Zhao Yun asked Lie Fan why he chuckled because he felt that what he just said was all true, Lie Fan did not want Zhao Yun to fall onto Liu Bei's lies and act like in the original timeline, he then countered what Zhao Yun just said about Liu Bei and described Liu Bei as an opportunist that has heavens luck.
Zhao Yin hearing this was offended because he considered Liu Bie to be the best candidate to become his lord, even though Lie Fan was also a perfect candidate after conversing with him, Zhao Yun still felt that Liu Bei was the best choice.
Lie Fan could see that Zhao Yun was offended by his words, but he was offended not because he felt insulted but he was offense because he insulted Liu Bei whom he already considered as his new lord, and Lie Fa sees all of this clearly.
Lie Fan then raised his hand and apologized to Zhao Yun continuing by saying that he stood by what he said because it was all true, Zhao Yun having his ager managed to calm down asked for the evidence that described what he just said, and Lie Fan immediately agreed to describe the evidence and he even have a perfect example, shocking Zhao Yun because he though Lie Fan will not agree because there actually no evidence to support his claim.
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Name: Lie Fan
Title: Three Heroes Who Defeat Lu Bu
Age: 28 (195 AD)
Level: 16
Next Level: 2,462,000
Renown: 725
Cultivation: Yin Yang Separation (level 9)
SP: 1,071,700
ATTRIBUTE POINTS
STR: 936 (+20)
VIT: 598 (+20)
AGI: 583 (+10)
INT: 587
CHR: 93
WIS: 509
WILL: 397
ATR Points: 0