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

February 5th, Yancheng Royal Palace.

Lu Bu looked at the document sent by Ma Chao and nodded slightly: "The kingdoms of Loulan, Shanshan, Jingjue, Yuzhi, Shule, and the Pamir Mountains have all submitted their petitions of allegiance. The northern and southern routes of the Western Regions are now entirely under Han control."

Zhang Fei grinned and said, "My lord, this time we've truly pacified the Western Regions! It only took four or five months, much faster than Ban Chao's victory back then!"

Lü Bu shook his head: "Ban Chao's strategy of using barbarians to control barbarians is true strategy. I relied on the power of the divine granary bestowed by heaven, which was merely a clever trick."

Zhang Fei said, "Who cares about taking shortcuts or not? The Western Regions are ours now! The Silk Road will be safer, merchants can travel with peace of mind, and the imperial court's tax revenue will increase!"

Dian Wei also asked, "My lord, when shall we return to Chang'an?"

Lu Bu pondered for a moment and said, "Let's wait a few more days before we set off."

He paused, then said, "Order Ma Chao that after the Western Regions Prefectural Administration is upgraded, it will be in charge of all military and political affairs in the Western Regions. Officials in the counties of Kucha, Yanqi, Cheshi, and Xihai should be appointed as soon as possible. Surrendered soldiers should be reorganized, and the best should be selected to supplement the 9th Army. The 9th Army will be expanded to 20,000 men and will be commanded by Ma Chao. As for the troops of other countries, those that can be incorporated should be incorporated, and those that cannot be incorporated should be disbanded."

"Furthermore, the Xihai Commandery will be temporarily administered by Yufuluo of the Southern Xiongnu, and a Han official will be appointed to take over after he returns to the Ordos region. All tribes surrounding Jinwei Mountain will be incorporated into the Han Chinese government to prevent any future troubles."

"promise!"

……

February 10th, Wuwei County, Liangzhou.

Liangzhou Governor Ma Teng sat in his mansion, looking at the letter in his hand with a furrowed brow.

In the letter, his son Ma Chao gave a detailed account of the King of Jin's pacification of the Western Regions: how he defeated the Xiongnu, how he subdued the Cheshi, how he subdued Yanqi and Kucha, and how he forced the Wusun to submit to a marriage alliance.

Finally, Ma Chao wrote:

"Father, I hold sole command of the military and political affairs of the Western Regions, and my 9th Army is about to expand to 20,000 men. All the kingdoms of the Western Regions are at my disposal. Father, you also control the finances and provisions of Liangzhou. With father and son sharing control of the Northwest, I fear that the Prince of Jin will become suspicious. Therefore, I urge you to submit a memorial requesting a transfer to reassure the Prince of Jin."

After reading it, Ma Teng let out a long sigh.

Ma Chao is right. The father and son sharing control of Liangzhou and the Western Regions easily arouses suspicion. Although the Prince of Jin is benevolent, who can fathom the heart of an emperor?

He pondered for a long time, then picked up his pen and wrote:

"Your subject, Ma Teng, Governor of Liangzhou, respectfully submits this memorial: I was originally a warrior from Western Liang, but was entrusted with the post of Governor of Liangzhou by the Prince of Jin. However, I am growing old and my strength is waning, and I fear I am no longer capable of fulfilling the duties. Moreover, my son, Ma Chao, is trusted by the Prince of Jin and holds sole command of the military and political affairs of the Western Regions. It is unreasonable for father and son to each hold such an important position. I request to be transferred from Liangzhou and appointed to a more capable post. I wish to serve as an official in the interior, or remain in Chang'an in retirement, as I will obey the Prince of Jin's command. Your subject, Ma Teng, bows twice."

After he finished writing it, he ordered someone to send it to Chang'an by fast horse.

……

February 15th, Chang'an City.

Inside the Prince of Jin's residence, cabinet ministers Jia Xu, Chen Gong, Zhang Liao, Guo Jia, Xun You, and others were discussing matters.

Jia Xu, holding Ma Teng's memorial, laughed and said, "Ma Teng is quite sensible. He knows that his father and I are in charge of the Northwest, which arouses suspicion, so he took the initiative to request a transfer."

Chen Gong said, "Ma Teng's move is both for his own protection and for Ma Chao's. If he doesn't leave, Ma Chao won't be able to hold his position in the Western Regions."

Zhang Liao asked, "Ma Teng has requested a transfer. How does our lord intend to respond?"

Jia Xu said, "Our lord has not yet returned to Chang'an. In my opinion, we should send a letter to appease him first, and then discuss the matter again after our lord returns to the capital."

Guo Jia nodded: "Wenhe is absolutely right. Ma Teng's loyalty is commendable and he should be rewarded. As for the matter of his transfer, we can wait for our lord to return to make a decision."

Xun You asked, "If Ma Teng is transferred, who will succeed him as governor of Liang Province?"

Jia Xu pondered for a moment and said, "What about Wang Yi? He was originally the governor of Bingzhou, with a good record, and he is loyal to our lord. Transferring him to take over Liangzhou and sending Ma Teng to Bingzhou would be a good exchange, suitable for both of us."

Chen Gong nodded: "That's feasible. Wang Yi has governed Bingzhou for several years and has managed it very well. Transferring him to Liangzhou will also help stabilize the western frontier."

……

February 28th, outside the east gate of Yancheng.

The four thousand elite Han cavalry that Lü Bu brought from Chang'an were lined up and ready to go. Lü Bu rode Red Hare and stood in front of the formation.

Behind her, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Dian Wei, Xu Chu, and others followed closely. Die Lanzhu sat in the carriage, lifted the curtain, and gazed reluctantly towards the northwest towards Wusun.

At the city gate, Ma Chao, Su Yan, Wei Bing, Bai Ba, Qiequmitu, Nali, Bochou, Qiufu, Bogan, Ronglu, Hulandi, Bimituo, Dulujian and others knelt on the ground.

Ma Chao clasped his hands and said, "My lord, your journey is ten thousand miles long. I cannot accompany you, but I wish you a safe journey. As for the affairs of the Western Regions, I will do my utmost and live up to your trust!"

Lü Bu dismounted and helped Ma Chao up: "Mengqi, I'm entrusting the Western Regions to you. You're someone I trust, so do a good job. If you encounter any difficulties, send a messenger to Chang'an immediately."

Ma Chao kowtowed deeply: "Your subject obeys!"

Lü Bu then looked at Su Yan and Wei Bing: "The two of you will assist Mengqi in governing the Western Regions. Military and political affairs will be separated, each with their own responsibilities. In case of any disputes, Mengqi shall prevail."

Su Yan and Wei Bing replied in unison, "Your Majesty, we obey!"

Lü Bu looked at Bai Ba and the others: "Now that you have surrendered, you are Han subjects. Obey the orders of the Chief Clerk and the Han court will not mistreat your descendants."

Bai Ba and the others kowtowed repeatedly, saying, "We will serve you to the death!"

Lu Bu mounted his horse and waved, "Let's go!"

The war drums sounded, and the bugles blared.

Four thousand iron cavalrymen, like a rolling torrent, returned eastward.

……

March 10th, Wuwei County, Liangzhou.

When Lü Bu's army arrived, Ma Teng, the governor of Liangzhou, had already led his troops out of the city to welcome them.

Ma Teng knelt by the roadside: "Your subject, Ma Teng, Governor of Liangzhou, respectfully welcomes His Highness the Prince of Jin!"

Lü Bu dismounted and helped Ma Teng up: "Shoucheng, please rise. I have read your letter requesting a transfer. Your loyalty is commendable, and I am very pleased."

Ma Teng lowered his head and said, "It is unreasonable for my father and I to be in charge of the Northwest. I wish to be transferred to the interior to govern a region for the Prince of Jin."

Lü Bu nodded: "The cabinet recommends that you be appointed governor of Bingzhou, and Wang Yi be transferred to Liangzhou. Bingzhou is also a border region, so you can make good use of your strengths there. I have already approved your application."

Ma Teng was overjoyed and immediately kowtowed, saying, "Thank you for your grace, Prince Jin!"

Lü Bu then said, "Your son Ma Chao has done well in the Western Regions. I have promoted him to the position of Chief Administrator of the Western Regions, in charge of all military and political affairs there. You and your son will each guard a region, protecting the northwest for the Han court. I am at ease."

Ma Teng exclaimed excitedly, "Your father and I will serve you to the death!"

……

March 20th, ten miles west of Chang'an City.

Emperor Liu Xie, along with his civil and military officials, welcomed the triumphant return of Prince Lü Bu of Jin.

Liu Xie stood in front of the pavilion, his expression complex.

Four years ago, Lü Bu was driven out of Chang'an by Li Jue and Guo Si and fled in disarray. Now, he has swept across the Western Regions, his power shaking the world, and he has returned in triumph.

Nothing in life is more unpredictable than this.

In the distance, dust billowed as four thousand iron cavalrymen rolled in.

A large banner hung at the head, bearing the enormous character "[Jin]". Beneath the banner, Lü Bu, clad in golden armor and riding a red horse, stood majestically.

Liu Xie took a deep breath and led his entourage to greet the Prince of Jin: "I congratulate the Prince of Jin on his triumphant return!"

Lü Bu rode forward and bowed, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty. I was on a distant expedition to the Western Regions and was unable to serve Your Majesty. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me."

Liu Xie said in a panic, "The King of Jin has fought for the country and pacified the borders. He has rendered great service and made great contributions. What crime has he committed?"

Lü Bu smiled and looked at the civil and military officials kneeling on the ground: "Everyone, please rise. This western expedition of mine lasted half a year and covered tens of thousands of miles. I destroyed the Xiongnu, subdued the Cheshi, surrendered the Yanqi, pacified the Kucha, and quelled the Wusun. More than fifty kingdoms in the Western Regions have all come under the rule of the Han Dynasty. This is all thanks to the bravery of my soldiers and the support of the court."

Jia Xu stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, we admire your divine might. Please enter the city. The officials have prepared a banquet in the palace to welcome you and wash away the dust of your journey."

Lü Bu nodded: "Alright, let's enter the city!"