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

Shi Sunrui felt a pang of sorrow, but did not know how to respond.

Throughout history, how many deposed emperors of fallen dynasties met a peaceful end? Emperor Shao of Han, Liu Bian, was poisoned to death by Dong Zhuo. Even earlier, Wang Mang usurped the Han throne, and his son, Ruzi Ying, was imprisoned until his death. The events of the previous dynasties are still vivid in our minds.

Seeing that he remained silent, Liu Xie felt even more desperate.

He slumped back onto his throne, muttering, "I...I'm only sixteen. I don't want to die."

Shi Sunrui stepped forward and said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, I dare to say something, but I don't know if I should."

Liu Xie looked up: "Speak."

Shi Sunrui said, "Although the Prince of Jin holds great power, he has always been lenient in his dealings. Ma Teng, Han Sui, Zhang Xiu, Zhang He, Gao Lan, Yu Jin, Yue Jin, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Sun Ce, and Shi Xie were all surrendered generals who were given important positions, and few of them have been killed. I believe that if Your Majesty takes the initiative to abdicate, perhaps, perhaps you can save your life."

Liu Xie smiled bitterly: "Abdicate voluntarily? You want me to hand over the empire passed down from my ancestors?"

Shi Sunrui sighed, "Your Majesty, forgive my bluntness, but this empire no longer belongs to the Liu family. Since the Yellow Turban Rebellion, the world has been divided, with warlords vying for power. If it weren't for the Prince of Jin, who knows how many more years of chaos would have ensued. Now, the Prince of Jin has unified the land, holds immense military power, and enjoys the support of the people. Even if Your Majesty doesn't abdicate, what can you do?"

Liu Xie remained silent for a long time before finally letting out a long sigh: "Minister Shisun, I understand. You, you may leave now."

Shi Sunrui knelt and kowtowed, saying, "Your subject takes his leave."

He rose and left the hall.

Liu Xie sat alone in the hall, gazing at the empty hall, at the high dome, at the magnificent golden dragon pillars, and tears silently streamed down his face.

Youzhou, Ji County, Governor's Office.

In October, the north was already quite chilly. Most of the ginkgo leaves in the courtyard had turned yellow, and they rustled down when the wind blew.

Xun Yu stood by the window, holding a copy of the "Great Han Ten-Day Report" in his hand.

He read it once, then again, then put down the newspaper and looked out the window at the sky.

The sky was blue, the clouds were white, and the weather was fine and sunny.

But in his heart, it felt like a huge stone was pressing down.

Footsteps sounded outside the door, and the eldest son, Xun Yun, entered, bowing and saying, "Father, you wanted to see me?"

Xun Yu turned around, looked at his eldest son who had just turned twenty, and asked, "Have you read this issue of the *Great Han Ten-Day Report*?"

Xun Yun nodded: "I've read it."

Xun Yu asked, "What are your thoughts?"

Xun Yun pondered for a moment, then said, "In my opinion, the Prince of Jin's achievements are unparalleled, unifying the world—truly an extraordinary feat. Now that the Imperial Seal of the State is in the Prince of Jin's hands, what's next..."

He glanced at his father but didn't continue.

Xun Yu said, "Go on."

Xun Yun said, "Next, I'm afraid, will be a change of dynasty."

Xun Yu remained silent.

Xun Yun asked cautiously, "Father, are you... are you unhappy?"

Xun Yu smiled bitterly: "Happy? What should I be happy about? Happy that the world is at peace? Happy that the people can finally live and work in peace? Or happy that a new dynasty has been established?"

Xun Yun said, "Father, I dare to ask a question. You are a Han official, but what has the Han Dynasty given you all these years? During Emperor Ling's reign, eunuchs wreaked havoc; during the late Emperor's reign, Dong Zhuo caused chaos; later, warlords carved up the land, and the world was in turmoil. Under Cao Cao, you were unable to achieve your ideal of restoring order to the world. Only after submitting to the Prince of Jin were you able to realize your ambitions. Now you govern Youzhou, managing this region and displaying your talents. This world was conquered by the Prince of Jin, and the people's livelihood was given to them by the Prince of Jin. What have the descendants of the Liu family ever given to the people?"

Xun Yu's expression changed: "Shut up! Who taught you all this?"

Xun Yun knelt and kowtowed: "Father, please calm your anger. I know I was wrong. But every word I said came from the bottom of my heart. Father often said that scholars should have the world in their hearts and should speak out for the people. Now that the King of Jin has brought peace to the people, why are you so depressed?"

Xun Yu was stunned.

He looked at his son kneeling on the ground and was momentarily at a loss for words.

Yes, he studied the classics from a young age, learning loyalty to the emperor and love for his country. But which emperor was he loyal to? Which country was he loving?

Over the years, he has witnessed the chaos that has engulfed the country, the displacement of the people, and the desolation of the land, with bones exposed in the wilderness and no roosters crowing for miles around.

He also witnessed Lü Bu rise step by step from a mere border warrior to pacify Guanzhong, sweep across the north, conquer the Western Regions, and unify the world.

Under Lü Bu's rule, taxes were reduced, agricultural tools were distributed, water conservancy projects were built, commerce was encouraged, and the imperial examinations were held, allowing even children from poor families to study and become officials.

The people have food to eat, clothes to wear, land to cultivate, and hope for the future.

Isn't this kind of world much better than the Han Dynasty, where eunuchs ruled, warlords carved up the land, and the people suffered?

But why can't he get over that hurdle in his heart?

Xun Yu closed his eyes, and after a long while, he let out a long breath.

"Get up."

Xun Yun stood up and stood with his hands at his sides.

Xun Yu said, "You're right, I was being too attached to appearances."

Xun Yun: "Father, have you come to your senses?"

Xun Yu smiled bitterly: "Whether I understand it or not, what can I do? The world's affairs are vast and unstoppable; those who follow them prosper, and those who oppose them perish. I've studied all my life; how could I not understand this principle?"

He looked out the window and murmured, "I hope the Prince of Jin can give the people a truly peaceful and prosperous era."

On the 18th day of the tenth month of the seventh year of the Chuping era (196 AD), at Ba Shang Pavilion, east of Chang'an City.

As dawn broke, the banks of the Ba River were already packed with people. Officials, gentry, merchants, and commoners were densely packed together, stretching as far as the eye could see.

Everyone craned their necks and looked eastward.

At the hour of Si (9-11 AM), dust billowed in the distance as a troop of cavalry came into view.

"Here it comes!"

The crowd stirred.

A large banner hung at the front, bearing the enormous character "吕" (Lü). Beneath the banner, Lü Bu, clad in iron armor, rode his Red Hare, exuding an imposing aura.

Behind him, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Dian Wei, Xu Chu, Xu Shu, and others followed closely. Further back were 20,000 elite cavalry, their banners fluttering and their swords and spears like a forest.

The procession drew closer, the thunderous sound of hooves shaking the ground.

Before the Ba Shang Pavilion, Emperor Liu Xie, dressed in imperial robes and wearing a crown, stood under a makeshift rain shelter. Behind him, civil and military officials, including Jia Xu, Guo Jia, Shi Sunrui, Ju Shou, and Zhong Yao, stood solemnly.

Liu Xie's face was somewhat pale, but he remained relatively calm.

Lü Bu rode forward without dismounting, and immediately clasped his hands in greeting, saying, "Your subject Lü Bu, having been ordered to lead the southern expedition, has returned in triumph and pays his respects to Your Majesty!"

Liu Xie, disregarding his anger at Lü Bu's arrogance in not dismounting before the emperor, quickly offered a gesture of support, saying, "Prince Jin, no need for formalities. You must be tired from your southern campaign!"

The two looked at each other.

Looking at the powerful Prince of Jin before him, Liu Xie felt a mix of emotions.

This warrior from the border region of Bingzhou swept across the land and unified the world in just a few years. Now, he, the emperor, is like a lamb to the slaughter before him.