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

Seeing that Yang Biao was stumped by the question, Shi Sunrui then turned to the other officials: "Do any of you have any objections?"

Who dares to object?

Hu Feng, Fan Chou, and others were the first to kneel down: "Marquis Wen has cleansed the court of corrupt officials and executed the traitors Li Jue and Guo Si. His achievements are unparalleled, and his appointment as Grand General is truly well-deserved!"

After experiencing various chaotic events such as He Jin, the Ten Attendants, Dong Zhuo, the coalition of eighteen warlords against Dong Zhuo, the relocation of the capital, Wang Yun and Lü Bu, Li Jue and Guo Si, those who can still survive in the court now are almost all officials who are opportunistic.

Even officials who were loyal to the Han dynasty were shrewd and opportunistic; those who were stubborn were executed during the repeated coups and rebellions.

Everyone knelt down and earnestly requested His Majesty to approve the proposal put forward by Grand Minister of Agriculture Sun Rui.

Yang Biao, Zhao Wen, Zhang happy and other veteran officials exchanged glances, and finally knelt down helplessly.

Looking at the kneeling officials in the hall, Liu Xie's lips trembled. After a long while, he said with a bitter face, "Granted...granted. Effective immediately, Lü Bu is appointed as Grand General, concurrently serving as Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, and granted the authority to wield the imperial axe. He is permitted to wear a sword and shoes in the palace, enter the court without hastening, and receive audiences without being named. He is to oversee all military and political affairs, both inside and outside the capital. The title of General of Valiant Might is hereby abolished, and the imperial axe is revoked."

"Your subject accepts the imperial decree and expresses gratitude." Lü Bu bowed, but did not kneel.

He was allowed to enter the palace with a sword and shoes, enter the court without hasty steps, and pay homage without revealing his name—meaning that he could meet the emperor without removing his shoes, dismounting his sword, walking quickly, or announcing his name, making him almost equal to the emperor.

From that moment on, Lü Bu became a powerful minister similar to Dong Zhuo, Huo Guang, and Cao Cao, wielding supreme military and political power in the central court and completely treating the emperor as a puppet.

In the end, they either donned the dragon robe or were beheaded.

The difference is that he has a system for military supplies that Dong Zhuo, Cao Cao, and others did not have.

After the meeting, Lü Bu did not return to his residence, but went to the place where Jia Xu was imprisoned.

Jia Xu was placed under house arrest in a quiet courtyard, where a royal physician came daily to change his dressings. The arrow wound on his left arm was healing, but it was a serious injury and would take at least several months to fully recover.

When Lü Bu entered the courtyard, Jia Xu was sitting under a tree reading a book.

"Mr. Wenhe has a refined taste," said Lü Bu.

Jia Xu put down his book, stood up and bowed: "A defeated general like myself dares not accept such praise from Marquis Wen."

"Sit down." Lü Bu sat down on the stone bench himself. "Are you feeling better?"

"Thanks to Marquis Wen, there is no major problem now."

The two sat facing each other, speechless for a moment.

Finally, Lü Bu spoke first: "Sir, do you think my request for an official position today is excessive?"

Jia Xu pondered for a moment and said, "It's just the way things are; it's not excessive."

"Oh?" Lü Bu raised an eyebrow. "Don't you think I'm arrogant, sir?"

"Whether someone is arrogant or not depends on their actions, not their official rank," Jia Xu said. "When Dong Zhuo was the Grand General, he stayed overnight in the palace and committed adultery in the harem; that was arrogance. Although Marquis Wen sought a high position, he still maintained the courtesy due to a subject, did not stay in the palace, and did not overstep the emperor's authority; that can only be called a temporary expedient."

Lü Bu laughed: "Sir, you see things very clearly."

He paused, then said solemnly, "I wish to pacify the world and restore peace to the people, and I need the assistance of someone like you, sir. I wonder if you would be willing to help me?"

Jia Xu remained silent.

Lü Bu continued, "Sir, you possess extraordinary talent, yet you served Dong Zhuo and Li Jue, a waste of your abilities. Now that Dong and Li are both dead, do you intend to return to Liangzhou to serve those reckless and foolish men?"

Jia Xu smiled wryly: "Lord Wen flatters me. I am but a strategist, unworthy of the title 'master of heaven and earth'."

"I deserve it," Lü Bu said earnestly. "If you are willing to help me, I will treat you as a national hero. You can consult me ​​on all matters of military and political importance. If we gain control of the world in the future, you will be a founding hero."

These words were tantamount to openly plotting to usurp the throne, and Jia Xu was startled. He looked up at Lü Bu and saw the sinister look in Lü Bu's eyes.

Clearly, he had been told these outrageous things outright. If he still didn't agree, then his only option was to die.

Jia Xu, whose strategies had yet to be put to use, certainly did not want to die now. Moreover, he did not have the kind of pedantic ideas of loyalty to the emperor and patriotism.

After a long pause, Jia Xu slowly rose and bowed deeply to the ground: "I am deeply grateful for Lord Wen's kindness. I, Jia Xu, am willing to serve you with utmost loyalty."

Lü Bu was overjoyed and helped Jia Xu up, saying, "With Wenhe by my side, I'm like a fish in water!"

The two sat down again, and Lü Bu asked, "In your opinion, what should I do next?"

After a moment's thought, Jia Xu said, "Now that Marquis Wen has captured Chang'an, the most urgent task is to consolidate Guanzhong. Guanzhong is surrounded by Tongguan and Hangu Pass to the east, Dasanguan Pass to the west, Wuguan Pass to the south, and Xiaoguan Pass to the north. It is a strategically important and easily defended region. In the past, Qin conquered the world by occupying Guanzhong, and Emperor Gaozu also established his empire there. Marquis Wen should follow his example."

Lü Bu nodded: "Please continue, sir."

"There are several forces currently in Guanzhong," Jia Xu said. "First is Zhang Ji, who commands over ten thousand troops and occupies Hongnong. Second is Ma Teng and Han Sui, who command tens of thousands of troops and occupy Liangzhou. Third are the remnants of the Liangzhou army and ethnic minorities such as the Xiongnu and Qiang in various parts of Guanzhong, who are leaderless and fighting their own battles."

"Zhang Ji and I have some acquaintance," Lü Bu said. "I have already sent someone to persuade him to surrender."

"Zhang Ji can surrender," Jia Xu said. "Li Jue and Guo Si are dead, and Zhang Ji is left to fend for himself. Marquis Wen promises him high office and generous rewards, and will forgive his past transgressions; he will surely come to surrender. As for Ma Teng and Han Sui..."

"Let's leave them alone for now," Lü Bu interjected. "Liangzhou is barren, and although Ma and Han are brave, their supplies are insufficient, making it difficult for them to accomplish anything significant. As long as they don't invade Guanzhong, we can first establish friendly relations with them."

A hint of surprise flashed in Jia Xu's eyes—Lu Bu's strategic vision was much longer-term than he had anticipated.

"Lord Wen is wise," Jia Xu said. "However, there is one more matter that must be dealt with as soon as possible."

"What is it?"

"Reward your subordinates handsomely," Jia Xu said. "Lord Wen is invincible, but his return to Chang'an also relied on the bravery of his soldiers and the merit of Hu Feng, Fan Chou, and others in surrendering the city. Now that Lord Wen has assumed the positions of Grand General, Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, and Imperial Axe, wielding full power over the court's military, political, and life-and-death affairs, his meritorious subordinates should be rewarded. This is not only to reward their previous contributions in helping Lord Wen return to Chang'an, but also to give them official positions with real power, so that they can continue to serve Lord Wen."

Lu Bu nodded: "That's exactly what I was thinking. Sir, please come back to my residence with me, and I will summon Zhang Liao, Meng Cheng, Shi Sunrui, and others to discuss how to assign everyone their status, position, and rank."

On the fifth day of the ninth month, the palace gates of Weiyang Palace in Chang'an slowly opened, and officials filed in, lining up on both sides of the hall according to their rank.

Civil officials are on the left, and military officials are on the right.

Yang Biao, Zhao Wen, and Zhang happy, the three dukes, were in front, followed closely by the nine ministers.

"His Majesty has arrived—" the eunuch drawled.

The officials knelt and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, we pay our respects! Long live the Emperor!"

Liu Xie's voice was weak: "All of you, rise."

Everyone stood up.

At that moment, heavy footsteps sounded outside the hall.

Lü Bu has arrived.

He was not wearing armor today, but rather the court robes of a great general—a dark black robe, a gold belt around his waist, a long sword at his side, and a crown of virtuous men on his head.

Although he was not wearing armor, his nine-foot height and imposing gait still made everyone in the hall feel oppressed.

What's even more striking is that he didn't remove the sword from his waist.

To be allowed to wear a sword and shoes in the palace—this was a privilege personally granted by the emperor.