Three Kingdoms New Lü Bu
Also, Bei Di Zhang Shu Fu Xian presented a memorial to the imperial court, recommending Lü Bu as the governor of Bei Di. The document read: In the fifth year of Guanghe (182 AD), in June, the Left Virtuous King of the Southern Xiongnu, Che Niu, colluded with the Wusun and Liu Bao's tribes to rebel against the Chanyu. The Governor of Beidi did not heed my words, and personally went to the residence of the Left Xiongnu, attempting to reconcile the Left Virtuous King and the Chanyu, but was unexpectedly killed by Liu Bao. Liu Bao murdered a Han envoy, which is a capital offense. Bao is cruel and inhumane, killing a Han envoy without asking for pardon, instead colluding with the Left Virtuous King Che Niu, gathering three thousand Xiongnu cavalry to attack and harass the Beidi prefecture's administrative center at Ma Ridge. I knew that the Xiongnu are cruel and violent, and also that the military strength of Beidi is insufficient. Therefore, I gathered the soldiers and civilians to defend the city to the death, waiting for reinforcements.
The Xiongnu attacked the city for over ten days, and Maliang was in danger every day. At the critical moment of Maliang's crisis, Hou Lü Bu from the Shuofang army came to reinforce with his troops. Lü Bu, a native of Jiuyuan County in Wuyuan Prefecture, was young but extremely powerful. He initially served as the county magistrate of Shuofang and after four years, the Xianbei invaded and plundered Shuofang. Lü Bu led the soldiers and civilians to defend the city, during which he discovered a weakness in the enemy's defense and used ten cavalrymen to capture an enemy camp of over a thousand men, driving away the enemy forces with one battle. Governor Jia promoted Lü Bu to military marquis due to his bravery.
Lü Bu's relief force was less than three hundred. Taking advantage of the Xiongnu attacking and harassing the city, and having no rear guard, he led his troops to launch a surprise attack on the Xiongnu from behind. With less than three hundred cavalry, Lü Bu killed over three thousand Xiongnu soldiers and beheaded more than five hundred of them under the city wall. What's more, Lü Bu cut down Liu Bao with one spear thrust, avenging the humiliation of killing the Han envoy.
Now Beidi has no leader. I have carefully considered: Lü Bu led his cavalry to launch a surprise attack on the Xiongnu, they saw that the Xiongnu were only attacking the city and had no rear guard, this showed that he took advantage of the situation and attacked when the enemy was unprepared, which is what wise people do. This is one example of Lü Bu's wisdom.
Secondly, even if a wise person sees an opportunity to attack the enemy when they are unprepared, but Lü Bu's cavalry was less than three hundred, while the Xiongnu had more than three thousand horsemen, ten times that of Lü Bu. Lü Bu saw the opportunity and did not give up, still using his small force to attack a large one, this shows that he is brave.
I personally witnessed from the city gate that Lü Bu used his small force to attack a large one, his army's defense and offense were in order, I don't know what formation Lü Bu's cavalry was in. However, their formation was well-organized, they did not stop when encountering obstacles, nor did they break when attacked, their advance and retreat were in order. This shows that Lü Bu has excellent military tactics.
Lü Bu is brave and wise, with exceptional military tactics, I think his talent is beyond ordinary people. However, currently he is only a general of a small county in the northwest region, this is burying a talented person. After careful consideration, I discussed it with the two Duwei on my left and right.
The north region is a cold and bitter place, to the north there are the Xianbei who frequently raid the borders, to the west there are the Xiongnu who rebel without warning. The north region is a place of many difficulties, only an exceptional person can guard it. Therefore, I respectfully submit a request to recommend Lü Bu as the governor of the north region, with Lü Bu's bravery and military tactics, he can intimidate the Xiongnu and Xianbei in the northern borders. I humbly request that Your Majesty grant this.
Fu Xian submitted a memorial to Luoyang, and the court discussed the many troubles in the northern regions.
Bei Zhonglang General Lu Zhi praised: "This Lü Bu is truly a great general of the Han Dynasty, previously the governor of Beidi, Jia Xu also spoke of Lü Bu's bravery in attacking the Xianbei, now I see Fu Changshi speak of his power in defeating the Xiongnu. The Emperor, currently there is no governor in Beidi. In my opinion, it is suitable to accept Fu Changshi's recommendation and appoint Lü Bu as the governor of Beidi."
The Imperial Censor-in-Chief, Yuan Fang, opposed this, saying: "Your Majesty, although Lü Bu is brave, being the governor of a single province is not a position that can be taken lightly. Lü Bu was only a county captain by origin and has been promoted to marquis within a year. Although he has rendered great service in defeating the Xiongnu again, his seniority is still shallow and his origins are humble. I think it would be better to wait for some time before making a decision."
"Your Majesty, I think the Northern Gentleman's words are excellent and the recommendation of the Imperial Historian is appropriate. The North is a land of bitter cold and great danger, with the Xianbei to the north and the Xiongnu to the west. It is a crucial place for war, and defending this land requires a skilled warrior. Lü Bu previously, as a county lieutenant, led ten riders to capture the camp of a thousand Xianbei horsemen, and later had three hundred riders defeat three thousand Xiongnu with great merit. This shows that Lü Bu is a skilled warrior. I think he should be rewarded for his achievements and promoted to Governor."
"Your Majesty, Lü Bu is indeed skilled in battle, but his reputation is not great. The northern region is the gateway to the western part of the imperial territory, and it's not suitable to lightly appoint someone to govern it. I think it would be better to observe him a bit longer."
Emperor Liu Xuan listened to one on his left and another on his right, growing increasingly annoyed, with a look of displeasure on his face.
Eunuch Zhang Rang saw the two sides opposing each other and secretly rejoiced in his heart: "This Lü Bu is truly a strange phenomenon. Since I gained favor, all the scholar-officials and imperial relatives have been enemies of us eunuchs, but unexpectedly, only this lone Guan Yu has allowed these ministers to fight among themselves. It's beneficial for me to watch them fight."
Taishi Zhang Heng saw that the Emperor had a worried expression, so he chose one and memorialized: "Your Majesty, what each of the officials has said is reasonable, and Fu Changshi's recommendation is also reasonable. I think it would be best to choose one from among them, and make Lü Bu the Governor of Pingyuan in Beihai, first observing his abilities before making a final decision."
Liu Hong listened and said with annoyance: "So be it, both sides will stop arguing, and this will be the decision."
His Excellency, the Grand Minister, having spoken to the Emperor with determination, also thought that each had their own concessions, and so did not continue to argue. He then made Lü Bu the Governor of Beidi Province. Unexpectedly, shortly after the imperial edict was issued, it may not have even reached the government office of Beidi Province. Fu Xian again petitioned: "Lü Bu's bravery cannot be underestimated. In just over two months, the lands of Beidi and Shuofang were renovated with new walls and gates, and the training of the provincial troops was rigorous and courageous. The rebellious Xiongnu were all killed or driven across the Yellow River, and Beidi obtained tens of thousands of horses, cattle, and sheep. Within the river bend, the Qiang and Hu barbarians all surrendered, and no one dared to defy the imperial court's orders. Lü Bu used the spoils from defeating the Xiongnu and Xianbei to support the troops in Beidi Province. This is a great achievement. I have not received an imperial edict for a long time, so I again recommend Lü Bu as the Governor of Beidi Province. I humbly request that Your Majesty grant this."
The courtiers again had many disputes over this, and some said that Fu Xian was too impulsive, fearing that there would be suspicions of unfairness in the selection of scholars. Liu Hong heard that the courtiers were still arguing and getting annoyed.
Zhang let out a sly laugh and whispered to Liu Hong, "Since Lü Bu can obtain military supplies on his own, why not just let him be the Governor of Beidi and have him provide for himself? This way, the Emperor can save a lot of money and grain." Hehehe...
Liu Hong was delighted. That's right. Since Lü Bu can raise his own funds, let him be the governor of Beidi, and let him figure out how to collect military expenses on his own. Then I can save a lot of money. So he said to the ministers: "Is this Lü Bu really capable? According to Fu Xian's memorial, Lü Bu has obtained tens of thousands of horses, cattle, and sheep from fighting against the Xiongnu and Xianbei, which can be used as military expenses. I think Lü Bu can be the governor of Beidi, let him go and fight against the Xiongnu and Xianbei on his own to support the army in Beidi. In this way, the court can save a lot of money."
Lu Bu was initially delighted when he heard that the Emperor wanted to appoint him as the Governor of Beidi, but his expression changed when he heard that the Emperor wanted him to lead a campaign against the Xiongnu and Xianbei tribes on his own and use the resources of Beidi to fund his military campaigns. He hastily advised: "Your Majesty, if you want to appoint Lu Bu as the Governor of Beidi, I will agree with it. However, if you want him to lead a campaign against the Xiongnu and Xianbei tribes to obtain military funds, I hope Your Majesty will reconsider this decision. Since ancient times, victory and defeat have been common occurrences in warfare. Although Lu Bu is skilled in battle, there is no such thing as being undefeated. The Xiongnu and Xianbei are both fierce and brutal tribes. It may be possible to achieve victories against them once or twice, but it would be unwise to let Lu Bu lead a campaign against them on his own to obtain military funds. If Lu Bu suffers one defeat, will not the entire Beidi region be in danger? We cannot assume that he is invincible just because of a small victory. The way of warfare dictates that supplies and provisions should be sent before troops are deployed. If the imperial court withholds funding for the army in Beidi, the soldiers will have no money or food, and even if Zhao Yun were to be reborn, he would not be able to defend it."
Zhang let the northern land be heavy or not, whether it was guarded or not, he only managed to make the emperor happy. Originally thought that he had come up with a good idea, the emperor would listen and be very pleased. But was opposed by Lu Zhi. He was very dissatisfied with Lu Zhi in his heart. So he said to the emperor: "Your Majesty, Jia Guo was the governor of Beidi for over a decade, and the court spent a lot of money every year, but it didn't see how well Jia Guo guarded it. The Xianbei still raided Shaofang and Beidi every year. Now that Lü Bu has come, Shaofang and Beidi have changed completely, and last year there was no news of the Xianbei raiding the border. It can be seen that this is a man-made way, and Lü Bu is the emperor's lucky general. Why not let Lü Bu be the governor of Beidi first, and then discuss it later when something happens?"
Liu Hong agreed, and decided to save some money and grain first. If Lü Bu couldn't become the Governor of Beidi, they could change it later. So he was about to issue an edict to make Lü Bu the Governor of Beidi, and let him handle the military supplies himself.
The emperor's intention had not yet been carried out, and all the military officers in the palace tried to stop him, saying that they could not make a joke of the northern region, which was an important border area where military expenses could not be reduced. Emperor Liu Hong was helpless and had to compromise slightly, appointing Lü Bu as the governor of Beidi, but still reducing the military expenses for Beidi.
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