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

After Lü Bu built the makeshift bridge, Zhang Fei led the Han army across the river, swarming in through the gap in the collapsed city wall, and then opened the city gate.

Lu Bu rode into the city and saw that it was in ruins, with houses everywhere smashed by stones. In the streets and alleys, abandoned soldiers knelt on the ground, trembling.

A surrendered soldier knelt before Lü Bu's horse, trembling as he pleaded, "General, Deng Ji has escaped again through the water gate! Please spare my life!"

Lu Bu sneered, "This Deng Ji really is a general who runs away. He fled from Xinye to Fancheng, and now he's run from Fancheng to Xiangyang?"

Zhang Fei grinned and said, "Don't worry, my lord, Xiangyang is the capital of Jingzhou. He has nowhere else to run!"

……

On the south bank of the Han River, atop the water gate tower north of Xiangyang City.

Liu Biao stood atop the city wall, gazing northwards. The setting sun cast its golden light upon the shimmering Han River. Across the river, from Fancheng, thick smoke billowed, and the banners of the Han army could be faintly seen fluttering atop the city walls.

His face was ashen, and he remained silent. Beside him, on the ground, lay Deng Ji kneeling.

Behind him, Wen Ping, Cai Mao, Kuai Liang, Kuai Yue and others stood solemnly, their faces also grave.

After a long silence, Liu Biao slowly said, "Fancheng... is lost."

Wen Ping glanced at Deng Ji, who was kneeling disheveled to the side, and gritted his teeth, saying, "My lord, Deng Ji is incompetent! If I had been in charge of defending Fancheng, it would never have fallen so quickly!"

Liu Biao shook his head and sighed, "It's not Deng Ji's fault. You all saw it: Lü Bu built a stone platform, over thirty zhang high, and set up catapults on it to bombard the city from above. How could Fancheng possibly hold out?"

He paused, then looked at Deng Ji: "Deng Ji, have you seen it clearly?"

Deng Ji said, "My lord, I have seen clearly. Lü Bu truly possesses the divine ability to produce provisions and supplies. He can not only take things out of thin air and carry them on long-distance raids, but he can also build stone platforms. Today, he built a stone platform, reaching a height of over thirty zhang in less than two hours. Such abilities are beyond human capabilities."

Liu Biao took a deep breath and said, "Send down the order to strengthen the defenses of Xiangyang. Increase patrols along the Han River. De Gui, you lead the navy to patrol the river day and night, and be vigilant against Lü Bu crossing the river."

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

Liu Biao then said, "Zhongye, you are in charge of the defense of Xiangyang. Prepare more defensive weapons and reinforce the city walls. If Lü Bu crosses the river to attack, we will have another battle."

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

Liu Biao looked at Kuai Liang and Kuai Yue: "Zi Rou and Yi Du, you two are responsible for procuring provisions and pacifying the people. If Xiangyang is besieged, provisions are the top priority."

Kuai Liang and Kuai Yue replied in unison, "Yes, sir!"

Liu Biao took one last look at Fancheng on the opposite bank, then turned and descended the city wall.

……

That evening, in Kuai Liang's residence in Xiangyang City.

Kuai Liang and Kuai Yue dismissed their attendants and spoke in private.

Kuai Liang whispered, "Brother Zhong, you saw it today, didn't you? Lü Bu built a stone platform, over thirty zhang high, and used catapults to bombard the city. In less than two hours, he breached Fancheng. Although Xiangyang is fortified, how can it be defended?"

Kuai Yue nodded: "What you say is absolutely right, elder brother. Although Liu Biao sent Wen Ping to guard the city and Cai Mao to patrol the river, Cai Mao is one of our men. Wen Ping alone cannot hold the line."

Kuai Liang asked, "When will we assist Lü Bu in crossing the river?"

Kuai Yue pondered for a moment and said, "No rush. Lü Bu has just captured Fancheng and may need to rest. He also needs to investigate the situation in Xiangyang and won't cross the river immediately. Let's send an envoy to contact Lü Bu first, and then make further plans."

Kuai Liang nodded: "That makes sense. By the way, has anyone been sent to contact Cai Mao?"

Kuai Yue said, "Today on the city wall, I secretly exchanged ideas with Cai Mao. When the time is right, his navy will cooperate."

Kuai Liang said, "Alright, then we'll wait."

……

July 26th, late at night.

On the north bank of the Han River, at the Fancheng Ferry.

The moonlight was hazy, and a gentle breeze blew across the river. The sounds of battle from the daytime had long since subsided, and the lights inside and outside Fancheng were gradually going out, leaving only a few torches flickering in the night wind atop the city walls. Two thousand Han soldiers stood guard at the ferry crossing, vigilantly watching the south bank.

The lights of the Xiangyang naval camp were faintly visible, flickering in the night.

Suddenly, a sentry pointed to the river and whispered, "There's a boat!"

The sentries immediately became alert, nocked their arrows, and stared at the river.

A small boat quietly emerged from the south bank, without a light, and silently rowed towards the north bank under the cover of darkness. There were three or four figures on board, paddling frantically.

"Halt! If you go any further, we'll fire arrows!" the sentry captain shouted sternly.

Someone on the boat quickly whispered, "Don't fire arrows! Don't fire arrows! I'm here to seek refuge with the Prince of Jin; I have important matters to report!"

The sentry captain was taken aback. He waved to his soldiers to hold back their arrows. As the small boat approached the shore, a dozen Han soldiers rushed aboard and surrounded the people on the boat.

The leader was about thirty years old, dressed in a blue robe and a turban, looking like a scholar.

He quickly cupped his hands and said, "Please do not make a move, everyone. My name is Cai Xun, a member of the Cai clan of Xiangyang. I have come to pay my respects to His Highness Prince Jin on the orders of my elder brother, Cai Mao, to discuss important matters!"

The sentry captain sized him up and said, "Cai Mao? Liu Biao's naval commander?"

Cai Xun nodded: "Exactly!"

The sentry captain dared not delay and said, "You wait here, I'll go report right away!"

……

Fancheng, formerly the city garrison's residence, is now Lü Bu's temporary residence.

Lu Bu was looking at a map under the lamp, while Xu Shu, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Dian Wei, Xu Chu, and others sat on either side, discussing matters for the next day.

Suddenly, a guard entered and reported: "My lord, a report has come from the ferry that a man claiming to be Cai Xun, the younger brother of Cai Mao of Xiangyang, has something important to discuss with you."

Lu Bu's eyes lit up: "Cai Mao's younger brother? Please, invite him in!"

Xu Shu stroked his beard and laughed, "My lord, it seems Cai Mao is about to lose his composure."

Lü Bu nodded: "If Liu Biao defends Xiangyang to the death, Cai Mao's family's foundation in Xiangyang will surely be destroyed by the war. It would be best if he could persuade Liu Biao to surrender; if not, he might have to become an inside agent."

A moment later, Cai Xun was led into the hall. As soon as he entered, he knelt and kowtowed: "This humble subject, Cai Xun, pays his respects to His Highness the Prince of Jin!"

Lu Bu raised his hand: "Stand up and speak."

Cai Xun rose and stood respectfully, secretly glancing at the legendary King of Jin. He saw that Lü Bu was over thirty years old, with a tall and upright figure, a majestic aura, and deep, bright eyes that exuded authority without anger.

Lü Bu asked, "Cai Xun, what brings you across the river in the dead of night?"

Cai Xun hurriedly replied, "Your Highness, I have come to make contact with you on the orders of my elder brother Cai Mao and gentlemen Kuai Liang and Kuai Yue. My brother and the two gentlemen Kuai are willing to act as inside agents to help Your Highness cross the river and jointly capture Xiangyang!"

Lu Bu remained unmoved: "Oh? Cai Mao, Kuai Liang, and Kuai Yue were all trusted ministers who helped Liu Biao seize Jingzhou back then. How could they possibly rebel?"

Cai Xun said righteously, "Your Highness, my elder brother and the two gentlemen of the Kuai family are not traitors seeking personal gain. It is Liu Biao who has seized Jingzhou and disobeyed the imperial court's orders, which is a great act of treason. Now, Your Highness, by the Emperor's decree, is leading the royal army south to unify the world. This is the inevitable trend of the times. My elder brother and I are willing to abandon the darkness and embrace the light, and submit to the court to protect the people of Jingzhou from the ravages of war."

Lü Bu nodded slightly: "That sounds nice, but how can I believe you? If this is Liu Biao's scheme to lure me across the river and then attack me halfway across, wouldn't I be in grave danger?"