Zhou Xiang led his remaining troops and fled the battlefield without stopping. After traveling fifty miles along rugged mountain roads, they finally stopped on a wide grassland.

The soldiers sat on the ground, dejected and looking as if they had lost their souls, their faces filled with exhaustion and despair.

Even those usually imposing generals couldn't help but sigh at this moment, their expressions as somber as autumn leaves.

"Lieutenant, quickly count the number of men!"

Zhou Xiang's voice was tinged with anxiety, as if he were calling for the last glimmer of hope.

The lieutenant was filled with trepidation as he slowly stepped forward and began counting the number of soldiers.

When he learned that there were less than 50,000 people left, Zhou Xiang almost broke down.

"This...how is this possible?"

Zhou Xiang muttered to himself, filled with endless regret. He had originally led an army of 300,000, plus another 300,000 from various warlords, totaling 600,000 men. Yet, not a single decent battle had taken place, and now only a pitiful 50,000 remained.

"Your Highness, what should we do?" the lieutenant asked cautiously, afraid of angering Zhou Xiang at this moment.

"Back to the capital." Zhou Xiang gritted his teeth and said in a deep voice, "As long as we occupy the capital, there will still be a chance."

“But…we have too few men. Even if we add the thousands of imperial guards from the palace, I’m afraid it won’t be enough…” The deputy general’s voice trailed off, as if he were defending Zhou Xiang’s decision.

Zhou Xiang took a deep breath and said helplessly, "I know, but there's no other way now. I shouldn't have started this war so early, and I'm no match for Chen Zhennan at all, but the war has already begun, and I have no way out."

Zhou Xiang stood up and looked around. On the grass, the soldiers' faces were full of fatigue and disappointment, like a withered yellow autumn.

A pang of sorrow gripped his heart. How valiant and skilled they had once been, yet now they were battered and bruised by reality.

"Brothers!" Zhou Xiang's voice rang out, filled with passion and determination. "Although we only have 50,000 men left, these 50,000 are the bravest warriors! As long as we are united, we will surely be able to rally our forces and reclaim the glory that belongs to us!"

Although Zhou Xiang spoke passionately and eloquently, not many people were willing to believe him, especially since most of them came from Lingnan and trusted Chen Zhennan more.

...

Instead of immediately pursuing Zhou Xiang's remaining troops, Chen Zhennan decided to prepare a victory celebration banquet for all the soldiers.

The night in Qingzhou City was brightly lit, and laughter and cheers surged like a tide, reflecting Chen Zhennan's heroic figure.

At the victory banquet, the table was laden with delicacies and the aroma of wine filled the air. The soldiers all wore smiles, raised their glasses and drank heartily, as if they had put the previous battles and sacrifices behind them and were enjoying the joy of victory to the fullest.

Chen Zhennan treated all soldiers equally. Whether they were the garrison of Qingzhou City or the soldiers who surrendered from Zhou Xiang, they were all invited to this grand banquet. Nearly 200,000 people revelled in Qingzhou City all night long.

The next day, Chen Zhennan ordered a cemetery to be prepared on the top of Cuiming Mountain to bury all the soldiers who had died in the past few days, as a way of expressing his respect and remembrance for them.

Two days have passed, and Chen Zhennan doesn't seem to be in a hurry. To outsiders, it seems as if he has forgotten that Zhou Xiang has escaped.

Chen Zhennan wasn't in a hurry, but Song Yunyang, who had rested for two days, couldn't wait any longer.

At the Qingzhou Prefectural Governor's Mansion, Song Yunyang rode in, eager to know what Chen Zhennan was doing, but Yan Shiyu stopped her at the door.

"Yan Shiyu, why are you stopping me?" Song Yunyang narrowed her eyes slightly, her tone revealing displeasure.

"Marshal Song, our commander is discussing the next steps, you...you can't go in."

Yan Shiyu looked troubled and secretly groaned inwardly, knowing that Song Yunyang was not someone he could afford to offend.

Song Yunyang clicked her tongue and stepped forward.

"I will become empress sooner or later; all I lack now is the title."

Song Yunyang's tone was slightly teasing, and a smile played on her lips as she forced Yan Shiyu to step back.

"If you don't move aside, I'll get Chen Zhennan to kick your ass!"

Although Song Yunyang's words were not very threatening, her identity made it difficult for Yan Shiyu to stop her.

Moreover, Yan Shiyu didn't dare to push Song Yunyang out, so he had no choice but to step aside and let Song Yunyang in.

Song Yunyang smiled and stepped into the governor's mansion.

As soon as Song Yunyang walked in, she found that Chen Zhennan had already finished discussing with Chu Feng, Dong Ning, and Zhang Xiao.

The three of them smiled at Song Yunyang, then hurriedly turned and made their escape.

With the three men leaving one after another, only Song Yunyang and Chen Zhennan remained in the governor's mansion.

Song Yunyang pursed her lips slightly, her eyes piercing as she stared straight at Chen Zhennan, as if trying to discern the truth from his expression.

"Chen Zhennan, what is your plan?" Song Yunyang asked in a commanding tone, sounding very forceful.

However, Chen Zhennan slowly shook his head, a look of difficulty on his face.

"I can't tell you. Also, you have to do me a favor."

Song Yunyang was stunned, a sense of surprise crossed her mind, and her brows furrowed slightly, as if she were somewhat dissatisfied.

"You didn't tell me your plan, and you still want my help?"

Chen Zhennan nodded slightly: "Are you having any difficulties? We're on the same side, and soon you'll be my woman, so it's always right for you to help me out, isn't it?"

"Stop!" Song Yunyang raised her hand slightly and said with a light smile, "She will be your woman in a while, but not now. Let's keep things clear."

Chen Zhennan said "Oh," and then asked, "How would you be willing to help?"

This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!