Three days later, Huangfu Gui, Zhu Jun, Xu Rong and others, who had traveled along the canal to Chang'an Camp, mustered their troops and set off south, preparing to go directly to Yuzhang via Nanyang and Jiangxia.

Lü Bu, Dian Wei, and Dong Zhuo also led three thousand Imperial Guard trainees away from Luoyang, preparing to go straight to Lujiang via Yingchuan and Runan.

Following behind the main army was a long logistics transport team.

The medical, engineering, and agricultural colleges also sent a large number of students to accompany the military.

Of course, a large number of caravans and teams sent by various families also followed behind.

Everyone knew that this Yangzhou rebellion was a golden opportunity to take control of Jiangnan. Only by entering the fray first could they gain an advantage when developing Jiangnan in the future.

Not long after the army set off, Cheng Yu, the chief of the Investigation Department, also led a group of people away from Luoyang and headed towards Yangzhou.

A month later, Lü Bu, Dian Wei, and Dong Zhuo led the vanguard of the Imperial Guard to Shuxian, the seat of Lujiang, accompanied by Tian Feng and Zhang Zhao.

Fan Kang, the then Prefect of Lujiang, personally went out of the city to welcome him.

Fan Kang, who was later known as one of the Eight Talents of Jingxiang, looked at the young generals sent by the emperor and the group of young men behind them who were not yet twenty years old. He couldn't help but admire the emperor's extraordinary courage. It was one thing for the generals to be young, but the soldiers looked to be only fourteen or fifteen years old.

Of course, Fan Kang, who had lived in Jiangnan for a long time, was unaware of the power of Lü Bu, Dong Zhuo, and others, let alone the terror of those Imperial Guard youths.

After welcoming the group into the city, Fan Kang ordered people to prepare food for them, while he himself, along with Lü Bu, Dong Zhuo, Dian Wei, Tian Feng, Zhang Zhao, and others, went to the governor's mansion.

"Prefect Fan, our army has arrived in haste and there are many things we do not understand. Please enlighten us!"

As soon as everyone sat down, Tian Feng began to inquire about the situation of the rebels.

"good!"

Fan Kang nodded and then ordered someone to bring him a topographical map of Yangzhou.

"After a month, the entire Kuaiji Commandery, the two eastern counties of Yuzhang, the four southern counties of Danyang, and the two southern counties of Wu Commandery have all fallen into the hands of the rebels."

The rebel army, which initially numbered 100,000, has now grown to over 250,000. Currently, the rebels are divided into three routes, besieging Fuchun County in Wu Commandery, Yichun County in Yuzhang Commandery, and Wuhu County in Danyang Commandery.

As Fan Kang explained, Lü Bu and the others also turned their solemn gazes to the map of Yangzhou.

Tian Feng asked in a low voice, "The rebel leader Sun Sheng is just an ordinary local strongman in Kuaiji County. How could he have developed so rapidly in just one month?"

Fan Kang shook his head: "I also have many questions about this matter. Although Yangzhou is far from the imperial court, the local officials have not done anything bad. Although the people are living in hardship, it is not enough to incite a popular uprising."

"Hmph, if it's not a popular uprising, then someone must be pulling the strings behind the scenes!"

Dong Zhuo, standing to the side, snorted coldly. As a chivalrous man, he had seen many local strongmen in Liangzhou who supported others to rebel in order to divert the court's attention and profit from it.

In the end, the rioters were killed, the officials were dismissed, and the powerful and wealthy took advantage of the situation to make huge profits.

Tian Feng nodded: "Zhong Ying is right. This rebellion is quite similar to the rebellion of Liu Kui and Lu Qing!"

Fan Kang's expression shifted: "Do you mean that many powerful families in Yangzhou were also involved in this rebellion?"

Tian Feng said in a deep voice: "That's right. Although the county towns of Yangzhou are not very tall, it is not easy for a group of rebels to conquer so many county towns in a short period of time."

Furthermore, with over 200,000 rebel troops, the daily expenses are enormous. Where would a mere Sun Sheng get so much money and supplies?

"Those scoundrels are hateful!!"

Upon hearing this, Fan Kang's expression darkened considerably. Like the prefects of the surrounding counties, he was appointed by the imperial court. After taking office, in order to respond to the court's policies, he treated the local powerful families with great favor and turned a blind eye to many things.

Unexpectedly, these people were not only not satisfied, but actually raised the flag and rebelled, which would be unbearable for anyone.

Fan Kang then looked at Lü Bu and the others, and said in a deep voice, "I wonder what you all plan to do next? If there is anything I can do to help you, I will do my best!"

Lu Bu and the others exchanged glances, then turned their gazes to Tian Feng.

Tian Feng stood before the topographical map and said solemnly, "To repel external aggression, we must first secure internal stability. Currently, Han Sheng is stationed in Wu Commandery, and 20,000 troops from various commanderies and kingdoms are stationed in Danyang. General Huangfu's army will also arrive in Yuzhang soon."

These three prefectures will not pose a problem for the time being. What we need to do is first eliminate the powerful clans in Lujiang who are colluding with the rebels, to prevent them from working together with the rebels from within!

"Yuan Hao is right. It is our responsibility as vanguards to eliminate potential threats from the rear!"

Lu Bu spoke, and Dong Zhuo and Dian Wei nodded in agreement.

Then Tian Feng looked at Fan Kang and said, "Prefect Fan, you only need to inform us of the situation of all the powerful families in Lujiang. As for other matters, we will take care of them!"

"good!"

Fan Kang nodded, then summoned all the yamen runners of the prefectural governor's office and explained the details of the powerful local magnates in Lujiang to Tian Feng and the others.

As Tian Feng listened, he meticulously recorded all the details.

"Alright, let's rest for the night and continue our investigation tomorrow!"

After clearly recording the situation of the last powerful family, Tian Feng, Lü Bu, Dong Zhuo, and others bid farewell to Fan Kang and returned to their temporary camp.

"Strategist, none of those powerful figures are good people. Just capture and kill them. What's the point of investigating?"

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