Chen Zhennan pondered these words repeatedly.

Throughout history, both in China and abroad, emperors who have achieved lasting fame in history books have all followed these three paths.

Chen Zhennan stood up and bowed deeply, saying in a deep voice, "Thank you for your guidance, Uncle. People say I have already gained quite a bit of experience. The Thirteen Prefectures have always been a benchmark for me, and all prefectures and counties should follow suit in the future."

Upon hearing this, Song Deqing nodded slowly. He and his wife had lived in Qingzhou City for quite some time and had witnessed firsthand the changes in the thirteen prefectures.

“Uncle, what about the Way of Heaven and the Way of Hegemony that you speak of? I am good at leading troops into battle, but I really do not understand the way of governing a country.”

Chen Zhennan said he didn't understand, but Song Deqing disagreed and shook his head at him with a smile.

"The truth lies in the coexistence of the Way of Heaven and the Way of Hegemony, and the foundation of all this is the Way of Humanity. You already understand this. As for the rest, you will need to accumulate knowledge slowly in the future. It would be useless for me to say anything."

Chen Zhennan nodded emphatically: "Thank you for your teachings, Uncle. I will keep them in mind."

Soon, Dong Ning had prepared a banquet, and Chen Zhennan and the other three took their seats.

Chen Zhennan asked Dong Ning to bring some wine, as he wanted to properly toast the two elders today. Dong Ning immediately had someone bring the best wine from the governor's mansion, its aroma filling the entire living room.

At the banquet, Song Deqing seemed like a different person. He became unusually generous and drank quite a lot of wine with Chen Zhennan.

His laughter was loud and clear, and his eyes sparkled with a strong passion for the wine. Chen Zhennan was also infected by this atmosphere, and the two frequently raised their glasses, quickly closing the distance between them at the table.

Song Yunyang and Zhang Zining looked at the two men drinking heartily, exchanged a smile, and their eyes revealed helplessness and doting affection.

They left early, letting the two men drink slowly and enjoy this rare moment of relaxation.

As night fell, the banquet continued, with Chen Zhennan and Song Deqing's laughter echoing in the night sky.

Song Yunyang paced back and forth in the side room, a sense of unease rising in her heart. More than an hour had passed, and the "father and son" were still in the living room, clinking glasses and laughing. What on earth were these two talking about that had kept them drinking for so long?

Song Yunyang decided to go and see what was going on. As soon as she stepped out of the room, she heard a hearty laugh coming from the living room.

She quietly approached and peeked through the crack in the door. She saw her father, Song Deqing, with a flushed face, raising his wine glass and drinking with Chen Zhennan.

"Brother, I think you're a good young man, you have guts and spirit. Come on, let's have another drink!" Song Deqing's voice was loud and clear, with a hint of drunkenness.

Chen Zhennan also raised his glass, a helpless yet amused expression on his face: "Uncle, please don't joke with me. I wouldn't dare to call you brother."

"Hey, there's no distinction between elders and juniors at the dinner table. Today we're brothers, you can call me father-in-law tomorrow!" Song Deqing waved his hand, exuding an air of authority.

Song Yunyang, who was listening outside the door, couldn't help but burst out laughing.

She gently pushed open the door and walked into the living room, where she saw that the table was already littered with cups and plates, and the aroma of wine filled the air.

"Father, what's going on here..." Song Yunyang looked at the two of them with feigned surprise, her eyes full of smiles.

Song Deqing turned his head and saw that it was his daughter. He laughed heartily and said, "Yang'er, you've come at the right time. Come, come, greet your Uncle Chen."

Chen Zhennan almost spat out his drink and waved his hands repeatedly, saying, "Uncle, this is too much. I can't drink anymore. I have official business to attend to tomorrow."

Upon hearing this, Song Deqing nodded absentmindedly: "Okay, Yunyang, take him back to rest first, so as not to delay important matters tomorrow."

Chen Zhennan was helped away from the hall by Song Yunyang. After leaving the backyard of the governor's mansion, his body suddenly became upright, as if he had never been affected by the alcohol.

Song Yunyang was slightly taken aback, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes: "Weren't you drunk? What, were you faking it just now?"

She frowned slightly, staring at Chen Zhennan with a puzzled look in her eyes. His eyes were clear, showing no trace of drunkenness.

Chen Zhennan nodded slightly and explained with a faint smile, "I was just pretending. The wine I'm drinking now tastes good, but the alcohol content isn't high enough to make me drunk."

Song Yunyang smiled faintly. She understood that Chen Zhennan did this simply to make his father happier.

A warm feeling welled up in her heart. This man was always so thoughtful and considerate, making it impossible not to love him.

Chen Zhennan went back to his room to rest, and nothing happened that night. Until the next morning, Chen Zhennan was suddenly awakened by Song Yunyang's voice.

He groggily opened his eyes, rolled out of bed, and pushed open the door, only to find Song Yunyang looking quite anxious, holding a memorial in her hand.

"What's going on?" Chen Zhennan's sleepiness vanished instantly.

Song Yunyang hurriedly explained, "Something happened on Yunming's side. That Greenberg has made a comeback, this time with hundreds of thousands of followers, and has already formed an encirclement around the southwestern border."

Chen Zhennan frowned slightly upon hearing this, a sense of foreboding rising in his heart: "Wasn't Greenberg in Li Guangyi's hands? How could he have made a comeback? Did Li Guangyi let him go?"

Song Yunyang shook her head slightly: "I don't know either, but this memorial was indeed sent by Yunming. He said that the situation is urgent and the southwest is preparing to fight, but he is worried that if a big war breaks out, people's hearts will be unsettled and the people will suffer. That's why he sent the memorial to ask you what to do."

Chen Zhennan pursed his lips, a hint of impatience flashing in his eyes.

"Here comes another one looking for trouble. They're deliberately trying to prevent me from getting married. Yunyang, we'll probably have to make a trip to the southwest."

Song Yunyang's eyes were filled with worry as she hurriedly nodded, "I know my brother's personality very well. If he feels threatened, he will definitely lead a large army to fight Greenberg, and there will be countless casualties. Although Yunming has lost his right arm, he will definitely go into battle personally. I'm worried..."

Chen Zhennan could clearly sense Song Yunyang's anxiety and unease, so he quickly smiled and comforted her, "Don't worry, nothing will happen. Besides, there are over a hundred of my special forces soldiers over there."

After saying that, Chen Zhennan hurriedly put on his clothes and strode off to find Yan Shiyu.

Although he wanted Yan Shiyu, the team leader, to rest for a few days, time was of the essence, and there was no time to rest.

"Shiyu, prepare the guns and ammunition. We'll depart tomorrow for the southwestern border of the Great Zhou."

Yan Shiyu was taken aback upon hearing this. He knew without a doubt that something had happened again. After saying "Yes, sir," he turned around and led the special forces team up Cuiming Mountain.

Chen Zhennan was somewhat angry. He had thought that with the world now at peace, he could hold his grand wedding with Song Yunyang and then begin reforms. He never expected that someone would cause trouble again.

Song Yunyang slowly walked behind Chen Zhennan and gently took his hand.

"Brother Nan, I was being too sensitive just now. Don't lose your composure because of me. Just do what needs to be done."

Upon hearing this, Chen Zhennan quickly turned around and couldn't help but chuckle: "Don't worry, I know what to do. If he dares to court death when I'm getting married, I'll definitely send Greenberg to meet his Jude God!"