Two famed opponents of Cao Cao at court.

Taking it in a...rather different direction.

Kong Rong, the descendant of Confucius, is well-regarded by the court and practically worshipped by the scholar-gentry for his noble lineage. But ironically, it is this that prevents him from achieving his full potential. Being brought up on the legend of he who, arguably, begun the age of scholars in China, Kong Rong has grown up without much actual ambition or independent drive, content to simply live as the descendant of Confucius without any real achievement of his own. However, when he's placed in his first official office as Colonel of Liaocheng Military Training Camp, he runs afoul of Cao Cao who shows him no respect, despite his noble blood. Perhaps, in some ways, Cao Cao created his rival, spurring the previously idle young man into activity as Kong Rong devotes his career to thwarting Cao Cao's ambitions.

Mi Heng is an...odd fellow. A Nanyang eccentric of absurd mannerisms with a massive ego coupled with warped ideals and seemingly zero sensibility. Kong Rong has elevated Mi Heng exponentially, believing his bizarre behaviour is a sign of majestic destiny. For what reasons none can say. Perhaps the two find the confusion people have for their methods proof that their ways are beyond the understanding of the common folk. Cao Cao however, sees in their partnership signs of conspiracy. For when one can simply shout down any opponent and slander them through any means, whether or not they're right need hardly factor.

How I intend to portray the scholar-gentry of Han China may be controversial but my research into not only them but the rather similar Roman Republic philosophers such as Cato and Cicero, will kind of paint a picture of the modern problems of manipulation of public opinion, social influence and fake news.