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

Wei Xu arrived shortly afterward.

Lu Bu introduced, "Wei Xu, this is Gao Shun, an expert in training troops. I'd like him to assist you in training the Trapped Camp. What do you think?"

Wei Xu sized up Gao Shun and, seeing his extraordinary bearing, clasped his hands in a fist and said, "General Gao's presence is a great blessing to the Trapped Camp."

Gao Shun returned the greeting: "I have long admired General Wei's great name, and I am willing to impart all my knowledge to him."

Lü Bu said, "You two should discuss the methods of training troops. If Gao Shun's method is better, he will be in charge of the Trapped Camp in the future. As for Wei Xu, I have other important tasks for him."

Wei Xu's heart skipped a beat, but he remained outwardly calm: "This subordinate obeys!"

He knew that Lü Bu was testing Gao Shun and also giving himself a chance—if he could prove that he was no worse than Gao Shun, he would naturally remain the commander of the Trapped Camp.

After the two men left, Jia Xu asked, "General, is Gao Shun trustworthy?"

Lü Bu nodded: "I know a little about Gao Shun's character. He is a man of his word and keeps his promises. Now that he has come to serve me, he will surely do his best."

"That Chen Gong..."

"It's Chen Gong's loss that he's not coming," Lü Bu said calmly. "There are plenty of talented people in the world; we don't need another one like him. Wenhe, continue to recruit talented people in the name of the court. Don't ask about their background; as long as they have real talent, I will use them."

"promise."

After Jia Xu left, Lü Bu pondered alone.

Chen Gong's rejection made him realize a problem: the aristocratic class still looked down on him.

Even though he is now a Grand General, Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, and Marquis of Wen, controlling the court, in the eyes of those powerful families, he is still that "frontier warrior" and "three-surname slave".

"It seems we need to think of another way," Lu Bu murmured.

The gentry looked down on him, so he employed people from humble backgrounds and commoners.

In this era, many talented individuals from humble backgrounds are overlooked.

If he gives these people a chance, they will work for him.

Thinking of this, Lü Bu summoned Meng Cheng: "Set up a talent recruitment hall in Chang'an. Regardless of whether one is a scholar, farmer, artisan, or merchant, and no matter where one comes from, as long as one has a special skill, one can come to Chang'an to take the exam. Those who pass will be employed according to their abilities."

"In addition, a military academy will be set up to select outstanding soldiers and junior officers from the army, and senior generals will teach them military strategy, battle formations, and martial arts. Graduates will be given priority for promotion."

"A new workshop will be established to recruit artisans and research weapons, agricultural implements, and tools. Those who make inventions or creations will be richly rewarded."

With each order issued, a selection system, distinct from the monopoly of the aristocratic class, was quietly established under Lü Bu's leadership.

Several days later, at the training ground of the Vanguard Camp.

Wei Xu and Gao Shun stood side by side, watching the heavy infantry training in the field.

"General Gao, what do you think of the training of my Trapped Camp?" Wei Xu asked.

After observing for a moment, Gao Shun said, "The soldiers are brave and well-equipped; they are indeed elite. However, their coordination is still lacking."

"Oh? Please enlighten me."

"The key to the Trapped Camp's heavy infantry's success in attacking fortified positions lies in their tight formation and strict discipline," Gao Shun said. "I see that the soldiers are all quite skilled in individual combat, but their formation transitions are somewhat sluggish. When charging, the front and rear are disconnected; when defending, their flanks are weak."

Wei Xu frowned: "Then, in General Gao's opinion, how should it be improved?"

Gao Shun walked to the center of the field and personally directed the operation.

"Everyone, heed my command—form a circular formation!"

The soldiers of the Trapped Camp looked at Wei Xu.

Wei Xu nodded: "Do as General Gao says!"

The soldiers quickly formed ranks, but at different speeds, and the formation was somewhat loose.

Gao Shun shouted sternly, "Too slow! The enemy cavalry will charge in an instant. If you keep in formation like this, you'll have been broken long ago! Try again!"

He personally demonstrated how to stand, how to move, and how to coordinate.

Once, twice, three times...

The soldiers gradually mastered the technique, and their formation changes became faster and more orderly.

Wei Xu watched from the sidelines, deeply moved.

Gao Shun's training methods were indeed more systematic and rigorous than his, but also more effective.

An hour later, the formation training of the Trapped Camp was already quite impressive.

Gao Shun walked up to Wei Xu, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "General Wei, this humble general has overstepped his bounds."

Wei Xu shook his head and sighed, "General Gao's training of troops is indeed unique. I am ashamed to admit that I am not as good as him."

Although he was unwilling, he was also convinced that Gao Shun's skill in training troops was indeed superior to his own.

"From today onwards, General Gao will be in charge of the training of the Trapped Camp," Wei Xu said. "I will request the Grand General to appoint General Gao as the commander of the Trapped Camp."

Gao Shun hurriedly said, "General Wei, there's no need for that. I was merely assisting."

"There's no need to refuse," Wei Xu said solemnly. "What the Grand General wants is the strongest Trapped Camp. Whoever can make the Trapped Camp stronger should be its commander. I will personally explain this to the Grand General."

Gao Shun looked at Wei Xu, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes.

This person has a magnanimous heart.

……

Starting in November, snow began to fall in various parts of northern China.

At first, it was just a light, scattered snowfall, but it quickly turned into a heavy, continuous snowfall.

In Chang'an, icicles hung from the eaves, and the snow on the streets was knee-deep.

Inside the General's mansion, the charcoal braziers burned bright red.

Lu Bu looked at the swirling snow outside the window, his brow furrowed.

Only then did he vaguely recall that there was a historical record stating: "In the winter of the third year of the Chuping era, there was a heavy snowfall in Guanzhong, with a depth of more than ten feet, and countless people and livestock froze to death."

This is a natural disaster, but also a test.

"Wenhe, have you received any reports of snow from various places?" Lü Bu asked.

Jia Xu, holding a stack of bamboo slips, said with a grave expression, "The report has arrived. In the twenty-three counties of Jingzhao Prefecture, the snow depth has reached five feet, and many houses have collapsed. The situation is even worse in Zuo Fengyi and You Fufeng, where the snow accumulation exceeds ten feet in some places, roads are cut off, and communication is impossible."

"How are the people faring?"

"We are suffering from hunger and cold," Jia Xu sighed. "Many families didn't even have enough grain from the autumn harvest to last until next spring's planting. Now, with the heavy snow blocking their doors, they can't go out to make a living, and I'm afraid there will be trouble."

Lu Bu stood up, paced around for a moment, and said, "Issue the following order: First, all counties and prefectures should open their granaries and distribute grain, set up soup kitchens, and provide porridge twice a day to ensure that no one starves to death."

"Secondly, vacate government offices, temples, and vacant houses to shelter the homeless. Provide bedding and clothing, with the expenses borne by the imperial court."

"Third, organize able-bodied young men to clear snow and roads to restore traffic. Those who participate in snow clearing will be provided with meals and paid extra wages."

"Fourth, the Imperial Medical Bureau was ordered to send medical officers to various places to prevent and treat frostbite and colds."

Jia Xu quickly took notes, but looked troubled: "General, all of this requires money and provisions. Now the roads are blocked by heavy snow, and the granaries in various places are already not full. If we open the granaries and release the grain, I'm afraid we won't last until spring."

Lü Bu waved his hand: "I'll take care of the money and provisions. You just need to pass on the orders to all the counties. Anyone who dares to withhold disaster relief funds or provisions will be executed without mercy!"

"promise!"

The order was quickly relayed.

At first, the counties hesitated – open the granaries and release grain? In those days, where would you find so much grain?

But soon, caravans of carriages braved the heavy snow and set off from Chang'an, heading to various places.

The wagon was loaded with grain, bedding, and clothing.

The escorting officer shouted, "By order of the General, we are transporting disaster relief supplies. All counties, please come to our aid immediately!"

The prefects and magistrates were stunned.

Where did Lü Bu get so many supplies?

But no one dared to ask, nor did anyone dare to be negligent—Lu Bu had said that anyone who dared to withhold funds would be killed without mercy.