Zhou Jianjia led her remaining troops in a frantic escape, her steps filled with endless fear and exhaustion, like a stray dog, until she reached an extremely remote place.

She was filled with apprehension. Only after confirming several times that Chen Zhennan was not pursuing them did she wave her hand with a sigh of relief and order the army to rest.

Zhou Jianjia never expected that Chen Zhennan would take advantage of the darkness and attack like a ghost, instantly causing her to lose all her supplies.

Zhou Jianjia was both angry and resentful. She gritted her teeth and sent an envoy to the capital of Dawu to meet Song Xuan. Before the envoy left, Zhou Jianjia said bitterly, "A king's word is law. Song Xuan's actions must be explained to me. He should not think that I am easy to bully."

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, a thin layer of mist still lingered around, like a light veil shrouding the earth.

Before the army could recover from its exhaustion, a series of hoofbeats suddenly sounded, the sound rolling in like thunder as it approached from afar.

"Enemy attack! Enemy attack!"

The guards' shouts rang out in Zhou Jianjia's army, startling the soldiers from their brief rest. They hurriedly picked up their weapons and prepared to fight.

Zhou Jianjia's expression changed. She immediately drew her sword and shouted, "Don't panic! Form ranks and meet the enemy!"

The cavalry of Da Wu came with overwhelming force; their charge was like a landslide and a tsunami, unstoppable.

Although Zhou Jianjia's army was brave, their formation began to falter under the charge of the cavalry.

"Your Majesty, we are no match for them. Let's retreat!"

Zhou Jianjia gritted her teeth. The repeated attacks were driving her to the brink of exploding anger, but the situation forced her to suppress it.

The battle intensified, with soldiers from both sides clashing on the battlefield, their blood staining the earth red.

Although Zhou Jianjia's army was numerous, it gradually became bogged down in a fierce battle under the onslaught of cavalry.

Zhou Jianjia stood beneath the tattered military flag, her eyes filled with confusion and anger as her army was once again forced to retreat.

Those cavalrymen, like ghosts, always appeared at the most crucial moment, only to retreat after gaining the upper hand, as if they were toying with her.

"Your Majesty, we...we've been spared again."

Li Guangyi walked to Zhou Jianjia's side, his voice trembling slightly, clearly also disturbed by the series of surprise attacks.

Zhou Jianjia clenched her fists, her mind filled with questions: "What exactly are Chen Zhennan and Song Xuan trying to do? Are they just toying with me?"

...

Inside the Imperial Study in the capital city, the atmosphere was tense and solemn. Wang Gan sat on the dragon throne, his brows furrowed, his gaze fixed on the woman opposite him.

Song Yunyang, dressed in heavy armor, looked heroic and looked at Wang Gan with a slight smile.

"Marshal Song, what brings you here so suddenly?"

Wang Gan's voice carried a hint of inquiry. He knew that Song Yunyang and Chen Zhennan had an unusual relationship, but Song Yunyang's appearance undoubtedly made him feel uneasy.

Song Yunyang smiled slightly, "I was entrusted by Chen Zhennan to protect you."

A flicker of surprise crossed Wang Gan's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by anger: "Protect? What does Marshal Song mean by this? Why did you allow your cavalry to enter the palace?"

"If you don't enter the palace, do you think my army is stationed outside the city? Do you really think I'm your bodyguard?"

Wang Gan was burning with anger, his brows furrowed. How dare this woman be so presumptuous! She was utterly arrogant!

Wang Gan retorted, his tone laced with sarcasm, "Protect me? Your so-called protection is sending your cavalry to storm the palace like wolves and tigers. Is this your understanding of protection?"

Upon hearing this, Song Yunyang's expression suddenly changed, and her eyes turned as cold as ice.

“I’m not as polite as Chen Zhennan, Wang Gan. If you don’t cooperate, my eight thousand iron cavalry will be the blade that cuts off your head.”

Wang Gan was burning with rage, his face ashen, wishing he could slap the woman in front of him away.

Before Wang Gan could say anything more, Song Yunyang slowly got up and walked slowly to him.

“Wang Gan, you know your own limitations best. What great power? Your small country of just over 100,000 people is already struggling to survive. Don’t be courting death. Don’t worry, Chen Zhennan didn’t order me to kill you, but you’d better not mess with me. Chen Zhennan is not my emperor yet.”

After speaking, Song Yunyang turned around and strode out of the imperial study, as if she were the emperor of this great empire.

...

Chen Zhennan intercepted the messenger sent by Zhou Jianjia to find Song Xuan, and then returned to Lianghe Pass with a large amount of captured supplies.

Upon returning to Lianghe Pass, Chen Zhennan immediately ordered the repair of every crack in the city wall and the reinforcement of every crenellation.

At the same time, Chen Zhennan also ordered that the normal lives of the people should not be affected.

The market was still bustling with activity, and children were running and playing in the streets; everything seemed so peaceful and serene.

Chen Zhennan's actions quickly spread among the people, who praised his benevolence and virtue, and his reputation spread rapidly throughout Liangheguan.

"Chen Zhennan's army is truly a righteous and benevolent force!"

The people praised him highly, their eyes filled with trust and respect for Chen Zhennan.

Meanwhile, in the towering mountains of the Great Zhou Dynasty, Zhou Jianjia led her remaining troops on a difficult journey.

She knew that Chen Zhennan had driven her into a corner, and her only option was to bypass Lianghe Pass, traverse the treacherous mountain road, and return to the capital of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

After five days of arduous travel, Zhou Jianjia finally saw the outline of the capital of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

Zhou Jianjia returned to the capital with a solemn expression and flashing anger in her eyes. She looked around the court and saw that all the civil and military officials were serious and in high spirits, which secretly pleased her.

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