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

The "Great Han Ten-Day Report" was sent through the postal system to various prefectures, counties, and cities under Lü Bu's rule, including Sili, Bingzhou, Liangzhou, Yizhou, Yanzhou, Xuzhou, Jizhou, Qingzhou, and Youzhou.

Meanwhile, merchants were also bringing the latest edition of the *Da Han Xun Bao* (Great Han Ten-Day Report) to Yuzhou, Jingzhou, Yangzhou, and Jiaozhou. Lü Bu did not prohibit the dissemination of this publicly distributed newspaper to the feudal lords; in fact, he deliberately facilitated its distribution.

After all, he wanted the people to see his call in the newspapers for the southern lords to submit within six months.

Discussions about Lü Bu's achievements and his potential to be made a king, both in official circles and among the common people, intensified with the encouragement of Lü Bu's subordinates.

On the first day of the third lunar month, a grand court assembly was held at Weiyang Palace.

Emperor Liu Xie sat high on his throne, his crown tassels drooping, obscuring his expression. Below the steps, civil and military officials stood on either side, the atmosphere solemn yet strangely eerie.

After Jia Xu finished reading the report of the victory in the northern war, the hall fell silent.

Guo Jia stepped forward first, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, the Duke of Jin personally led the royal army on a northern expedition, pacified Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan, and recovered the three provinces of Ji, Qing, and You. His achievements are unparalleled and will be recorded in history. I believe that such great merit deserves a reward of great honor."

As soon as he finished speaking, Fan Chou stepped forward and echoed, "I second that. Duke Jin turned the tide when all seemed lost and saved the state from collapse. Since killing Dong Zhuo, he has pacified Guanzhong, quelled Xiliang, gained control of Yizhou, captured Yan and Xu, destroyed Cao Cao and Yuan Shao, and unified the north. His achievements are unprecedented in history."

Shi Sunrui also stepped forward: "According to the Han system, those who have rendered meritorious service are enfeoffed as marquises, and those with the highest merit are enfeoffed as dukes. However, the Duke of Jin has already been enfeoffed as a duke, and his merits continue to increase. I dare to suggest that the Duke of Jin be promoted to the rank of king to reward his merits."

These words caused an uproar in the palace—although it had been expected, the fact that they were actually brought up in the court still startled some of the veteran officials of the Han Dynasty.

Liu Xie's hands trembled inside his sleeves.

He looked at Liu Ai, the Imperial Clan Secretary.

The Zongzheng (宗正) was in charge of the affairs of the imperial family and was most insistent on the ancestral rule that "no one but a member of the Liu family could be king."

If Liu Ai were to stand up and object, perhaps...

Liu Ai felt a chill run down his spine as he sensed the emperor's gaze.

He looked up and met the cold gaze of Cheng Lian, the Imperial Guard general. Cheng Lian stood by a pillar in the hall, his hand on his sword, with several guards behind him holding their sword hilts.

Liu Ai then looked at Jia Xu and Guo Jia.

Jia Xu remained calm, while Guo Jia smiled, but his eyes held no warmth.

He recalled what Guo Jia had said to him during his "visit" the day before: "Lord Liu, please prioritize the overall situation at tomorrow's court assembly. The Duke of Jin's merits warrant a royal title. If anyone fails to recognize the times, Lord Liu knows the fate that will befall Yuan Shao's entire clan."

Liu Ai shivered.

"Liu Zongzheng," Liu Xie began, his voice hoarse, "what do you think?"

Liu Ai took a deep breath, stepped forward, and knelt down: "Your Majesty, I believe that the Duke of Jin's achievements have indeed surpassed those of all previous meritorious officials. Emperor Gaozu once said, 'Those who are not of the Liu clan but become kings will be attacked by all under heaven.' However, times have changed, and extraordinary achievements deserve extraordinary rewards. The Duke of Jin has bestowed upon the state the grace of rebuilding it and saved the lives of the people. I believe it is appropriate to grant him the title of king, breaking with tradition."

Liu Xie's vision went black.

Even the head of the Liu clan feared Lü Bu like a tiger and dared not speak out for justice.

"Your Majesty," Deng Quan stepped forward, one of the few old ministers who still cared for the Han dynasty. His beard and hair trembled as he spoke, "the ancestral rules cannot be violated! Only those of the Liu family can be kings, as established by Emperor Gaozu. If this precedent is broken, I fear the world..."

"Deng Gong, you are mistaken," Guo Jia said lazily, stepping forward and bowing. "The ancestral system was established for the stability of the state. However, looking at the current situation, without Duke Jin, the Han Dynasty would have already collapsed. What use would the ancestral system be then? Duke Jin quelled the warlords, unified the north, brought peace to the people, and revitalized the court. If we were to adhere to the old system for such merits and virtues, wouldn't that chill the hearts of meritorious officials and dampen the blood of soldiers?"

He paused, then looked at Deng Quan: "Or does Lord Deng believe that Duke Jin's contributions are insufficient for a reward?"

Deng Quan was speechless.

Jia Xu slowly stepped forward: "Your Majesty, I have something to say. Duke Jin rose from the ashes in times of crisis and turned the tide when all seemed lost. Moreover, under Duke Jin's rule, the people are prosperous and the scholars and commoners are devoted to him. This is a sign that Heaven has ordained him. If Your Majesty follows Heaven's will and promotes Duke Jin to king, the world will be won over and the Han dynasty can be prolonged; if you insist on going against it, I fear unforeseen changes may occur."

These words, though seemingly gentle, were actually quite forceful, almost a blatant threat.

Liu Xie felt ice-cold all over.

He looked at the other ministers.

Zhong Shao lowered his head and remained silent.

Xuan Fan stepped forward and said, "I second your opinion; the Duke of Jin should be promoted to king."

Dong Cheng also said, "I second that opinion."

Then, one official after another stepped forward to second the motion: Hu Feng, Ma Yu, Fan Chou...

In the end, all the officials in the court seconded the motion, and only a handful of people, including Deng Quan, still insisted that no one but Liu should be king.

Liu Xie knew that the situation was hopeless.

He closed his eyes, and after a long while, opened them, his voice hoarse: "Granted...granted. Duke Jin's achievements are unparalleled, and he should be granted the title of King. The Court of Imperial Sacrifices shall be ordered to hold the investiture ceremony on an auspicious day in accordance with the rites for a King."

"Your Majesty is wise!" the officials exclaimed in unison.

Liu Xie sat numbly on the throne, listening to the overwhelming praise of "wise and sagacious," feeling only irony.

After the court session, Liu Xie returned to the inner palace and slumped onto his couch.

A palace maid brought him tea, but he pushed it away without even glancing at it.

"Your Majesty," said Li Mao, the Grand Attendant, softly, "the Court of Imperial Sacrifices has begun preparations for the investiture ceremony, which is tentatively scheduled for the first day of the sixth month."

"The first day of the sixth lunar month," Liu Xie murmured, "why was this day chosen?"

"This is the day three years ago when the Duke of Jin launched his counterattack on Chang'an," Li Mao said. "It's a day chosen to commemorate the occasion." (This is the day Lü Bu traveled through time; this day was specially selected.)

Liu Xie looked out the window; the spring sunshine was bright, but it couldn't penetrate his cold heart.

By the end of May, Chang'an was already bustling with activity.

The abbot of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, along with officials from the Imperial Household Department, the Imperial Workshops, and other government offices, worked together to prepare for the investiture ceremony for the king on the first day of the sixth lunar month.

The square in front of Weiyang Palace was renovated, with red carpets laid out and a high platform erected. The main streets of Chang'an were decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, merchants were required to clean their storefronts, and the people were encouraged to dress neatly to watch the grand ceremony.

Furthermore, envoys from various countries arrived in Chang'an one after another.

First, the northern nomadic tribes—the Xianbei of Liaodong, the Xianbei of Liaoxi, the Wuhuan, and the Southern Xiongnu—all sent envoys with tributes of horses, furs, and other items to express their congratulations.

News also came from the Western Regions Prefectural Office: more than ten countries, including Cheshi, Shanshan, and Shule, sent envoys to pay tribute. They had arrived in Dunhuang and were being escorted eastward by Liangzhou troops.

Even Gongsun Du, who was far away in Liaodong, informed the foreign tribes. Goguryeo, Mahan, Byeonhan, and Jinhan all sent people to present ginseng and sable furs as a sign of goodwill, in order to avoid the Central Plains court sending troops to attack them.

Apart from Yuan Shu, who had become a mortal enemy due to Lü Bu's extermination of the entire Yuan clan, the other three southern warlords, though not coming in person, sent envoys:

Liu Biao sent his chief advisor Liu Xian as an envoy, presenting Jingzhou lacquerware and tea with respectful words, but without mentioning the matter of surrendering.

Sun Ce sent Zhang Hong as an envoy, presenting Jiangdong silk and pearls, and expressing his willingness to guard Yangzhou for the court, though he seemed hesitant.

Shi Xie of Jiaozhou sent his brother Shi Yi as an envoy to present ivory, rhinoceros horn, and spices, signifying that Jiaozhou would forever be Han territory and expressing his intention to submit.

These envoys were housed in the guest quarters of the Court of State Ceremonies and were personally received by the Grand Herald.