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

Just as Lü Bu was preparing to deal with the affairs of Pengcheng and to accept the surrender of Cao Cao's civil and military officers, a scout suddenly reported that Liu Bei from Xiapi (county) was leading an army of 5,000 to support Cao Cao, and was only a day's journey away from Pengcheng.

Lu Bu was not alarmed but delighted. Liu Bei was under the jurisdiction of Tao Qian in Xu Province. Since Lu Bu and Tao Qian had not directly fallen out, Liu Bei came to support Cao Cao. Lu Bu could not only wipe out Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei in one fell swoop, but also use this opportunity to hold Tao Qian accountable, thus making it a legitimate reason to take over Xu Province.

Lü Bu immediately ordered Chen Gong and Huang Zhong to stay in Pengcheng to handle matters related to the surrendered soldiers and generals of Cao Cao's camp. Lü Bu himself led a thousand Imperial Guards, lightly armed, and sped towards Liu Bei's army.

Even heavy cavalry usually traveled lightly and quickly. Only when they were only a few miles away from the enemy's main force would Lü Bu temporarily order the army to stop and change into heavy armor and horse armor, so that the heavy cavalry could charge and meet the enemy.

About fifty li southwest of Pengcheng is the official road.

It was afternoon, the sun was shining brightly, and five thousand soldiers marched north along the official road, the column stretched out long, and the banners fluttered in the wind.

Under the central banner, Liu Bei rode a yellow-maned horse, wearing simple leather armor and a dark blue battle robe. He was thirty-four years old, with a handsome face, ears that reached his shoulders, and hands that reached his knees. Even on the march, he maintained an upright posture.

On the left is Guan Yu, riding a chestnut horse, wearing a green robe and simple leather armor, wielding the Green Dragon Crescent Blade, which is nine feet five inches long and weighs eighty-two pounds. He has a face like a red date, a long beard reaching his chest, and slightly narrowed phoenix eyes, exuding an imposing aura without anger.

On the right is Zhang Fei, riding a black horse, wearing black leather armor, and holding a ten-foot-long spear. He has a leopard's head, bulging eyes, a swallow's chin, and a tiger's beard; his voice is like thunder, and his momentum is like a galloping horse.

"Brother, if we walk another ten miles or so, set up camp for the night, and we can reach Pengcheng to support Cao Cao tomorrow," Guan Yu said in a steady voice. "But what we see along the way is that people have fled, fields are deserted, and Cao Cao has only ruled Pengcheng for half a year, yet it has become so devastated."

Liu Bei sighed, "Cao Mengde, in order to support his army, levies exorbitant taxes and allows his troops to plunder, thus losing the hearts of the people. However, Lü Bu, by holding the emperor hostage to command the other lords, is also not a loyal subject of the Han Dynasty. Now that these two traitors are fighting each other, it is the common people who suffer."

Zhang Fei said in a rough voice, "Brother, you're so kind-hearted! If you ask me, Cao Cao deserves to die, and so does Lü Bu! When we get to Pengcheng, I'll poke a hundred holes in Lü Bu first, then chop off Cao Cao's dog head!"

"Third brother, be careful what you say." Liu Bei shook his head. "Lu Bu's bravery is known throughout the land. Although Cao Cao is ruthless, he also has elite troops and fierce generals under his command. Our army has only five thousand men. This trip is not to fight for victory, but to unite with Cao Cao to resist Lu Bu and protect Xuzhou."

Guan Yu stroked his beard and said, "Brother, you are absolutely right. Lord Tao is old and sickly, and indecisive. If we sit idly by and watch Cao Cao be defeated, Lü Bu's next target will surely be Xuzhou. At that time, our army will be unable to hold out alone, and Xuzhou will surely be lost."

Just then, a fast horse came galloping from the front, the scout on horseback covered in dust and pale-faced.

"My lord, an urgent report from Pengcheng!"

Liu Bei's heart tightened: "Speak."

"Pengcheng has fallen!" The scout dismounted and knelt, his voice trembling. "This morning, Lü Bu led his army to breach the north gate of Pengcheng. Cao Cao committed suicide in the prefect's residence. Cao Ren and Cao Hong died in battle, and Xun You, Yue Jin, and others surrendered!"

"What?!" Liu Bei abruptly pulled on the reins. "Pengcheng has fallen, Cao Cao is dead? Wasn't there news yesterday that Lü Bu was still in Liu County?"

The scout cried out, "Lü Bu's army marches with incredible speed, and our scouts' intelligence gathering has been delayed. Lü's army has recently captured four counties—Guangqi, Liuxian, Fuyang, and Wuyuan—and this morning they reached Pengcheng, immediately ordering an attack. Lü Bu, using some unknown method, managed to breach the city walls and lead his heavy cavalry directly into the city; the defenders had no time to react!"

Guan Yu opened his phoenix eyes, a glint of shrewdness in them: "To dig a tunnel into the city? Could it be that the rumors of Lü Bu possessing the divine ability to store grain are true?"

Zhang Fei glared: "What do I care about this so-called divine granary? All this charlatanry! Cao Cao really died like that? That's utterly pathetic!"

Liu Bei's expression was solemn, and he remained silent for a long time.

He recalled the battle against Lü Bu at Hulao Pass in the first year of the Chuping era. Although Lü Bu was brave at that time, he was ultimately just a mortal, and the three of them together were able to force him to retreat.

In recent years, however, the rumors about Lü Bu have become increasingly fantastical: he was said to have defeated the Northern Di in a month, broken through Jianmen Pass in a day, and even possessed the ability to be granted a divine granary and to take things out of thin air.

If all of this is true...

"Brother, what should we do now?" Guan Yu asked. "Pengcheng has fallen, Cao Cao is dead, and it's pointless for our army to go any further."

Zhang Fei shouted, "Let's turn back to Xiapi and defend the city! If that old man Tao Qian blames us, I'll go and talk to him!"

Liu Bei shook his head, his gaze fixed on the north: "We cannot return to Xiapi. With Pengcheng fallen and Cao Cao dead, Tao Qian is likely already considering surrendering. Mi Zhu, Sun Qian, Chen Deng, and others may all be secretly contacting Lü Bu. If we go back, we will either be offered to Lü Bu for credit, or Tao Qian will seize our military power."

"Then where to go?" Guan Yu frowned. "To Liu Biao in Jingzhou? Or Yuan Shao in Jizhou?"

Liu Bei pondered: "Liu Biao is like a dog guarding a door, only concerned with self-preservation; Yuan Shao is outwardly lenient but inwardly suspicious, fond of scheming but indecisive. Neither of them is a wise ruler. Order the army to set up camp and rest. Allow me to think it over tonight and see where to march tomorrow morning."

Before he could finish speaking, another scout rode in on horseback, his voice urgent: "My lord, cavalry of about a thousand men have appeared from the northwest, carrying banners with the character '[Lü]' on them, and they are heading straight for our army!"

"What?!" Zhang Fei's eyes widened. "Lu Bu is here? He just captured Pengcheng, and instead of restoring order within the city, he's here to provoke us?"

Guan Yu said in a deep voice, "They must have learned of our army's movements and want to eliminate us completely."

Liu Bei's heart sank.

Of his five thousand troops, four thousand were infantry and only one thousand were cavalry, most of whom were lightly armored. If they were to truly face Lü Bu's heavy cavalry...

"Form ranks!" Liu Bei decisively ordered. "The vanguard becomes the rearguard, and the rearguard becomes the vanguard. Retreat to the hilly area ahead and defend according to the terrain!"

Upon receiving the order, the troops stirred briefly, but quickly complied. Some of these soldiers were veterans Liu Bei had brought from Qingzhou, while others were troops gifted by Tao Qian. After six months of training, their discipline was acceptable.

The five thousand men quickly turned and retreated to a gentle slope beside the official road. Liu Bei ordered the infantry to be in front, holding shields and spears; the archers and crossbowmen in the middle, drawing their bows and nocking arrows; and the cavalry on both flanks, ready to attack from the side at any time.

Just as the formation was completed, a cloud of dust rose from the northwest.

A thousand cavalrymen surged forward like a crimson tide, all riding tall, imposing horses, their armor gleaming with a cold, metallic sheen in the setting sun. The crimson warhorse at the very front was particularly striking, its rider, a general in golden armor and a black robe, wielding a halberd—none other than Lü Bu, the greatest warrior under heaven.