Liu Ying was shocked. Although he knew that Chen Zhennan's military tactics were unpredictable, he never expected it to go so smoothly.

"Of course I keep my word. From now on, just say the word, and I'll be the first to fight for you!"

Chen Zhennan gave a heavy "hmm," and then forcefully pulled open the city gate.

Outside the city gate, Song Yunming was racking his brains for a solution when, unexpectedly, the city gate opened by itself.

Seeing Chen Zhennan standing inside the city gate, Song Yunming couldn't help but smile. He reached for the sword at his waist and charged towards the city gate first.

With Song Yunming's five thousand cavalrymen charging into the city, the battle on Song Yunyang's side officially came to an end.

Song Yunyang, who was attacking the city head-on, suddenly discovered that the garrison at Tianyang Pass on the city wall had surrendered with a white flag raised.

"What's going on? Even if Chen Zhennan got in, he shouldn't surrender so quickly. Go, tell them to open the city gates!"

Upon hearing this, the deputy general beside him hurriedly stepped forward, but before he could even shout, the city gate in front of him opened.

Inside the city gate, a fierce-looking general, holding a long spear, slowly rode out on horseback.

Although the moonlight was dim, Song Yunyang recognized the weapon: a bright silver spear, the exclusive weapon of Dong Ning, the garrison commander of Tianyang Pass.

Song Yunyang sheathed his sword, rode his horse slowly forward, until he reached Dong Ning.

"General Dong."

"Marshal Song."

"Why did you surrender so easily? Your 30,000 troops seem to have suffered no losses, right?" Song Yunyang asked curiously.

Upon hearing this, Dong Ning immediately shook his head with a smile.

"This is not a surrender. Getting into Tianyang Pass is not so simple. I came out just to talk to you. Apart from your five thousand cavalry, the rest of you will not be allowed in."

Upon hearing his words, Song Yunyang couldn't help but frown.

What do you mean by that?

"It doesn't mean anything. It's just to give my commander face and avoid unnecessary casualties. I will submit a memorial to the emperor, saying that Tianyang Pass has fallen. My actions are just to relieve the pressure on Lingnan."

Song Yunyang suddenly looked up and gritted her teeth.

To alleviate the pressure on Lingnan?

"So you mean that my Great Yan only nominally captured Tianyang Pass?"

Dong Ning snorted lightly, "Of course, otherwise why do you think my 30,000 troops would surrender?"

Song Yunyang clenched her fists. "Chen Zhennan, you come out here!"

With a shout, Chen Zhennan rode out of the city on horseback, a smile still on his face.

"Don't be angry, I know what you're thinking, Yunyang. I'm giving you two choices: one, attack the city; two, negotiate peace."

Faced with two more choices, Song Yunyang felt an overwhelming surge of anger.

"Chen Zhennan, where is my brother?"

"Of course it's inside the city. Don't worry, it's absolutely safe."

"I defied the imperial decree to bring you back to the Great Yan Dynasty from afar, yet you repay kindness with enmity! The Emperor has ordered me to take Tianyang Pass within three days. Even if my brother dies inside, I will breach this city within three days!"

Song Yunyang trusted Chen Zhennan implicitly and cooperated with him to break into Tianyang Pass at night. As a result, she now looks like a clown. Not only did she fail to capture Tianyang Pass, but her own younger brother was also trapped in the city.

Upon seeing this, Chen Zhennan quickly dismounted and walked to Song Yunyang's side.

"Dong Ning is unwilling to let you into the city because he is worried that your Great Yan will harm the people. To be honest, I am also worried. If you are willing to guarantee that you will not harm the people, Tianyang Pass can be given to Great Yan."

After hearing this explanation, Song Yunyang finally realized what was going on.

"I can promise you that when my Great Yan army enters the city, it will absolutely not make things difficult for the Wu Kingdom's troops, and it will absolutely not plunder the people. If you don't believe me, I can give you a death order right now."

Upon hearing this, Dong Ning couldn't help but smile again.

"A death order? What if you change your mind every day? I am here to guard the city, so I must do my duty. Apart from the five thousand cavalry inside, no one else from your Yan Kingdom army is allowed to enter."

These words not only angered Song Yunyang, but also surprised Chen Zhennan, who was standing next to her.

"Dong Ning, aren't you listening to me anymore? You didn't say that to me just now!" Chen Zhennan said sternly.

Just now, Chen Zhennan used a grappling hook to enter the city and quickly agreed on a plan with Dong Ning to surrender the city to Song Yunyang, but now he has changed his mind.

Dong Ning sighed and shook his head helplessly.

"General, I was also brought out from Lingnan by you. If it weren't for the need to save Lingnan, I would never have opened the city gates."

After a pause, Dong Ning dismounted and knelt on one knee before Chen Zhennan.

"General, whether it is the Great Wu or the former Great Chu, I will not allow foreign armies to set foot on our territory. The people here do not welcome them."

Upon hearing this, both Song Yunyang and Chen Zhennan fell silent.

Yes, the two countries have been at war for so many years, and the peace period has been very short. Friction often occurs between the people of the two countries, not to mention their attitudes toward local armies.

Chen Zhennan was caught in a dilemma. As a modern person, he knew the inevitability of ethnic integration and the benefits of integration.

However, in the current era, there is no possibility of peaceful integration other than territorial expansion.

Just as Chen Zhennan was at a loss, Lin Wei led an army of 10,000 to approach Tianyang Pass. Upon seeing this, Song Yunyang immediately stopped him.

Song Yunyang is the true commander-in-chief of the three armies of the Great Yan Dynasty. Without his orders, Lin Wei dared to send troops without authorization.

"Lin Wei, what do you mean by this? Don't you know that matters in the army should be decided by me, the commander?" Song Yunyang's voice was tinged with anger, her eyes sharp as knives as she coldly stared at Lin Wei.

Lin Wei remained unmoved, slowly taking out a roll of yellow silk from his bosom—it was an imperial edict. In his hand, he also held a jewel-encrusted imperial sword, which Song Yunyang recognized as Jiang Wenyu's sword.

"Marshal Song, this is the imperial edict and the Emperor's Sword bestowed upon me by His Majesty. I order you to immediately attack Tianyang Pass and transport all the wealth and grain in the city back to Da Yan."

Song Yunyang frowned and said in a deep voice, "Lin Wei, I order you to take your men back, or don't blame me for being impolite."

Lin Wei sneered, a hint of mockery in his eyes: "Marshal Song, are you questioning His Majesty's orders? Or are you afraid? I advise you to obediently follow orders. If you disobey the imperial edict, I can kill you right now!"

Not far away, Dong Ning slowly stood up and grabbed his bright silver spear.

“Foreigners are foreigners, Commander. I must return to defend the city.”

After Dong Ning finished speaking, he turned and mounted his horse. But at that moment, Song Yunyang, who could no longer bear it, drew his sword and swept it horizontally, slicing open Lin Wei's neck.

After the sword strike, Song Yunyang stood there, stunned, her chest heaving as she breathed heavily.

What's wrong with me?

For the sake of saving face?

For the sake of the people?

Is it still for Chen Zhennan?

He actually killed Lin Wei, who was the deputy commander-in-chief and supervisor, as well as the emperor's imperial envoy, and who also held the emperor's sword.

Chen Zhennan was shocked. He hadn't expected Song Yunyang to act so decisively. Lin Wei had really given him a huge assist.