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

On the fourth day of the seventh month, after finishing the military affairs of the Bahe camp and handing over the reorganization of surrendered soldiers and the resettlement of prisoners to Zhang Liao, Hao Meng and others, Lü Bu led some of his personal guards and generals, escorting some of the captured supplies, back to the main camp in Shangluo County, which was located behind Yaoguan.

The news had already reached Shangluo.

When Lü Bu's troops arrived outside Shangluo County, the scene he saw moved him slightly.

The city gates were wide open, and the roadsides were packed with people who had come to welcome them!

Men, women, young and old, everyone wore genuine smiles and showed respect.

Many people also carried baskets filled with eggs, dried fruit, or even a little bit of cured meat that they themselves couldn't bear to eat.

General Meng Cheng, the chief clerk of the General's Mansion, stood respectfully at the city gate with a group of county officials and city defense soldiers.

"Welcome back in triumph, Marquis Wen!"

"May Marquis Wen be victorious!"

Upon seeing Lü Bu, the crowd erupted in enthusiastic cheers, wave after wave of applause.

An elderly man with white hair and beard walked forward shakily, trying to stuff a few eggs, still covered in mud, from his basket into the hands of Lü Bu's personal guard: "Sir, please accept this. It's a small token of our gratitude to Marquis Wen for winning the battle and ensuring the safety of our region!"

The guards quickly declined and looked at Lü Bu.

A warm feeling welled up in Lü Bu's heart. He dismounted, walked to the old man, and said gently, "Old man, I appreciate your kindness. Keep these things for yourselves. Protecting the territory and ensuring the safety of the people is our duty."

The old man was so moved that tears streamed down his face as he repeatedly bowed, exclaiming, "Heavens above! Lord Wen is truly a just and upright official! I've lived for seventy years and have never seen an army like Lord Wen's! They don't plunder grain, they don't conscript laborers, and they even pay and feed those who work! This... this is a scene only seen in prosperous times!"

A middle-aged man beside him chimed in loudly, "That's right! Before Lord Wen came, those government troops were no different from bandits! Only after Lord Wen arrived could we farm and work to support our families in peace! We heard that Lord Wen won another great victory at the Ba River, driving away those bandit soldiers of Li Jue and Guo Si. We couldn't be happier!"

"Following Lord Wen, we'll have food to eat and a way to survive!"

The people echoed their sentiments, their words simple yet heartfelt.

Looking at these hopeful faces, Lü Bu deeply felt the power of the people's hearts.

The key to his ability to quickly establish himself in this chaotic world was the continuous supply of resources provided by the system.

These supplies allowed him to avoid the tyrannical exploitation of the people that other warlords did. Instead, he could "relieve through work," engage in fair trade, and even provide appropriate relief, thus winning the support of the common people.

He raised his hand to suppress the cheers and said to the crowd, "I am deeply grateful for the kindness of my fellow villagers! As long as I, Lü Bu, am here, I will do my utmost to protect the peace of this region! I will ensure that everyone has food to eat, clothes to wear, and the ability to survive and live a good life!"

"Lord Wen is benevolent and righteous!"

Cheers erupted once again.

Surrounded by the spontaneous crowd of the people, Lü Bu and his entourage entered Shangluo County in a grand procession.

The streets were also crowded with people, and many children excitedly chased after the procession, only to be pulled back by adults with smiles.

Upon returning to the General's Mansion (an expanded version of the former county government office), Yan Yuan and Diao Chan were already waiting at the entrance with Lü Qiling.

Upon seeing Lü Bu return safely, the mother and her two daughters breathed a sigh of relief, their faces beaming with contentment.

"My husband."

"General."

"father!"

Lu Bu stepped forward, gently hugged his daughter Lu Qiling, and nodded to Yan Yuan and Diao Chan: "Thank you for your hard work at home."

Yan Yuan said softly, "My husband is fighting on the front lines, which is truly hard work. Everything is fine at home, and the warehouse is as usual."

Her tone was slightly different when she mentioned the warehouse.

As the actual manager, she knew better than outsiders about the "strange" nature of the warehouse supplies, which seemed to be inexhaustible. However, she remembered Lü Bu's instructions and never investigated further, nor did she allow anyone to inquire.

Diao Chan also said softly, "It's good that the general is unharmed."

Lu Bu nodded without saying anything more.

The system's secrets must not be told to anyone, including family members.

This is not about distrust, but rather the less people who know, the safer it is.

He gave the order to hold a small family banquet at his residence that evening, and to reward the personal guards and officials who had performed meritorious service that day.

Subsequently, Lü Bu summoned Meng Cheng, the chief official, Zuo Feng, the garrison commander of Yaoguan, Cao Xing, the garrison commander of Wuguan, and others to hear reports on the situation along the Shangluo and Wuguan roads during this period.

Meng Cheng reported: "General, as you instructed, the work-for-relief program continues, and the resettlement of displaced people is proceeding in an orderly manner. The population of Lantian, Shangluo, Shangxian, and surrounding towns has now increased to nearly 70,000. Public morale is stable, and the market is gradually prospering. However, the amount of money, food, and supplies needed in various places is enormous. Although replenishments are made daily, it remains to be seen whether this can sustain a stable supply in the long run."

He didn't say it explicitly, but his meaning was clear: he was worried and puzzled by the generous material supply policy under Lü Bu's rule.

Lu Bu waved his hand, interrupting him: "Chief Meng, there's no need to worry. I'll take care of the supplies. You just need to manage the administration, appease the refugees, and maintain order. Remember, we are different from other warlords; our foundation lies in the hearts of the people. Only by treating the people well can we last."

"I understand." Seeing that Lü Bu was unwilling to talk more, Meng Cheng wisely stopped asking questions.

Zuo Feng reported on the city defenses and military training in Yaoguan, Lantian County, and Shangluo County, and everything went smoothly.

Newly recruited able-bodied men and some well-performing surrendered soldiers were added to the city's garrison, where they were trained by veterans from Bingzhou, and their combat effectiveness was steadily improving.

Cao Xing reported on the situation at Wuguan Pass in the south. The magistrate of Danshui County, under Yuan Shu, had sent someone to investigate the situation at Wuguan Pass. He found that Lu Bu's army was stationed there and was heavily guarded, so he did not make any rash moves.

Now that Lü Bu has decisively defeated Guo Si's 50,000-strong army, it's likely that the magistrate of Danshui County and Yuan Shu will be even less likely to make any moves to attack Wuguan Pass.

As he listened to the report, Lü Bu began to make his own plans.

Now he possesses the strategic advantage of Wuguan Pass, with a force of over 10,000 (including newly recruited soldiers and returning former Bingzhou troops). He enjoys popular support, ample food and military supplies (mainly thanks to the system), and daily skill points that steadily improve his strength.

It can be said that they have already initially acquired the capital to carve out a territory in this chaotic world, or even to plot for greater things.

After this defeat, Li Jue and Guo Si will likely be unable to look south for a short period of time.

According to historical prophecy, Yuan Shu's focus is mainly on Huainan, and he will not easily provoke him.

Next, we must continue to solidify our foundation, accumulate strength, gather more refugees, and wait for the right opportunity.

"Upgrading the safe zone to level four requires 100,000 people." Lu Bu turned his gaze northward to the vast Sanfu region, ravaged by war and with a large pool of refugees to absorb. "It seems the next key focus will be on population."

In his mind, a strategic blueprint for gradually encroaching on Guanzhong, based on the Wuguan Road, and finally counterattacking Chang'an became increasingly clear.