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Lie Fan stopped pacing and looked out the window, where children ran through the courtyard, laughing, sticks in hand, pretending to be generals and strategists. "I'd rather walk the narrow bridge than wallow in the mud with those too afraid to climb. Let the Han Dynasty be our lesson in that part, they have show it by result how they wallow in the mud for to long."
Hearing the last word said by their lord Lie Fan, the six of them nodded their head in agreement with that. Because just like their lord said, the Han Dynasty was split into the Western and Eastern Han Dynasty because the Liu Royal Clan was beset in a factional struggle after the death of Emperor Wu.
They didn't do anything or at least try to stop the struggles, allowing Wang Mang and the Wang Clan to grow very powerful, puppeting the Emperors that come after Emperor Wu. Wang Mang eventually declared himself Emperor, and created the short reigning Xin Dynasty, before being defeated by Liu Xiu who become Emperor Guangwu and signify the start if Eastern Han.
Also, the end of the Eastern Han was caused by the Liu Royal Family having Emperor Ling of Han allow the eunuchs to control the court and live a lavish life, while the land was suffering. This led to the Yellow Turban Rebellion, which marked the true beginning of the end for the Han Dynasty.
From these two lessons alone, the need for educational reform was undeniable, because as their lord had said before, the power of the common people needed to be balanced with that of the nobles, merchants, and scholars.
This balancing act would be enforced and overseen by the Imperial Family itself, supporting whichever side was weaker at any given moment to maintain harmony and prevent overreach.
Through these educational reforms, the hope was that the collective power of the common people would rise, while the entrenched might of the noble houses, rich merchants, and lofty scholars would wane gradually, until a true equilibrium of influence and responsibility could be achieved.
It was not merely a strategy of governance, but a vision for a new civilization, one where duty and honor were instilled from youth and reinforced through every level of learning.
With that, Lie Fan brought the meeting to a close. The six masters offered respectful bows and filed out one by one, each lost in thought, already contemplating how they might begin drafting the second wave of policies and structures that would give shape to this ambitious educational vision.
Lie Fan himself lingered a moment longer by the wide, tall windows of the meeting chamber, gazing out at the fading sun painting the rooftops of Xiapi in warm gold. The laughter of children still echoed faintly in the courtyard below, a reminder of the very future he had vowed to forge.
When he finally turned and made his way back to the Lie Clan residence, the air was already cooling with the onset of evening, lanterns flickering to life across the city like stars descending to earth.
He rode slowly, thoughtfully, nodding in acknowledgment to the citizens who greeted him from doorways and alleys, unaware of the monumental decisions that had just been set in motion.
The moment Lie Fan stepped into the inner living room of the Lie Clan residence, the warmth of familial affection washed over him like a balm after the cold calculations of statecraft. His parents, Yu Yan and Lie Shang, sat comfortably among his wives and concubine, the atmosphere rich with laughter and the faint scent of tea and incense.
Ying Yue, ever the gracious first wife, was pouring tea for Yu Yan, her movements elegant and practiced. Diao Chan sat beside her, her beauty as striking as ever, though now softened by the contentment of motherhood.
Cai Wenji, her fingers still ink stained from her morning calligraphy, was engaged in animated conversation with Lie Shang about poetry. Lu Lingqi, holding their youngest son Lu Liang in her arms, smiled as the baby cooed at his grandparents. And Zhen Ji, though quieter than the others, radiated a serene charm as she listened to the conversation.
When Lie Fan entered, all eyes turned to him.
Yu Yan was the first to rise, her face lighting up with maternal pride. "Fan'er!"
Lie Fan crossed the room in quick strides and embraced his mother tightly. "Mother. Father. When did you arrive?"
Lie Shang chuckled as he stood to clasp his son's shoulder. "Just this noon. We didn't want to disturb you while you were in a council meeting with the six masters of the academy."
"The two of you could never disturb me," Lie Fan said, smiling.
Ying Yue gracefully rose and bowed. "Husband, your parents have been regaling us with stories of your childhood."
Diao Chan smirked. "Some very interesting ones as well."
Lie Fan groaned. "Please tell me they didn't mention the time I—"
"—tried to cajole Wannian who was crying by getting on a horse, only to be thrown into a mud pit?" Yu Yan finished, grinning. "Oh, we definitely mentioned that."
The room erupted into laughter. Even Zhen Ji covered her mouth to stifle a giggle.
Lie Fan sighed dramatically. "My reputation in front of my wives is ruined."
Lie Shang clapped him on the back. "Nonsense. If anything, it humanizes you. A man who can conquer more than half of the land yet still remembers his humble beginnings is a man worth following."
The words carried more weight than intended. Lie Fan's expression softened. "I missed you both."
Yu Yan cupped his face. "And we missed you. But we're here now. And we have much to discuss."
After that servants brought in platters of food and fresh tea, the family settled into a more private circle. The children, Lie Fan's sons and daughters, were ushered out by their maids, leaving only the adults to talk freely.
Yu Yan wasted no time. "Fan'er, the reforms you're pushing... they're bold."
Lie Fan nodded. "It was necessary mother."
"We know," Lie Shang said. "But the nobles won't take this lying down. Already, whispers are spreading in our home town Huai'An. Some are calling you a radical. A threat to tradition of our ancestors."
Diao Chan's eyes flashed hearing that. "The traditions that keeps them fat and the common people starving."
Cai Wenji, who see it from a scholar point if view, added softly, "Change must come, but even the most necessary reforms can be met with violence if pushed too harshly, Husband."
Lie Fan leaned back, considering. "I know. That's why we're balancing it. The merchants see the value in educated laborers. The common people are hungry for opportunity. The nobles and scholars will resist, but they'll be outnumbered."
Lu Lingqi, rocking Lu Liang gently, frowned. "And if they lash out?"
"Then Lord Lie Fan crush them," Zhen Ji said quietly.
The room stilled. It was the first time she had spoken so bluntly after becoming Lie Fan's concubine, which caught Ying Yue, Diao Chan, Cai Wenji, and Lu Lingqi by surprise.
Lie Fan studied her for a moment before nodding. "Zhen'er is right. I'd prefer to win them over peacefully, but if they choose violence... they'll regret it."
Yu Yan sighed. "Just be careful, Fan'er. Power is a double edged sword. The same reforms that strengthen your rule can also create new enemies."
"I know, Mother," Lie Fan said softly. "But the Han Dynasty's fall taught us one thing, stagnation is death. If we don't adapt, we'll be swept aside by those who do."
Lie Shang raised his cup. "Then here's to adaptation. And to family. May we navigate these changes together."
The others raised their cups in unison.
"Together," Lie Fan echoed.
After that, they drank the tea in their cups and proceeded to enjoy the food, the warm aroma of spiced duck and braised pork belly wafting through the air.
Bowls of vegetables sautéed with garlic and scallions, steamed fish with soy sauce, and a delicately fragrant lotus root soup were placed around the table. The quiet clinking of chopsticks filled the room as conversation died down briefly in favor of savoring the meal.
It was Lie Shang who broke the calm. He cleared his throat, gently placing his cup on the table, and looked around at the family gathered.
"I have something to share," he said, his tone light but carrying a depth that instantly quieted the room.
Everyone turned their eyes to him, sensing the weight of what was about to be said.
"I've decided," Lie Shang began, meeting each pair of eyes in turn, "to retire from my post as Governor of Langye."
The clatter of chopsticks against porcelain stilled as Lie Shang's announcement settled over the family gathering. The savory aroma of braised pork and steamed fish lingered in the air, forgotten for a moment as all eyes turned to look at Lie Shang.
Ying Yue blinked in astonishment. Diao Chan swallow the food in her mouth as she couldn't react to the need other than doing so. Cai Wenji put a hand gently to her chest, while Lu Lingqi tilted her head, trying to decipher the deeper reason. Zhen Ji remained still, her gaze soft but attentive.
Only Yu Yan sat unmoved, her calm expression betraying that she already knew.
Lie Fan was the first to break the silence, setting down his chopsticks with deliberate care.
"Father... why now?" His voice carried no reproach, only genuine surprise. "You still have good years ahead of you. Langye thrives under your governance."
Lie Fan turned to his mother, eyes narrowing slightly in question. "You knew about this, mother?"
Yu Yan nodded with a faint smile. "Your father spoken of it often in private."
Lie Shang exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck, a gesture so familiar to Lie Fan, one he had seen countless times growing up whenever his father wrestled with a difficult decision.
"I've grown tired of doing paperwork, son," he admitted with a rueful chuckle. "Endless petitions, tax reports, disputes between nobles, it's not the life I envisioned for myself. I'm a soldier at heart. You know that."
Lie Fan did know. His father had been a decorated commander before his achievement and circumstance had pushed him into civil administration by becoming Prefect of Huai'An.
"If I could, I'd strap on my armor and ride back into battle," Lie Shang continued, his eyes briefly alight with the fire of old campaigns. "But we both know those days are behind me. And you'd never allow it."
A faint smile tugged at Lie Fan's lips. "No. I wouldn't."
"So instead," Lie Shang continued, "I will assist your mother with the Yu Merchant Group. I want to spend my remaining years in peace, watching my grandchildren grow, walking in the gardens with them, hearing the laughter of this household echo in my ears. That is enough for me."
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Name: Lie Fan
Title: Overlord Of The Central Plains
Age: 34 (201 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