Tian Feng left after uttering a harsh remark, but Zhang Zhao stayed behind.

"Gentlemen, Brother Yuanhao has a rather upright temperament, please don't take offense!"

While speaking up for Tian Feng, Zhang Zhao also looked at everyone in the hall with a heavy expression.

"What you all said earlier is correct. Danyang was originally garrisoned by 20,000 royal troops. It won't be so easy for the rebels to take it."

However, according to reports, someone colluded with the rebels from within, attacking the imperial army from the rear and opening the city gates, leading to the fall of Danyang!

"What? You mean, someone is colluding with the rebels?" The middle-aged scholar couldn't help but show surprise.

The others felt a chill run down their spines, and Zhang Yanwu and the other powerful figures also trembled, hiding themselves among the crowd.

"That's right, otherwise how could Sun Sheng, a mere individual, have gathered so many troops and conquered so many cities in such a short time?"

Zhang Zhao nodded solemnly, then continued, "Lujiang is the gateway to Yuzhou and absolutely cannot be lost. However, there are many rebel spies within the city. Time is of the essence, and we cannot verify their identities one by one. We can only ask that you all leave Lujiang temporarily..."

"this....."

Upon hearing this, some people who had previously clamored to live and die with Lujiang immediately began to hesitate.

If what Zhang Zhao said is true, and there are rebel spies in Lujiang City, then once the city falls, my life and fortune will be completely lost, and those rebels won't listen to reason.

Seeing that the crowd was beginning to waver, Zhang Zhao continued, "Brother Yuanhao just said that those who are willing to leave will be escorted by our army to ensure their safety."

Those who are unwilling to leave must also accept the supervision and investigation of our army to prevent anyone from secretly colluding with the rebels!

All of this is to protect Lujiang and prevent widespread suffering. We hope you can understand!

"Given the circumstances, I am willing to follow the strategist's instructions and leave Lujiang!"

The middle-aged scholar gritted his teeth and chose the former. His family had always been scholars, and they didn't have much wealth, so losing it wouldn't be a big deal.

"Alright, sir, please stand to my left!"

With that, Zhang Zhao looked at everyone in the hall and said, "Those who, like this gentleman, are preparing to leave, please stand to my left!"

The people in the hall exchanged glances, and those scholars and those whose families were not particularly wealthy all stood on the left side.

Before long, nearly half of the people chose to leave Lujiang to seek refuge.

As for Zhang Yan and others, as well as those wealthy and powerful landlords, they chose to stay.

Those who stayed behind weren't doing so out of any noble cause, but because they had so much wealth that abandoning it would be worse than killing them. Rather than becoming penniless vagrants, they preferred to fight to the death.

Zhang Zhao then ordered his men to take away those who were willing to leave, and then looked at the group of powerful figures who were still in the hall.

"Since you all demonstrate such great understanding and are willing to stay and fight alongside our army against the rebels, we hope you will remain at home and cooperate with our investigation..."

Looking at this group of people who were willing to risk their lives for money, Zhang Zhao put on a warm and friendly expression, but inwardly he couldn't help but sneer.

"Please rest assured, strategist, we will cooperate fully!"

Zhang Yan and the others, along with the remaining powerful landlords, hurriedly responded in unison.

Zhang Zhao nodded and said in a deep voice, "In that case, everyone should go back first and summon your family members and servants back to your residences to await investigation!"

"We'll take our leave!"

The group bowed respectfully and then turned to leave.

After everyone else had left, Tian Feng, Lü Bu, Dong Zhuo, and Dian Wei also came out.

"I say, strategist Zibu, you're too good-natured. Why waste so much breath talking to these guys? Those who don't want to leave must have something to hide. Just kill them!"

As soon as he appeared, Dong Zhuo sat down casually, glancing impatiently at Zhang Zhao.

Zhang Zhao smiled and said, "These people definitely need to be killed, but we have to kill them slowly. Killing them too quickly will cause trouble!"

"Ugh, you bunch of scholars, your hearts are truly black..."

Seeing Zhang Zhao's cheerful expression as he talked about killing, Dong Zhuo couldn't help but shudder and shift his position, wanting to get away from the guy.

Seeing Dong Zhuo's little tricks, Zhang Zhao chuckled inwardly, then turned to look at Tian Feng.

"Brother Yuanhao, although we have temporarily deceived the scholars and powerful families in Lujiang City today, they will definitely send people to Danyang to investigate. We need to act as soon as possible before they find out the situation!"

Tian Feng nodded: "Brother Zibu, rest assured, I have made arrangements and sent men to block all roads from Lujiang to Danyang!"

"My two strategists, you previously said that the powerful clans of Jiangnan could have far-reaching consequences if one move was made. Now that things have changed in Lujiang, what about Yuzhang and Wujun?"

Lu Bu, who had remained silent, also looked at Tian Feng and Zhang Zhao with a puzzled expression.

Zhang Zhao laughed and said, "Fengxian, you are overthinking it. Now Wu Commandery is under the command of Yang Qiu, the Commandant of the Capital Region, and Yuzhang has General Huangfu, Yuan Chang, Gong Yu, and others. I think they are already prepared. As soon as we make a move, Wu Commandery and Yuzhang will follow closely behind!"

"I see!!"

Lu Bu nodded as if he understood, but at that moment he only wanted to kill the enemy and had no time to care about those complicated things.

In short, I just want to fight peacefully. As long as they don't scheme against me, they can scheme against whoever they want.

Zhang Zhao then looked at Lü Bu and the others and said, "Generals, how about you take charge of the search?"

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