...
Outside Tianyang Pass, Jiang Wenyu led an army of over 200,000 men without withdrawing, but also without launching another attack on Tianyang Pass.
He and Song Xuan on the other side reached a tacit understanding: neither side would attack, and both would hold their ground.
This situation is extremely rare on the battlefield and usually means that there may be some kind of agreement or deal between the two sides that is unknown to outsiders.
Song Xuan was naturally enjoying himself, but Jiang Wenyu was extremely curious. However, he didn't investigate. Song Yunming's purpose in leading the two sides into battle had been exposed. Chen Zhennan and Song Yunyang had disappeared. Jiang Wenyu preferred to wait for the enemy to tire themselves out rather than fall into their trap.
"Your Majesty, Song Xuan's 400,000 troops are holding out and are clearly useless. Taking Tianyang Pass is as easy as taking candy from a baby for us. Why are we still hesitating?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. Our 260,000 troops incur countless costs every day. Why not defeat Song Xuan and then advance unimpeded?"
Inside Song Yunyang's command tent, many generals were puzzled, but Jiang Wenyu remained remarkably calm.
"What's the rush? Where is Chen Zhennan? Where is Song Yunyang? If we attack without knowing anything, we might suffer huge losses."
After a pause, Jiang Wenyu slowly stood up.
"My imperial uncle was killed by Chen Zhennan, and this revenge must be taken. However, this kid also helped me out. Now that I have taken control of the imperial court in the capital, all I have to do is wait for the right opportunity."
Jiang Wenyu sneered. He had sent Jiang Yuan to the border earlier to have Chen Zhennan and Song Yunyang kill him, but he hadn't expected the good news to come so quickly.
However, Song Yunyang's defection with Chen Zhennan was a real headache for Jiang Wenyu.
Song Yunyang, the first female marshal of Yan Kingdom, is stunningly beautiful. Jiang Wenyu had long thought that after the war ended, he would marry Song Yunyang and make her his empress.
Thinking of this, Jiang Wenyu didn't know whether to laugh or cry. As the emperor of the Great Yan, wasn't he just a woman?
However, if Song Yunyang takes the initiative to come back, the past can still be forgiven.
Just then, a spy suddenly burst in, breaking the atmosphere inside the tent.
The scout was covered in sweat, clearly having rushed all the way, and his eyes gleamed with excitement.
"Your Majesty, good news! We have found Song Yunyang's whereabouts; she is within the territory of the Great Yan!" The probing voice carried a hint of urgency.
Jiang Wenyu's eyes lit up, and he immediately stood up, quickly walking to the spy: "Is this news true? Where is she now?"
The spy nodded and answered affirmatively, "It's absolutely true. Our informants spotted her near the capital, and she was disguised, accompanied by a convoy."
Jiang Wenyu couldn't help but curl the corners of his mouth and said with a smile, "Good, order my guards to arrest Song Yunyang. No matter what she's doing, I want Song Yunyang alive, not dead."
"Yes, sir!"
"Wait!" Jiang Wenyu frowned slightly and reminded him, "Remember, under no circumstances should you fight to the death. I want her alive, do you understand?"
"Yes, sir!"
...
Song Yunyang sat in the carriage, avoiding the official road, and the caravan slowly moved forward on the winding mountain road, heading towards Tianyang Pass.
Song Yunyang felt uneasy, as if a huge rock was pressing on her chest, making it hard for her to breathe.
The convoy had been traveling all day, and the outline of the border was becoming faintly visible. But just then, hundreds of men in black suddenly appeared not far ahead, like ghosts in the night, silently blocking the convoy's path.
"Stop!" a man in black shouted, drawing his long sword and pointing it at Song Yunyang.
Song Yunyang's heart raced as she gripped the dagger at her waist, warily eyeing the men in black.
"Who are you? Why are you blocking our convoy?"
The man in black did not answer her question, but coldly emphasized, "Put down your weapons and surrender immediately!"
Song Yunyang frowned. These men in black might not be ordinary robbers; their target was likely him.
"Everyone, don't panic, maintain formation, and prepare to defend."
The people in the convoy immediately sprang into action. Song Yunyang drew her dagger, stood at the very front of the convoy, and stared intently at the man in black who had just spoken.
Just as a major battle was about to break out, and the atmosphere was so tense it could be cut in two, the man in black suddenly revealed his identity.
"Marshal Song, we are the Emperor's guard. We are here only to ask you to return. As long as you surrender, we guarantee to let the convoy leave."
Song Yunyang's heart sank. She thought her actions were very discreet, but she never expected to be discovered before she even got there.
He turned to look at the people accompanying the convoy. They were all Chen Zhennan's men, and he couldn't let them die here for his sake.
Taking a deep breath, Song Yunyang forced herself to calm down and said in a deep voice, "I agree, but you must keep your promise and let them leave."
The entourage was stunned; no one expected Song Yunyang to surrender so easily.
"Marshal Song, Chief Escort Feng has instructed us to absolutely guarantee your safety. We'll cover you and break through!"
Song Yunyang shook her head. "Everyone, my mind is made up. I can't let you risk your lives for me. Go quickly and tell Chen Zhennan about this."
The people in the convoy looked at each other, unsure of what to do.
No one wanted to leave Song Yunyang behind, but at her insistence, they had no choice but to drive away.
The leader of the men in black nodded in satisfaction: "General, you have made a wise choice. Lay down your weapons, and we will not make things difficult for you."
Song Yunyang snorted coldly, tucked the dagger back into her waistband, and looked at Jiang Wenyu's guards with her head held high.
"I'll go with you, but don't even think about laying down your weapons. Either lead the way, or fight to the death!"
If it were her own sword at her waist, Song Yunyang might not have hesitated, but this dagger belonged to Chen Zhennan and was considered a token, so she absolutely could not hand it over.
"Well, alright, please, General."
Under Jiang Wenyu's escort, she passed through layers of guards at the border military camp and returned to the familiar command tent.
This place, once the site where he commanded thousands of troops, has now become his prison.
Jiang Wenyu was sitting in the tent, looking at Song Yunyang who had been brought in, and a hint of amusement suddenly appeared in his eyes.
"Yunyang, we have finally met again. I have issued a decree to marry you and make you my empress."
Upon hearing this, Song Yunyang's eyes widened suddenly.
"Jiang Wenyu, what do you mean by this?"
Jiang Wenyu was slightly taken aback, but he wasn't angry that she called him by his name.
"Yunyang, it's time to settle our score. Become my empress, and you will enjoy endless wealth and glory. Don't you want that? Moreover, I can help Chen Zhennan become the new Emperor of Dawu."
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