Back at the camp, Chen Zhennan sat under a tree, pondering Wu Yunyin's dual-front war.
"I had told Zhou Xiang not to confront Da Wu's army head-on, but now that Wu Yunyin has launched an attack, I'm afraid it will trigger a major war."
Song Yunyang could tell that Chen Zhennan's words had a hidden meaning, and the troubled expression on his face proved that he hadn't finished speaking.
"Want my help? Just say so, don't be polite."
Chen Zhennan pursed his lips and said in a deep voice, "Although Zhou Xiang commands an army of 280,000, half of them are from the Great Wu army. If I'm not here, they will probably defect to Wu Yunyin."
Chen Zhennan spent nearly ten days studying "Letting Students Learn," and found that the plot was almost entirely close to reality.
Especially the phrase "whoever wins, they'll help them." Now that he's not in Lingnan, Zhou Xiang's influence alone is simply not enough to intimidate the imperial army.
Song Yunyang was somewhat surprised. "Really? I remember that when you led your troops to fight against overwhelming odds, not a single one wavered. You personally trained Zhou Xiang. Does he not even have this much deterrent power?"
Upon hearing Song Yunyang's words, Chen Zhennan couldn't help but chuckle.
“The soldiers I led knew I would come to their rescue; they trusted me. But the situation in Lingnan is different now. It’s a civil war, and the soldiers’ emotions are complicated. There may only be two ways to reduce casualties on both sides in Lingnan.”
How to reduce casualties on both sides?
Song Yunyang frowned slightly. She couldn't be sure whether Chen Zhennan was reluctant to kill or reluctant to see too much internal strife within Da Wu.
However, although Song Yunyang had her doubts, she ultimately did not ask any questions.
"Which two methods? What can I do?"
"First, I'll go back one more time. As long as I go back, even if Wu Yunyin personally leads the troops, I can still make her government troops rebel. Second..."
"I disagree!"
Before Chen Zhennan could finish speaking, Song Yunyang's face darkened, and her eyes even showed a hint of hostility.
"Chen Zhennan, I will not let you go back! I am the marshal of the Great Yan. My original intention in saving you was only to keep you alive, but you said yourself that you wanted to overthrow Wu Yunyin."
Chen Zhennan nodded slightly, feeling somewhat bewildered by Song Yunyang's sudden outburst of anger.
"I did say that, but what does that have to do with me going back?"
"To be honest with you, I'm happy to see the civil war in Da Wu, and I don't care how many people die! I can't allow you to go to Lingnan again to resolve Da Wu's internal troubles."
"oh!"
Chen Zhennan then realized that, indeed, different perspectives lead to completely different ways of looking at problems.
“Alright, then I’ll suggest the second method: immediately lead troops to attack Tianyang Pass. The garrison at Tianyang Pass only has 20,000 troops, and they are all my former subordinates. The Yan Kingdom’s army can advance unimpeded and relieve the pressure on Lingnan.”
Looking at Song Yunyang, she became even more conflicted after hearing the second method.
When Chen Zhennan was summoned before, Jiang Wenyu said that the Great Yan army must not provoke the Wu Kingdom's border army or send troops rashly, as this would be disobeying the imperial edict.
“I know you’re in a difficult position, but time is of the essence. I’ll give you one more day to consider. If the second method doesn’t work, then I’ll have to go back again.”
Song Yunyang frowned slightly and asked through gritted teeth, "Can you wait until I go to the capital to request an imperial decree? Three days, three days at most."
"cannot."
Chen Zhennan answered decisively, and the next second, Song Yunyang pulled out her sword and pressed it against his throat.
Chen Zhennan blinked, then suddenly smiled frankly.
"You saved my life. You don't need to have a mental struggle to kill me. I bet you don't want to kill me."
"Don't push me!"
"Choose one of two options. Killing me is the third option. Then you will see the Great Wu civil war with corpses strewn all over the place. Wu Yunyin will divert domestic conflicts and wage a protracted war against the Great Yan. Soon after, other forces will take advantage of the chaos and the Great Yan will be engulfed in war."
These words sent chills down Song Yunyang's spine, and cold sweat poured down her back.
"Guards! Take Chen Zhennan to the commander's tent and keep him under close surveillance. Do not allow him to leave even a step!"
...
On the Great Wu side, Wu Yunyin's tax decree was like a thunderbolt, shattering the already fragile tranquility.
Officials in the court, hearing the news, quickly joined this frenzy of taxation, which was in reality a form of plunder.
Like greedy jackals, they used the pretext of national crisis to plunder the people's wealth.
"His Majesty has decreed that taxes be levied for three years to replenish the national treasury and prepare for military needs!"
An official stood in the square where the people were gathered, loudly announcing Wu Yunyin's decree, but his eyes gleamed with greed.
Some local officials have gone even further in enforcing the law, privately extending the tax collection period to four, five, or even longer.
They appropriated the excess taxes for themselves, filling their private coffers with gold and silver, while the pockets of the common people were emptied.
"What kind of world is this? The grain we work so hard to grow and the livestock we raise are all being taken away by these corrupt officials!"
The people are full of complaints; their lives were already miserable, and now things have gotten even worse.
What angered the people even more was that the landlords and gentry who had close ties with local officials went unpunished and did not have to pay taxes at all.
"You corrupt officials! Why don't those landlords have to pay taxes, while we are forced to ruin our families!"
In the counties and prefectures where taxes were levied, the people all blamed and cursed the imperial court, but their protests were suppressed by the sticks and chains of the yamen runners.
The people were imprisoned, losing not only their money but also being forced to perform corvée labor by the government. Public resentment grew, and the situation became increasingly turbulent.
However, Wu Yunyin, deep within the palace, was completely unaware of this.
She sat in the magnificent palace, listening to the sweet words of her ministers, believing that as long as there was sufficient military pay, the situation would be stabilized.
"Your Majesty, with the national treasury full and the army's morale high, our Great Wu will surely be invincible!"
Wu Yunyin smiled with satisfaction. "Good, you have done well. I will reward you handsomely."
...
In the Great Yan army camp, in Chen Zhennan's tent, he had been locked up for a day. At this moment, Song Yunyang was sitting opposite him, and the two were still arguing about whether he should stay or not.
"You know you can't stop me, so don't waste your time. If you can't make a choice before it gets too dark, I'm leaving."
Song Yunyang, her face grim, gritted her teeth and asked, "Chen Zhennan, do you think you can break out of my 300,000-strong army camp? Wishful thinking! Let me tell you..."
"Song Yunyang, receive the imperial decree!"
Outside the door, Lin Wei dragged the imperial edict. Upon hearing this, Song Yunyang hurriedly walked out of the tent and knelt down on both knees.
"Grand Marshal Song Yunyang, immediately lead your troops to attack Tianyang Pass to demonstrate your loyalty and competence. Chen Zhennan is hereby appointed as the vanguard to breach the gates of Tianyang Pass!"
Song Yunyang suddenly looked up, pondered for a moment, and then reached out to take the imperial edict.
"Your humble servant obeys the decree!"
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