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

On the 24th day of the twelfth lunar month, in the northern part of Hejian County, Jizhou, on the south bank of the Pishui River.

A cold wind swept through the withered grass, carrying remnants of snow. The river was covered with a thin layer of ice, gleaming in the light. Lü Bu reined in his Red Hare, his black cloak fluttering in the wind. Behind him, five thousand elite cavalry stood solemnly, their breaths mingling into a single white cloud.

"My lord, this is the Si River." Zhang Xiu rode forward and pointed to the opposite bank. "The city on the other side is Mo County."

Guan Yu squinted and looked into the distance: "The city walls are lined with banners, and the defenses are very tight. It seems that Gongsun Zan already knows that our army is approaching."

Zhang Fei shouted, "What are you afraid of! Our lord can build a bridge across the river; even Yuan Shao's Ye City couldn't stop him. Who does Gongsun Zan think he is?"

Lu Bu did not respond, but simply observed the opposite bank in silence.

The Li River makes a bend here, forming a natural barrier. The north bank is slightly higher, and the city wall of Moxian County is built along the river, with its arrow towers and watchtowers clearly visible. Soldiers patrol back and forth on the city wall, and although they are separated by the river, one can still feel the solemn atmosphere.

"Gongsun Zan has been managing Youzhou for many years, and his White Horse Cavalry is brave and skilled in battle. We must not underestimate him," Xun Yu said in a deep voice as he rode closer. "However, in recent years he has been fighting with Liu Yu. Although he killed Liu Yu and seized Youzhou, he lost the hearts of the gentry. Many of his generals also have disloyal intentions, and the morale of the army is unstable."

Cheng Yu added: "According to intelligence reports, after learning that our lord had captured Ye City and Yuan Shao, Gongsun Zan has consolidated his forces and is focusing his defenses on Yijing, Moxian, and Jixian. His son, Gongsun Xu, is leading 10,000 troops to defend Yijing, while Gongsun Zan himself is leading 20,000 troops to garrison Jixian. The commander of Moxian is Yan Gang, a trusted confidant of Gongsun Zan."

Lü Bu nodded, then turned to his personal guards and said, "Bring the silk scroll."

The guards presented a scroll of white silk that had been prepared beforehand, on which Cheng Yu had written a proclamation denouncing the rebels, based on Lü Bu's instructions:

"Lu Bu, Grand Marshal of Han, Recorder of the Imperial Secretariat, Commandant of the Capital Region, and Duke of Jin, hereby issues an edict from the Emperor to Gongsun Zan of Youzhou and his troops—"

"You were originally a minor official in Lingzhi, Liaoxi, but were promoted by the court and rose through the ranks to become a General of the Household. However, instead of repaying the favor, you have overstepped your bounds: you privately built a capital city on the Yi River, which resembled the royal capital; you arbitrarily killed Liu Yu, a member of the imperial family, showing no respect for the emperor; you abused the people of Youzhou, imposing exorbitant taxes; and you conspired with the traitor Yuan Shao to rebel..."

"These ten crimes are too numerous to list!"

"Now the royal army is marching north to mourn the people and punish the guilty. You are given three days to personally go to the Pi River, carry thorns on your back, and plead guilty. If you submit to the law, you will be spared death; if you disobey, your entire family will be exterminated when the city falls! Any soldier or civilian in Youzhou who captures Gongsun Zan and presents him will be ennobled; any who opens the city gates to surrender will be promoted three ranks!"

After writing, Lü Bu rolled up the white silk and tied it to the arrow shaft. He drew his bow, took a deep breath, and unleashed his full power, accumulating 140 points of strength and archery skills.

The bow is as full as a slew of moon, the arrow as swift as a shooting star.

"Whoosh—"

The arrow pierced the air, covering a distance of hundreds of feet, and accurately struck the pillar of the Moxian city gate tower, penetrating deep into the wood, its fletching trembling incessantly.

The soldiers guarding the city walls immediately became agitated.

"Quickly, take it down!" General Yan Gang ordered urgently.

The guards struggled to pull out the arrow and presented the silk scroll. Yan Gang unfolded it and his expression changed drastically.

"Quickly, send it to Ji County by express courier and report to the lord!"

Mo County is less than 300 li from Ji County, and can be reached in a day by express courier.

That evening, in Ji County, Youzhou, at the governor's residence.

Gongsun Zan, wrapped in a sable fur coat, sat beside a charcoal brazier, toying with a jade-inlaid dagger in his hand. He was nearly fifty years old, with a thin face and deep-set eyes, but his eyes were still as sharp as an eagle's.

"My lord!" Chief Clerk Guan Jing rushed in, presenting a silk scroll: "Urgent report from Mo County! Lü Bu has reached the south bank of the Pi River and shot an arrow at the proclamation!"

Gongsun Zan took the silk scroll, read it carefully, and his face gradually turned ashen.

"Bear the thorns and plead guilty, and you'll be spared death," he sneered, throwing the silk scroll into the brazier. "That brat Lü Bu has gone too far!"

Guan Jing hurriedly said, "My lord, please calm down! Lü Bu is powerful, having defeated Cao Cao and Yuan Shao in succession, with hundreds of thousands of elite troops under his command, and he is also blessed with divine granaries. Although his proclamation is fierce, it may not be a bad opportunity—if my lord is willing to surrender, he may be able to save his life and family business."

"Surrender?" Gongsun Zan abruptly stood up. "I have roamed Youyan for twenty years, and my White Horse Cavalry is renowned throughout the north. How can I bow and scrape just to save my life?"

Guan Jing knelt down and pleaded, "My lord, the situation is hopeless! Yuan Shao's family has held high office for four generations, and his generals Yan Liang, Wen Chou, Zhang He, and Gao Lan are renowned throughout Hebei. He commands 100,000 elite troops from Ji Province, yet he couldn't hold off Lü Bu for even a month. Our You Province has only 50,000 troops; how can we resist him? Moreover, the gentry are disaffected, the people are suffering, and the morale of the army is unstable..."

"Shut up!" Gongsun Zan kicked over the charcoal brazier, sending sparks flying. "My mind is made up! I swear to fight Lü Bu to the death! Order Yan Gang to defend Mo County to the death, and I will personally lead a large army to reinforce it!"

Guan Jing tried to persuade him again, but Gongsun Zan had already turned and left.

A moment later, Gongsun Zan summoned his generals for a meeting.

Below the hall, generals Tian Kai, Shan Jing, Zou Dan, and Wang Men stood solemnly, along with strategists Tian Yu and Gongsun Fan (Gongsun Zan's cousin).

Gongsun Zan presented the proclamation to everyone and said coldly, "If Lü Bu had granted me the position of governor, I might have submitted to him. Now he demands that I surrender the entire province, merely sparing my life. This is utterly arrogant."

Shan Jing spoke first: "What my lord says is true. Lü Bu is arrogant; we should lead our elite troops to meet him head-on and let him know the might of the men of Youzhou!"

Zou Dan chimed in, "This humble general is willing to be the vanguard, cross the river, and attack them!"

Tian Yu shook his head: "My lord, Lü Bu has won one victory after another, and his morale is high. Moreover, he has a divine granary bestowed by heaven, which is said to be able to take things out of thin air. Building a bridge and breaking through the city will be a piece of cake for him. Fighting head-on is probably not the best strategy."

Gongsun Fan pondered for a moment and said, "Brother, although Lü Bu's proclamation is severe, it hasn't completely cut off our escape route. It would be better to send an envoy to negotiate peace and gauge his attitude. If he's willing to grant you the position of Governor of Youzhou, even if you relinquish your military power, you can still be saved..."

"The Governor of Youzhou?" Gongsun Zan interrupted. "Would Lü Bu grant that? He ordered me to plead guilty with a bundle of thorns on my back, only to be spared death. What official position would I receive?"

Tian Kai said, "My lord, perhaps we can negotiate. Lü Bu has just pacified Hebei and needs someone to guard Youzhou. If you are willing to surrender the entire province, you might be able to obtain the position of governor of a prefecture..."

"A prefect of a commandery?" Gongsun Zan scoffed. "Having spent half my life in the limelight, I've fallen to this state?"

He looked around at his generals and saw that some of them looked timid and others kept their heads down in silence, which fueled his anger.

"Gentlemen!" Gongsun Zan drew his sword, severing a corner of the table. "My mind is made up. I will personally lead 20,000 elite troops to reinforce Mo County! If Lü Bu dares to cross the river, he will never return!"

"My lord, please reconsider!" Tian Yu and Gongsun Fan urged in unison.

Gongsun Zan ignored the order and immediately mustered his troops: he ordered Zou Dan to lead 5,000 as the vanguard, Shan Jing to lead 5,000 as the left wing, Wang Men to lead 5,000 as the right wing, and he himself to lead 5,000 in the center, and they set off immediately.

Guan Jing knelt outside the mansion gate, weeping and pleading, "My lord, this journey is fraught with peril!"

Gongsun Zan rode past without even glancing at him.

On the 25th day of the twelfth lunar month, on the south bank of the Pi River.

Inside the central command tent of Lü Bu's camp.

"My lord, a scout reports that Gongsun Zan has personally led 20,000 troops and has left Ji County, heading towards Mo County," Zhang Xiu reported.

Xun Yu stroked his beard and said, "Gongsun Zan actually refuses to surrender, trying to stop a chariot with his bare hands?"

Cheng Yu sneered: "This man is stubborn and self-willed. After killing Liu Yu, he became even more suspicious and refused to listen to the good advice of his advisors. Now that he has seen this proclamation, he will surely feel humiliated and insist on a decisive battle."

Guan Yu narrowed his phoenix eyes slightly: "Gongsun Zan's White Horse Cavalry was once a force to be reckoned with among the Wuhuan people; they should not be underestimated."

Zhang Fei shouted, "What are you afraid of, Second Brother? Wait until I cross the river, then I'll poke a hole right through him with my spear!"

Lu Bu waved his hand to stop the crowd and said calmly, "Now that Gongsun Zan has arrived, let him see what the might of Heaven is. Order the entire army to attack the city tomorrow."

"promise!"