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

After staying in Bianzhou Prefecture for five days, Shen Lang and his party set off back to Jinling.

Among those traveling with them were the first group of military officers from the Song Dynasty.

Standing at the bow of the ship, twenty-year-old Yue Pengju felt a mix of emotions as he watched the Bianzhou port gradually disappear into the distance.

"what--"

Suddenly, he let out a long howl and knelt on the deck with a face full of grief and indignation.

"Our country is shattered. We soldiers should be fighting on the battlefield to defend against foreign enemies, but now we can only save ourselves and flee to foreign lands!"

Yue Pengju's face was covered in tears, his heart filled with resentment and bitterness.

Just then, an iron hand landed on his shoulder.

Looking back, he saw it was Yue Pengju's superior, Han Ming.

"Pengju, get up, there's no need for that."

Yue Pengju gritted his teeth, his eyes filled with resentment.

Han Ming advised, "The enemy is strong and we are weak. Now we are going to the State of Chu to study so that we can learn the best way to kill the enemy. How can this be considered escaping?"

When we return after completing our studies, we will surely be able to sweep away all obstacles for the Song Dynasty and ensure the safety of our nation!

Upon hearing this, Yue Pengju remained silent for a long time before nodding quietly.

Han Ming breathed a sigh of relief and personally helped him up from the deck.

Yue Pengju closed his eyes and took a deep breath: "When I return after completing my studies, I will definitely drive all the Jurchens out of the borders of my Great Song Dynasty and restore a peaceful living environment for the people of the Great Song Dynasty!"

Han Ming nodded vigorously: "That's for sure, I'll go with you then!"

The two young generals gazed at the vast blue sea and then at the Bianzhou port that was gradually receding into the distance, each making a firm decision in their hearts.

Inside the second-floor cabin, Shen Lang stared at Yue Pengju's retreating figure for a long time, lost in thought.

Ban Dingyuan, who was standing to the side, immediately understood Shen Lang's thoughts and whispered, "Since the Duke of Zhenguo values ​​this Yue Pengju so much, why don't you let me go and persuade him to serve our Great Chu?"

Shen Lang shook his head: "No need. A person like him would never betray his country and monarch. Let's not waste our energy."

Ban Dingyuan: "Does the Duke of Zhenguo not trust his subordinate?"

Shen Lang smiled and said, "It's not that I don't trust you, but trying to retain people in this way is the greatest injustice to human nature. Everything should be done step by step."

Ban Dingyuan: "What if Yue Pengju ultimately refuses to pledge allegiance to the Great Chu?"

Shen Lang pondered for a long time before finally uttering, "Then we can only respect his choice."

Ban Dingyuan stopped speaking.

Just then, Ye Fan stepped into the cabin.

Upon seeing Shen Lang, he immediately bowed and said, "This humble official greets the Duke of Zhenguo."

"No gift."

Shen Lang raised his hand, indicating that he didn't need to do that.

"I called you here to ask you what your plans are next?"

Ye Fan frowned: "Duke Zhenguo, I don't understand what you mean."

Shen Lang turned around and sat down at the table, his fingers lightly tapping the surface, his cold eyes fixed on Ye Fan.

Ye Fan remained calm and continued to bow, waiting for Shen Lang's reply.

"What I mean is, what do you plan to do after we return to the Great Chu court?"

Ye Fan: "I will leave everything to the Duke of Zhenguo's arrangements."

"Alright, after we return to Jinling, you don't need to come back to the palace with me."

Ye Fan was taken aback: "What does the Duke of Zhenguo mean by that?"

Shen Lian chuckled lightly: "Based on your performance in the Song Kingdom this time, I find that it is truly a waste of your talents to serve as a minor deputy envoy in my region."

"I'm afraid the entire Great Chu court can't tolerate someone as important as Young Master Ye. Do you understand what I mean?"

Ye Fan: "Duke Zhenguo, are you planning to dismiss me from my post?"

Shen Lang didn't answer him, but instead gave him a disdainful look that said, "You're so smart."

Ye Fan said urgently, "Duke Zhenguo, I know that my close relationship with the Zhao Emperor in the Song Kingdom made you uncomfortable, but I was only thinking about the diplomatic relations between Chu and Song!"

Upon hearing this, Shen Lang immediately interrupted him: "Young Master Ye, I must remind you, whether your relationship with the Emperor Zhao is good or bad is none of my concern."

The reason Your Majesty wants to remove you from your official position is entirely because you have repeatedly violated the rules for foreign envoys, knowing what should and should not be said.

Don't you know anything? Not to mention, you did it in front of so many Song officials and generals. What are you making them think of our Chu state? Are you trying to usurp our position, or do you have ulterior motives?"

Upon hearing this, Ye Fan was indignant: "Duke Zhenguo, I believe your words are biased. The relationship between Chu and Song is one of mutual dependence, like lips and teeth."

My close relationship with the Emperor Zhao is solely out of fear that if something happens to the State of Song, it will affect the State of Chu. I have absolutely no other intentions!

If the Duke of Zhenguo feels this is because I overshadowed you, the chief envoy, then I am willing to apologize to you here. I urge you not to use your position for personal reasons.

Shen Lang smiled and shook his head: "So, in your heart, you've always thought I was such a narrow-minded person. Fine, I'll be narrow-minded this once."

From this moment forward, Ye Fan, you are relieved of all your duties. Return to your cabin and remain there. You are not to disembark until the ship reaches Jinling Port!

A shadow crossed Ye Fan's eyes.

Shen Lang's blatant displeasure made him extremely unhappy.

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. Suddenly, he lost control of his emotions and unleashed all his inner strength.

Instantly, Ye Fan's three thousand strands of hair fluttered wildly in the gale.

Looking at Shen Lang and Ban Dingyuan, they were both stunned by the surging aura emanating from Ye Fan.

"Shen Lang, you've humiliated me time and time again. Do you think I, Ye Fan, am so easy to bully?"

"Just because I called you Duke Zhenguo a few times, you think you're someone important?"

"Since you're so ignorant of the times, then die!"

Having said that, he smashed Ban Dingyuan with one palm and grabbed Shen Lang by the neck with the other.

"Let me go...spare me..."

Seeing Shen Lang's face gradually turn ashen under his iron grip, his eyes filled with pleading for mercy, Ye Fan felt an overwhelming sense of satisfaction.

"Now you know to beg for mercy? Too late!"

"Shen Lang, after you die, I will send your empress wife to the underworld to accompany you."

"And I am the new ruler of Chu, destined to rule the world!"

"Anyone who dares to defy me, Ye Fan, will not escape!"

"Hahaha!"

After Ye Fan laughed, he squeezed hard, and a series of soft popping sounds of bodies bursting apart echoed from inside the cabin...

"I told you to go back, are you deaf?"

The next moment, Shen Lang's emotionless words ruthlessly pulled Ye Fan back to reality from his self-delusion.

Ye Fan snapped out of his reverie and bowed to Shen Lang, saying, "I shall take my leave."

He left the command center almost through gritted teeth.

"Humph!"

Once everyone left, Ban Dingyuan made no attempt to hide his disdain.

"I thought this Young Master Ye was someone important, but I never expected him to be so two-faced. He really doesn't have the demeanor of Prime Minister Ye at all."

Shen Lang: "Alright, you don't need to worry about people like that. Instead, focus on figuring out how to properly arrange the courses at Jinling Academy."

These are turbulent times, but they also present the best opportunity for the State of Chu to develop. We must seize this rare opportunity and eliminate all hostile forces, both domestic and foreign.