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

Tan County, Mi Zhu's residence.

In the secret chamber behind the main hall, Mi Zhu, Sun Qian, and Chen Deng sat facing each other.

On the table in front of the three men lay Cao Bao's secret letter.

"Pengcheng has fallen, Cao Cao has committed suicide..." Mi Zhu murmured, "Lu Bu's speed in conquering cities and seizing strongholds is astonishing."

Sun Qian smiled wryly: "Lu Bu conquered Jianmen Pass and Mianzhu in a single day, and gained control of the province within ten days. His speed was already astounding. Now, Pengcheng is also within reason."

Chen Deng, though young and impetuous, saw things more clearly: "Cao Cao's army is rife with cannibalism and has already lost the hearts of the people. Lü Bu, under the pretext of mourning the people and punishing the guilty, has a legitimate reason for his campaign. Moreover, he is blessed with divine power and can take down a city as easily as taking something out of a bag. If Governor Tao hesitates any longer, Xuzhou will surely suffer from war."

Mi Zhu nodded: "Yuanlong is absolutely right. Cao Bao's letter urged us to quickly persuade the magistrate to submit, which is exactly what he meant. However..."

He paused, then said, "Your Excellency has been misled by Liu Bei into opposing Lü Bu. Considering the reputation of the alliance, you may be unwilling to surrender easily."

Sun Qian pondered for a moment: "We can ask Lord Chen Gui to persuade him as well. Lord Chen is a renowned scholar from Xuzhou, and the magistrate has always respected him."

Chen Deng shook his head: "Although my father is renowned, this matter concerns the survival of Xuzhou, and we need more direct measures."

"What brilliant plan does Yuanlong have?" Mi Zhu asked.

Chen Deng lowered his voice: "What you care about most, my lord, are nothing more than two things: the peace and tranquility of the people of Xuzhou and the wealth and honor of the Tao family. Now that Cao Cao has been defeated and killed, Xuzhou has no strong allies to resist Lü Bu. If you persuade me with the impending war and the peril of your family, you will surely be swayed."

Mi Zhu's eyes lit up: "You mean...we should persuade the two young masters first?"

"Exactly," Chen Deng said. "Although the two young masters, Tao Shang and Tao Ying, have not entered officialdom, they manage the Tao family business and know best how hard-won wealth and status are. If they understand that resisting Lü Bu will result in the loss of their family property, while submitting to him will ensure its preservation, they will surely persuade you, my lord."

Sun Qian clapped his hands: "Excellent plan! If the two young masters step forward, the magistrate will surely take it seriously."

The three of them discussed and were about to get up when they suddenly heard hurried footsteps outside the door.

The butler pushed open the door and entered, panting, "Master, General Cao Bao has sent another messenger!"

Mi Zhu took the bamboo slip, unfolded it, and his expression changed drastically.

"What's wrong?" Sun Qian asked hurriedly.

Mi Zhu handed the letter to the two men, his voice trembling: "Liu Bei led 5,000 troops from Xiapi to aid Cao Cao without authorization, but encountered Lü Bu on the way. Lü Bu single-handedly fought the three brothers Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei, defeating them in five rounds, and all three were captured!"

"What?!" Chen Deng jumped to his feet. "Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei, even working together, were defeated in just five rounds?"

Sun Qian was also dumbfounded: "Guan Yu and Zhang Fei are both warriors capable of defeating ten thousand men. At Hulao Pass, the three heroes working together could still force Lü Bu to retreat. Now they are not even a match for Lü Bu in five rounds?"

"Lu Bu's martial arts are beyond human capability." Mi Zhu slumped down. "The last glimmer of hope for Xuzhou is gone."

The room was deathly silent.

After a long silence, Chen Deng gritted his teeth and said, "There's no time to lose. Let's go to the Tao family manor immediately and see the two young masters!"

The Tao Family Manor is located ten miles northeast of Tanxian County, covering an area of ​​100 acres. It features pavilions and towers and is quite magnificent. This property was purchased by Tao Qian after he became the governor of Xuzhou and was managed by his eldest son, Tao Shang, and his second son, Tao Ying.

Afternoon, in the main hall of the manor.

Tao Shang and Tao Ying were surprised to hear that Mi Zhu and the other two had come to visit together, but they still ordered their men to invite them in.

Tao Shang was twenty-four and Tao Ying was twenty-two. Both wore brocade robes, had fair complexions, and looked like wealthy young masters. Because Tao Qian felt that they were not capable enough to be of great use and that entering officialdom would easily cause trouble, he only managed their farmland and shops at home, living a leisurely and affluent life.

"Prefect Mi, Commander Sun, and Colonel Chen have come together today. What important matter do you have to discuss?" Tao Shang asked politely after instructing a maid to serve tea.

Mi Zhu cupped his hands and said, "Gentlemen, we have come today for a matter of vital importance to the survival of the Tao family."

Tao Shang was taken aback: "What do you mean?"

Chen Deng cut to the chase: "Pengcheng has fallen, and Cao Cao is dead. Liu Bei of Xiapi sent troops to aid Cao Cao without authorization, but was defeated by Lü Bu in five rounds. Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei were all captured, and their troops all fell to Lü Bu. Xuzhou has no strong reinforcements left. If Governor Liu hesitates any longer, once Lü Bu launches an attack, Xuzhou will surely fall, and the Tao family's century-old foundation will be destroyed in an instant."

Tao Ying's teacup trembled: "Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei... have all been captured?"

Sun Qian sighed, "It's absolutely true. Lü Bu's martial arts have reached a state of perfection, and coupled with his divinely bestowed ability, breaching cities is child's play for him. Cao Cao's 20,000 elite troops defended Pengcheng, and it fell in half a day. The troops in Xuzhou number no more than 30,000, and they are scattered across various counties. How can they possibly withstand him?"

Tao Shang's face turned pale: "Does my father know about this? What is his attitude?"

"We don't know if you know about Cao Cao's defeat and the capture of Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei, but you probably do," Mi Zhu said, shaking his head. "However, we previously proposed to submit to the court, which was perfectly legitimate, but you did not agree under Liu Bei's influence. We anticipate that after Lü Bu pacifies Pengcheng, he will send an envoy to Xuzhou to demand an explanation. If you still do not express your opinion then, Lü Bu will have a legitimate reason to send troops to attack."

Tao asked urgently, "Then what should we do?"

Chen Deng slowly said, "There is only one way: to voluntarily surrender and offer Xuzhou to the imperial court. In this way, firstly, we can avoid the calamity of war and protect the people of Xuzhou; secondly, we can protect the Tao family's property, allowing you to retire peacefully and your two sons to continue managing the family business and live a life of wealth and comfort."

Tao Shang hesitated: "But Father has always valued his reputation. If he betrays Yuan Shao and surrenders to Lü Bu, he will be ridiculed by the world..."

"Reputation?" Chen Deng sneered. "Does the young master know what became of Cao Cao's family after his defeat and death?"

Tao Shang shook his head.

"Lu Bu has ordered that all members of the Cao family be moved to Chang'an and placed under house arrest," Chen Deng said. "Although their lives are not in danger, their family property will be lost, and they will be living under someone else's roof from now on. Do you two gentlemen want to live like this for the rest of your lives? If you anger Lu Bu, you may even bring about the extermination of your entire clan."

The words "barbarian tribe" struck the Tao brothers like a heavy hammer.

The teacup in Tao Ying's hand fell to the ground with a "crash" and shattered into pieces.

Tao Shang's forehead was also covered in sweat, and his fingers trembled slightly.

Mi Zhu pressed his advantage: "My lords, although fortune and honor are often found in peril, one must also assess the situation carefully. Lü Bu is now powerful, controlling five provinces: Sili, Bingzhou, Liangzhou, Yanzhou, and Yizhou, with 150,000 armored soldiers. Moreover, he has a divinely bestowed granary, providing inexhaustible supplies of grain and weapons. Among the warlords of the land, Yuan Shao is indecisive, Yuan Shu is short-sighted, Liu Biao is conservative, and Gongsun Zan is tyrannical; none of them can stand against Lü Bu. If the Tao family were to submit now, it would be in accordance with the will of Heaven. Not only would they be innocent, but they would also be meritorious."

Sun Qian also said, "If the two young masters can persuade the lord to submit willingly, it will certainly be a great achievement. If they wish to serve in the government, they may be able to obtain an official position under the Duke of Jin, bringing glory to their family. Even if they do not wish to serve as officials, the merit of surrendering the prefecture will be enough to ensure the family's wealth and honor for generations."

Tao Shang and Tao Ying exchanged a glance.

Although they lacked great talent, they had managed the family business for many years and were adept at weighing pros and cons. Resistance would lead to the destruction of their family; submission would ensure their wealth and status.

This choice is not difficult to make.

"Alright." Tao Shang finally nodded. "My brother and I are willing to accompany the three of you to meet our father and persuade him to submit."

Tao Ying also said, "There's no time to lose, let's go into the city now!"