Looking at Chen Zhennan, who seemed to have regained some energy, Song Yunyang's caring gaze held a hint of curiosity.
"Chen Zhennan, Wu Kingdom is, after all, your homeland. Are you really prepared?"
Song Yunyang's voice was very gentle, but as soon as the words left her mouth, she felt a pang of regret. She was reminding Chen Zhennan that if she let the tiger return to the mountain because of these words, it would be a huge sin.
In contrast, Chen Zhennan didn't react much, only showing a slight surprise at Song Yunyang's words.
“It is precisely because Wu Kingdom is my homeland that I am even more certain that I am right. Wu Yunyin has no concern for the people and does not understand the principle that water can carry a boat but also capsize it. Even without me, Chen Zhennan, she would have been overthrown.”
For six long years, Chen Zhennan fought bravely and relentlessly, always leading from the front and never fearing death. His righteous army was invincible.
Tragically, Wu Yunyin only saw his invincibility, but she didn't understand the essence of victory at all.
After a pause, Chen Zhennan's expression changed slightly, his eyes darted around, and a plan suddenly popped into his mind.
“Song Yunyang, I want to go to Lingnan. That’s my base. If I go back and raise my arms, I can gather an army of 100,000 in a single day.”
Upon hearing this, Song Yunyang's face instantly darkened.
“I disagree. I shouldn’t have said that extra word. Chen Zhennan, let me tell you, this is the Great Yan Imperial Palace. I’m already disobeying the imperial decree by rescuing you. If you walk out of here, you will surely die.”
Song Yunyang's biggest worry was that Chen Zhennan would return to Wu Kingdom. She risked being executed for disobeying the imperial decree to save him. Although he was unaware of her secret feelings for him, she couldn't let her efforts go to waste.
"Is this the attitude of your Great Yan Emperor, or your own attitude?"
Song Yunyang was slightly taken aback. "This, this is, this is my idea, but it is definitely the Emperor's attitude. Chen Zhennan, before the two countries go to war, you should stay here. If you want to do something, I will send someone to help you."
Chen Zhennan frowned slightly. What he hated most was being controlled by someone. As for Wu Yunyin's control, it was only because of a promise.
However, upon further reflection, he realized that if he left Song Yunyang, he would not be punished, but if he left, the Emperor of Great Yan would definitely punish her for disobeying the imperial decree.
"Then I won't stand on ceremony. Immediately send someone to infiltrate the Wu Kingdom, go to my hometown of Lingnan, and find King Zhou Xiang of Lingnan."
“King of Lingnan?” Song Yunyang pondered for a moment. “I remember Zhou Xiang was the most valiant and skilled general in your rebel army. Why didn’t you bring him out to fight?”
Song Yunyang had met Zhou Xiang when the Great Yan and the Wu Kingdom were at war. Three years ago, he was Chen Zhennan's vanguard, but now he had become a regional lord.
“He is my last line of defense, and Zhou Xiang is also from Lingnan. I know his character; he wouldn’t exploit the people in his hometown.”
As he spoke, Chen Zhennan reached out and took off a jade pendant from his waist, gently placing it in Song Yunyang's palm.
“I will write a letter by hand. You can have someone deliver it to Zhou Xiang. He will know what to do after reading the letter.”
Chen Zhennan unfolded the paper, quickly wrote a letter, then stuffed it into an envelope and handed it to Song Yunyang.
"Remember, this letter must never be leaked. It concerns the lives of hundreds of thousands of people."
The lives of hundreds of thousands of people?
Upon hearing this, Song Yunyang felt the light letter in her hand suddenly become incredibly heavy.
"Don't worry, I'll send my trusted confidants to find Zhou Xiang. You rest first and wait for me to come back."
...
In the capital of Chu, on the main hall of the imperial palace, Wu Yunyin's face was ashen, and the officials below the steps all bowed their heads and remained silent.
"I originally planned to launch an attack on Yan Kingdom within three days. Now the people are gathered, but the money and provisions have not yet been gathered."
Today, the Wu Kingdom has the largest number of soldiers and the highest salaries among all the countries. Ordinary people know that one person's military pay can easily support a family.
Therefore, Wu Yunyin's decree to conscript soldiers was very efficient, adding nearly 300,000 new troops.
To Wu Yunyin's surprise, while the number of people was sufficient, the urgently needed troops, supplies, and money were all in short supply.
"What? Nobody's saying anything? What are you officials of the Six Ministries doing? Why hasn't my order to reduce the power of the princes been reported yet?"
Just as Wu Yunyin was furious, the door to the main hall was pushed open, and a eunuch carrying a memorial rushed up the steps.
"Your Majesty, this is a memorial jointly submitted by Zhou Xiang, King of Lingnan, Lin Cheng, King of Bohai, and Chu Feng, King of Chuyue."
The eunuch's voice was urgent, and Wu Yunyin frowned even more and clenched her fists tightly.
"Lingnan, Bohai, Chu, and the Three Feudatories are forming a pincer movement against my capital. How did they manage to coordinate in just three days?"
The Wu Kingdom has a vast territory, bordered by the sea on two sides, plains on one side, and plateaus on the other. The three people who jointly submitted the memorial were all vassal kings who guarded the border.
Wu Yunyin gritted her teeth. The three places are thousands of miles apart, yet they were able to submit a joint memorial in just three days. They must have been in contact beforehand!
Seeing Wu Yunyin's worried face, Song Xuan, who was standing to the side, hurriedly stepped forward with a fawning smile on his face.
"Your Majesty, these three men must have harbored rebellious intentions for a long time, especially Zhou Xiang, the Prince of Lingnan. He turned a blind eye to the rebellion of the common people. I think we should start by weakening the power of the princes by weakening Zhou Xiang."
Wu Yunyin turned to look at Song Xuan, and her anger was suddenly mixed with resentment.
Chen Zhennan!
It's you again!
You are a traitorous traitor who has managed to have such a huge impact after fleeing; you deserve to die!
"Issue my decree: King Zhou Xiang of Lingnan must return to the capital within five days and withdraw from his fiefdom. Otherwise, I will reduce his 50,000-strong army to dust!"
As soon as she finished speaking, all the civil and military officials looked up, staring at Wu Yunyin in shock.
But Song Xuan added fuel to the fire at this moment, giving her full affirmation.
"Your Majesty is wise! This should have been done long ago. As the emperor, you must not be soft-hearted. Those who deserve to be killed must be dealt with decisively!"
Song Xuan's words instantly aroused the dissatisfaction of the entire court, and all the officials glared at him angrily.
"Minister Song! You haven't even read the memorials from the three vassal kings yet, and you're still here urging the Emperor to reduce their power! When that happens, our Great Wu will face internal and external troubles. Can you bear the responsibility?"
"Grand Secretary Chen is right! Song Xuan, you are two-faced and obsequious. How can a mere Vice Minister of the Empress have any say in matters of state?"
Opposition to Song Xuan was rising and falling. If it were someone else, they might have remained calmer, but now it was Empress Wu Yunyin of the Great Wu.
Since ascending the throne, Chen Zhennan has been in charge of all major affairs of the court. Now, he finally has someone who can speak up for him at all times. If the officials oppose him, aren't they opposing him?
"Silence, all of you! You want to know what the memorial says, don't you? Very well, read it aloud!"
The young eunuch standing to the side was already so frightened that his legs went weak, and he opened the memorial with trepidation.
"The Three Feudatories submit a petition, stating that they can serve as the vanguard in the campaign against the Great Yan. We earnestly hope that Your Majesty will halt the abolition of the Three Feudatories, provide funding from the court, and that the Three Feudatories will be paid to carry out the campaign."
Upon hearing the eunuch's announcement, Wu Yunyin's eyes widened in shock; this was a blatant threat!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
