As imperial edicts to quell the rebellion were issued, the entire court began to operate at a rapid pace. Patrol teams of guards roamed the streets, and led by members of the intelligence bureau, they began to arrest spies from various families who had infiltrated Luoyang.

When the common people, students, wandering knights, and workers who participated in the national memorial ceremony learned that someone had indeed started a rebellion, they were all outraged.

Previously, people had only heard rumors of a plot to rebel, but now that someone had actually raised an army, the people of Luoyang could no longer tolerate it.

If you were to say that a major disaster had occurred somewhere and the people had reached their breaking point and started a rebellion, the public would be too lazy to care, and might even feel sympathy for them.

However, in such a peaceful and harmonious period of good governance, there are still people who raise troops to rebel. This is clearly a heinous crime, intending to bring people back to war. How can anyone tolerate this?

Meanwhile, the Taoists of the Taiping Sect also came out of their mountain gates and spread their teachings, branding the rebels as demons.

The Royal Merchant Guild also mobilized immediately, donating money and goods to the court and calling on all merchants to jointly resist the rebellion. Merchants and powerful families in Luoyang responded in unison.

Members of prominent families such as the Yuan, Xun, Chen, Zhong, and Cao families also stepped forward to condemn the rebellious scholars.

In no time, the people in Luoyang spread the news, and students, workers, and wandering knights all volunteered to join the army to quell the rebellion!

Many young people even silently took up arms, gathered their friends and companions, and headed to Zuo Fengyi to assist the royal army in suppressing the rebellion.

They were all worshippers and followers of the emperor; anyone who opposed the emperor was their enemy!

For a time, the entire city of Luoyang, from high-ranking officials to ordinary peddlers, launched a massive campaign of condemnation against both those who had already raised armies and those who had not.

Those from other prefectures and counties were all shocked and bewildered to see the people of Luoyang making such a fuss because of a rebellion.

In Deyang Palace, Liu Hong calmly looked at the palace maid Xiao Qiong before him and said in a deep voice, "You've had a hard time these past few days! You don't need to stay in the palace anymore; go find a job at the opera house!"

"This servant thanks Your Majesty for your kindness!"

Seeing that the emperor had no intention of punishing her, Xiao Qiong immediately wept and thanked him, and was then taken away.

Watching Xiao Qiong leave, Liu Hong smiled, then got up and stretched comfortably.

"Phew, this day has finally come. All my hard work and planning over this long period of time has not been in vain!"

Liu Hong's original intention was to eliminate Xiao Qiong after dealing with this matter.

However, considering that she helped him spread many false messages to mislead Liu Kui and Lu Qing, Liu Hong still couldn't bring himself to be ruthless.

Although Liu Hong was willing to use any means necessary to make the Han Dynasty strong, he was not a bloodthirsty person. He only wanted to kill those who hindered him and the Han Dynasty's prosperity.

The next day, a joint urgent report from Wang Yun and a group of officials from Zuo Fengyi also reached Liu Hong's desk.

Liu Hong then released the evidence that Gao Cheng had conspired with Liu Kui, Lu Qing, and a group of scholars to plot a rebellion.

As this evidence was revealed, newspapers everywhere and storytellers in teahouses began to describe the crimes and sinister intentions of those people.

In an instant, those scholars who were once high and mighty were despised by all social classes in Luoyang, like rats crossing the street.

Under Liu Hong's manipulation, public opinion became overwhelmingly negative, with people constantly condemning those who plotted rebellion.

Three days had passed since Gao Cheng and others started their rebellion.

The situation in Gaoling had not yet reached the provinces of Ji, Yan, and Qing, but news of Liu Yan's arrest had already reached the ears of Liu Kui, Lu Qing, and others. They also learned that the court had sent people to investigate their plot to rebel.

As Yang Qiu, Li Ying, and others led the Imperial Guards closer and closer, Liu Kui and the others could no longer sit still and began their own preparations.

They knew that if they didn't resist now, they would truly have no chance left.

In the study of the Lu residence, Lu Qing sat in the main seat with a gloomy expression, looking at the steward beside him and asking, "Where are Yang Qiu and the others now?"

The steward replied, "According to Master, Yang Qiu and five thousand Imperial Guards have already arrived in Zhao County, Xun Shuang has arrived in Jiyin, and Li Ying has arrived and is heading towards Qingzhou!"

Lu Qing then asked, "How is the situation on Zhang Rang's side?"

"Zhang Rang is leading the Yellow Wind Camp, Black Edge Camp, and Blazing Fire Camp, along with 10,000 Youzhou soldiers, who are currently deployed in various counties of Changshan and Zhongshan to conduct population census and land surveys!"

Lu Qing nodded: "That's good. Has there been any news from the King of Bohai?"

"have!"

The butler nodded, then took out a letter and handed it to Lu Qing.

In the letter, Liu Kui instructed Lu Qing to take advantage of the fact that the camps of Huangfeng, Heifeng, and Liehuo were scattered in Changshan and Zhongshan, seize Shunyin first, then head south to connect with Bohai and join forces with Liu Kui, then take Hejian, Anping, Qinghe and Weijun, and then defend the city.

After the righteous armies of Qing and Yan provinces have eliminated the forces of Li Ying, Xun Shuang, and others, they will then send troops to jointly eliminate Yang Qiu's five thousand Imperial Guards and the forces of Zhang Rang, Huang Zhong, and others.

Then, while the Youzhou army is busy maintaining the trade, we will raise a large army to besiege Luoyang, at which point everything will be safe.

Looking at the strategic plan outlined in Liu Kui's letter, Lu Qin no longer hesitated and immediately stood up to look at the steward.

"Immediately contact the other factions and rise up together tonight to purge the court of corrupt officials and punish the treacherous ministers!"

"promise!!"

Soon, the steward left the study and began to secretly contact the gentry and powerful families.

Meanwhile, in Qingzhou and Yanzhou, various families and powerful clans who received Liu Kui's message began to gather their subordinates and make preparations.

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