Fearing being killed for his overwhelming merits, the empress decided to marry him.

Jiang Chaoyun strode into the military camp and entered the main tent without looking to the side.

Fan Gui and Gan Rang both revealed a sinister look on their faces and kept giving Yang Shuang meaningful glances, hoping that he would kill Jiang Chaoyun as soon as possible.

Jiang Chaoyun ignored everyone else, walked up to Yang Shuang who had a worried look on his face, and bowed to him.

"General Yang, I am a subordinate of the Duke of Zhenguo. Today, I have been ordered to deliver a few words to you."

"Duke Zhenguo, what do you want to say to me?"

"The Duke of Zhenguo said that this purge of the three prefectures south of the Yangtze River is aimed at the main culprits. The rest of you need not worry; just do your duty and you will be fine."

General Yang was not the mastermind, nor did he commit many wrongdoings, therefore he will not be punished. Please rest assured, General Yang.

Upon hearing this, Yang Shuang immediately sat up excitedly: "What? The Duke of Zhenguo means that he won't punish me?"

Jiang Chaoyun nodded and was about to continue speaking when Fan Gui immediately dissuaded him: "General, don't fall for someone else's treacherous scheme."

Upon hearing this, Yang Shuang looked at Jiang Chaoyun with a helpless expression.

Jiang Chaoyun's expression changed instantly: "A treacherous scheme? Do you know what crime you will be charged with for slandering the current Emperor of Great Chu?"

Fan Gui replied, "If I'm not mistaken, the Duke of Zhenguo should already have control of Suzhou Prefecture, right?"

"Not only Suzhou, but Mingzhou and Ningzhou are probably already under the control of the Duke of Zhenguo?"

Jiang Chaoyun: "What, could it be that you oppose His Majesty's determination to crack down on corruption in the officialdom? May I ask how this elder is addressed, and what rank he currently holds?"

Fan Gui calmly replied, "Why ask a question you already know the answer to? I am Fan Gui, and I am currently serving as a staff member in the Governor's Office. I do not hold any official rank yet."

"Since you have no official rank, why did you interrupt the Duke of Zhenguo's message? Are you truly not afraid of death?!"

Fan Gui wanted to say more, but Yang Shuang interrupted him: "Mr. Fan, please let me hear what the Duke of Zhenguo wants to say first."

"Ugh."

Fan Gui sighed softly and could only step aside, remaining silent.

Yang Shuang looked at Jiang Chaoyun again: "Please continue."

"The Duke of Zhenguo said that the matter of Mingzhou has nothing to do with General Yang. As long as the general is willing to hand over his military power, his whole family can be safe."

"Is this true?"

Upon hearing this, Yang Shuang's eyes immediately lit up.

"Duke Zhenguo, did he really say that?"

Jiang Chaoyun nodded firmly: "Who would dare to falsely convey the words of the Duke of Zhenguo? As long as General Yang is willing to relinquish military power and prevent widespread bloodshed in Jiangnan..."

Then the general and his family will surely be safe and sound. Also, this is a letter from the Duke of Zhenguo, whom I have asked to deliver to you. The Duke of Zhenguo has also promised...

"As long as General Yang is willing to voluntarily relinquish his military power, he will surely recommend you to the court to become the new Governor of Mingzhou."

"Ah? Okay."

Yang Shuang was so excited that she couldn't help but exclaim, "Not only am I unharmed, but I also have such a bright future ahead of me!"

He took the letter and glanced at it, and the last bit of anxiety in his heart finally subsided.

“That’s wonderful. The Duke of Zhenguo has promised that my family, including Yang Shuang, will be safe and sound, and has even recommended me to His Majesty as the Governor of Mingzhou.”

Yang Shuang was extremely excited, her previous gloom vanished, and the tense expression on her face relaxed considerably.

Seeing that Yang Shuang was losing his temper, Fan Gui reminded him again: "General, don't fall into someone else's trap. If you hand over the military tally, you'll have nothing left to rely on!"

Yang Shuang replied, "Sir, the Duke of Zhenguo clearly stated in his letter that as long as I relinquish my military power, the seal of the Governor-General of Mingzhou will be delivered on schedule soon..."

"General! As long as you hold military power, you still have a chance to survive. Once you hand it over, disaster will befall you, and it will be too late to regret it!"

Fan Gui's eyes were bloodshot with anxiety.

"This……"

After Fan Gui's outburst, Yang Shuang began to hesitate again.

Jiang Chaoyun: "General, think about it carefully. The Duke of Zhenguo was able to annihilate the Western Xia barbarians in one battle, and he also conquered Heluo and attacked Guanzhong."

In just a few months, they have recovered Chang'an and their military might is heading straight for the heart of Xiliang. May I ask, General, are the troops under your command really able to contend with the Duke of Zhenguo?

The Duke of Zhenguo is kind-hearted and does not want to see innocent people implicated, which is why he sent me to inform the General to rest assured.

If you remain obstinate and provoke the Duke of Zhenguo to lose patience, the consequences are predictable. Now that things have come to this, General, what should you do? Do I need to say more?

"This……"

Yang Shuang glanced at Jiang Chaoyun, then at Fan Gui, unsure of what to choose.

"Sigh, what you both say makes sense, and I don't know what to choose right now."

"Perhaps I should think about it carefully and give you a definite answer in an hour."

After saying that, he gestured for everyone to leave.

After everyone left, Yang Shuang fell into a state of extreme confusion.

"Whom should I listen to? Alas, it's so difficult~"

He got up and paced back and forth in the tent, his eyes catching sight of the sword hanging on the screen.

Uh-huh~

The moment he drew his sword, a chilling light instantly filled the tent.

The sword reflected Yang Shuang's distorted face.

"Ugh!"

With another sigh, he threw the sword to the ground.

……

An hour later, Fan Gui and Jiang Chaoyun re-entered the tent.

Fan Gui spoke first: "General, make a decision quickly!"

Yang Shuang rested her head on her pillow and looked up at Fan Gui, whose face was full of anticipation.

But then he turned his gaze to Jiang Chaoyun.

Jiang Chaoyun stepped forward and advised, "General, Zhenguo Gongzheng is waiting for your reply."

Yang Shuang sighed and said to Fan Gui, "Things have come to this point. If I insist on continuing to be enemies with the Duke of Zhenguo, the battle between the two armies will surely result in widespread bloodshed."

"It would be better to cease hostilities here, relinquish military power, and in exchange for the Duke of Zhenguo's trust; only then would there be a glimmer of hope."

Fan Gui felt as if all his strength had been drained away at that moment.

Why, why is this happening?

Why are the Yang brothers so foolish, unaware of the impending disaster, and willing to abandon their last hope to seek revenge against a tiger?

Jiang Chaoyun breathed a sigh of relief and stepped forward to Yang Shuang, saying, "General, you are very understanding. I will definitely go back and report to the Duke of Zhenguo truthfully."

Yang Shuang took out the military tally and handed it to Jiang Chaoyun.

"I only hope that the Duke of Zhenguo will not break his promise to me."

"Ah."

Jiang Chaoyun accepted the military tally, gave a muffled reply, then clasped his hands in a fist salute and turned to leave.

"Ugh."

After he left, Gan Rang sighed and walked out of the tent as well.

"Deputy General Gan, where are you going?"

"Since the general has handed over the military tally to the Duke of Zhenguo, then this humble general can only await the Duke of Zhenguo's orders."

After saying that, Gan Rang left the main tent without looking back.

Yang Shuang said angrily, "I've treated you well all this time, but I never imagined that after just one day of losing power, people would... such is the way of the world..."

Looking at the distraught Fan Gui, he said kindly, "Sir, I had no other choice but to do this. Please don't be sad. Come back to Mingzhou with me."

"Once I enter the Governor's Office and succeed my brother, you will be my advisor."

"Going back to Mingzhou is a dead end, hahaha, how stupid, stupid! Stupid as a dumb ox, utterly unreasonable!"

After shouting and cursing loudly, Fan Gui stormed out of the tent in anger.

"Sir, please don't go, please..."

Yang Shuang was about to call out to Fan Gui when she realized that he had already disappeared from sight.

"Alright, go ahead, but you'll soon find out I was right!"