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

Zhang Song looked at the arguing crowd, then at Liu Zhang, who was in a panic at the head of the table, and sighed inwardly.

He knew all along that Liu Zhang was weak and incapable of achieving great things. Lü Bu was powerful and his ambition to unify the world was already evident; any resistance would only increase casualties.

But he didn't want to say that yet; he wanted to see Liu Zhang's attitude before deciding what to say.

Wang Lei then spoke up: "My lord, why not wait for the battle report from Mianzhu? If Yan Yan can hold Mianzhu and dampen Lü Bu's momentum, it won't be too late to fight again; if Mianzhu falls, then we can discuss peace talks."

This gave Liu Zhang a way out.

He nodded quickly: "Wang Zhizhong is absolutely right. We'll just have to wait for news from Mianzhu. General Pang, you should first organize the troops and prepare for battle, but do not head north for the time being. The rest of the generals, each perform your duties and strengthen the city's defenses."

"Yes, sir." Although the generals were unwilling, they could only accept the order.

After the meeting, Zhang Song and Fa Zheng walked out of the governor's mansion side by side.

The night was deep and the streets were quiet and deserted, save for the sound of patrolling soldiers' footsteps.

"Xiaozhi," Zhang Song said in a low voice, "you bluntly declared your allegiance to Lü Bu today. Aren't you afraid of incurring the wrath of our lord and Pang Zimei, among others?"

Fa Zheng said calmly, "Yizhou is in grave danger, how can we care about personal grudges? Brother Ziqiao, you know in your heart that Yizhou cannot be defended."

Zhang Song remained silent.

After a long silence, he sighed, "Our old lord has managed Yizhou for many years, and the people live in peace and the granaries are full. If war breaks out, all those years of hard work will be destroyed in an instant."

"Therefore, we should make a decision sooner rather than later." Fa Zheng looked north. "Although Lü Bu came from a humble background, after he took control of Chang'an, he implemented the Nine-Rank System, the Imperial Examination, and military reforms, and the people of Guanzhong gradually regained their vitality. It is also said that he reduced taxes and levies, punished powerful families, and enabled scholars from poor families to rise to prominence. Such a person may truly be the chosen one."

Zhang Song narrowed his eyes: "You intend to defect to Lü Bu?"

"Not for personal wealth or status," Fa Zheng shook his head, "but for the sake of the millions of lives in Yizhou."

The two looked at each other, understanding each other without saying a word.

Jianmen Pass.

After resting for two days, Lü Bu's army set off south.

The regiment left to guard Jianmen Pass was a unit under Cao Xing's 1st Army, responsible for watching over prisoners and forcing them to repair the pass walls and maintain the supply lines.

Lu Bu's army was lightly equipped, with all supplies and equipment carried by Lu Bu's own granary.

Before leaving the pass, Lü Bu summoned his generals.

"On our way to Chengdu, there are many passes along the way, but Jianmen Pass has been breached, and the rest are nothing to fear." Lu Bu, riding on Red Hare, glanced at his generals. "If our army travels sixty li a day, we can reach Chengdu within ten days. If any city gates resist, we will break through them; if they open their gates and surrender, we must not disturb the people."

"Yes, sir!" the generals shouted in unison.

The army marched south along the Jinniu Road.

Just as Lü Bu had predicted, news of the fall of Jianmen Pass had already spread, and the garrison troops in the towns and passes along the way were terrified.

When the imperial army arrived, the garrison commander of Jiameng Pass opened the gates and surrendered.

The magistrate of Zitong County led officials and common people out of the city for two miles to welcome them, presenting them with grain registers and household registers.

The garrison in Fuxian initially wanted to resist, but upon seeing the heavily armored cavalry and orderly ranks of Lü Bu's army, and hearing that Lü Bu possessed the ability of "divine granaries bestowed by heaven," they hesitated for a night before surrendering the city the next day.

Lü Bu treated all those who surrendered leniently: officials were allowed to remain in their posts, and those soldiers who wished to surrender were incorporated into the auxiliary troops, while those who did not were given wages and sent back. At the same time, he opened granaries to distribute grain and provide relief to the poor, without taking anything from them.

Seeing that the imperial army was disciplined and did not loot or kill, but instead distributed food, many people immediately began to support Lü Bu.

Cao Xing exclaimed, "Our lord is benevolent; the people of Shu are so supportive of him."

Lu Bu said calmly, "What the people want is very simple: food to eat, clothes to wear, and freedom from the ravages of war. Although Liu Zhang is not a great villain, the powerful clans of Yizhou hold sway over the region, and the people are burdened with heavy taxes. Our army will reduce taxes and levies, which will naturally win the hearts of the people."

He came from a later era and deeply understood the principle of "the will of the people."

Treating the people well is not only a matter of benevolence and righteousness, but also the foundation for consolidating rule.

On the sixth day of the fourth month, the army was less than a hundred miles away from Mianzhu.

A scout reports: "My lord, Yan Yan, the garrison commander of Mianzhu, has gathered about 16,000 troops from surrounding towns to reinforce the city's defenses and conscript laborers, intending to hold out to the death."

Lü Bu asked, "Who is Yan Yan?"

Although he was a modern man, aside from famous figures like Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Cao Cao, Sun Jian, and Zhuge Liang, Lü Bu's knowledge of other figures from the Three Kingdoms period was not clear. He might have heard their names, but couldn't place them, hence this question.

Yang Ang reported: "Yan Yan is a former subordinate of Liu Yan, brave and skilled in battle, and highly respected in the Yizhou army. His deputy, Deng Xian, is also a valiant general."

"Order that we rest for half a day and continue our southward march tomorrow," Lü Bu said. "Within two days, I will have my army at the gates of Mianzhu."

"promise!"

That night, while setting up camp to rest, Lü Bu stood alone in front of the map, his finger tracing the map of Mianzhu City.

Mianzhu City is square in shape, with each side of the city wall about three li long, and each of the four gates has a barbican. It faces the Fu River to the west, while the other three sides are flat.

The defending army numbered 16,000 and had ample supplies. If they launched a direct assault, even with catapults and siege ladders, it would take several days and result in heavy casualties.

But now he has a new way to use his storage space...

Lu Bu's gaze fell on the western city wall.

The area is near the Fu River and is relatively low-lying, so the garrison focused their attention on the north and east gates, while the west gate was relatively less vigilant.

If you were to breach the wall at the west gate...

He closed his eyes and simulated in his mind: approach the city wall, select a section of the wall, collect the bricks and stones directly to form an archway.

The archway should be two zhang high and one and a half zhang wide, large enough for cavalry to pass through. The inner walls of the archway should be arched to prevent collapse. Once inside, torches should be immediately placed as a signal to allow the ambush troops outside the city to rush in…

"It's feasible." Lu Bu opened his eyes, a glint of shrewdness flashing within them.

This tactic is unprecedented; only Lu Bu, who possesses a system cheat, can use it.

But precisely because of this, the defending troops never expected it.

April 8th, Chen hour.

Ten miles north of Mianzhu City, the imperial army arrived.

Yan Yan had already received the report and personally led his generals to the north gate tower.

In the distance, billowing smoke and dust rose as a dark, imposing army surged forward like a tidal wave. Banners blotted out the sun, and swords and spears formed a forest. At the very front, a large banner bearing the character "吕" (Lü) stood out conspicuously.

"Lu Bu is here..." Yan Yan gripped the hilt of his sword tightly.

Although he was mentally prepared, he was still deeply shocked to see the disciplined appearance of the new imperial army.

The army stood in perfect formation, their steps synchronized, their armor gleaming coldly in the sunlight. Infantry led the way, archers followed, and cavalry spread out on both flanks, their formation tight and impenetrable.

What's even more alarming is that this army had no civilian supply corps!

Normally, when tens of thousands of troops embark on a long expedition, at least an equal number of laborers are needed to transport provisions and equipment. However, Lü Bu's army had no rear area, only combat troops.

"The divine granary bestowed by heaven may indeed be true," Yan Yan murmured.

Deng Xian gritted his teeth: "Playing tricks! General, this humble general is willing to lead the cavalry out of the city to charge into their lines and blunt their morale!"

"No," Yan Yan shook his head. "Lu Bu is brave and invincible. Our cavalry is less than two thousand. To go out into the open and fight would be like throwing eggs against rocks. Defending the city is the best strategy."

He ordered: "All troops to stand at attention. Archers and crossbowmen, prepare rolling logs and stones. No one is to leave the city without my order!"

"promise!"