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

On October 15th, Chang'an welcomed its first cold wave before winter.

But inside the General's Mansion, it was warm as spring.

The charcoal brazier was burning brightly as Lü Bu listened to Zhang Xiu report on the training of his personal heavy cavalry battalion.

"The Imperial Guard has now selected elite soldiers and junior officers from various armies and equipped them. Even ordinary heavy cavalry wear tube-sleeved armor and horse armor. They are trained according to the charge formations taught by the General, and their power is astonishing. I have tested it myself; a charge of one hundred heavy cavalry could not be stopped by two thousand infantry in formation. When ordinary infantry fights heavy cavalry, as long as the heavy cavalry retains their stamina, the infantry will have difficulty even breaking through their defenses."

Lü Bu nodded: "That's right. Heavy cavalry is a powerful weapon for breaking through enemy lines, but the combat time is short, so it must be used wisely. The timing of the charge and the choice of route are both crucial. You should consult Cheng Lian on these matters. He has already had experience leading a heavy cavalry charge at the Ba River, and he has also spent a lot of time training heavy cavalry."

Zhang Xiu nodded and said, "This subordinate understands."

At this moment, a personal guard came to report: "General, the envoy from Xiliang has arrived. He says he was sent by Ma Teng and Han Sui."

Lu Bu's eyes lit up: "Please come to the front hall, I'll be right there."

In the front hall, two weary-looking messengers were waiting.

A man in his early forties, dressed like a scholar, but with a glint in his eyes, was no ordinary person.

The other was a burly man of about thirty years old with dark skin, clearly a border general who had been exposed to the elements for many years.

As Lü Bu entered the hall, the two men quickly bowed: "Cheng Gongying (Pang De), the envoy from Xiliang, pays his respects to the Great General!"

Lü Bu sat down in the main seat: "No need for formalities, gentlemen. What important matter has Ma Teng and Han Sui sent you with?"

The elder Cheng Gongying cupped his hands and said, "General, General Ma and General Han are pleased to hear that you have executed Li Jue and Guo Si and restored order to the court. They have specially sent us here, firstly to congratulate you, and secondly to express our willingness to submit to the court."

The young Pang De added, "However, Xiliang is located on the frontier, and is inhabited by a mix of Qiang and Hu peoples, making its situation unique. General Ma and General Han hope that the court can recognize their status in Liangzhou and grant them official positions so that they can guard the border and protect the people."

Lü Bu laughed.

They put it nicely, but they really just wanted official positions and grain.

He thought for a moment and said, "Ma Teng is a descendant of General Ma Yuan, a family of loyal and virtuous officials. Han Sui was also recommended as a filial and incorrupt official in his early years and was willing to serve the country. It is a good thing that they are willing to submit to the court."

"Here's what we'll do: appoint Ma Teng as General Who Conquers the West, Governor of Liangzhou, and garrison Wuwei. Appoint Han Sui as General Who Guards the West, Prefect of Jincheng, and garrison Jincheng. Their subordinate generals and officers will all be reinstated to their original positions. The court will provide part of their provisions and pay; the remaining amount will be raised by the two of them themselves."

Pang De and Cheng Gongying exchanged a glance, both seeing the joy in each other's eyes.

General Who Conquers the West and General Who Guards the West—these are already high-ranking general titles. Moreover, the positions of Governor of Liangzhou and Prefect of Jincheng are substantive posts. These conditions are even better than they had anticipated.

But Cheng Gongying still cautiously asked, "General, is the imperial court truly capable of supplying the Xiliang army with some of their provisions?"

Lü Bu said calmly, "Allocate 20,000 shi of millet and 20,000 guan of cash to Ma Teng's troops each month. Allocate 15,000 shi of millet and 15,000 guan of cash to Han Sui's troops. Additional funds will be provided in case of war. What do you say?"

The two of them gasped.

So many?

The Western Liang region was impoverished. Ma Teng and Han Sui each commanded tens of thousands of main and auxiliary troops, but they frequently faced food shortages. Sometimes, in order to get food, they had no choice but to allow their troops to plunder the people.

If there is a stable supply of food and provisions, who would want to be a bandit?

Pang De exclaimed excitedly, "General, you are truly benevolent! I will immediately report this to General Ma, who will be deeply grateful and swear to serve the court to the death!"

Lu Bu waved his hand: "However, I have one condition."

Both of them felt a sudden tightness in their chests.

"Ma Teng and Han Sui should each send one of their sons to Chang'an to serve as attendants to the emperor. This will demonstrate their loyalty, allow them to learn court etiquette, and enable them to inherit their fathers' positions and better serve the country in the future."

hostage.

The two had anticipated this, so it wasn't surprising.

Cheng Gongying asked, "Which young master does the General wish to choose?"

"Ma Teng's eldest son is Ma Chao, and Han Sui's eldest son is Han Ping. That's the two of them," Lü Bu said.

Pang De hesitated: "Young Master Ma Chao is only seventeen this year, but his martial arts are superb, and he is General Ma's most valued successor. This..."

"It is precisely because of his exceptional martial arts skills that he should come to Chang'an," Lü Bu laughed. "I can personally instruct him in martial arts. Do you really think that having him by my side would bury his talent?"

The two quickly shook their heads, "No, no!"

To receive personal guidance from the greatest warrior in the land is an opportunity that many people would rather die for.

"Then it's settled." Lü Bu made the final decision. "Go back and tell Ma Teng and Han Sui that as long as they are loyal to the court, I, Lü Bu, will never mistreat them. But if they outwardly comply but inwardly defy the court and harbor ulterior motives, you have seen the fate of Li Jue and Guo Si."

The last sentence was chillingly menacing.

Pang De and Cheng Gongying trembled and said in unison, "Your subordinates understand!"

After seeing off the envoy from Xiliang, Jia Xu stepped out from behind the screen.

"General, will Ma Teng and Han Sui really send their sons?"

Lu Bu picked up his teacup and took a sip: "Ma Teng will meet. After all, he is the descendant of General Fubo, and he still yearns for an official title from the court. Moreover, the treatment I'm offering is good enough; he has no reason to refuse."

"Where is Han Sui?"

"Han Sui is cunning and might try something," Lü Bu sneered. "But if he doesn't send supplies, I'll reduce his rations. In Xiliang, without food, people will starve to death; he won't last long. I could even send Ma Teng to attack Han Sui. A battle between two powerful forces would benefit the court, which wouldn't be a bad idea."

Jia Xu nodded: "General, you are wise. However, I have heard of Ma Chao. It is said that he is as brave as his father and has an arrogant personality. I'm afraid he will not stay still after coming to Chang'an."

"What I want is for him to be restless." A glint flashed in Lü Bu's eyes. "It's good for young people to be arrogant, but we can subdue them. Zhang Xiu was also unruly when he first arrived, but isn't he obedient now? Once we subdue Ma Chao, we may be able to annex Liangzhou without bloodshed in the future."

Jia Xu laughed: "That's true. Zhang Xiu is now completely convinced of the Great General's abilities."

"By the way, what's the latest news from Zhang Ji?" Lu Bu asked.

"Zhang Ji has officially accepted the appointment as General Who Guards the East and is currently reorganizing the defenses of Hongnong. He submitted a memorial stating that Yuan Shu of Nanyang has been frequently mobilizing troops recently, possibly intending to attack and occupy Yuzhou. In addition, Yuan Shu appointed Sun Ce as the Colonel of Danshui, leading 2,000 troops, which seems to be aimed at Wuguan. He requested the court to strengthen the defenses of Wuguan."

Lü Bu frowned: "Yuan Shu is very arrogant and will declare himself emperor sooner or later. Have Cao Xing strengthen the defense of Wuguan Pass and transfer another three thousand troops to him. Also, tell Zhang Ji that if Yuan Shu attacks Hongnong, the imperial court will send troops to support him, and tell him to hold him off."

"Yes."

After Jia Xu left, Lü Bu walked to the window and looked at the withered leaves falling in the courtyard.

With Guanzhong secured, Xiliang is about to submit.

Next, it's time to look to the world.

But before that, he had to do one more thing—thoroughly reform the imperial court.

Although the current court outwardly obeys his orders, many secretly harbor the ambition to seize power for the young emperor.

These people must either be subdued or eliminated.

A cold glint flashed in Lü Bu's eyes.

In chaotic times, kindness will only lead to one's own demise.

Now that we've embarked on this path, there's no turning back.

What he wanted to do was neither be a powerful minister nor a loyal minister.

Instead, he plotted to usurp the throne and become the founding emperor.