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

Jia Xu pondered for a moment and then stopped asking. To press further would appear as if he were deliberately trying to uncover the general's logistical secrets, harboring ulterior motives.

In chaotic times, everyone has their own secrets.

As long as Lü Bu can provide a stable supply of money and grain, and restore the vitality of Guanzhong, nothing else matters.

"What is the situation regarding the submission of various counties and prefectures in Guanzhong?" Jia Xu changed the subject.

Meng Cheng took out another bamboo scroll: "All twenty-three counties of Jingzhao Prefecture have surrendered, and the county magistrates have all come to Chang'an to report on their duties. Of the twenty-four counties of Zuo Fengyi, twenty-one have surrendered, and the remaining three are occupied by the remnants of the Liangzhou army. General Zhang Liao has led cavalry to wipe them out. As for Hongnong Prefecture, General Zhang Ji has officially accepted the appointment as General Who Guards the East and Prefect of Hongnong, and the entire territory has surrendered."

"What about Youfufeng?"

"The situation in Youfufeng is complicated." Meng Cheng frowned. "Li Jue's nephew Li Li, his general Hu Che'er, and others led several thousand remnants of his army to Youfufeng, where they occupied several cities, including Huaili and Huxian, and refused to surrender."

A cold glint flashed in Jia Xu's eyes: "Report this to the Grand General and ask him to send troops to wipe out these remnants. Those who surrender will be spared, those who resist will have their entire clan executed."

"yes!"

Meng Cheng was about to leave when Jia Xu called him back: "Wait, the General said he wants to allocate money and grain to the surrendered counties to maintain the operation of the government. Has the list been prepared?"

"It's ready." Meng Cheng took out another roll of silk. "As the General ordered, each county that surrenders will be allocated 1,000 shi of millet and 10,000 guan of cash to restore production and repair government offices. The amount will be doubled for the prefectural city."

Jia Xu was once again shocked as he looked at the long list.

How much grain would that cost?

But when Lü Bu said he would give it, he really did.

At the end of September, Zhang Liao led 5,000 cavalrymen into Youfufeng.

Outside Huaili City, Li Li led more than three thousand remnants of Liangzhou soldiers, attempting to defend the city to the death.

Instead of launching a direct assault, Zhang Liao addressed the troops outside the city: "Soldiers inside, listen up! Li Jue and Guo Si are dead, and the court has been restored. General-in-Chief Lü Bu has ordered that those who surrender will be spared death, reinstated to their original positions, and continue to receive their rations and pay. Those who resist will have their entire families exterminated on the day the city falls!"

A commotion broke out on the city wall.

Li Li was furious and beheaded two wavering soldiers to stabilize the situation.

However, he underestimated Lü Bu's intimidating power and overestimated his subordinates' fighting spirit.

That night, hundreds of soldiers were lowered down the city walls and surrendered to Zhang Liao.

Zhang Liao kept his promise, providing them with food and even giving them resettlement allowance.

When the news reached the city, the morale of the army completely collapsed.

The next morning, the gates of Huaili were opened wide, and the garrison surrendered en masse.

Li Li committed suicide at the county government office, and Hu Che'er was captured alive and escorted back to Chang'an.

At this point, the entire territory of Youfufeng submitted to the government.

In early October, the entire Guanzhong Plain—the three regions of Jingzhao Yin, Zuo Fengyi, and You Fufeng, plus Hongnong County to the east—was brought under the actual control of the imperial court.

The General's Mansion, Study.

Lu Bu looked at the Guanzhong region marked in red on the map and felt satisfied.

[System notification: The actual population controlled by the host has exceeded 100 million. The security zone level has been upgraded to level 5.]

[Daily supplies available in Level 5 safe zones: 5 skill points, 1-9 shi of grain (randomly), and a quantity of other military supplies]

Lu Bu calculated in his mind: In a level 5 safe zone, there would be at least 10,000 shi of grain per day, and at most 90,000 shi. Even at the lowest value, the grain he received each day would be enough to feed an army of over 100,000.

Furthermore, there are skill points that can be used to further improve attributes.

His current highest skill level is 104, an improvement over his performance at the Battle of Bahe.

His strength has now far surpassed human limits. Combined with his 99-pound halberd, he is truly a one-hit kill on the battlefield.

"Someone come here!" Lü Bu called out.

A personal guard entered: "What are your orders, General?"

"Go and invite Jia Xu, Zhang Liao, and others to the mansion for a meeting."

"promise!"

Half an hour later, everyone gathered in the council hall of the General's Mansion.

Lü Bu cut to the chase: "Guanzhong is now pacified. What are your thoughts on what should we do next?"

Jia Xu spoke first: "General, although Guanzhong has been pacified, we are surrounded by powerful enemies. To the east are Cao Cao and Yuan Shao, to the south are Yuan Shu and Liu Biao, to the west are Ma Teng and Han Sui, and to the north are the Xiongnu and Xianbei. The most urgent task is to consolidate our foundation and accumulate strength."

Zhang Liao added: "Our army currently has over 50,000 regular troops, including over 10,000 cavalry, over 20,000 infantry, and several thousand archers and crossbowmen. There are also over 20,000 reserve troops currently training. Our strength is sufficient to defend Guanzhong, but it is still insufficient if we want to launch a proactive attack."

Lu Bu nodded: "The troops are sufficient for now; the key is training and equipment. Cheng Lian, how is the forging of the armor and horse tack for the personal guard heavy cavalry battalion progressing?"

Cheng Lian replied, "Five hundred sets of heavy armor and five hundred sets of horse armor have been forged. Stirrups, saddles, and horseshoes, made according to the blueprints provided by the General, have been equipped by the personal guard. The combat effectiveness of the newly recruited soldiers in the personal guard has improved significantly, especially with the stirrups, which allow the soldiers to exert stable force on horseback, greatly increasing their charging power."

Lu Bu was satisfied: "Continue to forge heavy armor for men and horses. The two thousand personal guards and heavy cavalry must all wear heavy armor in battle. Also, find me two or three good horses to accompany me in battle, carrying weapons and armor. Otherwise, relying solely on Red Hare seems a bit too much for prolonged battles and charges."

"promise!"

Lü Bu then looked at Zuo Feng: "How are the reserves of money, provisions, and military equipment?"

Zuo Feng exclaimed excitedly, "General, the Taicang granary currently holds 800,000 shi of millet and 500,000 guan of cash. The armory has 30,000 sets of armor, and countless swords, spears, and arrows. Moreover, new grain is being delivered to the granary every day; we simply can't use it all!"

Everyone was shocked upon hearing this.

800,000 shi of grain!

Five hundred thousand strings of cash!

This is far more than during the most prosperous period under Dong Zhuo and Li Jue!

Jia Xu couldn't help but ask, "General, how did you obtain all this money and provisions?"

Lü Bu waved his hand: "You don't need to ask where I got it. All you need to know is that if you follow me, you'll have plenty of money and food, your military pay will be paid on time, and your rewards will be plentiful."

The crowd shouted excitedly in unison, "We are willing to die for the Great General!"

Lü Bu continued his instructions: "Our tasks for the next few months are: First, to reorganize internal affairs and restore production. Jia Xu and Meng Cheng, you two will take charge of this matter. We must ensure that the people of Guanzhong do not go hungry this winter and have seeds for spring planting next year."

"Second, train the army. Zhang Liao, Cheng Lian, Wei Xu, Cao Xing, Song Xian, Hou Cheng, Hao Meng, your troops need to be trained more rigorously. I need elite troops, not a rabble."

"Third, recruit talent. Jia Xu, in the name of the imperial court, recruit talented people from all over the country. Regardless of their background, as long as they have genuine talent and learning, I will use them."

"Fourth, stabilize the surrounding areas. Continue to appease Ma Teng and Han Sui. Maintain contact with Zhang Ji. As for Cao Cao, Yuan Shao, and Yuan Shu, leave them alone for now, but strengthen the defenses of Tongguan and Wuguan."

One order after another was issued, and everyone obeyed and went about their business.

Lu Bu sat alone in the hall, looking at the map.

With Guanzhong secured, the next step is to accumulate strength and wait for the opportune moment.

In a few years, the Central Plains will be plunged into chaos.

Cao Cao and Yuan Shao vied for supremacy, Yuan Shu aspired to become emperor, Liu Biao maintained the status quo, and Sun Ce rose to power...

At that time, it will be time for Lü Bu to emerge from the pass and pacify the world.

However, before that, he had to do one more thing—completely resolve the Western Liang issue.

Ma Teng and Han Sui, these two people must be subdued.

Otherwise, Guanzhong will never have a peaceful day.