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

A few days later, Luoyang.

Lü Bu was holding court in the Taiji Hall when a eunuch rushed in, knelt down, and reported, "Your Majesty! An urgent message has arrived from Jiaozhou, requiring an 800-li journey!"

The courtiers in the hall immediately became agitated.

Lu Bu abruptly stood up and said, "Read it!"

The eunuch unfolded the messenger's report and read aloud: "On the fifteenth day of the ninth month of the 405th year of the Han calendar, the Great Han circumnavigation fleet arrived at Jiaozhi Commandery. Commander-in-Chief Zhou Yu led the fleet for five years and four months, circumnavigating the earth once, returning from the west, bringing back dozens of kinds of overseas crops and a number of rare and exotic animals. This is to report the victory. However, the fleet encountered hurricanes, giant waves, running aground, disease, and attacks by local tribesmen during the voyage. Of the more than two thousand people, less than four hundred survived, and one of the deputy commanders-in-chief, Gan Ning, was killed en route."

After the reading was finished, the hall fell silent.

The ministers looked at each other, their faces filled with disbelief.

Guo Jia was the first to react, stepping forward and bowing, saying, "Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations! The fleet has circled the earth once and returned; the saying that the earth is round is indeed true!"

Jia Xu also stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty is wise; you knew long ago that the earth is round. We admire you."

Lü Bu waved his hand, but there was no smile on his face. He asked the eunuch, "Of the more than two thousand men who set out, less than four hundred have returned?"

The eunuch replied, "Yes."

Lu Bu was silent for a moment, then said, "Issue an imperial decree to posthumously confer upon Gan Ning the title of Marquis of Crossing the Sea, ranking him as a county marquis with a fief of three thousand households, to be inherited by his eldest son. All other officers, soldiers, and sailors who sacrificed their lives shall also be posthumously conferred titles and receive double the compensation."

The eunuch replied, "Yes."

Lü Bu then said, "Issue an order for the Navy Commander-in-Chief Huang Zhong to send ironclad warships to escort them. In addition, I will personally welcome them at Luoyang Wharf."

"promise."

The third day of the eleventh lunar month, at the Yellow River wharf in Luoyang.

Before dawn, the dock was already packed with people. People from Luoyang City, villagers from nearby counties, and scholars who had come from afar formed a dense crowd, numbering in the tens of thousands.

A high platform was erected on the dock, covered with a red carpet and set up with a dragon throne. On both sides of the platform stood thousands of imperial guards, their armor gleaming and their swords and spears like a forest.

On the dock, a band was tuning their instruments. They were wearing brand-new military band uniforms, and their brass horns were polished to a gleaming shine.

Lu Bu stood on the high platform, gazing at the river in the distance.

Standing beside him were important court officials such as Jia Xu, Chen Gong, Zhang Liao, and Guo Jia, as well as Liu Hong and Zhao Wen, who had been specially summoned.

Zhao Wen was "invited" by Lü Bu.

Lu Bu sent someone to tell him that today he would see for himself whether the earth was round or square.

Although Zhao Wen was unwilling, he dared not refuse to come. He stood on one side of the high platform, his face ashen.

At the hour of Chen (7-9 AM), the sound of a ship's horn came from the river.

A massive ironclad warship appeared in the distance, slowly approaching, with a large Han Dynasty dragon flag flying at its bow.

Behind the ironclad warship followed six wooden boats. These boats were dilapidated, with patched sails, and looked as if they could fall apart at any moment.

The crowd on the shore immediately erupted in cheers.

"Here it comes!"

"Look, that's the ship that sailed around the world!"

"My God, how did those ships get so badly damaged?"

"After sailing at sea for more than five years, it would be strange if it didn't break down."

The band played their triumphant music, and the sounds of horns and drums resounded through the sky.

Six wooden boats slowly approached the shore.

The sailors on the ship stood on the gunwale, looking at the dark mass of people on the shore, many with tears in their eyes.

After five and a half years, they are finally back.

As soon as the boat came to a stop, Zhou Yu jumped off.

He straightened his tattered robes and strode towards the platform. Behind him followed Deputy Commander He Qi, as well as several captains and sailor representatives.

Reaching the high platform, Zhou Yu knelt and kowtowed, his voice choked with emotion: "Your Majesty, I, Zhou Yu, was ordered to lead a fleet out to sea. After five years and four months, circumnavigating the land, I am returning to the capital today to report back. When the fleet set out, there were twenty ships and two thousand one hundred and thirty-two officers and soldiers. On the return journey, there were six ships and three hundred and eighty-seven officers and soldiers. Deputy Commander-in-Chief Gan Ning and other officers, soldiers, and sailors perished en route. I am guilty, and I beg Your Majesty's punishment."

Lu Bu stepped down from the high platform and personally helped Zhou Yu up.

He looked at the young man in front of him, then at the ragged, emaciated sailors behind him, and remained silent for a long time.

Then, he turned to face tens of thousands of people and proclaimed loudly, "People of the Great Han, you have all seen this. This fleet set sail from Qingzhou five years ago, sailing eastward. Today, they have returned from the west; they have circled the entire land!"

A deafening cheer erupted from the crowd.

"Long live! Long live!"

"Long live the Great Han! Long live His Majesty!"

Lu Bu raised his hand to suppress the shouts and continued, "This proves that the earth is round. It's not square, nor is it flat; it's round! The saying that the heavens are round and the earth is square is wrong! From today onwards, anyone who dares to say that the earth is square, let him come to me, and I'll make him board a ship and go around in circles!"

Another cheer erupted from the crowd.

Zhao Wen stood on the high platform, his face deathly pale. He opened his mouth, as if to say something, but couldn't utter a single word.

Liu Hong stood to the side, his eyes filled with excitement. He murmured, "So the earth really is round... His Majesty didn't lie to me... He didn't lie to the world..."

Zhou Yu pointed in the direction of the ship and said, "Your Majesty, I have also brought many crops from overseas, including potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, chili peppers, and some others. These crops are extremely adaptable and have very high yields. Sweet potatoes, in particular, can yield over a thousand catties per mu when planted on barren mountain land."

Lu Bu followed Zhou Yu onto the ship and saw dozens of seed packets in the cabin. He picked one up and asked, "Are these sweet potatoes?"

Zhou Yu said, "Yes, sweet potatoes can be boiled or ground into powder to make cakes. They are drought-resistant and can thrive in poor soil, and are not picky about the land. I have personally seen this overseas, and the locals rely on it to survive."

Lü Bu nodded and ordered the eunuch beside him, "These seeds must be carefully collected. Send an imperial edict to the agricultural officials, instructing them to study these crops thoroughly and promote their use as soon as possible."

The eunuch replied, "Yes."

Zhou Yu then said, "Your Majesty, I have another matter to report."

Lü Bu said, "Speak."

Zhou Yu said, "During my voyage, I passed through a great country called Rome. This country is located in the far west, with a vast territory and a large population. I met with their people and exchanged some goods. Their envoy said that they are willing to trade with the Han Dynasty."

Lu Bu's eyes lit up: "Rome? Good, I'll remember that. We'll talk about it later."

He turned to face the people and proclaimed loudly, "Today, I will reward these heroes who have rendered meritorious service to the country!"

The eunuch unfolded the imperial edict and read it aloud:

"The imperial edict states: The Great Han circumnavigation fleet, having completed its journey in five years and four months, circumnavigating the Earth and returning, has proven the theory of a spherical Earth. Its outstanding achievements make it a hero of circumnavigation. Therefore, the following conferment is hereby granted:"

Zhou Yu, Deputy Commander of the Navy, assisted Commander-in-Chief Huang Zhong in overseeing naval shipbuilding, training, and command.

He Qi, Chief of Naval Staff;

Gan Ning was posthumously granted the title of Marquis of Duhai, a county marquis, with a fief of three thousand households, which was inherited by his eldest son.

The remaining officers, soldiers, and sailors will each receive rewards and honors. Those who died in the line of duty will receive double the compensation. So be it!