World’s First Traitor System [Isekai Transmigration]

Lü Chunqiu personally welcomed the two emperors. As a minister of Chu State, Fan Li stayed slightly behind at the middle of the ceremonial procession.

But he wasn’t idle either. At this moment, three important Han ministers had come to meet him on their own initiative.

"Descendant of Zhongshan Jing Wang, great grandson of Emperor Xiaojing, General of the Left in Han, Marquis Ling of Yijing county in charge of Yuzhou province, Imperial Uncle Liu Bei pays respect to Prime Minister Fan."

Before Fan Li could react, he thought to himself how long this person's name was.

Only after he saw that the man before him was over seven chi tall, with ears hanging to his shoulders, hands past his knees, and an innate noble aura, did Fan Li realize it was actually Liu Bei who had come!

"I've often heard people say that Liu Bei falsely claims to be of imperial lineage when he actually isn't of true dragon and phoenix bloodline at all. But looking at him now, if he weren't of celestial noble descent, how could he possibly have such demeanor and bearing."

Fan Li wasn't one to judge by appearances. But at first sight of Liu Bei, he was indeed shocked by the imperial aura Liu Bei exuded.

There were also two other people who came with Liu Bei. One of them was short in stature, but his gaze was piercing, giving off a profoundly sad and gloomy feeling.

"Han's Minister of Works, Cao Cao, pays respect to Duke Jin of Chu."

The shock Cao Cao gave Fan Li was even greater than that from Liu Bei. Especially the complicated look Cao Cao gave Fan Li, showing reverence, wariness, suspicion, jealousy, appreciation...

From Cao Cao's gaze, Fan Li read so many emotions that he couldn't help but recall the famous scholar Xu Shao's evaluation of Cao Cao.

"A capable minister in peaceful times, a treacherous hero in chaotic times."

The youngest of the three looked the strangest in appearance. With green eyes, purple beard, a long body but short legs, and a square chin with a big mouth, he simply looked like a twenty something barbarian youth from a foreign state.

"Great Han's General of the Chariots and Cavalry, Sun Quan, pays respect to Duke Jin." Sun Quan gave Fan Li a deep bow!

Of the three, Liu Bei had the friendliest attitude, Cao Cao was the most formal, but Sun Quan was the most respectful.

Such thoughtful etiquette immediately gave Fan Li a trace of goodwill towards Sun Quan, weakening his wariness a bit.

But he quickly came to his senses again. Perhaps this was exactly Sun Quan's aim with showing such great propriety.

"Seeing these three gathered together today, I've really broadened my horizons." Fan Li thought to himself.

He didn't show the slightest negligence, returning the deep bows with equal propriety.  "I have long heard of your great names. The three of you are the emperor's strong arms. May I ask if you have any matters to discuss?"

Cao, Liu and Sun looked at each other, seemingly each having something to say but unwilling to speak in front of the other two.

Fan Li immediately understood.

He smiled and said, "Marquis Wenxin has prepared residences for the emperors of the Three Kingdoms. Why don't you three come to my Chu State's residence after entering the city for further detailed discussion?"

The three immediately revealed satisfied smiles on their faces.

"What Duke Jin says is most proper. We shall seek your teachings after entering the city."

After Cao, Liu and Sun left, Fan Li couldn't help but bitterly laugh and shake his head.

He softly said, "Liu Xie is hoping these three could help him revive Han, but I'm afraid they'll be stuck at just offering a single word with the 'dedication' radical their whole lives."

***

The emperors of Chu, Han and Ming had all arrived at Lü City, but the Three Emperors Meeting would only officially begin tomorrow.

Within Lü City, it was as if an undercurrent surged. The three different imperial processions were stationed separately at the east, west and south corners of the city.

At this time, in the Chu imperial residence.

Since Fan Li had come to Lü City with the emperor, he was naturally fully responsible for all affairs of the temporary residence.

He was in the middle of arranging guards for the residence, bringing along a squad of elites selected from the garrison troops to the garden of the residence.

It just so happened that Xiang Ning was there appreciating the flowers. Seeing Fan Li bring a squad of armored troops, she suddenly felt it ruined the mood.

"Duke Jin should be more careful not to damage the flowers and plants in the residence." Xiang Ning frowned and reminded aloud.

Fan Li didn't have the leisure to appreciate flowers and plants right now.

He casually replied, "This official is only responsible for Your Majesty's safety. As for things like appreciating flowers and trivial playthings, I'm afraid this official will have difficulty paying attention to that."

Xiang Ning was unhappy hearing this.

"Duke Jin should learn more from Great Han! The three great ministers who accompanied the Han emperor are all loyal, wise, ingenious and capable.

Especially in knowing how to serve their emperor. I heard that the Han emperor's residence arrangements are exceptionally comfortable and leisurely."

After Xiang Ning finished speaking, she gave Fan Li a ‘look at them then look at yourself’ glance.

Fan Li found it funny hearing this. "If Your Majesty wants me to learn from the Han ministers, even if I wanted to learn, based on my position, I should be comparing with Han's Grand Tutor Dong Zhuo."

Xiang Ning was instantly rendered speechless!

Learn from Dong Zhuo?

No way! Never!

Since Lü City wasn't the imperial palace of Great Chu after all, Fan Li was also willing to give Xiang Ning more face as they were on another's turf.

He earnestly advised, "Your Majesty must not forget that the Three Emperors Meeting concerns the nation's destiny. Your Majesty's personal presence in Lü City isn't for sightseeing and amusement, but for national affairs!"

Xiang Ning knew she was being unreasonable so she had no rebuttal. And since she rarely saw Fan Li speak so solemnly, she could only obediently keep silent like a student accepting a scolding, no longer speaking a word.

She had completely lost interest in appreciating flowers. Thus she asked, "The main point of Us coming to Lü City this time is to ally with Liu Xi. That will prevent Great Ming from harboring ambitions towards Chu and Han. Is that right?"

Fan Li nodded then shook his head. "That's just the basic goal."

With Princess Chang Le’s attitude, the Chu-Han alliance was set in stone without possibility of accidents.

Fan Li had also thought that the Three Emperors Meeting would just be going through the motions. However, Lü Chunqiu's drastically different attitude towards the emperors of Chu, Han and Ming gave Fan Li some other ideas.

"Han and Chu allying will surely cause Ming to be on guard. But if Lü City sides with Great Ming, causing all Confucian and Taoist cultivators under heaven to lean towards Great Ming, then Han and Chu would still be in peril."

As Fan Li spoke, Xiang Ning was already dumbstruck listening.

Lü City had existed for thousands of years. The successive Marquis Wenxin had always maintained a neutral stance, only using the Annals of Lü Buwei to educate the realm.

However, even personal disciples of Marquis Wenxin, after completing their studies, would either retreat into seclusion or enter court as officials without any more connections to Lü City or Marquis Wenxin.

For Lü City to actually abandon its neutrality one day?

With Xiang Ning's intelligence, she still couldn't foresee such a possibility.

"Duke Jin... could Lü Chunqiu possibly surrender to Great Ming?"

Fan Li heavily said, "If I were Lü Chunqiu, bringing my whole clan to pledge allegiance to Great Ming would be the best choice I can think of."

"Why?" Xiang Ning asked in puzzlement.

"Because in the long flow of history, extended division will eventually reunite while long unification will divide again. Rather than waiting to be conquered when a hegemon inevitably appears among the Three Kingdoms, taking the initiative to swear fealty is better."

When Fan Li explained to this point, Xiang Ning understood as well.

Neither her nor Liu Xi could match up to a hegemon. But Great Ming's Emperor Jiajing was completely different. He was an absolute tyrant!

At this moment, Xiang Ning found herself in a very complicated mood. The sense of crisis prevented her from appreciating those delicate exotic flowers and plants any longer.

"That... Does the Fan family also consider seeking refuge in Great Ming?" Xiang Ning suddenly asked faintly.

Fan Li wanted to laugh when he heard it. The Fan family is the first prominent clan in Great chu, but if they align themselves with the Ming Dynasty, they might be reduced to third-class citizens.

Just because of the stakes, Fan had no reason to surrender. What's more, Fan Li didn't appreciate Emperor Jiajing.

He shook his head: "The Fan clan will definitely not betray Great Chu."

Xiang Ning heard this, and a relieved smile appeared on her face. But she couldn't help but ask, "Fan won't betray Great Chu, so will you betray me?"