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

Lu Bu walked to the imperial steps and bowed slightly: "Your subject Lu Bu greets Your Majesty."

"General, please rise," Liu Xie hurriedly said.

Lü Bu straightened up and turned to face the officials.

His gaze swept across the entire room, and everyone felt as if that gaze were truly upon them.

"The most important matter at today's court assembly is to reward those who have rendered meritorious service," Lü Bu's voice boomed, echoing throughout the hall. "Li Jue and Guo Si wreaked havoc on the court, held the emperor hostage, and ravaged Guanzhong. Fortunately, thanks to the bravery of our soldiers and the unity of our civil and military officials, we finally slew the two traitors and restored Chang'an. Those who have rendered meritorious service should be rewarded; those who have committed crimes should be punished. This is the law of the court, and it is also the way of Heaven and the hearts of the people."

He paused, then took out a scroll of silk from his sleeve: "The Imperial Secretariat has prepared the edict of conferment and reward; Your Majesty is requested to use the imperial seal."

A eunuch trotted forward, took the silk scroll, and presented it to Liu Xie.

They didn't even discuss this matter privately with the emperor beforehand; they just brought it up in court and had the emperor stamp it, assuming he wouldn't dare to have any objections.

When Liu Xie unfolded it, he saw that it was covered with names and official titles.

He looked up at Lü Bu, then at the silent officials below, and finally nodded: "Granted."

The eunuch brought out the emperor's jade seal, and Liu Xie personally stamped it.

"Announce the imperial edict—" the eunuch shouted.

Another eunuch took the imperial edict, walked to the steps, and read it aloud:

"The imperial edict states: General-in-Chief and Grand Secretary Lü Bu has purged the court of corrupt officials and executed traitors, rendering meritorious service to the state. Now, based on the deliberation of the Secretariat, the generals and soldiers under Lü Bu, as well as those who have abandoned their allegiance to the righteous, are hereby granted the following rewards—"

The hall was silent, save for the eunuch's high-pitched voice echoing through the room.

"Jia Xu was originally a subordinate of Li Jue and Guo Si, but he was deeply righteous and offered strategies to eliminate the traitors, thus making contributions to the court. He was specially promoted to the position of Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, assisting Lu Bu, the Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat, in handling government affairs and managing the daily affairs of the Imperial Secretariat."

A low murmur arose among the officials.

The Minister of the Imperial Secretariat (Shangshu Pushe) was the second-in-command of the Imperial Secretariat, wielding immense power. For Jia Xu, a surrendered official, to receive such a high-ranking position so soon after joining Lü Bu's forces was an extraordinary favor.

Jia Xu stepped out from the ranks of civil officials. His left arm was still wrapped in bandages, but he could already move it. He walked to the imperial steps, bowed, and said, "Your subject, Jia Xu, receives the imperial decree and expresses his gratitude."

Lu Bu looked at him and said calmly, "Mr. Wenhe, the Secretariat is a vital institution of the court, and its affairs are complex. I hope you will do your best."

"Your subject will do his utmost to live up to the great general's trust," Jia Xu said calmly.

"Meng Cheng".

"Your subject is here!" Meng Cheng hurriedly stepped forward.

"Meng Cheng was commended for his meritorious service in pacifying the refugees during his tenure as the head of the Wuguan Circuit. He was specially promoted to Chief Secretary of the General's Office, in charge of all the affairs of the General's Office."

The Chief Secretary of the General's Mansion may not sound as prestigious as a high-ranking official position in the court, but he actually wields considerable power. Lü Bu is now the General and the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, and his Chief Secretary is essentially the head steward, capable of participating in core decision-making.

Meng Cheng's voice trembled with excitement: "Your subject accepts the imperial decree and expresses his gratitude! I will certainly manage the affairs of the General's residence well!"

"Zuo Feng".

"Your subordinate is here!" Zuo Feng stepped forward.

Lü Bu said, "During the Battle of Ba River, Zuo Feng was in charge of military supplies and logistics. His skillful deployment ensured the supply of food and equipment for the army, and his contributions were indispensable. He is hereby promoted to the position of Grand Canal Magistrate, in charge of the national granaries and armories, and to coordinate the supply of the imperial court's logistics."

The Grand Granary Magistrate was an official under the Grand Minister of Agriculture, one of the Nine Ministers, and was the most powerful person in the court in managing grain and military supplies.

Zuo Feng kowtowed: "Your subject obeys the decree and will certainly manage the funds, provisions, and military equipment for the Grand General!"

The eunuch continued reading:

"Zhang Liao followed the General in battle and repeatedly made meritorious contributions. In the Battle of Ba River, he led a light cavalry to defeat the enemy and his bravery was the best in the army. He was specially promoted to General Who Destroys Bandits, with the authority to act on behalf of the emperor, and commanded 10,000 cavalry."

The moment the words "falsely appointed" were uttered, another commotion erupted in the hall.

The title of "Acting General with Imperial Seal" meant that Zhang Liao had the authority to execute anyone in the army. Although he could not kill mid- to high-ranking officers, he could kill ordinary soldiers and low-ranking officers without seeking permission. (Note: "Seal" refers to a bamboo stick or token bestowed by the emperor, equivalent to the imperial sword in the Han Dynasty. "Acting General with Imperial Seal" allowed the execution of ordinary soldiers and junior officers who violated military regulations; "Holding Imperial Seal" allowed the execution of those without official rank in peacetime, and officials below the rank of 2,000 shi in wartime; "Envoy Holding Imperial Seal" also allowed the execution of officials below the rank of 2,000 shi in peacetime; Lü Bu's "Acting General with Imperial Seal and Axe" allowed the execution of officials of any rank, including princes, nobles, and the three types of "Acting General with Imperial Seal," "Holding Imperial Seal," and "Envoy Holding Imperial Seal.")

This represents immense trust and authority.

Zhang Liao strode forward, knelt on one knee, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "This humble general, Zhang Liao, receives the imperial decree and expresses his gratitude! I will certainly train elite cavalry for the Great General and wipe out the rebellious forces!"

Lü Bu nodded: "Wen Yuan, cavalry is our army's most powerful weapon, I'm entrusting it to you."

"promise!"

"Cheng Lian".

"Your subordinate is here!" Cheng Lian responded loudly.

"Cheng Lian has followed me since Bingzhou, and is utterly loyal and exceptionally skilled in martial arts. He is hereby promoted to Tiger-like General, in charge of two thousand heavy cavalrymen. In peacetime, he is responsible for guarding the Imperial Palace and the General's Mansion, taking turns training them, and in wartime, he will accompany me on heavy armor campaigns."

This was a truly trusted position, not only in charge of Lü Bu's personal guards but also under his supervision within the imperial palace. Although Lü Bu did not reside in the palace, no action within it could escape his notice.

Cheng Lian, his face flushed with excitement, kowtowed heavily: "This humble general obeys the order; the personal guards swear to protect the General to the death!"

"Cao Xing".

"Your subordinate is here!"

"Cao Xing was stationed at Wuguan Pass to guard against Yuan Shu and ensure the safety of the southern front, for which he has rendered meritorious service. He is hereby promoted to General of the Capital Region, in charge of the defense of the twelve gates of Chang'an and patrols within the city."

The position of General of the Capital Region was newly created by Lü Bu; in reality, it was the commander of the capital's garrison.

Cao Xing clasped his hands in a fist and said, "This humble general obeys the order and will ensure the absolute safety of Chang'an!"

"Hao Meng".

Hao Meng stepped forward: "Your subordinate is here."

"Hao Meng guarded Lantian and trained new recruits with utmost dedication. He was specially promoted to Lieutenant General, in charge of the reserve battalion, and responsible for the training and reorganization of new recruits and prisoners of war."

The Lieutenant General is also a type of general, but he does not have a formal title and his status is lower than that of a general with a formal title such as Zhang Liao, the General Who Disperses Bandits, but he is still a general.

Hao Meng clenched his fist inwardly; he had become a general too.

"This subordinate obeys the order: to train qualified soldiers for the General!"

"Wei Xu".

"Your subordinate is here!"

"Wei Xu led the Trapped Camp, fighting fiercely and resolutely at the Ba River Bridge. He was specially promoted to Lieutenant General and continued to lead two thousand heavy infantrymen of the Trapped Camp."

Wei Xu stepped forward and said, "This humble general obeys the order and swears to serve as the vanguard of the Great General in the Trapped Camp!"

"Song Xian".

"Your subordinate is here!"

"Song Xian led the infantry battalion, fought bravely, and made meritorious contributions. He was specially promoted to Lieutenant General and put in charge of the infantry."

Song Xian stepped forward and said, "This humble general obeys the order! I will certainly train a strong army for the General!"

"Hou Cheng".

"Your subordinate is here!"

"Hou Cheng led the archer battalion, whose archery skills were superb, and he made great contributions in suppressing the enemy. He was specially promoted to Lieutenant General and put in charge of the archer battalion."

"Your subordinate obeys! The archer battalion is to be responsible for shooting down any invading enemy!"

The eunuch paused here, glancing at Lü Bu.

Lu Bu nodded slightly, signaling him to continue.

The eunuch continued:

"Yang Feng was originally a subordinate of Li Jue, but he was a man of great integrity who surrendered and donated grain, thus earning merit. He was specially promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General and assisted Cao Xing in the defense of Chang'an."