"Blood transfusion?"

Song Yunyang was slightly stunned. Chen Zhennan seemed to have said something similar back in Da Zhou.

"Yes, although the three kingdoms are now united, the animosity and distrust between them still linger. If we don't seize this opportunity, it will be difficult to eliminate them. The best way is to integrate the soldiers into other regions. In less than three years, we will see remarkable results."

Song Yunyang nodded, gradually understanding.

"So, you want Wang Lei to lead troops into the pass and then deal with the affairs of the Great Yan?"

"That's right. I've never set foot in the Great Yan before. If Wang Lei doesn't lead his troops into the pass, I'm afraid I'll have no way to move an inch in the Great Yan."

"Okay, I'll give the order immediately."

After saying this, Song Yunyang slowly stood up, turned around and hurriedly left the governor's mansion.

Upon arriving at the military camp, Wang Lei was training the soldiers. Song Yunyang then told him that he wanted Wang Lei to lead the troops to the capital of Dawu.

Upon receiving the order, Wang Lei was filled with doubt and looked puzzled. He couldn't help but ask, "This is a matter for the Great Wu. Why do I have to lead troops in? Zhou Xiang's army is already small. Sending 280,000 troops to fight him is a waste of resources."

After the big victory a few days ago, Wang Lei's impression of Chen Zhennan has changed for the better.

However, Wang Lei had little interest in Chen Zhennan's suggestion of unifying the three kingdoms.

Song Yunyang could tell at a glance that Wang Lei was unwilling, and she also knew his personality; he had always been hostile towards the people of Da Wu.

"Wang Lei, you only need to follow orders and don't need to ask any other questions."

Wang Lei sighed helplessly. Although he had doubts, he understood that it was Chen Zhennan's idea, and in the end he could only silently accept it.

"Very well, I obey your command. I will go and gather the army now, and we will set off tomorrow."

The next day, Chen Zhennan, along with Song Yunyang, Yan Shiyu and a special forces team of two hundred men, and Wang Lei's army of more than two hundred thousand, marched in a mighty procession toward the interior of the pass.

On the other side, Chu Feng followed closely behind with his 50,000 men, but his mission was not to go to the capital, but to guard against the feudal lords and various forces along the way.

...

Zhou Xiang returned to the capital with the remnants of his army, his heart filled with frustration, as if a heavy stone was pressing on his chest.

As soon as he entered the palace, a eunuch hurried over with a hint of unease on his face and urgently delivered the message: "Your Majesty, a noble lady from the inner palace requests an audience."

Zhou Xiang frowned, feeling even more irritated.

He was about to refuse, but after thinking it over, he realized he had no choice but to see this person.

Stepping into the inner palace, the verdant willows swayed gently by the pond, the water shimmering as if telling of his helplessness and bitterness.

A woman sits quietly on the stone steps by the pond, seemingly blending into the surrounding scenery.

Her gaze was like ice. Before Zhou Xiang could speak, the woman spoke first, her tone filled with sarcasm and indifference: "Zhou Xiang, only 50,000 of the 300,000 troops are left. How dare you come back? With the capital's defenses so weak, how can we withstand Chen Zhennan's attack?"

Zhou Xiang was burning with anger, and his face instantly turned ashen.

He took three steps at a time, suddenly walked up to the woman, and grabbed her wrist.

"Wu Yunyin, if I hadn't saved your life, you would have been eaten by wolves and tigers that night. How would you have had the chance to mock me again?"

That's right, the woman by the pond is Wu Yunyin.

She gave a cold smile, completely disregarding Zhou Xiang's threats, and with a light flick of her arm, broke free from his grasp.

"You can take my life anytime, but I don't care now. You've kept me around only for the throne, haven't you? Now that you have the throne, what's the point of keeping me alive?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Xiang couldn't help but frown slightly.

"From what you're saying, you're asking for death?"

Wu Yunyin snorted softly and nodded slightly: "I am just asking for death. Killing me is just a matter of one stab."

Zhou Xiang scoffed, turned around, and slowly sat down.

"If you really wanted to die, would I need to do it? What you're most worried about right now is that Chen Zhennan will return to Beijing and you won't be able to face him."

Zhou Xiang's words struck a chord with Wu Yunyin. She truly didn't want to die, but if Chen Zhennan returned, things might change.

"I don't have the courage to end things, but it seems you have no reason to keep me around. It's all about the winner taking all, and you've already lost."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Xiang gritted his teeth. What he was unwilling to do now was admit defeat.

"Wu Yunyin, I need you to help me clear my name. Before Chen Zhennan gets close, issue an edict to abdicate and secure the throne."

Wu Yunyin was slightly taken aback, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes.

She lowered her head, pondered for a moment, as if weighing something.

Raising her head, Wu Yunyin said coldly, "You said it yourself, I don't want to face Chen Zhennan. Now you want me to help you clear your name? Wouldn't that be announcing it to the whole world? Why should I help you?"

"Because you don't want to die yet!"

One sentence was enough to silence Wu Yunyin.

"Wu Yunyin, if you are willing to lend me a hand, perhaps we can work together to resist Chen Zhennan's threat."

Zhou Xiang tried to soften his tone, as if he were pleading or testing the waters.

Wu Yunyin remained silent for a moment, a hint of hesitation flashing in her eyes, but then her gaze became firm again.

"I don't need your promises, all I want is power. If you can offer me enough benefits, I might consider it."

"Power? What do you want?"

"The Empress's position is all I desire."

When Zhou Xiang heard Wu Yunyin mention wanting the position of Empress, he couldn't help but laugh.

"No problem, as long as you can issue a decree of succession, the position of Empress will be yours."

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