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

In late October, the clamor led by the imperial examinations and the "Great Han Xunbao" gradually subsided.

Inside a secret chamber of the Duke of Jin's mansion, Lü Bu gathered with his trusted advisors and generals.

The map on the wall has marked the advance routes of each army.

"Gentlemen, you may add to the list of Yuan Shao's crimes." Lü Bu handed the list of crimes to Jia Xu.

Jia Xu unfolded the scroll and read aloud: "First crime: As the Prefect of Bohai, instead of serving the country, he coerced Han Fu, the Governor of Ji Province, to abdicate, thus usurping the throne; Second crime: Without official appointment from the court, he assumed the title of Governor of Ji Province, establishing a separatist regime; Third crime: He forged official seals and appointed prefects and magistrates privately, treating the court as nothing; Fourth crime: He colluded with other lords to form an anti-court alliance, plotting rebellion; Fifth crime: He levied exorbitant taxes and forced conscription in Ji and Qing Provinces, causing widespread suffering; Sixth crime: He condoned his generals' plundering of the people and mass killings; Seventh crime: He secretly colluded with the Wuhuan, allowing the Hu people to covet the Central Plains; Eighth crime..."

The list comprises twelve major crimes, each supported by concrete evidence.

After listening, Guo Jia said, "We can add another point: Yuan Shao's younger brother, Yuan Shu, secretly possessed the Imperial Seal of the State and falsely claimed it as the Mandate of Heaven. Yuan Shao knew about this but did not report it and instead secretly supported him. This is a great treason."

"Good." Lü Bu picked up his brush and added.

On the first day of the eleventh month, the front page of the *Da Han Xun Bao* published the full text of the "Proclamation Against the Traitor Yuan Shao," which was strongly worded and listed thirteen major crimes committed by Yuan Shao. It concluded by stating:

"By imperial decree, Duke Lü Bu of Jin, leading an army of 100,000, is to mourn the people, punish the guilty, and exterminate the traitors and tyrants. Those soldiers and civilians of Ji and Qing who capture Yuan Shao and offer him as a tribute will be ennobled; those who open the city gates to surrender will be promoted three ranks; those who aid the rebels in resistance will have their entire family executed on the day the city falls! Make a swift decision upon receipt of this decree!"

The newspaper's publication caused a sensation throughout the world.

The people of Chang'an eagerly circulated the book, and scholars discussed it extensively.

"Yuan Shao committed thirteen major crimes!"

"Inviting the Wuhuan to invade is an act of treason!"

"The imperial court is sending 100,000 troops; Yuan Shao is finished this time..."

On that day, Lü Bu swore an oath in front of the palace.

One thousand Imperial Guards and three thousand Imperial Guards cavalrymen stood in formation, their black armor gleaming in the sun, their banners like a forest.

Lu Bu, clad in golden armor and a black robe, rode the Red Hare and stood at the front of the formation. Behind him, generals such as Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Yu Jin, and Yue Jin stood solemnly.

"Let's march!" Lü Bu pointed his halberd forward.

With the sounding of drums and horns, the army set off.

At the same time, six envoys sped out from Chang'an:

One envoy went to Luoyang and ordered Hou Cheng to lead the 3rd Army north to Henan, threatening Wei County in Ji Province;

One envoy went to Jinyang and ordered Zhang Liao, Gao Shun, and Zhang Yan to lead the Bingzhou army group east out of Taihang to attack Zhao and Changshan.

One envoy went to Puyang and ordered Zhao Yun to lead the 11th Army north to cooperate with Hou Cheng in attacking Wei County;

One envoy went to Tan County and ordered Song Xian to lead the 4th Army north to Qingzhou;

One envoy was sent to Chengdu to order Cao Xing to send troops to contain Liu Biao.

One envoy went to Wu Commandery to order Sun Ce to send troops to contain Yuan Shu.

Another secret envoy detoured through Youzhou and sent a letter to Gongsun Zan: "If you are willing to send troops to attack the northern border of Jizhou, after the success, the court will appoint you as the governor of Youzhou."

On the tenth day of the eleventh month, Lü Bu led his cavalry to Dangyin County in Henan Commandery, less than two hundred li from Ye City in Wei Commandery of Ji Province.

Jizhou is in grave danger.

Yijing, the governor's mansion.

After reading the secret letter sent by Lü Bu's messenger, Gongsun Zan handed it over to Guan Jing and others for circulation.

"Gentlemen, Lü Bu is forcing me to choose sides. How should I deal with this?" Gongsun Zan asked after seeing that everyone had seen enough.

"My lord," Guan Jing said, "Lü Bu now commands six provinces—Sili, Bing, Liang, Yan, Yi, and Xu—with a population of nearly ten million and an army of nearly two hundred thousand elite soldiers. Furthermore, he has been granted the divine power of the granary, making him an unstoppable force. Even a powerful figure like Cao Cao could not escape death. And Yuan Shao, despite his family's long line of high-ranking officials and numerous civil and military ministers, will likely suffer the same fate. Therefore, I believe we should send troops to attack Yuan Shao and assist Lü Bu in conquering Ji Province to gain merit."

However, some believe that the claim that Lü Bu was granted divine access to the granary is a rumor. They argue that Yuan Shao is a powerful force and would not be easily defeated. The two strong forces would inevitably suffer heavy losses, so it is not advisable to send troops to Youzhou. It would be better to send troops to take advantage of the situation when the two are both exhausted.

After much debate, the majority of the two factions ultimately believed that Lü Bu's power was too great and that sending troops was merely a show of force. Gongsun Zan also felt that sending troops as a show of force might allow them to extort money from Yuan Shao, which was the best course of action.

Ye City, the governor's residence.

Yuan Shao looked at the "Great Han Ten-Day Report" in his hands, his hands trembling and his face ashen.

Below the hall, civil and military officials including Ju Shou, Tian Feng, Shen Pei, Feng Ji, Yan Liang, Wen Chou, Zhang He, and Gao Lan stood solemnly, creating a somber atmosphere.

"Thirteen major crimes, what a shrewd Lu Bu!" Yuan Shao slammed the newspaper on the ground. "He certainly knows how to fabricate stories!"

Ju Shou picked up the newspaper and quickly scanned it, his heart sinking with each reading: "My lord, although the words in the proclamation are excessive, most of them are based on evidence. In particular, the coercion of Han Fu and the self-appointment as governor are known throughout the land."

Tian Feng said urgently, "My lord, the most urgent task is to prepare for war! Lü Bu has personally arrived at Dangyin, Hou Cheng's army has marched out of Hanoi, Zhang Liao's army has marched out of Taihang, Zhao Yun's army is heading north, and Song Xian's army is attacking Qingzhou. These five armies, supposedly numbering 100,000, are actually more than 50,000. Our army's new recruits are not yet trained; we must quickly devise a countermeasure!"

Yuan Shao forced himself to remain calm: "What good strategies do you gentlemen have?"

Shen Pei said, "Order Generals Yan Liang and Wen Chou to lead elite troops to guard the main camp in Ye City; order Zhang He to guard Zhao State and Gao Lan to guard Changshan to resist Bing Province; order Chunyu Qiong to guard Wei Commandery to resist Hou Cheng and Zhao Yun; and order Yuan Tan to guard Qing Province to resist Song Xian. Also, send messengers to urge Gongsun Zan, Yuan Shu, and Liu Biao to send troops to contain them."

Feng Ji smiled wryly: "Gongsun Zan replied that he would only send troops if he needed 500,000 shi of grain; Yuan Shu said that he needed our lord's public support for his claim to the throne; Liu Biao said that the Jingzhou navy was not good at land warfare and could only provide verbal support..."

"A bunch of scoundrels!" Yuan Shao roared in fury. "If I am defeated and killed, do you think they will have a good end?"

Ju Shou sighed, "My lord, we can only rely on ourselves now. Fortunately, Jizhou is well-fortified and has ample supplies. As long as we hold our ground and keep going out, we can wear down Lü Bu's provisions and wait for his army to tire and become exhausted. Perhaps then we can turn the tide."

Yan Liang clasped his hands in a fist salute: "This humble general is willing to defend Ye City. If Lü Bu dares to come, he will surely be routed!"

Wen Chou also said, "I am willing to assist General Yan!"

Yuan Shao looked at his generals, feeling somewhat relieved: "Very well, then as you all say, divide your troops to defend the city! Furthermore, conscript another 50,000 able-bodied men, distribute weapons, and assist in the defense!"

"promise!"

Once the order was issued, another wave of conscription swept through Ji Province. Officials went door-to-door arresting people, and all men over the age of fifteen were forcibly conscripted, leaving only the elderly, women, and children in the fields.

The cries of the people were deafening, and their resentment was boiling over.

An old man knelt by the roadside, crying out, "Lord Yuan, please give me a way out! I have three sons, two of whom have already been conscripted, and only my youngest son is fourteen years old..."

The constable kicked the old man aside: "The magistrate said that fourteen years old is considered a able-bodied man. Take him away!"

The armory of Ye City was wide open, and various defensive weapons were carried onto the city walls. Blacksmiths worked day and night to produce arrows, and carpenters reinforced the city gates. Panic gripped the city, and wealthy families began secretly packing their valuables in preparation for their escape.

On November 15th, a scout reported: "My lord, Lü Bu and Hou Cheng have led their troops to the Huan River, less than fifty li from Ye City!"

Yuan Shao's face darkened, and he ordered: "Have Chunyu Qiong defend the Huan River to the death, and do not allow Lü Bu's army to cross the river."

A major battle that will determine the fate of the North is about to break out.