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

Wancheng, Nanyang.

Ji Ling was discussing matters with his deputy general in the mansion.

After surrendering to Lü Bu, he was appointed as the governor of Nanyang, commanding 20,000 surrendered troops, during which time he was reorganizing and training them.

A bodyguard rushed in: "General, an urgent military order from Jiangxia!"

Ji Ling stood up, took the military order, and unfolded it to examine it closely.

As he looked at it, his hands trembled slightly.

The lieutenant asked with concern, "General?"

Ji Ling raised her head, her eyes bloodshot: "Yuan Shu has declared himself emperor."

The lieutenant was horrified: "He's declaring himself emperor now? Isn't that courting death?"

Ji Ling sneered, "That's right. Although I kept the news under wraps and quietly moved a few of my children when I submitted to the Prince of Jin, most of my relatives were still killed by Yuan Shu. Now, the Prince of Jin has ordered me to lead the garrison of Nanyang to attack Runan from the west!"

The lieutenant said, "General, this is great news! We can avenge your family now!"

Ji Ling nodded, a deep-seated hatred flashing in his eyes: "Yes, revenge! Pass down the order: assemble the entire army and prepare for battle!"

The lieutenant clasped his hands in a fist salute: "Yes, sir!"

Ji Ling added, "Also, send someone to the vicinity of Pingyu to inquire about the burial place of my family members. After the war, I will go to collect their remains."

The lieutenant replied, "General, rest assured, I will take care of it immediately."

Ji Ling walked to the window, looked eastward, and murmured, "Yuan Shu, if you dare to ascend the throne and declare yourself emperor, you are doomed. I, Ji Ling, will soon come to take your life."

……

Several days later, in Pingyu, Runan.

Inside the palace, Yuan Shu sat in the main seat, his face grim. Below the steps, Yang Hong, Yan Xiang, Zhang Xun, Qiao Rui, Chen Ji, Li Feng, Lei Bo, and others sat on either side, each with a solemn expression.

A scout knelt on the ground, his voice trembling, and said, "Your Majesty, an urgent report from Yingchuan! Hou Cheng, leading 20,000 troops from the Luoyang army, has breached Yangguan Pass and arrived outside the prefectural capital, Yangdi City. The Prefect of Yingchuan requests Your Majesty to send troops to reinforce them!"

Yuan Shu gritted his teeth and remained silent.

Another scout entered: "Report! Urgent report from Liang! Huang Zhong has led 20,000 troops from the Yanzhou army and has arrived outside Suiyang City."

A third scout entered: "Report! Urgent report from Pei State! Song Xian has led 20,000 troops from Xuzhou and has arrived in Xiang County."

The fourth scout entered: "Report! Urgent report from Jiujiang! Sun Ce has led the Jiangdong navy of over 30,000 men and more than 800 warships, defeated the Jiujiang navy, and arrived outside Liyang City."

The fifth scout entered: "Report! Urgent report from Lujiang! Zhang Yun has led more than 30,000 men of the Jingzhou navy and more than 1,000 warships, and has arrived at Wancheng."

The sixth scout entered, bringing news that King Lü Bu of Jin had personally led his army north from Jiangxia, heading towards Anyang County on the southern border of Runan.

Yuan Shu abruptly stood up, his face ashen. The civil and military officials in the hall also showed surprise upon hearing the name Lü Bu.

At this moment, the seventh scout entered and cautiously reported, "Your Majesty, urgent news from Nanyang. Ji Ling has led 20,000 rebel troops from Nanyang, departing from Wancheng and advancing towards Runan. The vanguard has reached Bowang and will soon attack the Zhongyang Mountain Pass..."

Yuan Shu suddenly grabbed a teacup from the table and smashed it hard on the ground!

"Ji Ling! Ji Ling, that traitor!"

Fragments flew everywhere, startling everyone.

Yang Hong quickly stood up: "Your Majesty, please calm down! The most urgent matter at hand is how to deal with Lü Bu's seven armies!"

Yan Xiang also said, "Yes, Your Majesty, the imperial army of hundreds of thousands has formed a seven-pronged encirclement. Yingchuan, Liang, Pei, Jiujiang, and Lujiang may be difficult to defend. What should we do?"

Yuan Shu, panting heavily, said sternly, "Since it's difficult to defend, then let's not defend it. Issue the order to abandon the surrounding counties and concentrate all troops within Runan, and even in Pingyu City, to hold out!"

Zhang Xun rose and clasped his hands in a fist salute: "Your Majesty, the garrison troops in various counties have withdrawn to Pingyu to hold their ground. How will they manage to supply them with provisions? Without provisions, even if they hold out, they cannot hold out for long."

Yuan Shu glared at him: "Isn't that simple? Send the order: bring back all the grain and supplies you can; burn what you can't. Don't leave any for that traitor Lü Bu!"

Zhang Xun's expression changed. He wanted to ask what would happen to the local people if the grain and fodder were burned, but he hesitated and finally clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Yes, sir!"

Yuan Shu then said, "Conscript all able-bodied men who can wield swords and spears! I intend to fight Lü Bu to the death atop Pingyu City!"

The crowd looked at each other in bewilderment, but ultimately, under the pressure of Yuan Shu's tyranny, they shouted that His Majesty was wise.

Late at night, in the pseudo-imperial palace of Pingyu.

Yuan Shu sat alone in the hall, gazing at the empty dragon throne, his expression shifting between light and shadow.

Soft footsteps sounded outside the hall. Yuan Yao entered, knelt down, and kowtowed: "Father."

Yuan Shu looked up at the newly appointed crown prince, a complex expression flashing in his eyes: "Yao'er, get up."

Yuan Yao stood up and stood with his hands at his sides.

Yuan Shu remained silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Yao'er, have you seen the current situation?"

Yuan Yao said in a low voice, "Your subject has seen it."

Yuan Shu sighed, "Of the thirteen provinces of the Han Dynasty, twelve have already fallen to Lü Bu. Now, with Lü Bu's seven armies surrounding us, Yu Province cannot be defended."

Yuan Yao was startled: "Father Emperor is blessed with great fortune and will surely turn misfortune into good fortune and establish his rule over the world."

Yuan Shu waved his hand: "No need to comfort me. I summoned you here because I have something to tell you."

Yuan Yao looked up: "Father, please speak."

Yuan Shu took out a brocade box from his sleeve, opened it, and inside was the Imperial Seal of the State.

Yuan Yao's eyes widened: "Father, what is this...?"

Yuan Shu handed the brocade box to Yuan Yao: "Yao'er, take this imperial seal."

Yuan Yao was shocked and waved his hands repeatedly: "Father, this...how can this be? The Imperial Seal is a national treasure, how can I take it?"

Yuan Shu sighed, "Yao'er, listen to me. Lü Bu's hundreds of thousands of troops have surrounded us on all sides. Although I have declared myself emperor, I know in my heart that Runan cannot be defended."

Yuan Yao's face turned deathly pale: "Father..."

Yuan Shu continued, "I am not afraid of death, but the Yuan family line cannot end. Take the Imperial Seal, leave Pingyu, and hide in the countryside. If I can hold it, you can return. If I cannot, then you should go overseas to seek refuge with your cousins, Yuan Tan and Yuan Xi!"

Yuan Yao said in a trembling voice, "Father, I will not leave! I will live and die with you!"

Yuan Shu shook his head: "Silly child, what are you staying here for? To die with me? It doesn't matter if I die, but the Yuan family bloodline cannot be broken. You have the imperial seal; if there is an opportunity in the future, perhaps you can revive the Yuan family. If there is no opportunity, then live a peaceful life, marry and have children, and continue the family line."

Tears streaming down his face, Yuan Yao knelt and kowtowed, "Father..."

Yuan Shu helped him up, wiped away his tears, and ordered him to hide the imperial seal. Then he said to the door, "Qin Yi, come in."

A burly general entered, knelt, and kowtowed: "Your Majesty!"

This man was Qin Yi, a trusted confidant of Yuan Shu and the commander of the imperial guards. He was about thirty years old, highly skilled in martial arts, and extremely loyal to Yuan Shu.

Yuan Shu asked, "Qin Yi, how have I treated you?"

Qin Yi kowtowed and said, "Your Majesty's kindness to me is as heavy as a mountain; I could never repay it even if I died ten thousand times!"

Yuan Shu nodded: "Very well, I have something to entrust to you."

Qin Yi said, "Your Majesty, please speak. I will go through fire and water without hesitation!"

Yuan Shu pointed at Yuan Yao and said, "Select twenty trustworthy guards, disguise them, and escort the Crown Prince away from Pingyu to hide in the countryside. If the war goes badly, escort the Crown Prince away from Runan and go overseas to find the two young masters, Yuan Tan and Yuan Xi."

Qin Yi was taken aback, then kowtowed: "Your subject obeys the decree!"

Yuan Yao wanted to say something more, but Yuan Shu waved his hand and said, "Go now, before Lü Bu's army besieges the city. It will be too late if we wait any longer."

Qin Yi stood up, helped Yuan Yao, and left the hall.

Yuan Shu sat alone in the hall, gazing at the empty space, and murmured, "Four generations of high officials, the Zhong family as emperors, hahahahaha..."

Laughter echoed through the hall, tinged with a hint of desolation and madness.