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

Lu Bu listened and nodded slightly. He glanced at the population data and discovered that the system's safe zone had seen a population increase of several million. Undoubtedly, this was due to Sun Ce's genuine allegiance to Jiangdong.

Lu Bu felt reassured, a smile spreading across his face. He rose and walked to Sun Ce, taking his hand on his shoulder: "Bo Fu, I am very pleased that you understand the bigger picture. Rest assured, I will not let you down!"

Sun Ce quickly stood up and was about to kneel again, but Lü Bu helped him up: "No need for formalities! Come, sit down and let's talk."

Everyone sat down again.

Lü Bu said, "Bo Fu, since you have sincerely submitted, I will not hide anything from you. After we take Jiangxia and wipe out Liu Biao and Huang Zu, I will reward you accordingly. However, I would like to hear your opinion on what you want."

Sun Ce pondered for a moment, then clasped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I dare to speak frankly. I am willing to offer up the household registers, military records, and financial accounts of Yangzhou, and submit everything to Your Majesty's arrangements. However, I have one request."

Lü Bu said, "Speak."

Sun Ce said, "My father, Sun Jian, rendered meritorious service in the campaign against Dong Zhuo, but died at the hands of Huang Zu. I have an irreconcilable hatred for Huang Zu, who killed my father. Tomorrow, when we attack the city, I am willing to lead the Jiangdong navy to attack Huang Zu's naval camp and avenge my father with my own hands! I hope the Prince of Jin will grant my request!"

Lü Bu nodded: "This is a matter of great moral principle, how could I refuse? Tomorrow, you will lead the Jiangdong navy, join forces with Zhang Yun, and attack the Xiling naval camp. If Huang Zu is alive, you will personally kill him to avenge your father!"

Sun Ce was overjoyed, rose, knelt, and kowtowed: "Thank you, Prince of Jin!"

Lü Bu helped him up: "Get up. As for the matter of Yangzhou..."

He thought for a moment and said, "Once the world is at peace, I intend to appoint you as the Governor of Yangzhou, still governing Wu Commandery. However, you must relinquish military power, and the court will select another person to serve as the Commander of the Yangzhou Army Group, commanding all the troops in Yangzhou. Bofu, are you willing?"

Sun Ce quickly replied, "I am willing. I only wish to avenge my father and protect my family. It is already an imperial favor to govern Yangzhou; how could I dare to take on military power again?"

Lü Bu nodded: "Alright, it's settled then. Also, Zhou Yu and Zhang Zhao can enter the court to serve as officials, or work under you; it's up to them."

Sun Ce kowtowed again: "Thank you, Prince of Jin!"

Zhou Yu and Zhang Zhao also rose and bowed, saying, "Thank you, Prince Jin!"

Lü Bu waved his hand: "Alright, it's getting late. You should all go back to camp and rest. Tomorrow morning, our three armies will converge on Xiling, and Liu Biao and Huang Zu will have no chance of escape!"

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

After leaving the Han army camp, Sun Ce breathed a long sigh of relief.

Zhou Yu asked in a low voice, "Bo Fu, how is the Prince of Jin?"

Sun Ce nodded: "The King of Jin is kind and generous, and has a broad mind. He is indeed a wise ruler. I, Sun Ce, have chosen the right person to follow."

Zhang Zhao also said, "The King of Jin is tolerant and capable of employing people; no wonder he was able to unify the north. A change of dynasty is not far off. If we submit now, we will be fortunate enough to have rendered meritorious service in supporting the new emperor."

The three mounted their horses and, accompanied by their personal guards, returned to the Jiangdong naval camp.

……

August 15th, early morning.

On the city wall of Xiling, Wen Ping leaned against the battlements, gazing northward. Three miles north of the city, banners fluttered and smoke curled from the Han army camp. Further away, troop cavalry could be faintly seen patrolling back and forth.

On the banks of the Yangtze River west of the city, in the Jiangxia naval camp, warships were densely packed, but morale was low. Outside the naval camp, Zhang Yun's Xiangyang navy and Sun Ce's Jiangdong navy had joined forces, with over a thousand warships surrounding the camp completely.

Wen Ping felt a heaviness in his heart and turned to Liu Qi beside him: "Young Master, when do you think Lü Bu will launch his attack?"

Liu Qi's face was deathly pale, and he said with a bitter smile, "General Wen, to be honest, I don't know either. Lü Bu's three armies number nearly 100,000. Although they have come from afar, they have rested for two or three days and have recovered their strength and morale. We only have more than 20,000 remnants, their morale is low, and our food supplies are running low. We'll hold out for as long as we can."

Wen Ping gritted his teeth: "No matter how many days we can hold out, I swear to live and die with Xiling!"

Just then, a soldier pointed to the north of the city and shouted, "General, look!"

Wen Ping looked up and saw a troop of Han cavalry emerge from the camp and arrive at the moat. A Han officer at the head spurred his horse forward and shouted towards the city walls:

"Listen up, defenders on the city walls! His Majesty the King of Jin of the Great Han Dynasty has decreed that Heaven cherishes life and does not wish for casualties among our soldiers! Please, General Liu, General Huang, and General Wen, respond!"

Wen Ping frowned and said to Liu Qi, "Please wait a moment, young master. I will go and meet them."

Having said that, he leaned on the battlements and said in a deep voice, "Wen Ping is here; what does he have to say?"

The captain shouted, "The King of Jin has decreed: Liu Biao, Huang Zu, Wen Pin, and others, if they open the city gates and surrender, will be spared all punishment and their lives will be preserved; they may even remain officials of the court! If they remain obstinate, their entire clans will be exterminated on the day the city falls. Do not say you were not warned!"

Wen Ping sneered, "Go back and tell Lü Bu that I, Wen Ping, would rather die than surrender! Let him come at us; we'll settle this with swords!"

Without saying anything more, the captain turned his horse and rode away.

A moment later, Lü Bu rode forward, looked up at the city wall, and said, "Wenping, I admire you as a man of principle and do not wish to see you die in vain. Liu Biao has seized Jingzhou and disobeyed the imperial court's orders; this is utterly rebellious. Is it worth it for you to defend the city for him?"

Wen Ping clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Your Majesty, I have received great kindness from Governor Liu, and I will repay him with my life. Your Majesty need not say more; please attack the city!"

Lü Bu sighed and looked up at the city wall again: "Where is Liu Biao, the Governor of Jingzhou? Will he come out and answer me?"

After a while, Liu Biao, supported by Liu Pan, walked shakily up to the top of the city wall. His hair was completely white, his face was pale, but his eyes were full of stubbornness.

Liu Biao, leaning against the battlements, shouted, "Lü Bu! You traitorous minister, you seize power, bully the emperor, and dare to usurp the title of king? I, Liu Biao, am a member of the Han imperial family; how could I possibly grovel before you?"

Lü Bu frowned: "Liu, you're mistaken. I am acting on the Emperor's orders to uphold order within the court, defend against powerful enemies without, and punish rebellious subjects. How can you call me a traitor? If you know what's good for you, open the city gates and surrender. I will spare your life, and your descendants can continue to enjoy wealth and honor. If you remain obstinate, today is your death day!"

Liu Biao laughed loudly: "Lu Bu, do you think I'm afraid of death? I, Liu Biao, have lived for over sixty years. What storms haven't I weathered? Even if I die on this city wall of Xiling today, I will never bow my head to you! Come on, let me see what you've got!"

Lu Bu remained silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Very well, if that's the case, I won't force you. Issue the order to prepare for the attack!"

Having said that, he turned his horse and rode back.

On the city wall, Liu Biao watched Lü Bu's departing figure and sighed deeply.

Liu Qi stepped forward and whispered, "Father, we..."

Liu Biao waved his hand: "No need for further words. Today, my son and I will live and die with Xiling. If we can die on the battlefield, we will have done right by our ancestors."

Wen Ping clasped his hands in a fist salute: "My lord, rest assured, this humble general will defend the city to the death and will never allow Lü Bu to set foot in Xiling!"

Liu Biao nodded and, supported by Liu Pan, slowly walked down the city wall.