After listening to Song Yunyang's advice, Wang Lei's heart was stirred.

Scenes from the thirteen states of the Customs House flashed through his mind like a movie.

Chen Zhennan encouraged agriculture and sericulture, ordered the construction of roads and bridges, and distributed land. As a result, people left their doors unlocked at night and did not pick up lost items on the road.

These images were etched into his heart, making his feelings complicated.

A hint of confusion and regret flashed in Wang Lei's eyes, causing him to hesitate.

Thinking of this, Wang Lei slowly put down the dagger, his fingers leaving the hilt as if he had put down a heavy burden.

He was just about to get up and step aside, leaning slightly forward, ready to apologize to Song Yunyang.

But at that moment, Yan Shiyu suddenly pulled the trigger, and a bullet shot out, hitting Wang Lei directly between the eyebrows.

This shot, like a thunderclap, shattered the tranquility of the night and also shattered Wang Lei's life.

Wang Lei's body jolted, his eyes widening instantly in disbelief.

The soldiers around them were stunned by the sudden gunfire, their eyes darting back and forth between Wang Lei and Yan Shiyu, at a loss for what to do.

As Wang Lei's body slowly fell, the atmosphere became even more tense and oppressive, and everyone could feel a sense of urgency, as if a storm was brewing.

Song Yunyang's expression changed, and a look of shock and anger flashed in her eyes.

She hadn't expected Yan Shiyu to fire at this moment, and angrily asked, "Yan Shiyu, what are you doing?"

Despite Song Yunyang's anger, Yan Shiyu's face remained completely expressionless.

"I will not allow anyone who wants to kill the Marshal to live. Marshal, if you still have men like that under your command, I will still eliminate them."

His words revealed absolute loyalty to Chen Zhennan and zero tolerance for threats; his eyes showed no fear, only a cold decisiveness.

Faced with Yan Shiyu's answer, Song Yunyang was speechless for a moment.

Yan Shiyu's behavior was not excessive; it was just that Wang Lei's identity was special, and he was the most capable general under her command.

However, Wang Lei's guards did not hesitate like Song Yunyang; their eyes were filled with anger and hatred.

The captain of the guard gritted his teeth and shouted, "Brothers! Kill him!"

At this command, the guards drew their swords and surrounded Yan Shiyu.

Yan Shiyu's heart tightened. He turned off the safety on the submachine gun and lightly put his finger on the trigger, but a moment of hesitation flashed through his mind.

Just as Yan Shiyu's finger was about to pull the trigger, Chen Zhennan finally stood up straight. Although his face was pale and his voice was weak, his words revealed an undeniable authority.

"Stop, everyone! Anyone who doesn't want to die, step back!" Chen Zhennan's voice was weak, but it made everyone stop what they were doing.

Upon hearing this, the soldiers of Wang Lei's guard all turned to look at Chen Zhennan, with the guard captain's eyes filled with murderous intent.

"The general is dead, and he must pay a price! What? Do you want to die in his place?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Zhennan could no longer suppress his anger and gritted his teeth, saying, "Shiyu, if anyone else is courting death, then let them have their way!"

His voice carried a hint of determination, and his eyes flashed with furious flames.

Although these people are all Song Yunyang's subordinates, if he doesn't establish his authority now, he won't be able to control them in the future.

As soon as Chen Zhennan finished speaking, the captain of the guard suddenly rushed towards Chen Zhennan, followed by four or five other men. Their movements were swift and fierce, and their eyes revealed strong hostility towards Chen Zhennan.

Seeing this, Yan Shiyu pulled the trigger without hesitation. With a burst of gunfire, all the men who rushed towards Chen Zhennan were shot down.

Gunshots echoed in the night sky, like the howl of death, instilling a deep sense of fear in everyone.

Those who rushed towards Chen Zhennan fell to the ground, their bodies convulsing, blood flowing from them, staining the wild grass and flowers by the wall red.

Song Yunyang's face also turned pale, her eyes filled with shock and anger.

"Enough! Stop it, all of you! Get back here! I'll spare your lives today, but if anyone dares to court death again, I'll personally send them to their deaths!"

The soldiers were intimidated by Song Yunyang's imposing presence, and their movements involuntarily stopped.

Despite their reluctance, the guards obeyed Song Yunyang's orders, choosing to submit to her authority.

One by one, they sheathed their swords, exchanged complex glances, and then turned and left.

After all the guards left, Song Yunyang hurriedly went to Chen Zhennan and carefully examined his injuries.

Despite the excruciating pain and cold sweat beading on his forehead, Chen Zhennan whispered, "Thank you, Yun Yang. Don't blame Shi Yu. If I had a gun, all of them might be dead."

Song Yunyang nodded slightly, a hint of guilt flashing in her eyes.

"I know, I know, it's my fault for not knowing what my subordinates are thinking."

Her voice carried a hint of self-reproach; as a leader, she should have been more aware of her subordinates' thoughts.

"Come on, I'll take you to heal your wounds."

Song Yunyang reached out and helped Chen Zhennan as they hurried back towards the military camp.

After helping Chen Zhennan back to the military camp, Song Yunyang immediately found a doctor to treat him.

Song Yunyang turned and left the military camp, riding back to the palace. Her figure appeared particularly resolute in the moonlight. She had to control the situation as soon as possible to prevent Wang Lei's death from causing even greater chaos.

As for Chen Zhennan, he took some anesthetic powder during treatment, and his body gradually relaxed, the pain gradually disappeared, and he eventually fell into a deep sleep.

The next day at noon, sunlight streamed through the gaps in the tent and fell on Chen Zhennan's face.

Song Yunyang prepared everything needed and returned to the tent, gently waking Chen Zhennan.

"Zhennan, it's time. It's time to wake up."

Chen Zhennan slowly opened his eyes, his consciousness still a little hazy, but he quickly regained his senses.

Song Yunyang pointed to the doorway, where a guard was standing, his hands supporting himself on a piece of clothing.

Chen Zhennan glanced at it and saw that it was a dragon robe. A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes. He twitched the corners of his mouth and asked, somewhat bewildered, "This...is it to make me the emperor?"

Song Yunyang nodded slowly, her face expressionless: "Zhou Xiang and Wu Yunyin are both dead. Today, you should ascend the throne."

Looking at the golden dragon robe, Chen Zhennan felt a complex mix of emotions welling up inside him.

Seven years ago, he started an uprising in Lingnan, fought countless bloody battles, and personally put Wu Yunyin on the throne.

Now, Wu Yunyin is dead, the Three Kingdoms have been unified, and the world is at peace. All of this seems to have come too dramatically.

Seven years is too long for Chen Zhennan; he has even forgotten that he should not belong to this world.

Slowly rising, Chen Zhennan walked step by step toward the dragon robe that radiated golden light.

"I've become the emperor?"