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

"Is the visitor Guo Fengxiao of Yingchuan?" Lü Bu walked up to Guo Jia, his voice loud and eager.

Guo Jia hurriedly straightened his clothes and bowed deeply to the ground: "Guo Jia, a poor scholar from Yingchuan, pays his respects to the Great General! I am unworthy and incompetent, and I am deeply humbled by the Great General's personal welcome!"

Lu Bu reached out and helped Guo Jia up, scrutinizing him closely—the young man before him was tall and slender with a handsome face. Although he was covered in dust, his eyes were bright, and his brows exuded a wild and unrestrained air, just like the Guo Jia described in historical records.

"Fengxiao, there's no need for such formalities," Lü Bu said with a smile. "I have long admired your name. To meet you today is truly a stroke of good fortune!"

Guo Jia was deeply shaken.

He was a poor scholar with no fame or power, yet Lü Bu said "I have long heard of you" and was so humble. This attitude of respecting and humbly treating scholars was completely different from the arrogant and domineering Lü Bu in the rumors.

"General, you flatter me. I am unworthy of such praise." Guo Jia bowed again. "I am of limited talent and learning. I have been summoned by the General and have come to Chang'an to serve you. I am willing to do my utmost."

"Good! Good!" Lü Bu pulled Guo Jia's hand. "I have Fengxiao, just as Emperor Gaozu had Zhang Liang! Come, let's go inside and talk."

Guo Jia felt a surge of warmth in his heart as Lü Bu held his wrist and he felt that genuine enthusiasm.

He came from a poor, collateral branch of a family, and his talents went unrecognized. He had never received such treatment before. Moreover, the person who treated him with such courtesy was the Grand General and Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, who actually controlled the military and political power of the country.

Jia Xu observed from the side and saw that although Guo Jia was young, he was composed and handled things properly. Moreover, Lü Bu valued him so much, so he knew that this man must have extraordinary abilities. Therefore, he stepped forward to greet him and said, "Jia Xu, the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, greets Master Fengxiao."

Meng Cheng also cupped his hands in greeting: "Meng Cheng, Chief Secretary of the General's Mansion, greets you, sir."

Guo Jia hurriedly returned the greeting: "Jia greets Lord Jia and Chief Clerk Meng. I have long heard of Lord Jia's profound wisdom and his assistance to the General in pacifying Guanzhong. It is an honor to meet you today."

The group entered the mansion and took their seats in the front hall.

Lu Bu ordered tea to be served. Guo Jia saw that the tea was clear and fragrant, and it was indeed a top-quality tea. In those days, tea was a rare commodity, and even ordinary nobles rarely had the opportunity to enjoy it.

"Fengxiao, you must have had a long and arduous journey," Lü Bu asked with concern. "From Yingchuan to Chang'an, it's a long way. Was the journey smooth?"

Guo Jia put down his teacup: "Thank you for your concern, General. Although we encountered wind and snow on the way, things went much smoother after we entered Hongnong. General Zhang Ji's checkpoints allowed us to pass upon seeing the imperial documents and even sent troops to escort us for a while."

"That's good." Lü Bu nodded. "Fengxiao, since you've just arrived in Chang'an, have you seen the city?"

Guo Jia said solemnly, "I dare not hide it from the General. What I have seen and heard on my journey has been very shocking. In the territory of Henan Yin, there is war and famine, and the people are suffering. But once we enter Hongnong, the scene is completely different—the government provides relief in an orderly manner, the people have a sense of life, the refugees are settled, and there is trade in the market. Such a scene of peace and order has appeared in this chaotic world, which really amazes me."

He paused, then looked at Lü Bu: "What I find even more perplexing is how the General manages to have such abundant funds and provisions, enough to support the army, pacify the people, and win over all sides? I wonder if the rumors of divinely bestowed granaries I heard along the way are true?"

Lu Bu and Jia Xu exchanged a glance, and Jia Xu smiled without saying a word.

"We'll discuss this matter tomorrow." Lü Bu waved his hand. "Fengxiao has come a long way and is exhausted. He should rest well today. I've already ordered someone to prepare a guest room with hot water and food. After Fengxiao has rested for the night, we can have a good talk tomorrow."

Guo Jia was taken aback.

He had expected Lü Bu to be eager to test his talent or inquire about the state of the world, but to his surprise, Lü Bu asked him to rest first.

This thoughtfulness touched him even more.

"General..." Guo Jia stood up, intending to bow again.

Lü Bu pressed down on his shoulder: "Fengxiao, there's no need for such formalities. There's plenty of time in the future. Now that you've come to Chang'an, you're one of my advisors, and we'll have plenty of time to talk. Just rest today and recharge your energy."

Having said that, he summoned his personal guards: "Take Mr. Fengxiao to the guest room in the east courtyard and serve him well. Have the kitchen prepare wine and dishes, but keep them light, suitable for a long journey. Also prepare hot water and new clothes; do not neglect him."

"Yes, sir!" the guard replied.

Guo Jia was led by his personal guards to the east courtyard. Looking back, he saw Lü Bu still watching him leave from the hall entrance, and he was filled with emotion.

Born into a poor family and having witnessed the coldness of human nature since childhood, he had never received such treatment before.

This Marquis Wen, Lü Bu, is far removed from the legendary image of a brave but reckless and fickle man.

After Guo Jia left, Jia Xu spoke up: "The General seems to value this man highly?"

Lu Bu sat back in the main seat, his expression solemn: "Wenhe, Guo Fengxiao's talent is no less than yours. It's just that he comes from a humble background and is young, so his reputation is not well known. But I know that he is good at strategy, especially ingenious plans. If we have his assistance, it will be like adding wings to a tiger."

Jia Xu pondered for a moment: "In that case, I will not disturb you tomorrow, so that the General and Mr. Fengxiao can have a private conversation."

"No." Lü Bu shook his head. "Wenhe will also come tomorrow. Fengxiao's talent lies in military strategy and ingenious tactics; Wenhe's talent lies in political strategy and winning people's hearts. You two each have your strengths and can complement each other perfectly. From now on, you two will be my left and right arms, working together to accomplish great things."

Jia Xu felt a warmth in his heart and cupped his hands, saying, "I will do my utmost."

The next morning, Guo Jia woke up naturally.

This was the most restful sleep he had had in months—the room was warm and clean, the bedding was thick, and there were guards on duty outside the door, so he was undisturbed.

After getting up, a maid brought hot water for washing up, and then brought new clothes: a dark blue robe, a sheepskin coat over it, and thick-soled cotton boots.

Guo Jia changed into it, and the size was just right, clearly indicating that it had been measured the night before.

"Master Fengxiao, the General is waiting in the front hall. Please have breakfast before proceeding," the maid said respectfully.

Breakfast consisted of millet porridge, steamed buns, pickled vegetables, and a bowl of mutton soup, all piping hot.

After a hearty meal, Guo Jia felt refreshed and all the fatigue from his many days of travel vanished.

Upon arriving at the front hall, Lü Bu was already waiting, with only Jia Xu accompanying him.

"Fengxiao, are you resting well?" Lü Bu asked with a smile.

"Thank you for your kindness, General. I have rested well." Guo Jia bowed and said, "I feel refreshed today and am willing to serve you, General."

"Sit." Lü Bu gestured for Guo Jia to sit down, and dismissed the attendants, leaving only the three of them in the hall.

Guo Jia sat up straight, knowing that the real test was about to begin.

"Now that you, Fengxiao, have come to Chang'an, you must know my ambitions," Lü Bu said bluntly. "The world is in chaos, the Han dynasty is in decline, and warlords are carving up the land. I, Lü Bu, though unworthy, wish to quell this chaos and restore peace to the world. May I ask, Fengxiao, how we should proceed?"

Guo Jia did not answer immediately, but instead asked, "May I ask, General, what are your ambitions?"

"What do you mean?"

"Does the Grand General intend to be like Huo Guang, assisting the Han Dynasty and returning power to the Emperor after the empire is pacified? Or does he intend to be like…" Guo Jia paused, looking directly at Lü Bu, "Emperor Gaozu, Emperor Guangwu?"

Silence fell over the hall after these words were spoken.

Jia Xu remained expressionless, as if he had expected this.

Lü Bu looked at Guo Jia and suddenly burst into laughter: "Fengxiao, you truly lack integrity! Since that's the case, I won't hide it from you—the fate of the Han Dynasty is sealed, beyond human power to reverse. What I must do is establish a new dynasty and pacify the world!"

A glint flashed in Guo Jia's eyes. He rose and bowed deeply: "Since the General has spoken so frankly, I, Jia, shall reciprocate with the same sincerity. In that case, I am willing to offer all my knowledge to assist the General in achieving his ambition of becoming a king!"

"Very well!" Lü Bu helped Guo Jia up. "Fengxiao, please sit down and tell me in detail."