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

Meanwhile, Yi Jing.

Gongsun Zan sat on the tiger-skin chair, looking at the imperial edict appointing him as the governor of Youzhou, and sneered repeatedly.

"Lu Bu is using me as a pawn," he said to Guan Jing. "However, the title of Governor of Youzhou is quite useful. That old man Liu Yu has always acted like a member of the imperial family, putting me above everyone else. Now that I have a formal appointment from the court, let's see if he can still be arrogant."

Guan Jing advised, "General, this is clearly a divisive tactic by Lü Bu to break up the anti-Lü alliance. Why not postpone the conflict with Liu Yu and observe the situation first?"

"Wait for what?" Gongsun Zan glared. "Haven't you heard? Liu Yu and Yuan Shao are secretly colluding, plotting to attack and destroy me from both the east and west. I'll strike first, eliminate Liu Yu, and the entire Youzhou will be mine!"

"But General, Lü Bu's power is now immense. Yuan Shao has said he is willing to turn hostility into friendship and form an alliance to jointly resist Lü Bu..."

"Can Yuan Shao's words be trusted?" Gongsun Zan scoffed. "Back when the eighteen warlords were campaigning against Dong Zhuo, he was two-faced and treacherous, only concerned with being the leader and showing off his power, never contributing anything and only hindering the allies. Now that Lü Bu is powerful, he's trying to pull me into an alliance, just to make me his pawn. I don't border Lü Bu, so even if Lü Bu attacks someone else, it's none of my business. I'll take Youzhou first, establish a foothold, and then whether I establish my own independent regime or form an alliance with someone else, the initiative will be in my hands!"

Guan Jing wanted to persuade him further, but Gongsun Zan waved his hand: "No need for further words. muster the troops; we will attack Ji County in three days!"

The flames of war reignited in Youzhou, and Yuan Shao's plan to form an alliance to besiege Lü Bu from multiple sides failed before it even began.

Jizhou, Yecheng.

When Yuan Shao learned that Gongsun Zan had believed the rumors spread by Lü Bu among the people, broken the alliance, and launched an attack on Liu Yu, he was so angry that he smashed his wine cup.

"This fool is not worth discussing strategy with!" he cursed Gongsun Zan. "With a formidable enemy at hand, he's only concerned with internal strife. When they both suffer heavy losses, how will they have the energy to send troops to help me attack Lü?"

Ju Shou sighed, "My lord, the only solution now is to quickly send troops to mediate and stop the two from fighting each other."

Tian Feng shook his head: "It's too late. Gongsun Zan has already raised an army, and Liu Yu is also preparing for war. The two have a long-standing grudge that cannot be resolved with a single word. It would be better to take advantage of their mutual exhaustion and send our army north to reap the benefits."

Xu You, now sidelined and seated at the end of the table, couldn't help but say, "No, my lord, the most urgent task is still to unite against Lü Bu. If Youzhou falls into internal strife, we will be unable to look westward, and Lü Bu will surely continue to grow stronger. It would be better to send a skilled strategist to Yijing as soon as possible to explain the advantages and disadvantages, and prevent Gongsun Zan and Liu Yu from actually fighting each other."

Yuan Shao glanced at Xu You, his expression complex. His subordinates reported that Xu You was secretly communicating with Chang'an; although there was no concrete evidence, he was already suspicious.

"Since Ziyuan (Xu You's courtesy name) has this idea, how about you make a trip to Yijing?" Yuan Shao said calmly.

Xu You was startled, realizing this was a test, and quickly bowed, saying, "I obey."

After Xu You left, Tian Feng whispered, "My lord, if Xu You truly has an affair with Lü Bu, I fear that his journey to Yijing will be..."

"I have my own plans." Yuan Shao waved his hand. "Send a squad of assassins to follow him secretly. If he makes any unusual moves, kill him without hesitation."

Tian Feng felt a chill in his heart and dared not say another word.

Meanwhile, in Pengcheng.

Cao Cao's life became increasingly difficult.

After losing the rear base of Yanzhou, it was simply impossible for Pengcheng County alone to support more than 20,000 troops.

In the main hall of the Prime Minister's residence, Cao Cao was discussing matters with Xi Zhicai, Mao Jie, Man Chong, and others, all of whom looked pale and sickly.

"My lord, the army's grain reserves are only enough for one month's use," Mao Jie reported. "Spring planting has not yet begun, and this year's harvest will not be until autumn. Even if we implement military farming now, it will not be enough to quench our immediate thirst."

Man Chong added: "Recently, the number of deserters has been increasing daily. Last month, more than 300 people deserted, all of them carrying weapons. Although several people have been severely punished, it is still difficult to stop them."

Xi Zhicai coughed, his voice weak: "My lord, how about... reducing the army? Keep 10,000 elite troops, and send the rest to farm. This will not only reduce the pressure on food supplies, but also increase grain production."

Cao Cao shook his head: "Reduce the army? Huang Zhong and Zhao Yun have 20,000 troops stationed in Yanzhou, and Tao Qian in the east and Yuan Shu in the southwest are also eyeing us covetously. If I reduce the army, how can I defend myself? Besides, these soldiers have fought alongside me for many years; how can I just let them go?"

He paused, a flash of pain in his eyes: "Besides, Pi'er is still a hostage in Chang'an. If I am weak, Lü Bu will be even less likely to release him."

Silence fell over the hall.

After a long silence, Cao Cao gritted his teeth and said, "Issue the order that, starting today, the army's rations will be halved. Officers' salaries will be paid at 30% for the time being, to be replenished after the autumn harvest. In addition, strengthen reconnaissance along the borders of Donghai Commandery and Xiapi State. If there is an opportunity, conduct small-scale raids on border counties to seize grain supplies."

Mao Jie was startled: "My lord, this move may anger Tao Qian..."

"So what if I provoke him?" Cao Cao sneered. "Tao Qian is old and ill, and the military affairs of Xu Province rely heavily on Liu Bei and Tian Kai. Liu Bei is determined to unite the warlords to jointly attack Lü Bu and restore the Han Dynasty. He will certainly not want to start a major war lightly and let Lü Bu reap the benefits. My small-scale raids to seize supplies can not only alleviate the military's needs but also test his reaction."

Xi Zhicai sighed, "This is like drinking poison to quench thirst."

"What else can we do?" Cao Cao's eyes were bloodshot. "Wait to starve to death?"

On the eighth day of the first lunar month, a small detachment of Cao Cao's army crossed the border and plundered a town in Qulu County, Xiapi State (prefecture), seizing over two hundred shi of grain. The Xuzhou army retaliated, resulting in a small-scale clash on both sides, with dozens of casualties on each side.

When the news reached Tan County, Tao Qian, who was ill at the time, was so angry that he vomited blood.

"Cao Cao has gone too far!" Tao Qian cried out hoarsely, lying on his couch. "Xuande, I urge you to lead troops to reinforce Xiapi and strengthen defenses. If Cao's army comes again, we must resolutely counterattack!"

Liu Bei cupped his hands in greeting: "My lord, please calm your anger. I will take care of it immediately. But please, my lord, consider the bigger picture and do not engage in a full-scale war with Cao Cao. Now, Lü Bu is eyeing us covetously. If Xu and Cao fight each other, Lü Bu will surely take advantage of the situation."

Tao Qian gasped, "I...I know, but Cao Cao's arrogance is truly hateful!"

Liu Bei: "Cao Cao's army is short of supplies, which is why they have resorted to this desperate measure. We only need to strengthen our defenses and implement a scorched-earth policy, and they will retreat on their own."

Therefore, the Xuzhou army strengthened its border defenses but did not launch any offensives. Cao Cao's army launched several small-scale raids, all of which were repelled, resulting in a stalemate between the two sides.

On Yuan Shu's side, things were even more lively.

Huainan, Shouchun.

Yuan Shu was furious when he received news from the imperial court that Sun Ce had been appointed governor of Yangzhou.

"Sun Ce, you brat, how dare you accept such an honor?" He tore the scout's report to shreds. "Yangzhou is mine! Lü Bu is trying to sow discord between me and Bo Fu!"

The strategist Yang Hongdao said, "My lord, Sun Ce used the Imperial Seal as collateral to borrow troops to advance eastward, which is how he came to be where he is today. Although he occupies Danyang and Wu Commandery, his foundation is not yet stable, and he still needs to rely on you. Why not summon him to Shouchun to test his heart?"

Yuan Shu nodded: "Summon Sun Ce to see me!"