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

From that day on, Sun Shangxiang's attitude changed drastically. She no longer treated Lü Bu with a cold face, but instead became extremely respectful to him and took martial arts training very seriously.

Lu Bu was happy to teach her.

Sun Shangxiang has good talent; she grasps things quickly and progresses rapidly.

More importantly, through teaching martial arts, the two quickly grew closer. Sun Shangxiang's gaze towards Lü Bu gradually changed from initial resentment and resistance to admiration and attachment.

One evening, Lü Bu was handling official business in his study when Sun Shangxiang brought him ginseng soup.

"My lord, it's late, have some soup." She spoke softly, a stark contrast to her arrogant demeanor when she first arrived.

Lu Bu took it and glanced at her: "You've been quite well-behaved lately."

Sun Shangxiang blushed slightly: "I was ignorant before and offended my husband. These days, my husband has not thought I am dull and has been teaching me martial arts with great care. I am very grateful."

"Have you figured it out?" Lü Bu asked.

"Hmm," Sun Shangxiang said softly, "Brother is right. My husband is a hero of our time, and it is my blessing to serve Duke Jin. However, my husband has many wives and concubines, and I am worried..."

"Worried about falling out of favor?" Lü Bu laughed. "Most of my wives and concubines are gentle and virtuous women, with delicate figures. You are the only one who can satisfy all my needs in bed. That's your advantage. I may forget anyone else, but I will never forget you."

Sun Shangxiang was overjoyed: "Xiang'er understands."

She hesitated for a moment, then said, "My elder brother sent a message asking me to convey his regards to my husband and to reiterate his willingness to obey his every command. If my husband can support him in attacking Yuan Shu and Liu Biao to avenge our father, he will be eternally grateful and willing to lead the charge for my husband."

Lü Bu nodded: "Tell your elder brother to prepare for war. After I deal with Yuan Shao in the north, I will head south to deal with Yuan Shu and Liu Biao. At that time, I will appoint him as the governor of Yangzhou."

"Thank you, my husband!" Sun Shangxiang said happily.

That night, Sun Shangxiang, along with two maids she had personally trained, served Lü Bu.

Jingzhou, Xiangyang, the governor's residence.

In the secret chamber behind the main hall, Liu Biao sat facing his trusted advisors Kuai Liang, Kuai Yue, and Cai Mao, discussing matters.

Two letters were laid out on the table.

One letter was sent by Yuan Shao's envoy, Feng Ji. It was earnest and invited Liu Biao to send troops to besiege Lü Bu, promising that if the matter was accomplished, Yizhou would belong to Liu Biao.

The other letter was sent by Lü Bu in the name of the imperial court. It was in a calm tone and was just a routine inquiry into the administration of Jingzhou. He also requested that Jingzhou implement the new imperial system, such as the nine-rank official system and the imperial examination system.

"Gentlemen, how should we deal with this?" Liu Biao rubbed his temples, looking exhausted.

He was fifty-five years old, with gray hair and beard, and his health was already poor. In the past two years, he had aged even more as Lü Bu had held the emperor hostage to make the other lords worry.

Kuai Liang pondered for a moment and said, "My lord, Lü Bu's power is immense. He has already occupied six provinces, commanding 180,000 armored soldiers. Moreover, he has been granted the ability to store grain in the heavens, so his supplies and weapons are inexhaustible. Although Yuan Shao occupies Ji Province and has many soldiers and ample provisions, he is no match for Lü Bu. If we were to assist Yuan Shao at this time, it would be tantamount to throwing an egg against a rock."

Kuai Yue nodded: "What you say is absolutely right, brother. Moreover, our lord is a member of the Han imperial family. Lü Bu is holding the emperor hostage to command the feudal lords, but in name, he is still the court. If we openly rebel against Lü Bu, it would be rebelling against the court, which would be illegitimate and unreasonable."

Cai Mao, however, said, "That may be true, but Lü Bu has imprisoned the emperor and monopolized the government. How is he any different from Dong Zhuo? As a member of the imperial clan, how can you sit idly by and watch this traitor run rampant? Moreover, Jingzhou has a strong navy, and the Yangtze River is a natural barrier. Without a navy, Lü Bu will find it difficult to cross the river. Even if he unifies the north, he will find it difficult to attack Jingzhou. It would be better to feign submission, but in reality, maintain autonomy and observe the situation."

Liu Biao smiled wryly: "De Gui's words are exactly what I was thinking. But is Lü Bu someone who can be easily fooled? He ordered the implementation of new policies in Jingzhou precisely to gradually gain control of the province. If we outwardly comply but inwardly defy him, he will eventually discover it and send troops to attack. How will we deal with that then?"

Kuai Liang said, "My lord, you can reply to Lü Bu, stating that Jingzhou is willing to submit to the court and implement the new policies. However, you should request a delay due to Jingzhou's remote location and diverse population. At the same time, secretly strengthen the river defenses, build more warships, and train the navy. In this way, you will neither offend Lü Bu nor lose your strength."

"What was the reply from Yuan Shao?" Liu Biao asked.

Kuai Yue said, "We can reply to Yuan Shao, saying that Jingzhou is willing to stand guard and help him. If Lü Bu attacks Jizhou, Jingzhou can hold him back in the south, preventing him from focusing all his efforts on the north. But whether or not we actually send troops then depends on the situation. In this way, we won't offend either side."

Liu Biao pondered for a long time before finally nodding: "Let's proceed with this plan."

He picked up his pen and wrote two replies.

In his letter to Lü Bu, he spoke respectfully, praising Lü Bu's achievements in defeating Cao Cao and pacifying the people, and expressing Jingzhou's willingness to submit to the court and obey its orders. However, due to the deeply entrenched power of the powerful clans in Jingzhou, the new policies such as the imperial examinations would actually harm the interests of these clans, and their implementation should be gradual. He requested an extension of time.

In his letter to Yuan Shao, he used a more tactful tone, stating that as a member of the Han imperial family, he should rightfully punish the traitors, but the military strength in Jingzhou was limited, and he needed to guard against Yuan Shu of Yuzhou and Sun Ce of Jiangdong. Therefore, he could only promise to contain them in the south and was unable to launch an offensive.

After he finished writing, he ordered the messenger to send it out.

Kuai Liang then said, "My lord, there is one more matter. Lü Bu has already taken Cao Bao's daughter, Mi Zhu's sister, and Sun Ce's sister as concubines. Shouldn't our Jingzhou also...?"

Liu Biao waved his hand: "I have no daughters of marriageable age, but I do have a few nieces, who are still young. Besides, I would never stoop to offering my daughters for security."

Cai Mao replied, "My lord, this is not an offer of a woman to secure peace, but rather a marriage alliance. Since Lü Bu is fond of taking concubines, sending a woman from Jingzhou would not only demonstrate our loyalty but also allow us to plant spies around Lü Bu. I have a niece named Cai Yu, who is sixteen years old, beautiful, and well-educated. If you agree, my lord, she can be given to Lü Bu as a concubine."

Liu Biao frowned: "This..."

Kuai Liang advised, "My lord, what Commandant Cai said makes sense. In chaotic times, marriage alliances are common. Send a woman to seduce Lü Bu, and we can make further plans once the situation becomes clearer."

Liu Biao pondered for a long time before finally sighing, "Fine, you can go and do it."

"Understood, Your subordinate." Cai Mao bowed.

A month later, Cai Mao's niece, Cai Yu, arrived in Chang'an. She not only came to become Lü Bu's concubine, but also brought him a secret letter from Cai Mao, expressing his admiration for Lü Bu.

Clearly, Cai Mao was planning ahead, strategizing for his own and his family's future in the face of a potential dynastic change.

By this time, Lü Bu had one wife and seven concubines in his household: his wife was Lady Yan; and his concubines were Diao Chan, Aisha, Du Xiuniang, Cao Zhi, Mi Zhen, Sun Shangxiang, and Cai Yu.

Although Lü Bu was not lustful, he accepted all women who came his way. Behind these women were the allegiance of powerful clans and warlords from various regions. Each concubine he took bound him to a powerful faction.

All he gave up was the title of a concubine.

This deal is very worthwhile.