Based on his military merits, Dian Wei, who had killed thirty-seven people, was appointed as a centurion in the army.

Sun Jian, who killed thirty-six people, was also appointed as a commander of a thousand men.

The others, including Yan Liang, Wen Chou, Cao Cao, and Yuan Shao, were also promoted.

As for the reward money and land, they were sent to Luoyang by fast horse to await the emperor's personal bestowal.

The group became famous overnight, and their reputation resounded throughout the Northern Army, attracting heated discussions and admiration from the generals and soldiers.

In particular, the fact that Sun Jian, Dian Wei, and Yuan Shao were of one mind, humbled and yielded to each other, and shared the credit with the soldiers who accompanied them, earned them high praise from the ordinary soldiers.

With the matter of Jiyin settled, Huangfu Gui and Xun Shuang discussed the matter further.

Xun Shuang and Xu Rong led the Sheshui Battalion and the able-bodied men of Jiyin to recapture the various counties of Yanzhou, while also investigating the remaining forces of local scholars and powerful clans.

Huangfu Gui led the Imperial Guard and the Northern Army toward Puyang to contain the rebels in Dongjun.

Meanwhile, the spies of the Investigation Bureau had been lying in ambush on the road from Puyang to Jizhou, cutting off the Puyang rebels' contact with Liu Kui.

On the other side, Zheng Hun, the leader of the Qingzhou rebels, led 130,000 rebel troops to a dense forest nestled against the mountains after several days of travel.

The long column of rebels walked along the tree-lined path, sighing and groaning.

For several days, Gongsun Zan and Zhu Jun commanded their men to harass them in shifts, ambushing and shooting during the day, and beating drums and shouting at night.

The Han army kept the rebel soldiers on edge, like a hawk being kept in turmoil, preventing them from getting a good night's sleep and causing them immense suffering.

"Has there been any news from Jizhou yet?"

With dark circles under his eyes, Zheng Hun walked along, glancing at Li Xun beside him and asking a question.

Li Xun shook his head: "No!!"

Zheng Hun frowned: "I sent over a hundred messengers to Ji and Yan provinces, but none of them have returned. Has something happened to them?"

Li Xun said, "Perhaps they were intercepted by Gongsun Zan and Zhu Jun..."

"Hmph~, those two persistent ghosts, when we get to Jizhou, I will definitely tear them to pieces!"

Thinking of Gongsun Zan and Zhu Jun, who had been constantly harassing his army's march, Zheng Hun felt a burning hatred. The main problem was that he hadn't slept for two days and two nights, and if this continued, he really wouldn't be able to hold on any longer.

"Enemy attack!!"

Just as the two were talking, a shrill scream suddenly came from behind.

Suddenly, more than a dozen soldiers from the White Horse Cavalry emerged from the dense forest behind them and began firing wildly at the rebel soldiers.

The large bows carried by the soldiers of the White Horse Cavalry were specially made by the Imperial Workshop, with a long range and great power, far superior to the light bows used by the rebels.

In addition, the soldiers of the White Horse Cavalry were all skilled archers with great strength, and they killed more than ten unfortunate men in one shot. After the rebel soldiers reacted, the soldiers of the White Horse Cavalry quickly slipped into the dense forest.

"Ugh~, I can't take it anymore!"

A small leader with dark circles under his eyes let out a desperate roar, then opened his bloodshot eyes and led the hundred or so soldiers beside him into the forest.

Soon after, screams of agony echoed from the forest, then silence fell.

"Quickly, go into the forest and investigate!"

Upon seeing this, Zheng Hun immediately ordered a squad of his personal guards to check the situation.

Not long after, another scream came from the forest. None of the dozens of guards that Zheng Hun had sent out came out of the forest.

"Damn it, get into the forest and kill them all!!"

Zheng Hun's nerves, which had been taut for many days, finally snapped. He immediately gritted his teeth and ordered his army to enter the forest and wipe out the White Horse Cavalry ambushed there.

Li Xun hurriedly advised, "Chief, do not act rashly! Their move is precisely to lure us out of the forest. Although our army is numerous, it cannot withstand the charge of six thousand cavalry, Chief!"

Upon hearing this, Zheng Hun was even angrier, but he managed to regain a sliver of his composure. He was genuinely traumatized by the White Horse Cavalry's archery skills.

"All troops on alert! Continue marching!!"

Once Zheng Hun regained his composure, he immediately ordered the march to continue, ignoring the corpses of his own men in the forest.

Outside the dense forest, Gongsun Zan and Zhu Jun exchanged a glance upon hearing their subordinates' report.

"Haha, General Zhu, your plan is truly brilliant! If this continues, in just a few days, without the arrival of a large army, the two of us alone can wipe out this group of rebels!"

As Gongsun Zan laughed loudly, he looked at Zhu Jun with a hint of respect. In his opinion, Zhu Jun's ability to command troops was no less than that of Huangfu Song.

Zhu Jun said, "Bo Gui, you are mistaken. These rebels are still useful to Your Majesty, but we must not kill them all!"

Gongsun Zan smiled and said, "I was just joking. The White Horse Cavalry is for killing foreign tribes. I have no interest in this rabble!"

Looking at the arrogant Gongsun Zan, Zhu Jun shook his head with a helpless smile.

These rebels are indeed unworthy to be the opponents of the White Horse Cavalry.

Just as the two were talking, a messenger arrived and brought them the latest news from Ji Province.

"Bo Gui, Generals Wang Yue, Lu Zhi, and Zhang Huan have now led a large army to surround Liu Kui and his men. They will be victorious soon. We must hurry!"

Gongsun Zan asked, "I wonder what brilliant plan General Zhu has?"

Zhu Jun smiled and said, "Burn their supplies, and they will collapse without a fight!"

After discussing the matter, Zhu Jun and Gongsun Zan ordered their soldiers to begin harassing Zheng Hun's rebel army.

Screams of agony echoed through the rebel ranks once more. The rebel soldiers dared not pursue, could not defeat the rebels, and had nowhere to hide. Panic gripped them, and they were on the verge of collapse.

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