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

evening.

The Wenhou Mansion has been cleaned and renewed. Although it is not as luxurious as it was at its peak, it is still clean and tidy.

There were more than a dozen tables in the hall, where wealthy merchants and nobles from Chang'an were seated.

Lu Bu sat in the main seat, not wearing armor, but a dark brocade robe, which made him look less murderous and more dignified.

"Your presence is an honor for me, Lü Bu," Lü Bu said, raising his wine cup. "Let me first offer you all a toast."

Everyone quickly raised their glasses: "To Marquis Wen!"

After several rounds of drinks, Lü Bu put down his wine cup and got straight to the point: "I invited you all here today because I have something to discuss with you."

The hall fell silent.

"Chang'an has suffered from war and the people are impoverished," Lü Bu said. "I want to govern Chang'an and ensure that the people have food to eat and clothes to wear, but this requires money and grain. The government's funds and grain are limited, so I would like to ask for your help."

As expected, they wanted money and grain; the wealthy merchants exchanged glances.

Shopkeeper Wang rose and bowed, saying, "Lord Wen's desire to govern Chang'an is a truly benevolent act. As citizens of Chang'an, we should do our utmost. May I ask how much Lord Wen requires? We will do our best to donate."

Lu Bu laughed: "Manager Wang, you've misunderstood. I'm not trying to take your money and supplies for nothing."

Everyone was taken aback.

"I want to do business with you all," Lü Bu said. "The government will provide the funds to purchase grain, cloth, ironware, and other supplies from you. Prices will be based on market rates, and payments will be made in cash with no delays."

A low murmur arose in the hall.

Doing business? Government procurement? And cash settlement?

This is completely different from what they expected!

"Is what Marquis Wen said true?" a nobleman couldn't help but ask.

"No jokes in the army," Lü Bu said. "Not only that, I also plan to rebuild markets in Chang'an and encourage commerce. You are welcome to bring any goods you have to sell. The government will ensure market order and crack down on bullying, extortion, and forced buying and selling."

Manager Wang's eyes lit up.

He was a businessman, and he understood all too well what this meant. If Lü Bu could truly ensure fair trade and protect commerce, Chang'an would quickly return to prosperity. And they, the merchants, would be able to make a fortune.

"Lord Wen is benevolent and virtuous!" Manager Wang bowed deeply. "I, Wang, am willing to serve Lord Wen with utmost loyalty!"

Others also expressed their opinions.

Lu Bu nodded and then dropped another bombshell: "Furthermore, I plan to establish a 'Price Stabilization Bureau' in Chang'an. The government will fund the purchase and storage of grain when prices are low, and sell it at a fair price when prices are high, thus stabilizing grain prices and preventing unscrupulous merchants from hoarding and speculating."

This was a policy implemented by Sang Hongyang during the reign of Emperor Wu of Han, but Lü Bu added some modern regulatory ideas. In reality, he wanted to use this buying and selling method to cover up the money, grain, and supplies that Lü Bu himself took out from his storage space.

The wealthy businessmen looked at each other in bewilderment.

This policy was detrimental to large grain merchants like them, but the business environment Lü Bu had just presented was too tempting. Weighing the pros and cons, most people chose to accept it—after all, making money steadily was better than being robbed or killed.

At the end of the banquet, each guest left with mixed feelings.

Shopkeeper Wang walked to the door, glanced back at the Marquis Wen's residence, and whispered to his companion, "This Lü Bu is different from before."

"Yes, he seems like someone who truly wants to govern the country, not a military man."

After the merchants left, Lü Bu secretly met with Wang Yun and other former associates of Lü Bu in a private room. Their main plan was to ask Lü Bu for an official position and title in court the next day.

The next day, the third day of the ninth month, at Chen Shi (7-9 AM).

Officials gathered in the front hall of Weiyang Palace.

Emperor Liu Xie sat on his throne, his small hands gripping his sleeves tightly.

Lu Bu stood below the imperial steps, dressed in court robes and with a long sword at his waist.

Apart from him, no one else dared to present their sword to the emperor in the palace hall.

Grand Commandant Yang Biao, Minister of Works Zhao Wen, Minister of Agriculture Zhang happy, and other high-ranking officials stood on the left and right, while surrendered generals such as Hu Feng, Fan Chou, and Li Xian stood at the end, heads bowed.

"Your Majesty," Lü Bu spoke first, "Li Jue and Guo Si have been executed, and Chang'an has been recovered. However, Guanzhong is not yet pacified, and the world is not yet at peace. I believe there are three urgent matters to be addressed."

Liu Xie said in a low voice, "Please speak, my dear minister."

"First, we must rectify the court," Lü Bu said. "When Li Jue and Guo Si were in power, they appointed relatives and friends without merit, and many official positions were not held by their actual authority. I request that officials be re-evaluated, and the capable promoted and the incompetent demoted."

Yang Biao and the others remained expressionless.

Lu Bu's words sounded nice, but all he really wanted was to oust the people appointed by Li Jue and Guo Si and replace them with his own.

"Secondly, we must appease the people," Lü Bu continued. "Chang'an and the Sanfu region have suffered from war, leaving nine out of ten houses empty. I request that this year's taxes be reduced or waived, and that work be provided as relief to recruit displaced people to cultivate wasteland and restore production."

Zhao Wen couldn't help but ask, "Lord Wen, if taxes are reduced, where will the funds for the imperial court come from?"

"I have my own methods." Lü Bu glanced at him. "Third, reorganize the military. The remnants of the Liangzhou army are still in Guanzhong, and we must pacify them as soon as possible. I request that the Northern Army be reorganized and the defenses of Chang'an strengthened."

Zhang happy said, "What you say is very true, but these matters all require money and provisions. I wonder if you have any good ideas?"

Lü Bu smiled and said, "I will take care of the money and provisions. The previously owed salaries are not my responsibility. But from now on, I will ensure that all expenses and salaries for the palace and various government departments are paid on time. You all just need to perform your duties and do your jobs well."

These words were domineering, and their meaning was clear: Don't worry about where the money and supplies come from, just listen to my instructions and focus on your work. Anyway, you won't lack your salaries and office expenses.

In these chaotic times, such words were incredibly inspiring, and many officials couldn't help but think more highly of Lü Bu. If he could truly distribute money and wages to everyone on time, what was the harm in serving him?

It doesn't matter who you work for; it's all the same—you're just bowing down for a pittance.

At this moment, Shi Sunrui, a former member of Wang Yun's faction and the Grand Minister of Agriculture (one of the Nine Ministers), stepped forward and said: "Chang'an and the Three Auxiliary Regions have long suffered from war and are in dire need of reconstruction. In order to coordinate military and political affairs, I request Your Majesty to issue an edict appointing Marquis Wen as Grand General, concurrently serving as Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, and granting him the authority to command all military and political affairs, both inside and outside the capital. Furthermore, I request that he be granted the special privilege of wearing a sword and shoes in the palace, not having to hasten his steps when entering the court, and not having to mention his name when receiving imperial greetings."

hum-

A low murmur arose in the main hall.

The Grand General, whose rank is above the Three Dukes, is the highest military commander in the country.

The position of "Recorder of the Imperial Secretariat" may sound insignificant, but it actually controls the Imperial Secretariat and wields real power in the government, making it more substantial than the nominal titles of the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers.

The "Jiajieyue" (假节钺) was a higher rank than "Jiajie" (假节), "Chijie" (持节), or "Shichijie" (使持节). It was a special imperial privilege that allowed one to execute officials of any rank without prior approval.

Wearing a sword and shoes in the palace, not having to bow when entering the court, and not having to mention one's name when being praised, one could be considered an equal to the emperor in this imperial palace.

Such powerful ministers ultimately have only two paths: either the emperor abdicates in favor of Lü Bu, or Lü Bu is executed by the emperor.

Liu Xie naturally knew what this meant, and immediately turned pale with fright, looking at Yang Biao.

Yang Biao forced a smile and said, "Sir, the position of Grand General is no small matter. Moreover, according to the custom of this dynasty, the Grand General is usually a relative of the Empress Dowager..."

"In extraordinary times, extraordinary measures are needed." Shi Sunrui interrupted him. "The world is in chaos now, with warlords vying for power. Without a strong leader, how can we stabilize the country? If Grand Commandant Yang feels that Marquis Wen is unfit, is there anyone you can recommend?"

Yang Biao choked.

Who would you recommend?

Who dares to take on this challenge?

Who doesn't know who's in charge in Chang'an right now?