Transmigrating to the Three Kingdoms as Lu Bu: I Have a Pseudo-Apocalypse System

After Hou Cheng recovered Henan, he recruited displaced people to carry out large-scale construction and distributed money and grain in exchange for work relief.

Displaced people came upon hearing the news. One person working could support the whole family, and many displaced people settled down near Luoyang.

An old carpenter and his apprentice participated in the construction of the government office.

As he worked, he said to his apprentice, "My ancestral home is Luoyang. When Dong Zhuo burned the city, I fled to Hongnong. I thought I would never be able to return in this lifetime, but I never expected to be able to come back and personally participate in the reconstruction of the old capital."

The apprentice looked at the bustling scene of his fellow workers around him and asked, "Master, we're building this old capital. We're not only paid, but we're also provided with meals, and occasionally even meat. Where does the imperial court get so much money and grain?"

The old carpenter lowered his voice: "I heard that Duke Jin has a divinely bestowed granary, allowing him to receive daily provisions and military supplies. Did you see those grain carts? They're all transported from Guanzhong, a continuous and uninterrupted supply."

The apprentice gasped, "Duke Jin is truly a divine being, destined by Heaven."

Similar conversations can be heard throughout Luoyang.

In late April, the first batch of houses in Luoyang were completed. The displaced people were allocated houses and land and began spring plowing and replanting.

In the fields, plows turned the soil and waterwheels irrigated the fields, creating a busy scene as Luoyang gradually regained its vitality.

The market opened, and merchants came and went; the school was filled with the sound of students reading aloud; the clinic treated the sick; and the workshops made farm tools and implements. Although it was far less prosperous than before, it was showing signs of recovery.

On April 28th, Hou Cheng reported to Chang'an: "The reconstruction of Luoyang has begun to show results, the refugees have been properly resettled, and spring planting has been completed. All counties in Henan have been recovered, bandits have been eliminated, and the people's hearts have returned to the fold."

Upon receiving the report, Lü Bu was appointed Marquis and Governor of Henan, with the additional title of General of Loyalty and Martial Valor, granted the authority to act on behalf of the emperor, and stationed in Luoyang. He continued to recruit displaced people, develop water conservancy projects, and encourage agriculture.

He further decreed: "Three thousand households shall be relocated from Guanzhong to Luoyang to populate the capital region. All those who relocate shall be granted land and houses and exempted from taxes for five years."

A series of policies enabled Henan to recover quickly.

The warlords of the land, seeing that Lü Bu was not only a formidable warrior but also a capable ruler, grew even more wary of him.

Early May, Chang'an.

An old man and a young man arrived at the gate of the Duke of Jin's mansion.

The old man was about fifty years old, with a robust build, piercing eyes, and a thick beard. Although he wore simple clothes, his back was straight, and he exuded an imposing presence. The boy was sixteen or seventeen years old, with a pale face and coughing frequently, clearly suffering from a long-term illness.

The gatekeeper asked, "What brings you two here?"

The old man cupped his hands in greeting: "Huang Zhong of Jingzhou, along with his son Huang Xu, have come here in response to the Duke of Jin's summons."

The gatekeeper was startled and quickly went inside to report.

Lü Bu had long ago instructed Jia Xu and Guo Jia to secretly recruit talented individuals, although some of these talented people disdained Lü Bu's old reputation and refused to accept the summons.

However, Huang Zhong was not valued under Liu Biao due to his advanced age, and his son Huang Xu suffered from lung disease that could not be cured despite prolonged treatment. After receiving the summons, he hesitated for a long time before finally deciding to come to Chang'an to give it a try.

Soon, the guards led the two into the mansion.

Lu Bu was in his study when Huang Zhong entered. He rose to greet him, saying, "General Hansheng, I have long admired your name!"

Moved by the Duke of Jin's courteous treatment, Huang Zhong knelt on one knee and said, "This humble subject, Huang Zhong, pays his respects to the Duke of Jin!"

Lü Bu helped him up: "General, there's no need for such formalities. Is this your son?"

Huang Zhong said, "It is indeed my son, Huang Xu. He has been sickly since childhood, and his condition has not improved despite long-term treatment. I heard that the Duke of Jin is willing to send imperial physicians to treat him, so I have come here specifically to seek medical help."

Lu Bu examined Huang Xu's complexion and said to his personal guards, "Quickly summon the Imperial Physician."

The imperial physician arrived quickly and examined Huang Xu's pulse. After a long while, he said, "Young master, your lung meridian is damaged, and phlegm and dampness are accumulating internally. You need both acupuncture and medicine. I will prescribe a medicine for you to take for three months, supplemented with acupuncture, and you will recover."

Huang Zhong was overjoyed: "Can it really be cured?"

The Imperial Physician nodded: "Duke Jin values ​​medical skills, and the Imperial Medical Academy has compiled and collected many effective prescriptions for various ailments. Young Master Xu is young; with proper care, he will surely recover."

Huang Zhong bowed again: "The Duke of Jin's great kindness is beyond my ability to repay!"

Lü Bu laughed and said, "Hansheng is a tiger general of our time, and I could not have asked for more. I hereby appoint you as a lieutenant general and temporarily send you to the personal guard camp to serve by my side. Once your son has recovered from his illness, I will entrust you with more important responsibilities."

He also bestowed upon Huang Zhong a residence and a sum of money and silk, allowing him to settle down comfortably.

Huang Zhong was moved to tears and vowed to serve him to the death.

In mid-May, another person came to join.

This man was about twenty years old, eight feet tall, dressed in white robes and silver armor, with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, exuding a heroic aura. He was none other than Zhao Zilong of Changshan.

Changshan originally belonged to Ji Province, but Zhao Yun was unwilling to serve under Yuan Shao, so he gathered local militia for self-protection. Hearing of Lü Bu's northern campaign against the Hu barbarians and his construction of the Jingguan (a mound of statues) to intimidate the northern frontier, he was filled with admiration. Lü Bu, who held the authority of the imperial court, sent envoys to recruit him, so he came to Chang'an.

The gatekeeper announced that Lü Bu had once again personally come out to greet him.

"Zhao Zilong, I've been waiting for you for so long!" Lü Bu laughed.

Zhao Yun bowed: "I am but a mere warrior, yet I have been so highly regarded by the Duke of Jin. How could I not be willing to die for him?"

Lu Bu entered the mansion and introduced everyone.

Upon seeing Zhao Yun, Zhang Xiu exclaimed with delight, "Zilong? It really is you!"

Both were disciples of Tong Yuan; Zhang Xiu was the second senior brother, and Zhao Yun was the junior brother, though they had never met. Zhao Yun was Tong Yuan's last disciple; when he became a disciple, his eldest senior brother Zhang Ren and second senior brother Zhang Xiu had already left the sect.

Zhao Yun then paid his respects to his senior brother, and the two reminisced about the past.

Zhang Xiu asked, "How is Master?"

Zhao Yun said, "Master travels all over the world and is in good health. He often thinks of his senior brother."

Zhang Xiu sighed, "It feels like just yesterday I was learning my skills. Zilong, has your spear technique improved?"

Zhao Yun smiled and said, "I was just about to ask you, my senior brother, for guidance."

Seeing this, Lü Bu suggested, "Why don't we have a friendly spar in the training ground and broaden our horizons?"

The group arrived at the training ground.

Zhang Xiu and Zhao Yun each held a spear, and the two stood facing each other.

Zhang Xiu said, "Junior brother, please."

Zhao Yun said, "Senior Brother, please."

As soon as the words were spoken, the two attacked simultaneously.

Zhang Xiu's spear technique was seasoned and ruthless, like a venomous snake emerging from its hole, targeting vital points. Zhao Yun's spear technique was agile and nimble, like a white dragon churning the river, combining offense and defense.

Twenty rounds passed in the blink of an eye, and neither side could gain the upper hand.

Zhang Xiu was increasingly astonished as the battle progressed. He knew Zhao Yun was extremely talented, but he never expected him to have improved so much in just a few years.

After another ten rounds, Zhao Yun's spear technique changed, becoming like a rain of pear blossoms, with countless cold stars enveloping Zhang Xiu.

Zhang Xiu tried his best to block, but was still forced back three steps.

"Stop!" Lu Bu shouted.

The two men put away their guns.

Zhang Xiu sighed, "My junior brother's spear skills are already superior to mine."

Zhao Yun cupped his hands in greeting: "Senior brother, you flatter me."

Young and impetuous, Ma Chao, seeing this, said, "General Zhao, I would also like to ask for your guidance!"

He charged out with his spear.

Zhao Yun accepted the challenge.

Ma Chao's spear technique was fierce and powerful, like a thunderbolt. Zhao Yun used skill to overcome brute force, and the tip of his spear always managed to strike Ma Chao's weakness at the crucial moment.

After twenty rounds, Ma Chao was defeated and forced to retreat.

Xu Huang went up again, but he was defeated after only ten rounds.

All the generals were astonished.

Huang Zhong stroked his beard and said, "General Zhao's spear technique has reached a state of perfection. I'm itching to learn from him."

He drew his sword and went into battle.

Zhao Yun said, "General Huang, please."

Although Huang Zhong was older, his swordsmanship was powerful and forceful. Zhao Yun dared not meet his attacks head-on, and instead responded with agility.

The two fought for fifty rounds without a clear victor.

Lu Bu called a halt: "Both of you are capable of fighting ten thousand men; there is no need to continue."

Huang Zhong sheathed his sword and praised, "General Zhao is a young hero, I admire him."

Zhao Yun said, "General Huang's sword remains as sharp as ever; I am no match for him."

Ma Chao suddenly said to Lü Bu, "My lord, if the four of us join forces, can we fight you?"

Everyone was taken aback.

Lu Bu laughed loudly: "Mengqi has always wanted to defeat me? Fine, all four of you come at me at once."

Zhang Xiu, Zhao Yun, Huang Zhong, and Ma Chao exchanged a glance and said in unison, "Forgive us!"

The four men, each wielding a weapon, surrounded Lü Bu.

Zhang Xiu attacked the left flank with his spear, Zhao Yun attacked the right flank with his spear, Huang Zhong slashed the center with his sword, and Ma Chao thrust his spear into the back.

Lu Bu brandished his halberd, which danced like a whirlwind.

"Clang clang clang clang!"

Four shots rang out in succession, and all four attacks were blocked.

Lu Bu unleashed his halberd techniques, like a tiger among sheep, seamlessly blending offense and defense. Within ten rounds, the four men were unable to get close.

In the fifteenth round, Lu Bu's halberd tip struck Ma Chao's wrist, causing Ma Chao to drop his spear.

In the eighteenth round, the halberd swept across, forcing Zhang Xiu and Zhao Yun to retreat.

In the twentieth round, the halberd blade rested on Huang Zhong's sword, causing a jolt, and Huang Zhong took three steps back.