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

After Murong Ke's death, Shen Lang led his troops to Anshi City and took over the "legacy" left by the Yan Kingdom without hesitation.

By the time all the affairs in Liaodong were dealt with, it was almost August.

Just as Shen Lang was about to seek intelligence from Yanjing and consider whether to take it over, he heard the news that the Chu army was launching a major offensive against Youzhou.

It turned out that Empress Jiang Mengxuan had always been concerned about the situation in Liaodong, so she gave a strict order to all the northern states to complete the north-south railway by July.

Now that the railway is open, the Empress has directly issued an order to wage war against the Yan Kingdom.

The army group, consisting of eight divisions and led by Qu Yi, swept through the gates of Youzhou and reached the walls of Yanjing in just three days.

At this time, the main force of the Yan state was completely wiped out in Liaodong, and it was powerless to resist the Chu army's offensive. Therefore, the new ruler of Yan, Murong Jun, decisively chose to negotiate with the Chu army.

Unfortunately, the peace talks did not go smoothly. The Chu army demanded that the Yan state surrender unconditionally, or they would fire a barrage of cannon fire and completely destroy the Yan capital.

Faced with such intimidation, Murong Jun decided to fight to the bitter end and vowed never to surrender.

So they began to rally the soldiers and civilians in the city to resist the invasion of the Chu army.

However, to Murong Jun's surprise, after continuous warfare, the soldiers and civilians in the city were increasingly weary of war.

Instead of witnessing the scene of "the army and the people united to resist the foreign enemy," Murong Jun surrounded the city gate and demanded that the garrison commander open the gate and let the Chu army into the city.

Inside the royal palace, the Yan ministers, who were supposed to stand their ground, urged Murong Jun to prioritize the greater good and not let the Yan army and people be plunged into endless war.

Seeing that the situation was hopeless, Murong Jun finally agreed to all the conditions proposed by the Chu army and opened the city gates on August 12, allowing the Chu army to enter the city.

The moment the Chu army entered the city, all the soldiers and civilians in the city spontaneously took to the streets to cheer and welcome the arrival of the royal army.

After Murong Jun handed over the national policy and the imperial seal, he and a group of members of the royal family were collectively sent to Jinling to meet the emperor.

From then on, the Great Yan Kingdom, which had been entangled with the Chu Kingdom in the north for more than four hundred years, completely became history.

This situation was both expected and unexpected for Shen Lang.

Shen Lang originally expected it would take another year or two to annex the Yan Kingdom, but Jiang Mengxuan couldn't wait that long at all, demonstrating the decisiveness and skill that an emperor should have.

After Shen Lang entered Yanjing, Qu Yi presented him with a national policy document.

"Commander, this is the roster of the Yan Kingdom. I originally intended to submit it to His Majesty after returning to the capital. Since you are here, Commander, please do it for me."

Shen Lang took the national policy, glanced at it, and his expression turned solemn.

In just three years, the population of the Yan state plummeted from 2.2 million households to 660,000 households.

Based on a household of five, the current population of the Yan Kingdom is only a little over three million.

War is the greatest poison for reducing population growth, on par with plague.

Qu Yi, however, did not have so many emotions. Instead, he said to Shen Lang, "Commander, Her Majesty also said that you can decide on the resettlement of the various tribes of Liao and Taiji. She only wants to hear your opinion."

Upon hearing this, Shen Lang countered with a question: "What do you mean by 'Six Ministries'?"

Qu Yi: "The six departments had conflicting opinions, and they were never able to reach a consensus."

However, most decided to incorporate Youzhou into the territory of the Great Chu, while the remaining non-Han tribes were dealt with through a tributary system.

But His Majesty seems to have reservations about this opinion and would like to ask you, Commander, to give her a suggestion.

"understood."

Shen Lang carefully put away the national policy.

When will the officials from Youzhou arrive?

"It will only take a few days."

"Then I'll be heading back to the capital tomorrow. I'll need you to keep an eye on things here."

"Yes."

After explaining some trivial matters to Qu Yi, Shen Lang turned around and went back to rest.

Now, eight months later, he misses home too.

The following day, August 17th, Shen Lang, along with Ban Dingyuan, Wang Xuance, and a group of Taiji Kingdom officials, embarked on their journey back to Jinling...

On August 28, Shen Lang arrived in Jinling smoothly.

Having already learned of Shen Lang's return date, Jiang Mengxuan had thoroughly cleaned the Weiyang Palace inside and out long ago.

Upon Shen Lang's return, he personally requested that there be no formal reception, and that he be treated as if he were simply returning home casually.

As evening approached, Shen Lang was already comfortably lying on Jiang Mengxuan's lap, quietly enjoying her combing his hair.

Having not seen Shen Lang for a long time, Jiang Mengxuan was naturally very excited. However, while tidying up his hair, she suddenly noticed that there were many more gray hairs in it.

Her heart sank. Looking at her husband's face again, she saw that he looked much more weathered, and his expression was full of exhaustion.

For a moment, Jiang Mengxuan paused in her combing, and her eyes welled up with tears.

"What's wrong, Xuan'er?"

Seemingly sensing that something was wrong with Jiang Mengxuan, Shen Lang opened his eyes and looked at his wife's face.

Unexpectedly, a crystal tear fell squarely onto her cheek.

"Xuan'er, what's wrong?"

Sensing something was wrong, Shen Lang turned over and looked at Jiang Mengxuan.

Jiang Mengxuan shook her head, wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, and said to Shen Lang, "It's nothing, it's just that I'm not a good wife."

"What are you talking about?" Shen Lang asked, puzzled. "Xuan'er, what happened?"

Jiang Mengxuan: "As my husband, you have risked your life for me time and time again. Without you, I, Jiang Mengxuan, would not be who I am today."

But I accepted your help without a second thought, watching you risk your life time and time again, I…

"Alright, if that's the case, then let's stop talking."

Shen Lang interrupted her with a smile.

"Xuan'er, remember this: I do all this for you willingly. Mutual trust and respect are the most reliable foundation between husband and wife."

I don't ask for anything in return, because you've already given me everything I wanted. To say anything more would be too formal.

So please stop crying, okay?

"Ah."

Jiang Mengxuan obediently responded and nestled gently into his arms.

After a long period of tenderness between the couple, Shen Lang said, "Xuan'er, I think after this incident, I really need to take a long vacation."

Jiang Mengxuan smiled knowingly: "Even if you didn't say anything, I wouldn't let you take any more risks. You can stay in the palace for the rest of your time."

If you get bored, you can take a walk around the military academy and industrial area; after all, you personally founded those places.

Shen Lang nodded and said with a smile, "Now I can finally step back from the limelight. Sigh, to be honest, the feeling of having great power isn't as wonderful as I thought. Maybe I'm just born to slack off."

"Get lost, don't talk nonsense."

Jiang Mengxuan gave a coquettish cry, then pinned Jiang Shenlang down beneath her.

"Ah Lang, isn't it time to fulfill your marital responsibilities?"

"Let's call it a day, I want to rest..."

"I don't care, I want it today."

Before Shen Lang could speak, Jiang Mengxuan kissed his lips...