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

Upon hearing Lü Bu's threat, the atmosphere in the hall froze.

Hulandi and Bimituo turned pale. They knew that the King of Jin meant what he said. With the might of the Han army, annihilating their small states would be as easy as turning one's hand.

Du Lujian said in a trembling voice, "Prince Jin, if we comply, can we possibly preserve the throne?"

"Of course," Lü Bu's tone softened slightly. "If you are loyal to the Han court in protecting the land and its people, the throne can be passed down through generations. If your descendants are talented and virtuous, they can even serve as officials in the court. But if they harbor disloyal thoughts..."

He didn't finish speaking, but the meaning was clear.

The three kings looked at each other, exchanging glances.

Hu Landi recalled the destroyed royal court, the massacred people, and his own pathetic escape to Gaochangbi like a stray dog. If he didn't agree, he feared he wouldn't even be able to save his life.

He gritted his teeth, stood up and knelt down: "King Hulandi of the Former Cheshi Commandery is willing to obey the order of the King of Jin, hand over military power, and submit to the command of the Western Regions Protectorate of the Han Dynasty."

Himita and Dulijian also knelt down one after another: "Dongqie Mi (Hiru) is willing to obey the King of Jin's order."

Lü Bu nodded in satisfaction: "The three of you are all very understanding and righteous, which greatly pleases me. Once the Xiongnu are pacified, there will be rewards for you."

He ordered the three men to rise and said, "The most important thing now is to wipe out the Xubudanghe tribe. You are familiar with the terrain and can serve as guides to assist our army. After the battle, the property and livestock plundered by the Xiongnu will be returned to the respective countries as appropriate."

Upon hearing this, the three kings felt somewhat relieved and repeatedly expressed their gratitude.

That night, Lü Bu's army set up camp outside the city to rest.

Inside the central command tent, Lü Bu was discussing military matters with Guan Yu and Zhang Fei when a messenger arrived with a report from Ma Chao.

"My lord, a letter from General Ma." A guard presented the silk scroll.

Lu Bu unfolded it and examined it closely, a smile appearing on his face: "Mengqi is indeed a strategist."

Guan Yu asked, "What plan does Mengqi have?"

"He said that a herdsman from Dongqiemi secretly informed him that about two thousand Xiongnu cavalry were bypassing another valley in the Tianshan Mountains, preparing to outflank him from the rear. Mengqi decided to play along, pretending not to know, and confronted Xubudanghe in Dongqiemi, building siege equipment and making a show of force. When the Xiongnu reinforcements appeared, he offered to act as bait, asking me to lead the army to attack the rear of the Xiongnu reinforcements, so that we could attack them from both sides, destroy the reinforcements first, and then attack Xubudanghe."

Zhang Fei slapped his thigh: "Great plan! Mengqi, that kid, has a knack for warfare!"

Guan Yu stroked his beard and said, "Xu Bu Danghe thought that Meng Qi only had one army, but he did not know that our lord's main force had arrived. This battle can destroy his main force."

Lü Bu nodded and said to his personal guards, "Order that we send out more scouts, led by local Cheshi tribe guides familiar with the terrain, to closely monitor the movements of the Xiongnu. Tomorrow morning, the main army will set off for Dongqiemi."

"promise!"

On October 21, Lü Bu led 4,000 elite cavalrymen away from Gaochang and headed north at high speed.

With guides from Cheshi and Dongqiemi, the army avoided the treacherous Gobi Desert and marched along lush pastures. Along the way, they encountered scattered Xiongnu scouts, all of whom were killed by Han scouts, preventing any news from leaking out.

On the evening of October 22, the army arrived in Dongqiemi territory, about fifty li from the Dongqiemi royal court, Duixu Valley.

Lu Bu ordered his troops to set up camp and rest, with many sentry posts and a strict ban on smoking.

Inside the central command tent, Lü Bu summoned his generals for a meeting.

"According to the scouts, Xubu Danghe led more than 2,000 cavalry to retreat to Duixu Valley, relying on the existing stone city and camp to build defensive fortifications and make a show of holding out to the death." Lu Bu pointed to the map, "Ma Mengqi led 2,500 cavalry to set up camp five miles to the south, making siege equipment and showing that he was going to launch a strong attack on Duixu Valley."

Guan Yu squinted: "Xu Bu Dang He is waiting for reinforcements to arrive."

Zhang Fei shouted, "Where is that Xiongnu reinforcement army that took a detour?"

Lu Bu pointed to a valley on the map: "It's here, about thirty li from Duixu Valley, hidden in the mountains. They plan to launch a surprise attack from behind when Mengqi is attacking the city with all his might."

Zhang Fei said, "My lord, let me take a detachment and wipe out that reinforcement army!"

Lü Bu waved his hand: "No need to rush. Since Mengqi has already set up the bait, let's cooperate with him in this charade. Tomorrow, the army will continue to advance and hide twenty miles northeast of Duixu Valley. When the Xiongnu reinforcements are dispatched, we will strike again and annihilate them in one fell swoop."

He looked at Guan Yu: "Yun Chang, you will lead a thousand cavalry and lie in ambush behind the hills on the east side of Duixu Valley. Once the main force of the Xiongnu in the valley is engaged in battle with Meng Qi, you will launch a surprise attack on the city gate and seize Duixu Valley."

Guan Yu clasped his hands in a fist salute: "This humble general obeys the order."

"Yide," Lü Bu then looked at Zhang Fei, "you will lead a thousand cavalry to lie in ambush on the west side of Duixu Valley. If the Xiongnu flee in disarray, intercept and kill them."

Zhang Fei grinned: "Understood! Slaughter them without leaving a single survivor!"

"Dian Wei and Xu Chu will follow the central army and wait for the Xiongnu reinforcements to appear before striking directly into their rear."

"promise!"

The plan was decided, and the generals received their orders and left.

……

October 23rd, Dui Xugu.

The Eastern Qiemi royal court was located in a river valley, surrounded by mountains on three sides, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack. There was originally a stone city in the valley, which was the palace of the Eastern Qiemi king. The city walls were about ten feet high and were built of stone blocks.

After retreating to this place, Xubudanghe ordered his men to build another earthen wall outside the stone city, which was covered with wooden spikes, and a moat was dug outside the wall. Although it was not as fortified as the Han city, it was still a strategic location.

Inside the stone city, Xubudanghe was discussing matters with his generals.

"Where are Baldur's reinforcements?" Subudanha asked.

A centurion replied, "Yesterday the messenger reported that they had reached the northern valley of Tianshan, about twenty li from here. The bald-haired general said that once the Han army begins its attack on the city, he will lead his troops out from the south to join the king in a pincer attack."

Xubu Danghe nodded and then asked, "What is the movement of the Han army?"

"The Han army has set up camp five miles to the south and is building siege ladders and battering rams. It seems they are going to launch a strong attack."

Xubudanghe sneered, "Ma Chao thinks he can break through Duixu Valley with just over two thousand men? How naive! Send the order to the garrison to prepare, but not to hold out to the death. Once Tuoba Wuer's reinforcements arrive, we will go out of the city to meet them in battle, attacking from both sides and annihilating the Han army!"

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

At this moment, a sentry reported: "Your Majesty, the Han army has broken camp and is heading towards Duixu Valley!"

Xubudanghe's spirits lifted: "Good! Order all troops to prepare to meet the enemy!"

……

Five li south of Duixu Valley, in front of Ma Chao's army formation.

Ma Chao rode a white horse, holding a long spear, gazing at the valley ahead. Behind him stood two thousand five hundred riders, small in number but high in morale.

Vice General Wang rode forward: "General, the scouts report that the Xiongnu reinforcements have arrived and are hiding in the mountains fifteen miles to the south. The Xiongnu are gathering in Duixu Valley."

Ma Chao nodded: "Proceed according to plan. First, send 500 men to launch a feigned attack as a probing move. Once the Xiongnu reinforcements arrive, then launch a full-scale attack."

"promise!"

Ma Chao then said to his personal guards, "Send men to scout the rear and see if the lord's army has arrived."

"General, rest assured, a messenger reported last night that the Prince of Jin's army has already concealed itself twenty miles to the northeast."

Ma Chao felt reassured and pointed his spear forward: "Attack!"

The drums of the Han army sounded loudly as five hundred infantrymen pushed makeshift ladders and battering rams, slowly advancing towards Duixu Valley. Cavalry guarded the flanks to prevent a surprise attack by the Xiongnu.