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

At the Duke of Jin's residence in Chang'an, Lü Bu was also analyzing the anti-Lü alliance with Jia Xu, Guo Jia, Xun Yu, Cheng Yu, and others.

"A spy reports that Yuan Shao has been sending envoys everywhere to contact the various warlords, intending to form an alliance against our lord," Guo Jia reported. "Next spring, Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan may join forces to attack Bingzhou, Cao Cao and Tao Qian will attack Yanzhou, Yuan Shu will attack Henan, Hongnong, and Wuguan Pass, and Zhang Lu and Liu Yan will attack Guanzhong."

Jia Xu sneered: "Dream on! Zhang Lu is a coward, and Liu Yan is old and senile. How dare they send troops? Gongsun Zan and Liu Yu are only superficially united. How much strength can they contribute? Cao Cao and Tao Qian are not worth worrying about. One has few soldiers and little food, and the other is old and sick. The only one to worry about is Yuan Shao's Ji Province army."

Lü Bu nodded: "Wenhe sees things clearly, so what we need to do is: first, keep Zhang Lu and Liu Yan in check and prevent them from getting involved; second, instigate internal strife between Gongsun Zan and Liu Yu, so that Gongsun Zan is unable to send troops; third, strengthen defenses in Yanzhou and Bingzhou, and wait for an opportunity to recover Xuzhou."

Guo Jia laughed and said, "I have a plan that can disrupt Yuan Shao's plans."

"speak."

"Among Yuan Shao's advisors, Xu You and Guo Tu are rather greedy. I can send spies to infiltrate Ji Province and try to contact them to turn them against their cause. If that fails, I can forge letters and spread rumors that Xu You and Guo Tu are secretly communicating with Chang'an and intend to rebel against Ji Province, thus arousing Yuan Shao's suspicion. Given the precedent of Chen Gongtai surrendering Yan Province, and Yuan Shao's suspicious nature, internal strife is bound to break out in Ji Province."

Xun Yu added, "We can also use a two-pronged approach against Gongsun Zan and Liu Yu. On one hand, issue an edict in the name of the court praising Liu Yu's merit in guarding Youzhou; on the other hand, appoint Gongsun Zan as the governor of Youzhou, making him compete for power with Governor Liu Yu. Furthermore, spread rumors about Gongsun Zan, saying that Liu Yu is secretly colluding with Yuan Shao, intending to attack and annex Gongsun Zan from both the east and the west. Gongsun Zan already distrusts Liu Yu and Yuan Shao, and with a little provocation, conflict is bound to break out. Once Gongsun Zan is no longer able to support Yuan Shao in attacking Bingzhou, we will only have Yuan Shao as our main enemy."

Lü Bu clapped his hands: "Excellent plan, let's proceed accordingly. Also, we can send an envoy to Zhang Lu after the New Year to try recruiting him."

Cheng Yu asked curiously, "How does our lord intend to persuade Zhang Lu?"

Lü Bu laughed and said, "Liu Yan is seriously ill, and I think he won't live much longer. We'll send spies to spread rumors. When Liu Zhang and Zhang Lu are at odds, Zhang Lu will be caught between the imperial court and Yizhou, with only a little over 100,000 soldiers and civilians, unable to advance or retreat. As long as we send an envoy to explain the advantages and disadvantages, Zhang Lu will most likely submit to the imperial court. If he doesn't submit, we'll send troops to conquer him. I have a divine granary bestowed by heaven, which allows me to come and go as I please. Even if Zhang Lu is separated by the natural barrier of the Qinling Mountains, he will surely die."

Several people praised, "Our lord's plan is excellent."

……

As the year draws to a close, Chang'an City is decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, creating a festive atmosphere.

Since Lü Bu took control of Chang'an and was promoted to Duke of Jin, there has been no war in Guanzhong for more than a year. The imperial court implemented a nine-rank, eighteen-grade official system, reduced taxes, and encouraged agriculture, allowing the people to recuperate and thrive.

Early in the morning, the East Market of Chang'an was already bustling with activity.

Vendors set up their stalls early to sell New Year's goods: cured meat, rice wine, newly made maltose, beef and mutton transported from Bingzhou, furs from Liangzhou, and millet and wheat flour produced locally in Guanzhong.

After adopting various agricultural improvement technologies, such as new seed selection, curved plows, tillage, fertilization, waterwheel irrigation, and water conservancy facility repair, there has been a bumper harvest in various places under Lü Bu's rule this year. The official price of one shi (a unit of dry measure) of millet in Chang'an has dropped to 1800 coins (the purchase price is 1700 coins), and the people's sense of happiness has become even stronger.

In the center of the market, several merchants from the Western Regions displayed raisins and flatbreads, attracting children to gather around.

"Daddy, I want to eat candy!" A five or six-year-old boy tugged at his father's clothes.

The man felt his pocket and took out ten coins: "Buy two, give one to your sister."

The boy happily accepted the candy, carefully licked it, and squinted his eyes from the sweetness.

The fabric stall owner next to him chuckled and said, "Old Chen, you've had a good harvest this year, haven't you?"

The man called Old Chen nodded: "Yes, we borrowed a curved plow from the government during the spring planting season. One ox was enough to plow the land. All ten mu of my land were planted, and we harvested more than thirty shi of millet, which is much higher than in previous years. After paying taxes, we still have more than twenty shi left, enough to last until next autumn's harvest with some left over."

"That's right," the fabric stall owner remarked. "At this time of year, who would have the spare money to buy new fabric to make clothes? This year, my business has improved considerably."

As they were talking, a group of soldiers patrolling the street walked by. These soldiers were wearing newly issued dark blue uniforms with horizontal or vertical bars embroidered on their shoulder straps, and swords at their waists, marching in perfect unison.

"See this? This is the new military uniform of Duke Jin." The cloth stall owner pointed to the soldiers' shoulder insignia and said proudly, "My son is a soldier in the army. He is a private now, and his military pay is 15 shi (a unit of dry measure). He also gets room and board in the army. This military pay is enough to support our family."

Old Chen said enviously, "Serving in the army and receiving government pay is much better than before. I heard that in the past, those generals recruited their own soldiers, and their pay was inconsistent; the soldiers even had to rob the common people. Now, the government pays them all, and military discipline is very strict. Anyone who dares to disturb the people will be punished according to military law!"

"That's why the people say Duke Jin is good," the cloth stall owner said in a low voice. "I have a relative who came from Luoyang. He said that they are rebuilding there too. The refugees have been allocated land, and the government is lending them farming tools, distributing seeds, and exempting them from taxes for three years. Many people who fled years ago are now rushing back."

Similar conversations could be heard all over Chang'an.

In the south of the city, there was a newly built residential area. This area had originally been burned to ruins during the war. After the imperial court funded the clearing, rows of neat adobe houses were built, each with three rooms and a small courtyard. The first to move in were disabled and retired veterans and their families.

Veteran Wang Shun, in his early forties, had injured his left leg in the battle against the Di people, causing him to walk with a limp. Upon his discharge, the imperial court provided him with a pension, this house, and five mu of land. Today, on New Year's Eve, he asked his wife to stew mutton and invited several of his old comrades from the same battalion to his home for drinks.

"Come, drink this bowl!" Wang Shun raised his earthenware bowl. "A toast to Duke Jin!"

"Respect to Duke Jin!" Several veterans responded in unison, drinking the wine in one gulp.

An old soldier with a scar on his face wiped his mouth and said, "Old Wang, you're living a good life. You have a house and land, and it's even more stable than when you were in the army."

Wang Shun laughed and said, "Zhang Scarface, aren't you one too? I heard you work at the post station, earning 10 shi of grain a month, and it's an easy job."

Zhang Bazi nodded: "That's right. The post station provides food and lodging. Every day we just feed the horses and clean. It's much better than fighting. Duke Jin said that the court will take care of us wounded veterans and will never let meritorious officials feel disheartened."

Another veteran sighed, "Thinking back to when we followed Dong Zhuo and Li Jue, every day was filled with fear and trepidation. Our rations were cut, and we even had to rob the people. Now things are much better. We get paid monthly, we train when we're not fighting, and we receive compensation when we are. The court provides burial for the dead, and there's resettlement for the wounded. This is what a human life should be like!"

"Therefore we must remember the good deeds of Duke Jin," Wang Shun said solemnly. "I often tell my son that when he grows up, he will also join the army to serve Duke Jin."

As the sun sets, smoke rises from every household in Chang'an, filling the air with the aroma of meat.