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

Late October, Wuwei County, Xiliang, Guzang City.

Inside the main hall of Ma Teng's residence, the charcoal fire blazed brightly, yet it could not dispel the somber atmosphere.

Cheng Gongying and Pang De, looking travel-worn, stood in the hall and repeated Lü Bu's conditions word for word.

Ma Teng sat upright in the main seat, his face ashen.

He was nearly forty years old, with a burly build, a angular face, and a thick beard—a typical appearance of a military general from Xiliang.

"General Who Conquers the West, Governor of Liangzhou, receives 20,000 shi of millet and 20,000 guan of cash per month," Ma Teng repeated slowly, "The conditions are indeed generous."

Han Sui, sitting at the lower end, was older, about fifty years old, with a lean face and a glint in his eyes: "Mengqi is going to Chang'an as a hostage?"

Pang De cupped his hands in greeting: "Lu Bu specifically requests the sons of Ma Chao and Han Ping."

Han Sui's son, Han Ping, was already twenty-three years old. He mainly studied literature, but his martial arts skills were mediocre.

But Ma Chao was different—he was Ma Teng's most valued eldest son, who was already famous in Xiliang at the young age of seventeen, known as "Splendid Ma Chao," and had extraordinary martial arts skills.

"Father, I'm going!" A clear voice came from outside the hall.

Everyone turned their heads and saw a young man stride in.

He was over eight feet tall, with a handsome face and a heroic air about him. He wore a brocade robe and had a long sword at his waist; he was none other than Ma Chao.

"Mengqi, do you know what it means to go to Chang'an as a hostage?" Ma Teng said in a deep voice.

Ma Chao walked into the hall, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "I know. But the conditions offered by Lü Bu are beneficial to my Ma family and to Xiliang. Twenty thousand shi of grain and twenty thousand guan of money per month are enough for us to support more than ten thousand elite soldiers. With the grain and fodder we raise ourselves, we can support twenty to thirty thousand elite soldiers. With the official appointment from the court, Father will be the rightful Governor of Liangzhou and General Who Conquers the West, and will no longer be regarded as a rebel."

He paused, a hint of arrogance flashing in his eyes: "Besides, Lü Bu specifically requested me, which shows he values ​​me. Chang'an is the central hub of the realm; my trip there will allow me to witness the heroes of the world. Lü Bu claims to be the greatest in the land; I'll see just how powerful he truly is!"

Ma Teng looked at his son, his heart filled with complex emotions.

He knew his son was proud and arrogant, but he also knew this was the best option at the moment.

The Western Liang region is barren and suffers from food shortages every year. If it can obtain a stable supply of provisions from Lü Bu, its strength will surely increase significantly.

"Brother Shoucheng," Han Sui began, "I think this is feasible. Lü Bu now controls the court, holding the emperor hostage to command the other lords. We may nominally submit to the court, but in reality, we remain autonomous. As for the hostage, Ping'er can go, but Mengqi is highly skilled in martial arts and may be able to make a name for himself in Chang'an."

Ma Teng remained silent for a long time before finally nodding: "Alright, let's do as Lü Bu says. Mengqi, prepare yourself for your journey to Chang'an. Remember, be cautious in Chang'an and avoid causing trouble."

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Ma Chao's eyes flashed with excitement.

Han Sui also said, "I will have Ping'er prepare to travel with Meng Qi."

After the meeting, Ma Teng kept Cheng Gongying and Pang De alone.

"Lingming, did you see Lü Bu in person in Chang'an?" Ma Teng asked.

Pound nodded: "I saw him. He was a very imposing man with an impressive presence, certainly no ordinary military commander. When he received us, although his words were calm, his gaze was piercing, making us afraid to look him in the eye."

"How strong is he?"

"This humble general has personally witnessed his new halberd, which weighs 99 jin (approximately 44.5 catties), and he wields a powerful bow with a ten-stone weight," Pang De said in a deep voice. "Li Jue and Guo Si were killed by his arrow; it was no accident."

Ma Teng gasped.

With a 99-pound halberd and a ten-stone bow, the range of which far exceeded the level of hitting a willow leaf from a hundred paces, this was beyond his understanding of a "sharp archer".

"It seems that Meng Qi may not be able to gain any advantage on this trip," Ma Teng muttered.

Cheng Gongying advised, "General, there is no need to worry. Although Lü Bu is brave, he also needs the stability of Xiliang. As long as we outwardly submit, he will not make things difficult for you, young master. On the contrary, if you can get Lü Bu's guidance in Chang'an, your martial arts skills may even improve further."

Ma Teng nodded, but a deeper meaning flashed in his eyes: "If Lü Bu provides grain and money, we'll accept it. With this food and supplies, we can recruit more soldiers and train a stronger army. When the time is right..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but Cheng Gongying and Pound both understood.

In chaotic times, who wouldn't want to vie for supremacy?

Lu Bu is powerful today, but who can guarantee he won't fall tomorrow?

As long as the Ma family has a strong and well-equipped army, they may well have a chance to take control of Guanzhong in the future.

After Han Sui and Cheng Gongying returned to Jincheng County, they held a secret meeting with several trusted confidants.

"My lord, do you really want to send the young master to Chang'an as a hostage?" General Yan Xing asked, frowning.

Han Sui sneered: "Go, why not go? Lü Bu gives you 15,000 shi of grain and 15,000 guan of cash every month. Where else can you find such a good deal? As for Ping'er, he's safer in Chang'an as a hostage. If he stays in Xiliang, the day war breaks out, swords will have no eyes."

Another strategist said, "But if we do that, we'll be tied down by Lü Bu."

"Tie them up?" Han Sui shook his head. "It's just nominal submission. The Western Liang region is far from the emperor's reach; Lü Bu's influence can't extend here. We should recruit and train our troops as needed. It's not too late to take over Guanzhong when we have sufficient strength."

He paused, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes: "Ma Shoucheng must think the same way. His son, Ma Chao, is brave and might be able to get a position in Lü Bu's army if he goes to Chang'an, and could potentially coordinate an attack from within."

"Our lord is wise!"

In early winter, Ma Chao and Han Ping each arrived in Chang'an with several personal guards.

Lü Bu received the two men at the General's Mansion.

Ma Chao, clad in silver armor and with a long sword at his waist, strode into the hall with his head held high and chest out.

Although he was only seventeen years old, he was tall and upright with an extraordinary air about him, and his brows carried the unique boldness and pride of the people of Xiliang.

Han Ping was dressed as a scholar, with a fair complexion and reserved demeanor, which contrasted sharply with Ma Chao.

"Ma Chao (Han Ping) pays his respects to the General!" The two knelt on one knee.

Lu Bu sat in the main seat, sizing up Ma Chao, and secretly praised him: He is indeed a handsome man, worthy of being called a top general of the Three Kingdoms.

"Get up," Lü Bu said. "Ma Mengqi, I've heard you're exceptionally skilled in martial arts, known as the 'Magnificent Ma Chao'?"

Ma Chao stood up, clasped his hands in a respectful but not arrogant manner, and replied, "I dare not accept such praise. My humble reputation is nothing but a joke to the General."

"They say there are no wrong nicknames, only wrong names, so there's no need to be modest," Lü Bu laughed. "Zhang Xiu is also in the mansion. You are about the same age and your martial arts skills are comparable, so it's a good opportunity for you to have a friendly spar."

Ma Chao's eyes lit up: "Zhang Xiu? Is that Zhang Ji's nephew, the one nicknamed the 'Northern Spear King'?"

Lü Bu nodded: "Exactly."

Ma Chao said excitedly, "This humble general has long heard of his name and would like to have a friendly spar with him!"

Lü Bu laughed and said, "There will be plenty of opportunities, but let's arrange positions first. Han Ping, you are good at literary matters, so you will serve as the Director of the Bureau of Foreign Affairs under the Grand Herald, responsible for receiving envoys from feudal lords, foreign states, and ethnic minorities."

Han Ping was delighted. The position was easy and prestigious, filled with eating and drinking every day—perfect for him. "Thank you, General!"

"Ma Chao, you are highly skilled in martial arts, so you will serve as a captain in my personal guard battalion, under Cheng Lian's command. The personal guard battalion is the elite of our army, so you must train hard and not let down the reputation of your descendant, General Fubo."

Ma Chao clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Your humble servant obeys!"