The next morning, the 3,000 Imperial Guard vanguards stationed in Lujiang set out of their camp, took over the defense of Shuxian County, and rigorously searched everyone entering and leaving the city gates.

This move made the powerful and gentry living in the city feel uneasy.

Zhang Yan, one of the most powerful families in the area, hurriedly sent people to invite the heads of the other families to his residence for a meeting.

After everyone was seated, Zhang Yan looked at them with a solemn expression. "The army sent by the imperial court is not going to support Danyang, but instead is stationed in Lujiang. This is very strange!"

A slightly frightened voice came from inside the hall: "Could it be that they are planning to attack us?"

Another voice replied, "This... can't be, right? We didn't do anything, did we?"

"That's right. We've always been law-abiding citizens, so why would they target us for no reason?"

The others also began to whisper among themselves, their faces showing panic.

"Everyone, please be quiet!"

Seeing the chaotic state of everyone, Zhang Yan's expression darkened.

"It seems that the army dispatched by the imperial court is not just here to quell a rebellion. You all need to be prepared!"

One of them asked, "What does Patriarch Zhang think we should do?"

Zhang Yan pondered for a moment: "For now, we can only wait and see. After you all return, you must keep your men in check and make sure they do not cause any trouble. At the same time, cut off all contact with the outside world. We will make further plans after they leave!"

"Wouldn't that mean we'd be at the mercy of others?" one person couldn't help but ask.

Zhang Yan's eyes widened: "What? Do you intend to kill them all?"

"I....."

The man opened his mouth, then shook his head, sighed, and said nothing more.

Just then, a servant from Zhang Yan's residence rushed in.

"Master, people from the Prefect's Office have arrived!"

Zhang Yan frowned: "Oh? What is it?"

The servant said respectfully, "It is said that Prefect Fan requests that the master go to the prefectural governor's office to discuss important matters!"

"Understood. Go tell the messenger that I will come over immediately after I change my clothes!"

"Yes, Master!"

The servant respectfully agreed and then bowed and withdrew.

After the servants left, one of them asked, "Master Zhang, is there something wrong with the Prefectural Governor's Office sending someone to invite you at this time...?"

"Whatever it may be, we'll find out when we get there. They can't possibly kill me at the prefect's mansion, can they?"

Before the man could finish speaking, Zhang Yan interrupted him and stood up.

"Alright, now that the Prefect's Office has sent people to my residence, they will certainly visit your residences as well. You should all hurry back and prepare!"

With that, Zhang Yan cupped his hands in greeting to the crowd and then walked towards the back hall, whereupon the crowd dispersed.

Before long, Zhang Yan, having changed his clothes, arrived at the prefectural governor's residence.

As soon as Zhang Yan entered the front hall of the prefectural governor's mansion, he discovered that all the famous gentry, merchants, and powerful figures in Lujiang City who had been discussing matters with him had been invited.

After greeting everyone upon entering, Zhang Yan waited among the crowd.

"Prefect Fan has arrived!!"

After a short while, with a loud shout, Fan Kang, dressed in official robes, walked in from the back hall, with Zhang Zhao and Tian Feng following behind him on either side.

"Greetings, Prefect Fan!!"

The people in the hall hurriedly stepped forward to greet them, while curiously observing the two unfamiliar faces.

"No need for such formalities, everyone!"

Fan Kang smiled and returned the greeting with a cupped-hand salute to the crowd. Then, turning to point to Tian Feng and Zhang Zhao behind him, he said loudly:

"Let me introduce these two young men to you all. They have been appointed by the current emperor as military advisors to assist the royal army in suppressing the rebellion!"

"My names are Tian Feng from Ji Province and Zhang Zhao from Xu Province. We greet you all!"

Tian Feng and Zhang Zhao also politely bowed to everyone.

"You're too kind, both of you!"

No one dared to be negligent and quickly bowed in return.

"I wonder why the governor has summoned us here?"

After the greetings were exchanged, a middle-aged scholar in a long robe bowed and asked a question.

Fan Kang's expression turned serious: "The reason I've invited you all here today is to discuss the matter of the rebels in Kuaiji. The two military officers will explain the specifics to you!"

As he spoke, Fan Kang stepped back, giving his place to Tian Feng and Zhang Zhao.

Everyone in the hall looked at the two young men with different thoughts.

Tian Feng glanced at everyone and said with a solemn expression, "We have come here to quell the rebellion on His Majesty's orders. We should be heading to Danyang to provide support immediately, but we are staying here. Do you all know why?"

"Why?" the middle-aged scholar couldn't help but ask.

"Sigh!"

Zhang Zhao sighed softly, "To be honest, when our army entered the city yesterday, we suddenly received a battle report from the front that Danyang had fallen and the rebel army was advancing towards Lujiang. Therefore, our army had no choice but to stop here to resist the rebels!"

"What? Danyang has fallen?"

Upon hearing this, everyone in the hall looked surprised and stared at Tian Feng and Zhang Zhao in disbelief. Only Zhang Yan and some powerful figures frowned inwardly.

"Then what can we do?" the middle-aged scholar asked.

The others also looked at Tian Feng and Zhang Zhao with suspicion. In their view, the purpose of these two so-called strategists inviting them over was definitely not as simple as just informing them.

"Please leave Lujiang immediately and head to Runan to avoid disaster!"

Just as everyone was deep in thought, Tian Feng's undeniable voice reached their ears.

"Leaving Lujiang...?"

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