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

"A feigned surrender." Sun Ce rose and paced around the hall. "Lu Bu has given us six months to prepare, and the southern warlords are living in constant fear. If I feign surrender now, I can obtain a formal appointment from the court and rightfully rule Yangzhou. At the same time, I can ask Lu Bu for permission to attack Huang Zu of Jiangxia, avenge my father, and expand my territory."

He looked at Zhou Yu: "Gongjin, if Lü Bu allows me to attack Huang Zu, I can use the imperial court's name to annex Jiangxia. Once my strength is greater, I will observe how the world changes. If Lü Bu unifies the world, I will truly surrender; if Lü Bu is defeated, I will establish myself."

Zhou Yu clapped his hands: "My lord, this is a strategy of using a shell to lay eggs. First, we will use Lü Bu's power to consolidate Yangzhou, and then plan for further development."

Zhang Zhao worriedly said, "Lu Bu has many wise and resourceful men around him, and they may see through this plan."

"Therefore, we must truly send a hostage and relinquish some military power," Sun Ce said. "To sacrifice small gains for the greater good, my brother Sun Quan can be sent to Chang'an as a hostage. We can also hand over 10,000 troops for the court to reorganize, as a sign of our sincerity."

Cheng Pu said urgently, "My lord, Young Master Quan is too young to be taken hostage!"

Sun Ce waved his hand: "Brother Quan is intelligent and should be able to protect himself. As for troops, Yangzhou has 50,000 soldiers. Even if we hand over 10,000, we can still control the overall situation."

He looked at Zhang Hong: "Zigang, you go to Chang'an again and negotiate with Lü Bu. You can only hand over part of the military power, and I hope Lü Bu will allow me to attack Huang Zu."

Zhang Hong bowed and said, "Your subject obeys."

Sun Ce then said to Zhou Yu, "Gongjin, prepare your army for war. Regardless of whether the negotiations succeed or not, you must attack Huang Zu after the autumn harvest. Jiangxia is the throat of the Yangtze River. If you capture it, the gateway to Jingzhou will be wide open."

"promise!"

After everyone left, Sun Ce sat alone in the hall, tapping his fingers lightly on the table.

He thought of his father, Sun Jian, a hero who fought against Dong Zhuo, yet died at the hands of Huang Zu. He would be unworthy to be a son if he didn't avenge this.

……

The administrative center of Jiaozhou was Longbian, the residence of Shi Xie.

Jiaozhou, located in the south of the Lingnan region, has a hot and humid climate. The architecture of its mansions differs greatly from that of the Central Plains, with many featuring bamboo and wood structures that are well-ventilated and bright. An ice jar sits in the hall, emanating a cool breeze that slightly alleviates the summer heat.

Shi Xie, about fifty years old, with a dark complexion, wore a long robe made of hemp cloth, a style unique to Jiaozhou, and knelt in the main seat. His brothers Shi Yi, Shi Yi, and Shi Wu, as well as his son Shi Hui, were also present.

"Another imperial edict has arrived from Chang'an." Shi Xie pushed a scroll of silk onto the table. "Lu Bu, the King of Jin, has ordered all the lords of the realm to submit within a specified period, including Jiaozhou."

Shi Yi picked up the silk scroll and examined it closely. He frowned and said, "Lu Bu's tone is tough. If we do not surrender within six months, he will send troops to conquer us."

Shi Hui, young and impetuous, scoffed, "Jiaozhou is mountainous and remote, rife with miasma and plague. How can the armies of the Central Plains adapt? Even if Lü Bu has a million troops, what can they do to me?"

Shi Xie shook his head: "Hui'er, we must not underestimate the enemy. Lü Bu has already pacified the north. Once he has completed his consolidation, he will surely set his sights on the south. Although Jiaozhou is far away, it is not impossible for him to send a navy south by sea and up the river."

He looked at Shi Yi: "Third brother, you are in Cangwu, which borders Lingling in Jingzhou. Do you know anything about the movements in Jingzhou?"

Shi Yi said, "Liu Biao has strengthened the city's defenses and recruited soldiers, seemingly intending to ally with Yuan Shu against Lü Bu."

"This is a golden opportunity." Shi Xie stroked his beard. "If Liu Biao allies with Yuan Shu against Lü Bu, he will surely draw Lü Bu's main force. We in Jiaozhou can feign submission and send envoys to pay tribute, but in reality, we will observe the situation. If Lü Bu wins, I will truly surrender; if Lü Bu loses, I will establish myself."

Shi Yi hesitated: "Brother, Lü Bu is demanding the sending of a hostage..."

"Send it." Shi Xie said decisively, "Select a son from the clan, adopt him as my son, and send him to Chang'an as a hostage. Also present ten pairs of ivory, one hundred rhinoceros horns, and one thousand catties of spices to show our obedience."

He paused, then said, “However, military power cannot be handed over, and taxes cannot be paid. Jiaozhou is remote and beyond the reach of the imperial court. Lü Bu has just pacified the north and may not be willing to send troops on a long expedition to Jiaozhou. I can submit a memorial stating that Jiaozhou is poor and its taxes are meager, and we are willing to pay tribute of local products annually, but request that we be exempted from reorganizing the army.”

The soldiers worried, "What if Lü Bu refuses and sends troops to attack?"

"Then let's fight." A fierce glint flashed in Shi Xie's eyes. "Our Shi family has managed Jiaozhou for decades, with tens of thousands of soldiers. We are familiar with the terrain and can defend our strongholds. We may not necessarily lose. Moreover, Jiaozhou is plagued by miasma, and the soldiers from the Central Plains are not used to the climate and water. They will be exhausted if the war drags on."

He looked around at everyone: "Immediately send envoys to Chang'an to submit a memorial acknowledging our submission and offering tribute. At the same time, strengthen the army, fortify the passes, and stockpile provisions. Remember, appear outwardly obedient, but secretly prepare for war."

"promise!"

Shi Xie then said to Shi Hui, "You shall personally go to Hepu County to oversee the construction of warships and the training of the navy in preparation for naval battles."

Shi Hui accepted the order and left.

……

Pingyu City, Runan, Yuzhou.

The atmosphere in the council hall of the governor's mansion was heavy. Yuan Shu sat in the main seat, his face gloomy. To his left were his advisors Yang Hong, Yan Xiang, and Yuan Yin, and to his right were his generals Ji Ling, Zhang Xun, Qiao Rui, Yue Jiu, Li Feng, and Liang Gang.

"Gentlemen, the latest news," Yuan Shu said in a hoarse voice, "Sun Ce has sent an envoy to Lü Bu to pledge allegiance and request the position of Governor of Yangzhou; Shi Xie has also submitted a memorial to submit and offered tribute; Liu Biao, because of his status as a member of the Han imperial family, cannot surrender to Lü Bu and is preparing for war, but he does not want to face Lü Bu's army directly and wants to join forces with me to resist Lü Bu. The southern warlords each have their own thoughts."

Ji Ling angrily said, "Sun Ce, that brat, has no backbone whatsoever! If his father, Sun Jian, were alive, he would never have come to this!"

Zhang Xun sighed, "Lu Bu's power is overwhelming, and Sun Ce's temporary retreat is out of necessity."

"Helpless?" Yuan Yin sneered. "Sun Ce is known as the Little Conqueror of Jiangdong. How could he easily submit to someone else? I am certain that he intends to use Lü Bu's power to kill Huang Zu, annex Jiangxia, avenge his father, and strengthen himself. Once he is powerful enough, he will surely turn against his master."

Yan Xiang cupped his hands and said, "My lord, the most urgent task is to consolidate the military forces of Yuzhou, Nanyang, Jiujiang, and Lujiang, strengthen the city defenses, and stockpile grain. Lü Bu has given us six months; he will surely attack after the autumn harvest."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Shu looked at Ji Ling and asked, "How is the army reorganization going?"

Ji Lingdao said: "The troops have been reorganized according to the new system: 20,000 troops from Nanyang, commanded by Zhang Xun, will guard Wancheng and Xinye; 5,000 troops from Jiujiang, commanded by Qiao Rui, will guard Shouchun and Hefei; 5,000 troops from Lujiang, commanded by Yue Jiu, will guard Wancheng and Juchao; and 50,000 troops from Yuzhou, commanded by this humble general, will guard the various prefectures of Yuzhou. In addition, a 20,000-strong naval force will be established, commanded by Liang Gang, to patrol the Huai River and the Yangtze River."

"Only 100,000..." Yuan Shu murmured. "Lu Bu has nearly 300,000 elite troops under his command, and he also has new weapons. I'm afraid I can't defeat him."

Yan Xiang said, "My lord, you should recruit more able-bodied men. All men between the ages of fifteen and fifty should be trained. Also, conscript laborers to build city walls and dig deep moats in preparation for war."

Yuan Shu nodded helplessly: "That's the only way."

After the meeting, Yuan Shu stroked the brocade box beside the table, inside which was the jade seal that read "By the Mandate of Heaven, May Your Life Be Long and Prosperous".

His ambition swelled, yet he feared Lü Bu's military might; this internal conflict ultimately led to a long sigh.