: You say you serve Li Jue?
: I am the prefect of Jiangzu, currently under Li Jue.
: Currently?
: China gonna china lah. Your friend Hu Che Er is serving in my city as well, he wrote a letter of introduction.
: I see. Seems I've a better option than throwing in with Yuan or Gongsun.
: Whatever happened to Loo Boo anyway?
: That dumbfuck got rused by Cao Cao and got caught. Begged for his life and is now in his service.
: smart guy Alright, see you in Jiangzu lah, have a safe trip.
: Time to go hom- wait a sec.
: Score.
: He's in Xuchang it seems.
: And you are?
: I'm Shi Difen, a city prefect under Li Jue-
: Li Jue?! The traitor who holds his Majesty hostage?! *draws sword*
: WALAU EH-wait dammit lemme explain-
: Explain what, traitor?
: The guy's a colossal asshole. Fuck him. Wait, this is Liu Bei, need to go Confucius Mode He's unfilial and a traitor. I only served under him until I had enough power to betray him.
: And you need my help for that? Why should I believe you? This could be a ruse to get me killed.
: No offence lah, but you're a bum. If Li Jue wanted you dead he'd send 3 niggers from the steppe with clubs and be done with it.
: *speech check successful* Alright, I believe you. I will lend you my aid.
: It's your brothers I want lah. Excellent. Follow me to Jiangzu, lord Liu.
: Lord Difen, if you permit, I will go bring my brother Guan Yu over to our cause.
: Guan Yu is second only to Lu Bu, commander. It's a good ide-
: It's starting to come together Of course, go ahead. We'd be honored to have him.
Liu Bei bows and leaves
: If I may say so commander, Guan Yu will be loyal to his brother first and foremost. If he were to die in an accident however...
: Don't say it outloud, you dumbfuck. But Guo Si is full in with Li Jue. Better not trust him with anything. What you are suggesting is heinous, general. You're lucky I'm not taking your head for this.
: ... *bluff check successful*
: The rest of you, continue repairing the walls. I'll be joining you shortly.
And so the tedium of governance continues.
: Lord Difen, allow me to bring my friend Guan Hai over.
: A former yellow turban? Whatever, as long as he is loyal it doesn't matter.
in the city treasury
: I'd like to make a withdrawal.
: Hehe, how much would you like to withdraw?
: 3/4ths of the city treasury. Into my personal account.
: But goy- I mean gommander, why woul-
: Safekeeping.
:
Done
: My lord, here is my brother as requested!
: Lord Difen, I was deeply touched by your loyalty to the Han! I will gladly serve under you!
:
bluff check successful I am glad to have a hero with me such as Guan Yu. Now come, let's eat.
: There is also our third brother, Zhang Fei. I would like to bring him in as well.
: The more the merrier.
Score
Talent recruitment train just keeps rolling.
While the city is being developed at a rapid pace.
While the people petition for various things.
: Lemme into the army lah i wanna fite
: we're starving lah pls gib welfare
: fix the road lah horse cart can't pass!
: lemme go lah i swear i didn't molest that woman-
: *sigh*
More able generals and administrators are sought out for recruitment.
and the development goes on and on
everyone is pitching in
China keeps being China
Soldiers need to eat. Rations are bought and stockpiled.
Daily patrols keep the city safe and the azns from being too azn.
: Alright, time to hold our yearly assembly.
: Gao Shun, Zhang Fei and Guan Yu! Great work so far. Here's your bonus.
: Thank you commander.
: The city is nearing it's maximum capacity, lord Difen. I suggest we expand the walls?
: Good idea.
And then it's back to the tedium of governance.
: Invest in my sheet business lah! You won't regret it?
: Gib food lah!
:
better put up a good front for Liu Bei Sure thing, take your gibsmedat
: Lord Difen! Expansion is finished!
: Oh? What's this?
: It's a siege engine workshop, lord. So far we can only manufacture battering rams but as our technical knowledge increases more impressive war engines will be available.
: Nice. Start equipping our troops immediately.
: So, we are proceeding with the plan?
: We will soon be ready.
: Start conscripting now. It'll take some time until new formations are ready so we should start as early as we can.
: Yes Commander.
: And Cao Cao is invading Luoyang...we better hurry to take advantage of this.
: Rams are ready, commander.
: We've finished bring in new supporters as well, lord.
: Excellent. Gather around everyone, it's time we made our move.
: What's going on?
: We are rebelling against Li Jue is what's going on.
: What?!
: We're with you, commander.
: As long as his Emperor is hostage there can be no peace.
: Give me 10.000 men and I'll bring you his head in a month, commander!
: Not so fast. We should consolidate Yi province first. Li Jue is still strong in the north, we can't cut it like this.
: Good idea, commander. Control of the passes into Yi is paramount if we are to even think of taking Hanzhong and Chang'an.
: Jian Yong! Draft a proclamation to Li Jue.
: Will do, general.
: I hereby declare independence for Jiangzu and swear to eradicate Li Jue. Prepare the legions for war, gentlemen.
197 AD
Shi Difen rebels against Li Jue and forms his own force. He had 100.000 men under his command.