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

Once the order was issued, a tense atmosphere immediately descended upon Chang'an.

The city gates were tightly closed, and soldiers went out into the streets to search for suspicious persons from house to house.

The people were filled with fear and unease, not knowing what had happened.

At the same time, Hu Feng sent someone out of the city to inform Lü Bu of the capture of Wang Fang and the other two, hoping that Lü Bu would send troops to patrol outside the city to prevent Jia Xu from escaping.

In an instant, a vast net was cast both inside and outside Chang'an City.

Jia Xu was indeed prepared.

On the day Lü Bu's army arrived outside the city, Fan Chou's attitude was subtle during the discussion among the people inside the city, and Hu Feng's eyes flickered, so he sensed something was wrong.

Upon returning to his residence, he summoned his trusted retainers and whispered, "Hu Feng, Fan Chou, and Li Xian may harbor disloyal intentions and wish to defect to Lü Bu. Chang'an is no longer safe; we must make plans as soon as possible."

The servant exclaimed in alarm, "Sir, the city gates are now tightly closed. How can we get out of the city?"

Jia Xu said, "I have been in Chang'an for several years. Do you think I have no secret passages? I just need to wait for the right opportunity."

He ordered his servants to secretly pack his valuables and prepare provisions, and had two servants of similar build dress in his clothes and walk around the mansion to mislead those watching him.

At midnight last night, Jia Xu changed into servant's clothes, smeared his face with ash, and left through a back alley of the mansion under the protection of his servants.

He knew of a secret passage—originally dug by a wealthy merchant in the city to avoid the chaos of war, connecting an abandoned mansion inside the city to a mass grave outside.

The wealthy merchant had once asked him for a favor, and when he left Chang'an, he told Jia Xu about this secret passage so that he could prepare for any eventuality.

Jia Xu and his group of five quietly arrived at the abandoned mansion.

The house was overgrown with weeds and lay in ruins.

The family moved the stone slab beside the dry well, revealing a hole just wide enough for one person to pass through.

Jia Xu first ordered one of his men to walk through the tunnel to investigate and confirm that it led out of the city and was safe before he followed them into the tunnel.

The tunnel was narrow, damp, and filled with a musty smell.

The group filed in and groped their way forward.

About an hour later, a light appeared ahead.

The exit is inside a burial mound, and outside is a mass grave.

Jia Xu emerged and looked around.

The night was deep, the starlight and moonlight were faint, and the majestic outline of Chang'an City could be vaguely seen in the distance.

"Hurry up, head west back to Liangzhou," Jia Xu whispered.

The five men took advantage of the darkness and hurried westward.

However, they hadn't gone far when they encountered a patrol of Lü Bu's light cavalry, and the five of them quickly hid in the roadside bushes.

Not long after dawn, Lü Bu received a message from Hu Feng saying that Wang Fang and the others had been captured, but Jia Xu had gone missing. Lü Bu was shocked and immediately ordered all his soldiers to go out and expand the patrol and search area to find Jia Xu around Chang'an.

Jia Xu was unlucky; Zhang Liao discovered the unusual place where he was hiding.

Zhang Liao personally led his troops to search the area outside the west gate of Chang'an. After finding the place where Jia Xu and his men were hiding, he suspected that someone might be hiding in the bushes there. So he reined in his horse, looked around, and shouted, "Search this bush carefully! Lord Wen has ordered that Jia Xu must not be allowed to escape!"

"Yes, sir!" The cavalrymen dispersed and searched both sides of the road.

Jia Xu held his breath, not daring to move an inch.

A cavalryman walked toward the bushes and poked at the grass with his spear.

Jia Xu's heart was in his throat.

Just then, a wild rabbit suddenly darted out from another patch of grass.

"Something's happening!" the cavalryman shouted, and chased after the hare.

Jia Xu breathed a sigh of relief.

But Zhang Liao did not leave. He dismounted and carefully observed the ground.

"There are footprints here." Zhang Liao squatted down. "Fresh footprints, from more than one person."

He stood up, looked at the bushes where Jia Xu was hiding, and said coldly, "Come out, Jia Wenhe."

Jia Xu knew he couldn't avoid it, so he slowly got up.

The servant was about to draw his sword and fight to the death, but Jia Xu stopped him and shook his head.

Zhang Liao waved his hand, and the cavalry surrounded them.

"Mr. Wenhe, please come with me!" Zhang Liao said calmly.

Jia Xu smiled wryly: "General Zhang has a good eye."

Zhang Liao said, "Sir, your left arm is injured, making it difficult for you to move. The footprints are of varying depths, but they are not hard to identify."

Jia Xu sighed, "It's all fate and destiny. Please lead the way, General."

Zhang Liao ordered his men to bring horses, had Jia Xu mount one, and escort him to the main camp.

As for Jia Xu's retainers, they were all bound and taken away.

The news quickly reached Chang'an.

Hu Feng was overjoyed to learn that Jia Xu had been captured.

"Excellent! Prepare immediately! Tomorrow morning, open the city gates to welcome Marquis Wen!"

September 1st, early morning.

Outside the east gate of Chang'an, Lü Bu's army stood in formation.

Lu Bu, riding Red Hare, wearing bright armor, and holding a halberd, stood at the front of the battle.

Behind him, Zhang Liao, Wei Xu, Hou Cheng, Cheng Lian and other generals lined up on the left and right.

Then came the elite guards, the elite infantry, the infantry battalion, and the crossbowmen battalion, all clad in gleaming armor, heads held high, and in high spirits.

At approximately 08:00 AM, the East Gate of Chang'an slowly opened.

A group of soldiers led the way out of the city and lined up on both sides of the road.

Then, Hu Feng, Fan Chou, and Li Xian, dressed in plain clothes and without swords, walked out of the city.

Behind the three were Wang Fang, Li Meng, and Yang Ding, all bound hand and foot, as well as Jia Xu, who was escorted to the door by Zhang Liao's men.

Next came a carriage, in which sat the eleven-year-old Emperor Liu Xie.

The emperor, dressed in his imperial robes, was pale and looked terrified.

Beside the carriage stood Grand Commandant Yang Biao, Minister of Works Zhao Wen, Minister of Agriculture Zhang happy, and other high-ranking officials, along with numerous civil and military officials, each with a complex expression—fear, expectation, and helplessness.

Finally, thousands of Chang'an citizens were driven out of the city by Hu Feng's Liangzhou soldiers to "welcome Marquis Wen," and everyone looked surprised and suspicious.

Hu Feng and the other two walked ten paces in front of Lü Bu's horse, knelt down and kowtowed.

"The guilty generals Hu Feng (Fan Chou and Li Xian) pay their respects to Marquis Wen! We now surrender Chang'an to welcome the royal army, and have bound the traitors Wang Fang, Li Meng, Yang Ding, and Jia Xu here. We humbly request Marquis Wen to enter the city!"

The voice trembled, yet it was clearly audible.

Lü Bu dismounted and stepped forward to help the three men up: "The three generals are wise and righteous, saving Chang'an from war and protecting the emperor and his officials. Their merit is immeasurable. We will not hold past grievances against them."

Hu Feng and the other two were moved to tears: "Thank you, Marquis Wen, for sparing our lives!"

Lü Bu then walked to the emperor's carriage, but did not kneel. He merely bowed slightly and said, "Your subject, General of Valiant Might and Marquis of Wen, Lü Bu, pays his respects to Your Majesty. The two traitors, Li Jue and Guo Si, have been executed, and Chang'an has been recovered. I request Your Majesty to return to the palace."

Liu Xie looked at Lü Bu, who was nine feet tall (about 2 meters), clad in iron armor, wielding a heavy halberd, and with a booming voice. His lips trembled, and after a long while, he finally said, "My...my beloved minister, rise. I...I rely entirely on you."

"This is my duty." Lü Bu raised his head and said to Yang Biao and the other court officials, "Gentlemen, you have been frightened. Please return to the palace with His Majesty. We will discuss the affairs of state later."

Yang Biao and the others quickly bowed and said, "Thank you, Marquis Wen."

Lu Bu then looked at the four people who were tied up.

Wang Fang, Li Meng, and Yang Ding glared angrily, but Jia Xu remained calm, meeting Lü Bu's gaze.

Lu Bu walked up to Jia Xu and said calmly, "Mr. Wenhe, I've long admired you."

Jia Xu smiled wryly: "Why should Lord Wen bother mentioning the defeated enemy?"

Lü Bu said, "Sir, you are a man of great talent, which I have long admired. People like Li Jue and Guo Si are not wise rulers. If you are willing to help me, I will treat you as a national hero."

Jia Xu remained silent for a moment, then said, "I am a criminal, and it is enough for me to preserve my life. I dare not ask for more."

Lü Bu nodded: "Sir, please take good care of your injuries first. There will be plenty of time in the future."

He waved his hand: "Take the four men into the camp and keep them under close guard. Do not neglect them. Order the imperial physicians to treat Mr. Wenhe's arm so that he is not left with a disability."

"promise!"

Having finished his task, Lü Bu mounted his horse and shouted to his soldiers, "Enter the city!"

"roar--!"

The entire army shouted in unison, their voices echoing across the fields.

Lü Bu took the lead and led his army into Chang'an.

Soldiers stood at attention on both sides of the street, while the people knelt down.

Sunlight streamed down the streets of Chang'an, and Lü Bu finally stepped back into this war-torn capital.

As Lü Bu gazed at the familiar street scene, a surge of heroic spirit welled up within him.

Chang'an, I'm back again.

This time, I am no longer a stray dog, but the master of this capital city.

Moreover, there is no longer any Wang Yun to hinder us.

I, Lü Bu, am the sole master of Chang'an, the city of Guanzhong.