The northern mountains of Beijing.

Song Yunyang leaned against a branch under an old tree, holding a pot of wine in her hand, and took a small sip.

Her gaze was unfocused. She remembered Chen Zhennan drinking and eating meat in a tree. At that time, there was an indescribable melancholy in his eyes, and his expression was indeed somewhat charming.

Song Yunyang tried to find that feeling, but sitting in the tree, all she felt was that the wine and meat were delicious, and nothing else seemed particularly special.

Just as Song Yunyang was immersed in her own world, a soldier rushed over, holding up a letter and panting as he said, "General, Chen Zhennan has conquered Mingzhou's 50,000-strong garrison with only 200 men. This is a letter from General Chen Zhennan. Mingzhou is now under Chu Feng's control."

Song Yunyang almost fell off the tree, her face full of disbelief, as she looked down and carefully examined the soldier.

"What? Two hundred men against fifty thousand?"

She repeated it incredulously, her eyes wide open.

"Yes, the news has spread throughout the army, and General Wang Lei is also discussing it!"

Upon hearing this, Song Yunyang felt a surge of excitement. She quickly flipped over and jumped down from the tree, landing steadily. She reached out and took the envelope, opened it, and sure enough, it was a letter from Chen Zhennan.

The letter was written in strong, vigorous handwriting. Chen Zhennan told her not to worry, that he was leading two hundred special forces soldiers toward Ningzhou, and that she should not make any rash moves in Beijing.

After reading it, Song Yunyang slowly curled the corners of her mouth and smiled slightly, saying, "Send someone to set up a bonfire under the city wall and loudly discuss Chen Zhennan's two hundred men conquering Mingzhou. Remember, make sure it looks natural."

The soldier obeyed and left, while Song Yunyang leaned back against the tree, toying with the wine pot in her hand, a sly glint in her eyes.

Once this news spreads, it will cause a sensation. Zhou Xiang will definitely find out about it, and once Chen Zhennan returns, Beijing may fall without a fight.

After dark, a bonfire blazed beneath the city wall, and the soldiers of the Great Yan sat together, discussing the matter.

"Have you heard? Commander Chen conquered Mingzhou's 50,000-strong garrison with only 200 men!"

"Really? How is that possible? Two hundred against fifty thousand? Isn't that a fantasy?"

"Absolutely true! I saw it with my own eyes. Commander Chen's special forces are incredibly powerful, they're like divine soldiers descending from the heavens!"

The discussion grew more and more heated, and Chen Zhennan's heroic deeds were told in increasingly fantastical ways. The soldiers' eyes shone with admiration and worship, burning brighter and brighter like a bonfire.

Below the city, the soldiers of the Great Yan gathered together, their voices rising like a surging tide, intertwining with each other.

The soldiers on the city wall strained their ears, hearing everything clearly, and a wave of memories washed over them.

They remembered Chen Zhennan, the war god who was once as fierce as a tiger descending the mountain on the battlefield, brave and fearless.

Every time he went to war, he won with fewer troops, creating one legend after another, seemingly an eternal glory on the battlefield.

The next day, inside the palace, Zhou Xiang sat in the imperial study, his brows furrowed, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

He also learned of Chen Zhennan's extraordinary feat, and was shocked and filled with mixed feelings.

Since following Chen Zhennan in the uprising seven years ago and going through countless life-and-death trials, Zhou Xiang has long regarded Chen Zhennan as a hero.

However, as Chen Zhennan created a new legend once again, a sense of powerlessness welled up in his heart.

"I have already become the emperor, yet I can never surpass him!" Zhou Xiang sighed inwardly, his thoughts surging like a tide, making him frown.

Just then, Wu Yunyin pushed open the door and entered. Seeing Zhou Xiang's expression, she couldn't help but chuckle. She stepped forward and said sarcastically, "Your Majesty, I heard you're worried about Chen Zhennan's heroic deeds? Don't forget, you are the hero in the hearts of these millions of subjects!"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Xiang slowly raised his head, glanced sideways at Wu Yunyin, and a hint of displeasure flashed in his eyes: "Empress, you should just focus on your own affairs. What do matters of the court have to do with you?"

Wu Yunyin smiled gently, her eyes flashing with wit: "Although the affairs of the court are none of my business, the capital is now an isolated city, with 300,000 troops outside like wolves and tigers. You have no chance of winning."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Xiang was filled with rage. He stood up abruptly, his eyes blazing as he stared directly at Wu Yunyin.

"Though I have been defeated, I am not afraid! The commander-in-chief is like a god descending from heaven, beyond my reach. I raised an army in rebellion with the conviction that I would die! But you, you wretch, still want me to suffer humiliation once more!"

Zhou Xiang's voice resounded like thunder, filled with resentment and unwillingness.

Wu Yunyin was slightly taken aback, then a cold smile appeared on her lips, and she secretly felt smug.

At this moment, Zhou Xiang's heart was like a raging storm, his emotions fluctuating like rolling waves, anger and helplessness intertwined, making him feel extremely depressed.

Wu Yunyin, on the other hand, moved with the grace of a cheetah, skillfully maneuvering through Zhou Xiang's emotions, secretly pleased with herself, seemingly enjoying this psychological game.

"If you are not satisfied, why not go to the battlefield and try it yourself?"

Wu Yunyin's words were like a thorn, piercing Zhou Xiang's heart and making him even angrier.

Zhou Xiang clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white, as if he was trying to suppress the anger in his heart.

Zhou Xiang's face was gloomy. Although he was filled with anger, he still retained a sliver of reason.

Arguing with Wu Yunyin is not helpful to the current situation; on the contrary, it will affect one's judgment.

"Guards! Escort the Empress back to her palace. It's best for her to stay in the inner palace. I have my own plans for matters of the court!"

Wu Yunyin, however, did not take it to heart. She flicked her wide sleeves, turned around, and left with a light laugh, her steps light as if she had not been affected by the argument just now.

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