A Stranger Rides In
The sun was just beginning to rise over Zhaoling's rebuilt gate when a single rider appeared on the road.
No army followed.
No banners flew.
He wore a black cloak stitched with the serpent insignia of Lady Mei, yet he bore no weapons. His horse, a fine southern breed, moved with calm steps as if the man had no fear of death.
Lü Bu stood atop the wall, eyes narrowing.
"He's not a soldier," Wei Yun said beside him. "He's a mouthpiece."
"Then let him speak," Lü Bu replied.
The gates creaked open.
And so, the first true game of politics began.
The Offer
The man dismounted, calm and sure.
He introduced himself with a short bow.
"I am Jian Ren, a voice of the Southern Lords."
He handed a sealed scroll to Lü Bu, who read it silently.
The contents were clear:
"You've made your point. Zhaoling has won its battle. But a war you cannot win is coming."
"Withdraw. Surrender your army. Join the Southern Coalition and we will grant you land, titles, and peace."
Jian Ren smiled politely.
"A place at the table is being offered. Refuse, and the full weight of the southern lords will fall upon you."
Lü Bu's Response
The people of Zhaoling gathered again in the square. News spread fast.
Lü Bu stood before them with the scroll in his hand.
He looked at the paper, then at the crowd.
Then—he threw it into the fire.
"They offer peace in chains," he said, voice hard.
"But what is peace, if it comes by surrendering the very right to rule ourselves?"
"We are not dogs to sit at their feet."
"We will build something new—with our hands, not their scraps."
The people roared.
"FOR ZHAOLING!"
"FOR FREEDOM!"
"FOR THE WARLORD!"
SYSTEM UPDATE
[SYSTEM CHOICE MADE]
☑ Reject Southern Coalition
🔺 Hostility from Southern Lords: +30%
🔺 Fame across the Eastern Provinces: +20%
🔓 Unlocked Questline: "The Rise of the Independent Kingdom"
📍 New Strategic Option: Build a Diplomatic Envoy or Spy Network (choose later)
The Real Message
Before leaving, Jian Ren whispered to Wei Yun:
"The lords don't fear Lü Bu's sword… They fear his dream."
"And dreams like his? They never die quietly."
He mounted his horse and vanished into the woods.
And just like that, the war took on a new shape.
Not just steel and fire.
But strategy, politics… and power.