You get Lu Bu as your starting character.

Chapter 150 Introduction to the Fan Family
Jiexiu Prefecture.

The atmosphere in Jiexiu Prefecture was very strange that day, and the four gates of the prefecture were under martial law from early morning.

Furthermore, the number of guards at the four gates of the prefectural city has been increased significantly.

Those who wanted to enter or leave the city were stopped by the city gate guards.

This has left many people feeling very dissatisfied.

Why are they preventing people from entering or leaving the city gates for no reason?
But these people could only feel resentful in their hearts, daring not to speak out.

This was an order from the Fan family of Jiexiu Prefecture.

What does the Fan family represent in Jiexiu Prefecture?
No one doesn't know.

That's the local tyrant of Jiexiu Prefecture.

It can be said that the Fan family held absolute authority in Jiexiu Prefecture.

Even the government offices had to be subservient to the Fan family.

This demonstrates the immense power and influence the Fan family wielded in Jiexiu Prefecture.

Therefore, within Jiexiu Prefecture, no one can disobey an order given by the Fan family.

The government offices also had to tacitly cooperate.

At this moment, at the Fan family mansion.

Inside the council chamber.

More than a dozen members of the Fan family gathered together, looking at Fan Zhou, the patriarch of the Fan clan, in the main seat with some confusion.

The dozen or so leaders of the Fan family were puzzled as to why their patriarch, Fan Zhou, had suddenly ordered the city gate guards to impose martial law at all four gates of the prefecture and had summoned them, the various leaders of the Fan family, together.

Did something big happen?
The dozen or so people in charge of the Fan family couldn't help but speculate.

It should be noted that under normal circumstances, clan leader Fan Zhou would not have made such a transgression.

This is the first time in history.

Sitting in the main seat, Fan Zhou, the head of the Fan family, glanced at the dozen or so people in charge of the Fan family below and said in a deep voice, "I have summoned you here today because there is something very important I need to tell you."

"This matter concerns the rise and fall of the Fan family, and also the life and death of the Fan family."

Fan Zhou looked at the dozen or so people in charge below with a solemn expression.

His tone was low and somber.

The dozen or so people in charge sitting below were visibly taken aback when they heard Fan Zhou's words.

In their memory, they had never seen their clan leader with such a solemn expression.

"Clan leader, has something happened?" An old man sitting at the head of the table on the left asked Fan Zhou, who was in the main seat.

Without hesitation, Fan Zhou said directly, "I just received news from Luoyang that Yongdou's family has been raided by that person in the palace."

"That person in the palace even issued an edict to exterminate Yongdou's entire family."

what?
Exterminate their entire clan, nine generations in total?

That would be wiping out my Jiexiu Fan family, wouldn't it?

The dozen or so members of the Fan family sitting below all changed their expressions upon hearing the news from Fan Zhou.

Although Fan Yongdou had separated from the family, he was still a member of the Fan family in Jiexiu.

The person in the palace confiscated Fan Yongdou's property and even wanted to exterminate Fan Yongdou's entire family.

Then wasn't the Fan family of Jiexiu also among those to be exterminated?
What exactly happened?
Why did the person in the palace confiscate Fan Yongdou's property and issue an edict to exterminate Fan Yongdou's entire clan?
All the dozen or so members of the Fan family present looked at Fan Zhou, who was seated in the main seat.

"Furthermore, the Fan family's many years of business in Luoyang have been wiped out by that person in the palace."

"This is news from Luoyang. Take turns looking at the details."

Fan Zhou handed a message sent back from Luoyang to the dozen or so heads of the Fan family present below.

The dozen or so members of the Fan family sitting below immediately took turns looking at the news coming back from Luoyang.

They were eager to know why Fan Yongdou's family had been raided and why the palace official had ordered the extermination of his entire clan.

Of course, some of the key figures who knew about the plot between the three major families and the King of Shu were wondering if their secret conspiracy with the King of Shu had been exposed!

Within the Fan family, only a few core members knew about this matter.

After the dozen or so members of the Fan family finished reading the message sent back from Luoyang, their faces were all grave.

They knew that Chief Fan Zhou's actions today meant something big was about to happen, but they never expected it to be this big.

Fan Yongdou's family was raided by the imperial court for embezzling disaster relief funds.

But who would have thought that Fan Yongdou would be so audacious as to suddenly launch an assassination attempt on the palace lady in the Golden Palace?

This has dragged the Fan family of Jiexiu into the mess as well.

"Yongdou is usually very prudent in his actions. How could he be so reckless as to dare to assassinate that person in the palace?"

"Doesn't he know the consequences of doing this?"

One of the people in charge, unaware of the conspiracy between the Fan family and the King of Shu, said with a grim expression.

The other members of the Fan family who were unaware of the matter also wore gloomy expressions.

In their view, Fan Yongdou's sudden assassination attempt had plunged the Fan family of Jiexiu into an abyss.

Fan Zhou, seated at the head of the table, glanced at the people in charge who were unaware of the secret plot between the Fan family and the Prince of Shu, and said, "There's something I haven't told you yet, for the sake of secrecy."

"Now that the person in the palace has issued an order to exterminate my Jiexiu Fan family, there's no point in keeping it a secret anymore."

"My Fan family, along with the Yuan and Zheng families, have already secretly reached an agreement with the King of Shu..."

Fan Zhou recounted the conspiracy between the three great families and the King of Shu.

For the Fan family of Jiexiu, whether or not to keep this matter secret is no longer important.

Anyway, the one in the palace has already issued an edict to exterminate the Fan family of Jiexiu.

Upon hearing Fan Zhou's words, the faces of those in charge who were unaware of the matter turned ashen.

They never expected that Fan Zhou would keep them in the dark about such an important matter without consulting them.

Does this mean they don't take the various leaders of the Fan family seriously at all?
Even though Fan Zhou is the patriarch of the Fan family, the Fan family does not belong to Fan Zhou alone, but to all members of the Fan family.

However, it seems that nothing matters now.

Importantly, the imperial court has already issued an edict to exterminate the Fan family of Jiexiu.

He said the Fan family in Jiexiu must immediately think of what to do.

Seeing the grim faces of these people in charge, Fan Zhou didn't care and said in a deep voice, "You all know about this matter. The person in the palace has already issued an edict to exterminate my Jiexiu Fan family."

“My Jiexiu Fan family is facing a life-or-death moment. Please share your thoughts.”

"I estimate that the imperial court officials are already on their way to Jiexiu."

"Time is running out for the Fan family."

Fan Zhou looked at the dozen or so people in charge of the Fan family below with a solemn expression.

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the dozen or so people in charge of the Fan family all turned serious.

This is a matter of life and death for the entire Fan family of Jiexiu, not just a matter for one person or one family.

If things go wrong, the Fan family of Jiexiu might really disappear into the long river of history.

“Clan leader, since things have come to this point, my Fan family has no other choice.”

"To do everything in our power to help the King of Shu ascend to the throne."

"Only if the King of Shu ascends the throne will my Fan family have a chance to survive."

"Otherwise, my Fan family will follow in the footsteps of the Cui family of Boling."

Previously, the elderly man sitting in the first seat on the left spoke first with a solemn expression.

“That’s right, clan leader.”

"Now that the one in the palace has issued an edict to exterminate my Fan family in Jiexiu, only by supporting the Prince of Shu to ascend the throne can my Fan family have a chance to survive."

"However, my Fan family also needs to make two preparations."

"Send out the younger generation of the clan who are able to go beyond the Great Wall in secret first!"

Another person in charge spoke with a solemn expression.

The other members of the Fan family who were in charge also nodded in agreement.

Given the current situation of the Fan family, this is the only path they can take.

That is to do everything possible to help the King of Shu ascend to the throne.

Only if the King of Shu ascends the throne will the Fan family still have a chance to survive.

Otherwise, the Fan family of Jiexiu would truly follow in the footsteps of the Cui family of Boling.

Of course, unless the Fan family is willing to give up everything within the Great Zhou Dynasty and flee as a clan to the foreign lands beyond the Great Wall, there is still a chance of survival.

But as one of the seven great families of the Great Zhou Dynasty, the Fan family of Jiexiu has been passed down through generations for so many years. Who would be willing to abandon all of this and flee to that foreign land beyond the Great Wall? Hearing the words of these two leaders and seeing that the other leaders of the Fan family also agreed, Fan Zhou, sitting in the main seat, said with a serious expression, "Since you all have this idea, then let's discuss this matter in detail!"

“You are all the main leaders of the Fan family. Now our Fan family is facing a life-or-death situation.”

"Therefore, I do not want any of you to cause any trouble for our clan leader at this time."

"Among the younger generation in the clan, those who can be sent away should be sent out beyond the Great Wall immediately."

"Immediately mobilize all available forces of the Fan family outside, whether they are private soldiers or experts."

Fan Zhou looked at the dozen or so people in charge of the Fan family below and spoke to them one by one.

Rather than a discussion, it was more accurate to say that Fan Zhou, the clan leader, was issuing orders most of the time.

……

Half an hour later.

More than a dozen members of the Fan family left the council hall.

Only Fan Zhou, the patriarch of the Fan family, remained in the council hall.

Fan Zhou frowned and pondered for a moment before speaking directly: "Immediately send someone to contact the Yuan and Zheng families and tell them that I, the clan leader, have something to discuss with them."

"Yes, master."

A dark figure vanished from the council hall in an instant.

“I hope everything goes well!”

"The Fan family will be able to weather this crisis."

After the shadowy figure left, Fan Zhou muttered to himself.

To be honest, Fan Zhou wasn't very confident about his conspiracy with the King of Shu.

If the Fan family hadn't already left with no other choice, Fan Zhou would never have conspired with the Prince of Shu to take this step.

Fan Zhou believed that the Yuan and Zheng families were the same.

The affairs of the four northwestern prefectures and Grand Tutor Wen Zhong left them with no way out.

There's only one path left to take.

It was really one wrong step, one wrong step after another.

No one expected that the person in the palace not only fully recovered, but also unleashed a powerful force, eliminating the faction of Grand General Wu Jin's relatives in one fell swoop, quelling the rebellion in the four northern prefectures, and eradicating the Yellow Heaven Sect.

This thwarted all the plans of their powerful and wealthy families.

"Master, the young master and young master are back."

At this moment, the steward of the Fan family rushed in and said...

"Oh!"

Fan Zhou was startled and immediately spoke.

"Let him in quickly."

"Yes, sir."

The butler responded and left.

A moment later, a disheveled figure dressed in tattered clothes walked into the council hall.

Who else could it be but Fan Shaohe, who escaped from Luoyang?

"Your son greets his father."

As soon as Fan Shaohe entered, he bowed to Fan Zhou, who was in the main seat.

Seeing that Fan Shaohe was somewhat disheveled but unharmed, Fan Zhou nodded; "It's good that you're back."

Previously, Fan Zhou was worried that if Fan Shaohe went to Luoyang, he might fall into the hands of the imperial court like Fan Yongdou.

Unexpectedly, I'm back safe and sound now.

This was a relief for Fan Zhou.

After all, Fan Shaohe is Fan Zhou's legitimate son.

As the patriarch of the Fan family, Fan Zhou considered the overall situation of the family, but he was also worried about the safety of his son.

It's just that I haven't shown it yet.

"Tell me about what happened in Luoyang, what exactly happened?" Fan Zhou asked Fan Shaohe.

Although Fan Zhou had received the message from Luoyang, some things could not be explained in a letter.

Now that Fan Shaohe is back, it's a good time to ask him carefully.

"Yes, Father," Fan Shaohe bowed.

……

Jiexiu Prefecture, the prefectural city.

The city gates are wide open.

Squads of well-organized private soldiers quickly entered the city.

The guards at the city gate did not stop them.

"What's going on? Why are so many troops entering the city?"

"These look like the Fan family's private soldiers. Why are there so many of the Fan family's private soldiers in the city? What are they planning to do?"

"Could something serious have happened to the Fan family? Otherwise, why would they send so many private soldiers into the city?"

The surrounding people saw the Fan family's private soldiers entering the city in droves, and the city gate guards did not stop them.

The people began to whisper among themselves.

Despite the city gates being under martial law, the Fan family's private soldiers were allowed into the city, making the people realize that something was wrong.

……

Government office.

An official in his official robes was engrossed in handling some administrative matters within the government office.

Just then, a guard in armor rushed in.

"My lord, something terrible has happened! Many of the Fan family's private soldiers have entered the city."

The guard rushed in and immediately said something urgent.

what?
"Have many of the Fan family's private soldiers entered the city?"

Upon hearing this, the official dressed in government attire immediately turned grim.

"Damn it, how did the Fan family's private soldiers get into the city?"

"Without my order, who would dare to allow the Fan family's private troops into the city?"

Indeed, the official in official robes is the head of Jiexiu Prefecture, and he comes from a prominent and wealthy family.

The Fan family did indeed wield considerable power in Jiexiu Prefecture, but this did not mean that the Jiexiu Prefecture government had no voice.

"My lord, many of the officers in the city guard are from the Fan family or have connections with the Fan family."

"These people have now taken control of the city's garrison."

"And they arrested our people and others who opposed them."

The guard hurriedly said.

"what?"

"The Fan family has taken control of the city guards and garrison troops?"

Upon hearing this, the prefect of Jiexiu Prefecture's expression changed drastically.

The city guards and garrison soldiers were originally part of the government's military force, but now they are controlled by the Fan family.

This shows what?
This shows that he, the prefect of Jiexiu Prefecture, has become a figurehead, a mere figurehead.

"Damn it."

"What exactly does the Fan family want to do?"

"Does the Fan family intend to rebel?"

The prefect of Jiexiu looked extremely grim.

"Walk."

"I'd like to see what the Fan family is really up to."

The prefect of Jiexiu Prefecture got up and went straight outside.

(End of this chapter)