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

The order was issued, and the towns and villages around Yancheng, which belonged to Kucha, immediately erupted in excitement.

In the streets and alleys, squads of soldiers went door to door, knocking on doors to conscript laborers.

"Quickly, pack your things and head to the east gate!"

"All males over the age of fifteen, go!"

"Those who refuse to go will be treated as traitors!"

The people were panicked and disoriented, with the elderly and children scattered in disarray.

On the nineteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, in Mo City, the capital of the Gumo Kingdom.

When King Bogan of Gumo received the order from the King of Kucha, his expression changed constantly.

He was about fifty years old, short and stout, dressed in a magnificent robe, with three gemstone rings on his fingers. Inside the hall, the prime minister, the general, and other important officials were gathered.

Bo Gan waved the silk scroll in his hand: "Kucha is urging us to send troops, three thousand men, who must reach Wulei within three days. What do you think?"

General Qiedi clasped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, the lips are gone and the teeth are cold. If Kucha falls, my Gumo will be next. I am willing to lead the troops there."

Prime Minister Hu Lu shook his head: "Wait a minute. According to the merchants who escaped, Lü Bu, the King of Jin of the Han court, possesses supernatural abilities and can conjure objects out of thin air. He has either abolished or annexed the kingdoms of Cheshi and Yanqi. General Bo Mi of Kucha personally led five thousand elite cavalry to raid the camp, but was utterly defeated. With such fighting power, what use would our three thousand men be?"

Qiedi frowned: "Does the Prime Minister mean we won't send reinforcements?"

Hulu said, "It's not that we don't want to help, but we need to assess the situation. If Kucha can hold out, our intervention will be a timely help. If Kucha cannot hold out, our intervention will be a death sentence."

Bo Gan scratched his head: "So, should we go out or not?"

Hu Lu pondered for a moment and said, "Go out, but go out slowly and deliberately. First, send scouts to scout the battle situation. If Kucha has the upper hand, we'll hurry over there. If Kucha is in trouble, we'll take our time and wait for the battle to end before adapting to the situation."

Bo Gan suddenly realized: "Prime Minister, you are brilliant! Then let's do as you say. First, send five hundred cavalry to scout ahead, and the main army will follow slowly."

Qiedi hesitated for a moment, then sighed, clasped his hands in a fist and said, "As you command."

……

Meanwhile, in Wensu City, the capital of the Wensu Kingdom.

King Qiu Fu of Wensu sat on his throne, listening calmly as the envoy from Kucha read out the royal decree.

He was about forty years old, with a wiry build and sharp eyes. The hall was filled with military officers, each burly and imposing, exuding a murderous aura.

After the envoy finished reading, Qiu Fu said calmly, "Understood. Please report to the King of Kucha, and Wen Su will surely send troops to help."

The envoy was overjoyed, bowed in gratitude, and departed.

After the envoy left the hall, General Bo Xu asked, "Your Majesty, are you really sending troops?"

Qiu Fu sneered: "Go out? Why wouldn't we? If Kucha falls, we'll be next. But..."

He paused for a moment, then said, "We can send troops, but we must keep a backup plan. Bo Xu, you will lead two thousand soldiers there and act according to the situation. If the Han army is really as powerful as rumored, then we should just put on a show of force and not actually offend the Han army."

Bo Xu clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Understood."

Qiu Fu added, "Send scouts to keep a close watch on the battle. Report any changes immediately."

"yes!"

……

The capital of the Kingdom of Yutou is Yutou Valley.

King Ronglu, the commander of the army, sat in his royal tent with the decree of the King of Kucha laid out before him, his brow furrowed.

He was about thirty years old, broad-shouldered and burly, the youngest of the three kings. Several tribal chiefs, all rugged men, sat in the tent.

"Your Majesty," a chieftain said, "Kucha is urging us to send troops. Should we go or not?"

Rong Lu pondered for a moment and said, "Send them out, of course we'll send them out. But our small country of Weitou only has two thousand soldiers. If we send them all out, we'll be left with nothing."

Another leader said, "Then send a thousand? Just to make do?"

Rong Lu shook his head: "Deal with it? Can we even get past the Kucha border?"

He thought for a moment and said, "In this way, I will personally lead 1,500 cavalry, leaving 500 to guard the home base. When we reach Wulei, we will assess the situation. If we can fight, we will fight; if we cannot, we will retreat. At that time, Kucha will be facing the Han army directly, and they will have difficulty even protecting themselves, let alone holding us accountable."

The leaders all nodded in agreement: "Brother, you are brilliant."

……

Chigu City, the royal court of the Wusun Kingdom.

The Great Kunmi, Dieyanhu, sat on a throne draped in golden wolf skin, holding a letter from Kucha pleading for aid, a slight smile playing on his lips. (Note: The title Kunmi is similar to King or Chanyu. The Great Kunmi was the legitimate ruler of Wusun, occupying most of the western Tianshan Mountains and the middle and upper reaches of the Ili River. The Lesser Kunmi were a separatist force supported by the Northern Xiongnu, occupying the northwestern part of Wusun, bordering the Northern Xiongnu, and attempting to seize control of the entire Wusun region with their support.)

Inside the hall, more than ten people, including the Left General Ulan Beg, the Right Grand General Huyan Jie, the Assistant Marquis Zhuanqu, and the Commandant of Xihou, sat on both sides.

Ulan Beg spoke first: "Your Majesty, Kucha has asked for help; our fate is intertwined. If the Han army destroys Kucha, our Wusun will be next. I believe we should send reinforcements immediately."

Huyan Jie shook his head: "General Zuo is mistaken. Kucha and Wusun have been at war for years, seizing our pastures, killing our people, and plundering our cattle and sheep. This grudge has not been avenged. Now that the Han army is attacking, it is a golden opportunity. We should take this opportunity to take revenge, not put out a fire."

Zhuanqu stroked his beard and said, "What You Daqiequ said makes sense, but the saying 'if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold' is also true. If Kucha falls, the Han army will be bordering our Wusun, and trouble will surely arise in the future. It would be better to take advantage of the Han army's long journey, join forces with Kucha, and repel them. We can deal with Kucha slowly later."

Ulanboke nodded: "The Marquis of Fuguo is right. Let's join forces to repel the enemy first, and then settle old scores."

Hu Yanjie sneered, "Join forces? Can that brat Bai Ba be trusted? Even if we repel the Han army, they won't be grateful to us."

There was much discussion in the hall, with each person holding their own opinion.

Die Yanhu raised his hand, and the crowd gradually quieted down.

He slowly began, "What you all say makes sense, but there's one thing you've considered?"

Everyone focused their attention.

Die Yanhu said, "The Han court's King of Jin, Lü Bu, defeated the Xiongnu, Cheshi, and Yanqi in a matter of months, destroying their kingdoms, establishing counties, and incorporating their troops. Have you ever seen such methods?"

The crowd shook their heads.

Die Yanhu continued, "According to the merchants who escaped, Lü Bu possesses supernatural abilities and can conjure objects out of thin air. The Kucha general, Bo Mi, led five thousand elite cavalry in a night raid, but was utterly defeated. Do you think Kucha can hold out?"

Ulanbok was taken aback: "Does Your Majesty mean that Kucha is doomed?"

Die Yanhu nodded: "They will perish. It's not that Kucha is too weak, it's that Lü Bu is too strong. Even if we send troops, we'll only be sending more heads to die."

Hu Yanjie asked, "Does Your Majesty mean to sit idly by and do nothing?"

Dieyanhu shook his head: "No, we will send troops, but not to help Kucha."

Everyone was taken aback.

Die Yanhu stood up, walked to the map on the side of the hall, and pointed to the three kingdoms of Weitou, Wensu, and Gumo: "These three kingdoms are not strong militarily, but their locations are crucial. If we can take these three kingdoms before the Han army, we will control the throat of the northern route of the Silk Road."

He paused, then pointed to Kucha: "Once the Han army and Kucha are both exhausted, we will launch an attack from the west and take Kucha in one fell swoop. At that time, the central section of the northern route of the Western Regions will be entirely in our hands."

Ulan Beg suddenly realized: "Does Your Majesty intend to take this opportunity to destroy these three kingdoms and expand your territory?"

Dieyanhu laughed and said, "Yes, the conflict between the two powerful forces of Kucha and the Han army is the perfect opportunity for us to expand our territory and reap the benefits."

Hu Yanjie slapped the table in admiration: "Brilliant! Your Majesty's plan kills two birds with one stone!"

Zhuanqu frowned: "Your Majesty, what if Lü Bu refuses to share the spoils with us and attacks us again after conquering Kucha?"

Die Yanhu laughed and said, "I will have my own way of persuading Lü Bu when the time comes."

He looked at Ulan Beg: "General Zuo, you will lead 10,000 elite cavalry south immediately. Targets: Weitou, Wensu, and Gumo. Try to persuade them to surrender if possible; otherwise, launch a full-scale attack. Make sure to conquer these three kingdoms before the Han army breaks through Kucha!"

Ulanbok clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Yes, sir!"

Dieyanhu then said, "Send another envoy with a letter in my own handwriting to see Lü Bu. Tell him that Wusun is willing to form an alliance with the Han court to attack Kucha from both the east and the west. After the matter is accomplished, Kucha will belong to Han, and Weitou, Wensu, and Gumo will belong to Wusun. If he agrees, Wusun will be a vassal state of Han forever, paying tribute every year and guarding the western border for the Han court to resist the Xiongnu, Dayuan, Kangju, Yuezhi, and other countries."

Zhuanqu accepted the order: "Your subject will take care of it immediately."