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

While Lü Bu was carrying out small-scale military and political reforms in his own territory, preparing for a nationwide trial after he pacified the country, the various warlords and regional governors were not idle either.

In August, in Ye City, the capital of Ji Province, Yuan Shao sat on the main seat covered with a tiger skin, with his advisors lined up on either side, including Ju Shou, Tian Feng, Xu You, Feng Ji, and Guo Tu.

"Lü Bu has already conquered three provinces: Sili, Bing, and Liang." Yuan Shao tossed a scroll of silk onto the table. "And now this scoundrel has been promoted to Duke of Jin and granted the Nine Bestowments. He's even implementing reforms, creating a nine-rank, eighteen-grade official system, a military rank system, and an imperial examination system—he's clearly a reincarnation of Wang Mang! Gentlemen, do you have any countermeasures?"

Ju Shou was the first to stand up, cupped his hands and said, "My lord, Lü Bu controls three provinces, holds the emperor hostage to command the other lords, has well-trained troops and ample provisions, and is rumored to possess the extraordinary ability of a divine granary bestowed by heaven. I fear that a single town alone will find it difficult to contend with him."

Tian Feng chimed in, his voice firm and resolute: "What you say, Lord Shou, is quite right. Lü Bu's power is unstoppable. I believe we should unite the other lords to form an anti-Lü alliance. We should agree that if one side is attacked, all the other lords will come to its aid, and we will attack Lü Bu together, preventing him from defending himself on both ends."

Xu You stroked his beard and chuckled: "Unite the warlords? Easier said than done. Gongsun Zan is sworn enemies with our lord, a feud that will last until death; Yuan Shu, in Nanyang, relies on his status as the eldest son and has always looked down on our lord; Liu Biao is a conservative, self-serving man; Liu Yan, holding the strategic advantage of Yizhou, has long harbored ambitions of usurpation; Zhang Lu has closed off Hanzhong and is indifferent to external affairs. Who can truly form an alliance?"

Feng Ji, however, said, "Ziyuan, you are mistaken. Lü Bu's power is immense, and all the towns are in danger. This is a matter of mutual dependence. Although Gongsun Zan has a grudge against our lord, if Lü Bu kills our lord, he will be next. Yuan Shu may be arrogant, but he must also consider Lü Bu's military might. If we send an eloquent person to explain the advantages and disadvantages, we may be able to form an alliance."

Guo Tu echoed, "Yuan Tu (Feng Ji's courtesy name) is right. We should first send envoys to each town to explain the advantages and disadvantages. Even if we cannot form a genuine alliance, at least we cannot make them side with Lü Bu, which can tie down some of Lü Bu's forces."

Yuan Shao pondered for a long time, then lightly tapped his fingers on the table: "What you all say makes sense. However, the alliance needs a powerful intermediary to facilitate communication. How about we first persuade Cao Cao, then ask Cao Cao to act as the mediator?"

Ju Shou's eyes lit up: "Cao Cao and our lord have a history. Now, he occupies Yanzhou, surrounded by Tao Qian to the east, Yuan Shu to the south, and Lü Bu to the west. It is a place of constant warfare, and his position is extremely precarious. He certainly does not want to see Lü Bu become stronger. Moreover, Cao Cao has many strategists under his command, such as Xun Yu, Cheng Yu, and Xi Zhicai, all of whom are wise and resourceful. If we persuade him first, and then he sends people to travel around and act as a middleman, an alliance can be expected."

Tian Feng frowned: "Although Cao Cao is intelligent, his suspicious and ruthless nature is known throughout the world. If we cooperate with him, we must be wary of his backlash."

Yuan Shao waved his hand: "In extraordinary times, extraordinary measures must be taken. We should send an envoy to persuade Cao Cao first, to explain the crucial importance of the alliance, and to ask Cao Cao to act as a mediator to form an anti-Lü alliance among the warlords. Xu You, take my letter and go to Yanzhou to see Cao Cao in person and explain the advantages and disadvantages."

"Yes, sir!" Xu You bowed and accepted the order.

Several days later, in Juancheng, Yanzhou.

In the main hall of Cao Cao's residence, a charcoal brazier burned brightly. Cao Cao, thirty-eight years old, with a short beard and sharp eyes, knelt in the main seat. To his left and right sat his advisors, including Xun Yu, Cheng Yu, Xi Zhicai, Mao Jie, and Man Chong.

Xu You, an envoy from Ji Province, presented Yuan Shao's letter. Cao Cao unfolded the scroll and read it carefully, his brows gradually furrowing.

"Yuan Shikai intends to unite the various military governors against Lü Bu?" Cao Cao put down the silk scroll and looked at Xu You. "Ziyuan, what do you think of this plan?"

Xu You smiled and said, "Why do you need to ask me, my lord? You have your own plans. Lü Bu's power is great. If we allow him to expand further, Yanzhou, Jizhou, Jingzhou, and Yizhou will all be adjacent to Lü Bu and will not be able to remain unscathed. Now that my lord is willing to take the lead in forming an alliance, it is a good opportunity, just like when the eighteen warlords attacked Dong Zhuo."

Xun Yu said gently, "What you say, Lord You, I wholeheartedly agree. Lü Bu has seized the emperor, occupied three provinces, and is implementing reforms; his ambitions are not small. If the various garrisons continue to fight independently, they will surely be defeated one by one. An alliance to resist him and support each other will at least make Lü Bu think twice."

Cheng Yu, being of upright character, bluntly stated: "It's easy to gain a nominal alliance, but hard to find real support. Gongsun Zan has a blood feud with Yuan Shao and will never agree; Liu Biao is a dog guarding his own territory and will definitely make excuses and wait and see; Yuan Shu is arrogant and might verbally agree, but in reality, he'll sit and watch the outcome; Liu Yan and Zhang Lu are far away in the southwest, beyond our reach. The only ones we can rely on are Yuan Shao and our lord in their two towns."

Xi Zhicai coughed twice, his face pale, but his voice was clear: "What Zhongde (Cheng Yu's courtesy name) said was straightforward, but it was the truth. However, even if it is only a nominal title, it can still tie down some of Lü Bu's forces. My lord can accept Yuan Shao's request and send envoys to persuade the various towns. Whether it succeeds or not, it will show goodwill to Yuan Shao and temporarily stabilize the northern border. After the internal strife in Yanzhou is quelled, we can plan for the future."

The so-called internal strife refers to the conflict between the local gentry of Yanzhou and him, an outsider.

Cao Cao, having seized control of Yan Province as the Prefect of Dongjun, appointed himself Governor of Yan Province and extensively appointed members of the Cao and Xiahou families, as well as their close associates and cronies, as officials in various counties and prefectures. This threatened the interests of the local gentry in Yan Province, and local figures such as Chen Gong and Zhang Miao had long harbored resentment.

Cao Cao pondered for a moment, then slammed his hand on the table and said, "Very well, let's do as Yuan Shu wishes. Wenruo, draft a letter in my name to Yuan Shu, Liu Biao, Tao Qian, Liu Yan, Zhang Lu, and other generals, explaining the threat posed by Lü Bu and inviting them to form an anti-Lü alliance. If any of them is in trouble, the other generals will provide support."

He then looked at Xu You: "Ziyuan reported back to Yuan Shao that Cao Cao is willing to work for the alliance. However, Yuan Shao still needs to find a way to persuade Gongsun Zan."

Xu You cupped his hands in greeting: "Mengde is very generous. I will report back to my lord immediately."

After the meeting concluded, everyone dispersed.

Xun Yu stayed behind and whispered, "My lord, the resentment of the gentry in Yanzhou has not subsided. Chen Gongtai (Chen Gong) has been in close contact with the Zhang brothers, Zhang Miao and Zhang Chao, recently. We must be on guard."

Cao Cao sneered: "Chen Gong? A mere pedantic scholar. I have treated him well and entrusted him with important responsibilities. If he dares to rebel, I will exterminate his entire clan."

Xun Yu hesitated, then finally sighed.

Just as Cao Cao was preparing to send envoys to persuade various towns and actively preparing for an anti-Lü alliance, a fast horse came from the east and rushed into Juancheng.

The rider, covered in blood, tumbled from his saddle, screaming, "My lord! Where is my lord? The old master... the old master was murdered in Xuzhou!"

Upon hearing the commotion, Cao Cao rushed out and grabbed the knight by the collar: "What did you say?!"

The knight cried, "Old Master Cao (Cao Song), along with his family and over a hundred cartloads of valuables, was ambushed and killed by Zhang Kai, a general under Tao Qian, while passing through Langya County, Xuzhou! More than forty members of his family perished, and all their possessions were looted!"

boom--!

Upon hearing the news of his father's death, Cao Cao was struck as if by lightning. He staggered back several steps, his eyes instantly turning bloodshot.

"Tao Qian...you old scoundrel! The hatred for killing my father is irreconcilable, I swear to kill you!!!"

The roar echoed throughout the mansion.