275. Project: Expanding Xiapi

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Due to this the three of them while calming down Lie Fan and observing Lu Lingqi, were oblivious to Lady Yan who saw all of this happening right before their eyes, she shook her head in amusement at what happened and also worried for her daughter because she knew that these three women could rise or lower her chances to be with Lie Fan, as from what she heard and observe Lie Fan doted on his wife heavily.

This somewhat weird four-way observation line was broken when Lu Lingqi and Wannian stopped their conversation about the battle and things on the same equation of a battle.

Wannian with bright and shimmering eyes asked Lie Fan if she could train in martial arts with Lu Lingqi, when Ying Yue, Diao Chan, and Cai Wenji heard this they immediately objected to her request as it was too dangerous.

Sima Yi who heard this also raised his head and looked toward Wannian with concern for her safety and at the same time wanted to give his support in everything she wanted to do.

Lie Fan who heard Wannian request stayed silent, as two conflicted feelings were clashing inside of him, the first one wanted to deny Wannian request, and the other one wanted to approve her request.

Each feeling had its own reason, the first one was because he didn't want Wannian to be in danger, and he knew that if he approved it could lead to something more and she would become like Lu Lingqi.

The second one was that Wannian could learn some self defense for herself that was more suitable for her physical body since the male and female body structures are different, and it's better to indulge her now so as to control her future decisions and guide her toward the path he thought best for her.

Ying Yue, Diao Chan, and Cai Wenji could see that Lie Fan was considering accepting Wannian request, the three of them banded together and persuaded Lie Fan to not accept her request because Wannian was different from Lu Lingqi who had trained in martial arts since little.

Wannian was pampered by him since little and didn't receive much physical training other than light exercises to keep her body fit and slim, also her mischievous personality doesn't mean she can become just like Lu Lingqi.

Wannian who heard that all of her Big Sisters were against her request became upset, she pouted and put her face down trying to hide her sadness.

Lu Lingqi who sat beside Wannian saw this and caused her to remember her childhood, when her mother also denied her request to train with her father when she brought it up.

Lu Lingqi then decided to help Wannian and when Ying Yue, Diao Chan, and Cai Wenji finished saying their case to Lie Fan, Lu Lingqi told Lie Fan to allow Wannian to train in martial arts with her, and that he to not worry about Wannian will follow in her footsteps.

Lie Fan raised his head when he heard Lu Lingqi's voice, he didn't expect Lu Lingqi would ask him to allow Wannian to train with her, and even promised that Wannian would not follow in her footsteps.

Lu Lingqi who sees and feels Lie Fan's gaze on her is nervous and even blushes due to the intense gaze she feels from Lie Fan, Lu Lingqi's request also causes Ying Yue, Diao Chan, and Cai Wenji to stop talking, and turn to look at her.

After a long silence, Lie Fan finally after some consideration allowed Wannian to train in martial arts with Lu Lingqi with the condition that it doesn't disturb her class and for Lu Lingqi to report on Wannian training once a month to him.

When Wannian heard that Lie Fan accepted her request, she let out a loud squeal ignoring the rest of the words Lie Fan just omitted, she stood up from her chair and ran toward Lie Fan hugging him tightly while thanking him for allowing her.

Ying Yue, Diao Chan, and Cai Wenji who heard Lie Fan's agreement can only sigh and accept his decision, while at the same time evaluating Lu Lingqi's position in Lie Fan's mind as they were more sure now that she could become their fourth sister.

Lu Lingqi smiled happily and agreed to the condition Lie Fan imposed on his acceptance of Wannian request, she then felt three burning gazes toward her, and when she turned overhead she saw all of Lie Fan's wife looking at her with interest.

Lu Lingqi smiled awkwardly at the three of them and Lady Yan saw all of this causing her to shake her head, thinking that she should train Lu Lingqi more on noble ladies' intrigue, even though she could see that there was no bad intention in the gaze of Lie Fan's wives.

The atmosphere of the dinner turned harmonious once again after Lie Fan agreed to Wannian request, and after the New Year's dinner, they celebrated it by lighting up fireworks that had circulated in the market of Lie Fan's domain as a must-have to celebrate for New Year.

The day passed by joyously and the next day everything turned into a normal daily routine for Lie Fan, he went toward Xiapi's Governor Castle where he would hold the first court of his force for the new year.

When Lie Fan arrived at the main hall alongside his bodyguards, all of his generals and advisors who were present in Xiapi had arrived and were waiting for him, he walked toward his seat, and after he sat down, Jia Xu announced the start of the court.

First Chen Gui as the Governor of Xiapi reported all the matters that happened concerning Xiapi, and then read the reports of all major towns in Lie Fan's domain, except for his newly acquired land in Yang Province and Qing Province.

All the reports were positive and each major town showed some improvement in its commerce and agriculture, due to this the small towns and villages that were under their jurisdiction also had massive growth in their commerce and agriculture.

Especially with the Yu Merchant Clan and Mi Clan supporting Lie Fan's endeavors and regulations, other merchants that want to be associated with them or have worked with them all follow the regulations and tariffs that Lie Fan has imposed.

Lie Fan was satisfied with this report and nodded his head in satisfaction, even though he was on a large scale war in the south which could have some impact on the progress of his domain, it didn't slow them down or even stop the progress.

Next, the infrastructure of the Major Towns in Xu Province specifically has been improved especially its walls, under Lie Fan's order to repair the walls and strengthen them by coating them with cement.

It was still ongoing and estimated will be completed in the middle of this year, Lie Fan who heard this, nodded his head and then called Mi Zhu to give additional rewards to the workers to improve their spirit.

Mi Zhu who heard this cupped his hand and showed his agreement, he felt that becoming Lie Fan's Economy Advisors was more leisurely than his position as the successor of Mi Clan and de facto head of the clan since his father got sick.

After all of that was done, Lie Fan said that since they had entered another peace period while recuperating their supplies, he announced that their next target would be Liu Biao where they would coordinate with the Sun Clan. While waiting for that time, he announced a new mega project will be held.

Lie Fan: " Everyone this project has been on my mind for a while since Han Dynasty influences are waning day by day, especially with its inaction against Yuan Shao I think it's the perfect time for us to expand Xiapi and build to become a suitable capital city of my future dynasty."

Chen Qun: "My Lord isn't this project too hasty? What if our movement was known by Cao Cao and then used whatever influences the Han Dynasty had left to launch a crusade against us, even though the one who responds will only be Cao Cao, Liu Bei, Liu Biao, and Yuan Shao."

Jia Xu: "No Chen Qun I think it's the perfect time like what My Lord has just said, right now all Warlord are busy with their own thing, Cao Cao and Liu Bei are in an intrigue battle over control of Qing Province, Yuan Shao is processing the land he has taken from Gongsun Zan, and Liu Biao without other warlords invitation will never declare war on us."

Xun You: "While I agree with you Master Jia Xu, what about the reaction of the Sun Clan our ally & Sheng Xian who become a tributary to Our Lord, while I'm sure the Sun Clan would not give an immediate reaction, I'm afraid that we have to go through another war to pacify Sheng Xian."

Chen Gong: "If I may, I had known Sheng Xian through a friend of mine, and with enough benefits, he will support whatever cause My Lord has, of course, the price will be heavy if he knows what kind of purpose Mu Lord has."

Mi Zhu: "As everyone is thinking from a military and political perspective, My Lord I'm afraid that such a project will a large number of funds, one that I'm afraid will deplete several months or even a year or two worth of our income, which could cause a large deficit since we also have a large amount of expenses."

Chen Gui: "Not only expenses My Lord, we also need large amounts of manpower for the labor to undertake such a massive project, which could severely impact the agricultural progress and its harvest due to the lack of farmers."

Liu Ye: "Yes My Lord I agree with what Master Chen Gui has just said, as it could also severely impact the craft industry, our project making team, and also the shipwright's production of ships."

Lie Fan: "Alright everyone please calm down, I understand all of your concerns and I have thought of several plans to mitigate the concerns you all have spoken of."

Lie Fan after saying that then told everyone of the countermeasures had thought for their concerns and asked for their advice or ideas that could maybe improve his plan or make something much better than what he thought of.

For the matters of other Warlords, just like what Jia Xu said everyone is busy with their own matters except for maybe Ma Teng & Han Sui but they are far in Liang Province, and for the Sun Clan it doesn't matter as they also need to process the land they have just got.

While Sheng Xian will be handled by the Oriole, his generals, and advisors have been handpicked one by one to submit to him so it would not be long before he would not have any power whatsoever.

Lastly, for funds and manpower, Lie Fan proposed that for funds they could have the merchants and nobles be involved in this project, by having them invest their money, and in return, they would receive lands and strategic locations for their business venture or new mansions, as for manpower since they would not be going to war for a while he feels that his army could also be used a labor force which could also train their physical body.

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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