Jiang Wenyu, who had been looking lazy, instantly perked up upon seeing this situation.

"What's going on? They are all my most capable guards, yet they couldn't even hurt you. What kind of martial arts technique do you have?"

Jiang Wenyu was beyond words in shock. Fifteen against one, and against someone who was seriously injured and just recovering from a serious illness, they were all taken down so quickly.

"Technique? Are you trying to say sorcery? This is called Tai Chi. To be honest, if there were a few more people, I really wouldn't be able to handle them, but just a few short, I could have annihilated them in an instant!"

Jiang Wenyu remained seated on the dragon throne, but the composure he had displayed earlier was gone, replaced by extreme tension.

"You want to kill me? This is the Great Yan Imperial Palace, aren't you afraid of death?"

Although Jiang Wenyu gritted his teeth, his voice was already trembling, completely lacking the imposing presence one would expect of an emperor.

"Jiang Wenyu, you should know me a little. Every time I lead troops into battle, I'm always at the forefront. Do you think someone who's been through the wringer would be afraid of death?"

When Chen Zhennan spoke, there was an imperceptible sorrow in his eyes. Every time he closed his eyes, he would still see those who died beside him, those brothers who had fought alongside him.

“You have proven your ability, and I can give you a chance, but I cannot give you military power,” Jiang Wenyu said in a deep voice.

Jiang Wenyu was filled with regret. If he had known things would turn out this way, he should have just sent someone to kill Chen Zhennan instead of bringing him here.

But things had already come to this point, and he couldn't show that he couldn't accept defeat. Song Yunyang was also there, and if he got angry and embarrassed, he would only lose face even more.

"Military power? I don't care. I have plenty of troops of my own. I hope we can have a cooperative relationship. And if we're going to cooperate, then there should be a basic level of trust."

Chen Zhennan knew very well that although he had been terribly harmed by that bitch Wu Yunyin, Jiang Wenyu would never believe him, after all, he was the most hated person in the entire Great Yan.

"The most basic trust? Fine, I'll give it to you."

As Jiang Wenyu spoke, his gaze fell on Song Yunyang.

"The army is being reorganized. From now on, Chen Zhennan will be your vanguard deputy general. Remember, you must never provoke the Wu Kingdom's border army."

Upon hearing this, Song Yunyang hurriedly clasped her hands in a fist and knelt on one knee.

"Your humble servant obeys the decree!"

After saying that, Song Yunyang hurriedly pulled Chen Zhennan out of Yanming Hall and directly led him away from the palace.

Sitting in the carriage, Chen Zhennan looked relaxed and at ease. After years of fighting in the north and south, this period was the most relaxed time he had ever had.

"You really scared me to death just now. I thought you were going to lead me in a rebellion."

Upon hearing this, Chen Zhennan raised his eyebrows slightly, and a smile involuntarily appeared on his lips.

"Song Yunyang, if I really kill Jiang Wenyu, what will you choose? Kill me on the spot, or join me in the rebellion?"

"Hmph! I would love to kill you, but I can't beat you. We've fought so many times and I've never won once. You've almost destroyed my confidence."

I like the idea of ​​someone who keeps fighting despite repeated defeats.

"What did you say?"

"nothing."

...

Two days later, in Lingnan, at the Prince's Mansion.

"Your Highness, the imperial court has issued an edict ordering you to immediately withdraw from your fiefdom and has dispatched 300,000 troops, who are heading towards Lingnan. What should we do next?"

Standing before Zhou Xiang was Hou Jing, the Left Vanguard of Lingnan, his face filled with worry.

"Three hundred thousand troops? Are they really going to flatten Lingnan? Who's in command?" Zhou Xiang asked casually.

"The commander-in-chief is Ba Qing. According to the scouts, Ba Qing's army is marching very fast and is less than two hundred miles away from Lingnan."

Zhou Xiang frowned slightly. This distance was already extremely dangerous. Although the thirteen counties of Lingnan covered a large area, Lingnan was the first line of defense against the imperial court. If it fell, all thirteen counties would be lost!

"Send word to Ba Qing immediately. Tell him that I do not wish to oppose the court and hope that Your Majesty will reconsider. Go now. Also, summon the Revenue Officer and the Quartermaster Officer to me."

Upon hearing this, Hou Jing turned and walked out of the house. Before long, the quartermaster and the head of the household affairs department of Lingnan arrived together.

"Greetings, Your Highness. May I ask why Your Highness has summoned us here?"

Zhou Xiang glanced at the two of them and gestured for them to sit down.

"Issue the order that the thirteen counties be exempt from taxes for three years. Hu Ku shall allocate ten million taels of silver to be distributed to the 1.8 million people in the thirteen counties, and the remaining two million taels shall be used to purchase grain!"

Upon hearing this, Hu Cao's eyes widened in shock, his facial features contorted in disbelief as he stared at Zhou Xiang.

"Two million taels of military funds will be allocated: one million to purchase horses, five hundred thousand to forge weapons, three hundred thousand to forge armor, and two hundred thousand to purchase clothing."

The quartermaster stared wide-eyed at the clerk. Had the prince gone mad?

"Your Highness, five hundred thousand taels of silver for armor and clothing is far more than what an army of ninety thousand needs. What do you need so much for?"

When questioned by the quartermaster, Zhou Xiang deliberately adopted a dejected posture.

"Lingnan is powerless to resist the imperial court, so I have no choice but to become a generous benefactor and prepare to abolish the fiefdom."

Abolish the feudal domains?

The quartermaster had droopy eyelids and a speechless expression on his face.

"Your Highness, do you really think we're fools? Why would we need to buy weapons and horses, or acquire armor and clothing after abolishing the feudal system?"

The quartermaster is equivalent to the current logistics minister, and every expense must be accounted for clearly.

Abolish the feudal system? He had never heard of any prince making such a big show before abolishing his feudal system. This was not abolishing the feudal system; it was rebellion!

Zhou Xiang gave an awkward smile, realizing that his excuse was indeed a bit far-fetched.

"Well, I'll explain that to you later. Just do as I say, and be quick. All matters should be carried out simultaneously. Remember, under no circumstances should you cause any unrest among the people. Everything should proceed as usual."

"Yes, sir!"

...

At Shuangfeng Mountain, Ba Qing, seated on horseback, led an army of 300,000 men, rapidly advancing towards Lingnan.

Not far ahead, Zhou Xiang's special envoy arrived.

"Greetings, Marshal Ba Qing. I am a centurion under Hou Jing, the Left Vanguard of Lingnan. I have come to deliver a message to you."

Ba Qing sat arrogantly atop his horse and gave a dismissive "hmm."

"Chief of a thousand? What's your name?"

“This humble servant, Sun Qi, says that our prince does not wish to be an enemy of the imperial court. I hope Your Majesty will reconsider.”

Upon hearing this, Ba Qing immediately snorted coldly.

"You only admit defeat when you're about to die? What? Zhou Xiang still wants those two million taels of silver?"

Sun Qi hurriedly shook his head: "Our prince didn't say anything, but I think it's unlikely. Marshal Ba Qing, I hope your army will pause and rest first. Our prince should submit a memorial to the emperor."

"A pause for rest? This is probably not Zhou Xiang's delaying tactic. If he wants to make peace, he should at least have the attitude to do so. Sending a centurion like you to see me, do you think you're qualified to negotiate with me?"

After saying that, Ba Qing suddenly drew his sword from his waist and, with lightning speed, slashed across Sun Qi's neck.