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

It was evening on the eleventh day of the twelfth lunar month.

Lu Bu stood atop the highest pavilion in the palace, overlooking the entire city of Nanhe.

Smoke curled from chimneys throughout the city as people began preparing dinner. On the streets, patrols of Han soldiers and mixed groups of soldiers from the four former kingdoms passed each other peacefully. At the city gates, people came and went, some carrying firewood, others herding cattle and sheep—a scene of tranquility.

Guan Yu walked up to the pavilion and stood beside Lü Bu: "My lord, the initial reorganization of the surrendered troops from the four kingdoms is complete. A total of more than 15,000 people have volunteered to join the army, and they have all been registered and incorporated into the reserve camp. Once Ma Chao's arrangements are finalized, they can be sent to Liuzhong in batches for training."

Lü Bu nodded: "Yun Chang, you've worked hard."

Guan Yu said, "This humble general is not tired. It is our lord who has been more tired than any of us these past few days, handling government affairs, pacifying the surrendered people, and planning the western expedition."

Lü Bu smiled and said, "Tired? Not at all. I wish I could make one day count as two, pacify the Western Regions as soon as possible, return to the Central Plains, and unify the world."

Guan Yu remained silent for a moment, then said, "My lord, I have something to say, but I don't know if I should."

"explain."

"My lord's pacification of the Western Regions, the establishment of counties and officials, and the incorporation of troops are undoubtedly acts of great talent and strategy. However, the customs of the various kingdoms in the Western Regions are different, their languages ​​are not mutually intelligible, and their people are not yet loyal. If we act too hastily, we fear it may lead to unrest," Guan Yu said. "In the past, Ban Chao pacified the Western Regions by using barbarians to control barbarians, combining leniency and severity, and it took more than thirty years to achieve complete pacification. Although my lord possesses divine abilities and his military might is invincible, winning over the hearts of the people will still take time."

Lü Bu looked at Guan Yu with a deep gaze: "I understand what Yun Chang has to say. Therefore, I am not in a hurry to disperse all the troops of the four kingdoms, but to temporarily organize them into reserve camps, and wait for Ma Chao to train them slowly. I am also not in a hurry to abolish all old customs, but to first establish county governments, send Han officials to govern them, and gradually implement Han laws."

He paused, gazing at the western horizon: "But some things cannot wait. For example, Long'an, and Kucha. If we don't capture them quickly and allow them to establish a foothold in Kucha, they will surely become a major threat in the future. Furthermore, if Kucha harbors Long'an without punishment, what will the other Western Region states think? They will think the Han court is weak and easily bullied; who will respect the Han court then?"

Guan Yu nodded: "What you say is absolutely right, my lord. The way to last is to use both kindness and severity."

Lü Bu turned and descended the stairs: "Yun Chang, issue the order: On the fourteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, the army will march west. You, Zhang Fei, Dian Wei, and Xu Chu will accompany the army. The three kings, Hu Lan Di, Bi Mi Duo, and Du Lü Jian, will each lead their personal guards to observe the battle. Furthermore, Qu Mi Tu will serve as the guide, leading three thousand surrendered soldiers from the four counties of Yanqi as the vanguard."

"promise!"

It was the fourteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, early morning.

Outside the west gate of Nanhe City, three thousand elite Han cavalry (one thousand were left to guard the four counties of Yanqi and await Ma Chao's takeover) and three thousand surrendered soldiers from the four counties of Yanqi, totaling six thousand men, were lined up and ready to go.

Banners fluttered, and swords and spears stood like a forest.

Lu Bu, clad in golden armor and with a long sword at his waist, stood at the front of the battle line on horseback. His Red Hare snorted and pawed at the ground, seemingly sensing its master's fighting spirit.

Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Dian Wei, Xu Chu, and Qiequ Mitu each led their own troops, positioned on the left and right respectively.

Kings Hulandi, Himita, and Dulujian, accompanied by dozens of personal guards, stood aside to observe the ceremony.

Lü Bu surveyed his troops and proclaimed loudly, "Long An, Ju Chequ, and Chili colluded with the Xiongnu, massacred the Cheshi, and murdered the King of the Mountain Kingdom—their crimes are heinous! Now they have fled to Kucha, and Kucha's acceptance of them is tantamount to making enemies of the Han!"

"I will lead you on a western expedition to capture the ringleaders, avenge the dead, and restore the prestige of the Han court!"

"Anyone who resists will be killed without mercy!"

"Anyone who aids and abets evil shall be killed without mercy!"

"Anyone who harbors a fugitive will be executed without mercy!"

"Set off!"

The war drums sounded, and the bugles blared.

The 6,000-strong army, like a rolling iron torrent, headed west.

In the royal palace of Yancheng, the capital of Kucha, King Bai Ba of Kucha sat in the main seat.

Although he was the king, there was a hint of timidity in his eyes, and his gaze would occasionally glance at the important ministers sitting in the hall.

Prime Minister Nali sat at the head of the table on the right. He was nearly sixty years old, with gray hair and beard, a thin face, but exceptionally sharp eyes. He was one of the de facto rulers of Kucha, controlling the government for over twenty years and serving as king for two generations.

Bo Chou, the younger brother of General Bo Mi, sat in the first seat on the left. He was broad-shouldered and burly, with a face full of fat. He was in his early forties and was Bo Mi's representative in the court.

The second person on the left is the great shaman Qiemojiu, who is over sixty years old. He wears a tall crown, a wide robe covered with constellations, holds a staff, and is meditating with his eyes closed.

The second person on the right is Bai Mo, the Marquis of Xi, who is in charge of royal affairs. He is in his early fifties and is Bai Ba's uncle. He has a kind face.

On either side of His Highness sat a dozen or so civil and military officials.

The atmosphere in the hall was solemn.

Bai Ba cleared his throat and said, "Gentlemen, an urgent report has arrived from the east. Lü Bu, the King of Jin of the Han court, has led his army past Zheliu Valley, and the four kingdoms of Yanqi have been destroyed."

An uproar erupted in the hall.

Bo Chou suddenly stood up: "What?! Twenty thousand troops from the four kingdoms of Yanqi are gone just like that? And it's only been a few days?"

Bai Mo frowned as well: "Your Majesty, is the news accurate?"

Bai Ba nodded: "That's right. Long An, Ju Chequ, and Chili have fled to Wulei City in the eastern border of my Kucha. According to them, Lü Bu has supernatural abilities, such as being able to conjure objects out of thin air and dam rivers to store water, flooding Zheliu Valley overnight, and killing all two thousand garrison soldiers."

"Conjuring things out of thin air?" Bo Chou scoffed. "That scoundrel Long An, having lost the royal court, naturally wants to exaggerate the enemy's abilities to glorify himself. Does Your Majesty really believe such nonsense?"

The great shaman Qiemo Jiu opened his eyes and said in a pretentious manner, "This old minister observed the stars last night, and there was no unusual phenomenon in the east. If a divine being were to descend to earth, there would surely be celestial signs. What Long An said is probably an exaggeration."

Nali pondered for a moment and said, "Long An's words may be exaggerated, but it is a fact that the four kingdoms of Yanqi have indeed perished. Lü Bu must have extraordinary abilities to defeat the Xiongnu and Yanqi in just a few months. Our army must be on guard."

Bo Chou waved his hand: "Prime Minister, you are overthinking it. The four kingdoms of Yanqi are a rabble. The likes of Long'an and Juchequ have never fought a battle before. It's normal that they were terrified by the Han army. Our Kucha army is strong, well-trained, and far superior to theirs."

He clasped his hands in a fist salute to Bai Ba and said, "Your Majesty, I believe that we should quickly send reinforcements to Wulei and order my elder brother, Bo Mi, to lead the army to hold the position. The Han army has come from afar and their supplies are limited. If we can hold them off for a month, they will run out of food and naturally retreat."

Nali nodded: "General Bochou's words are reasonable. However, the troops currently stationed in Wulei are probably insufficient. I suggest that we draw elite troops from the royal court to reinforce Wulei. At the same time, we should summon troops from the three kingdoms of Gumo, Wensu, and Weitou to join us in Wulei as soon as possible."

Bai Mo continued, "The King of Gumo has already sent an envoy to report that he is willing to send 3,000 troops to assist in the battle. The kingdoms of Wensu and Weitou also each have 2,000 troops available. Together, the three kingdoms have 7,000 troops, plus my 20,000 troops from Kucha, so Wulei can gather 30,000 troops. No matter how strong Lü Bu is, he can forget about breaking through the city."

Bai Ba's face lit up with joy: "That's excellent. Even if Lu Bu has extraordinary abilities, he won't be able to break through the city with 30,000 men."

Nali then said, "Your Majesty, I believe we should also send envoys to Wusun, Dayuan, and Shule, using the principle of 'if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold,' to ask them to send troops to help us. If Kucha falls, they will be next. As long as they are willing to send troops, even if it is just to make a show of force, it will be enough to intimidate the Han army."

Bo Chou frowned: "The Great Kunmi Dieyanhu of Wusun has a long-standing grudge against my Kucha. How could he possibly send troops?"

Nali laughed and said, "Lü Bu is tyrannical. He has been seizing military power in the states of Cheshi and Yanqi, and has even abolished the states and established counties. If Dieyanhu does not send troops, after the Han army destroys Kucha, Wusun will be next. No matter how much he hates Kucha, he will not joke with his throne and military power."

Bai Ba nodded repeatedly: "What the Prime Minister said is absolutely right. Then let's draft a letter and send it to Wusun, Dayuan, and Shule, asking them to send reinforcements as soon as possible."

He paused, then looked outside the hall: "Guards, summon Long An, Ju Chequ, and Chili to the hall."