Just as Jiang Zuo Wang thought his heart-assaulting tactic would succeed, a figure slowly emerged.

"If it weren't for His Majesty leading everyone in a desperate resistance at Shimen Pass, how could you, this petty thief, have had the opportunity to seize credit with a clever scheme?"

"Don't think of yourself, Jiang Zuo Wang, as some righteous figure. If His Majesty hadn't taken the lead and held Shimen Pass for days, you probably wouldn't have even arrived, and the Xiongnu would have already advanced south and driven straight in."

"His Majesty may not be fully aware of how close the Jiangnan aristocratic families are to you, but for those of us, it's no longer a secret. The reason they haven't dared to advance is probably because they've already reached some kind of agreement with you."

Seeing a senior minister of the Su family stand up to denounce him, Jiang Zuo Wang was filled with disbelief. He had clearly negotiated with them beforehand to divide the deserved benefits after this matter, but now these people had turned to Jiang Chen, leaving Jiang Zuo Wang utterly incredulous.

"Our Su family was unfortunately bewitched by you back then, and we signed a series of things that we shouldn't have agreed to. Now, after fighting alongside His Majesty to this point, I suddenly realized that a shortsighted fellow like you, who only knows how to focus on personal gain, is not worthy of sitting in that position."

Hearing the situation gradually developing in an uncontrollable direction, Jiang Zuo Wang felt a mess in his heart. His plot to instigate the Jiangnan aristocratic families had always been his greatest secret, because he knew that without enough leverage, it would be impossible to bring down Jiang Chen.

The wealthy Jiangnan aristocratic families were his best helpers, but he never expected that the Su family, as the head of the Jiangnan aristocratic families, would openly oppose him now.

"Don't forget that what you did before was a crime punishable by the extermination of nine generations. No matter how much you try to salvage it now, it's too late."

Discovering that the Jiangnan aristocratic families' forces had not come to support him, Jiang Zuo Wang was very arrogant. As long as these people didn't send reinforcements, no matter how good their words sounded, they wouldn't be able to completely escape the current predicament.

Seeing his attempt to sow discord fail, Jiang Zuo Wang had no choice but to retreat from the city tower in disgrace, and hurriedly sent a messenger to the Xiongnu.

Previously, he had wanted to use the Xiongnu to weaken Jiang Chen's power, and then cooperate with the Su family from within to eliminate Jiang Chen.

But now, the Su family had defected, catching Jiang Zuo Wang off guard.

Now he was caught between Jiang Chen and the Xiongnu. No matter which side attacked first, he feared he couldn't bear the consequences.

His previous valiant fighting was just a way to win over those under Jiang Chen, but now it seemed to have little effect.

"Damn it, my plan was so perfect, why did it turn out like this?"

Thinking that all the methods he had painstakingly arranged had been seen through by Jiang Chen, Jiang Zuo Wang was very embarrassed to find that he was like a transparent person in front of Jiang Chen, unable to keep any secrets, ever since their formal confrontation in the palace.

This made Jiang Zuo Wang feel extremely anxious, and he didn't know what to do.

Just as Jiang Zuo Wang was thinking about this, a reply came from the Xiongnu.

"The Prince of Zhennan is willing to meet you outside the city, but he hopes you can come alone, without any guards. This is considered a sign of your sincerity in cooperating with us."

Upon receiving this news, Jiang Zuo Wang's face was overjoyed. His previous state of being half-starved in the deep mountains had driven him mad. If he could be considered a master strategist before, now he was probably not even as good as an ordinary person who had just read *Sun Tzu's Art of War*.

Thinking that the few generals left beside him were all spies Jiang Chen had left to monitor him, Jiang Zuo Wang had no choice but to take advantage of everyone's unpreparedness and quietly leave Shimen Pass.

As soon as Jiang Zuo Wang tiptoed out of the city, a carrier pigeon flew out of Shimen Pass and quickly headed towards Jiang Chen's camp.

Learning that Jiang Zuo Wang had left the city to meet with the Prince of Zhennan of the Xiongnu, Jiang Chen was not surprised. It was within Jiang Chen's expectations that a guy whose mind was completely blinded by greed would do such a thing.

"Open the city gate and let some of our brothers in. Remember, don't kill him until he completely turns to the Xiongnu. After all, he is still a member of the imperial family."

Jiang Chen's sad tone made everyone around him feel very embarrassed.

Jiang Chen's biggest weakness was that he valued relationships too much, which was a very unfavorable trait for every emperor.

Just as everyone had their own thoughts, Jiang Zuo Wang had already arrived at the place agreed upon with the Prince of Zhennan.

"I didn't expect you to be so decisive. For your own selfish interests, you would even sell out your ancestors."

Hearing the Prince of Zhennan's teasing tone, Jiang Zuo Wang's face flashed with a trace of shame, but then it was completely replaced by madness.

"I... I only want to kill Jiang Chen now, nothing else. That guy took away the position that should have belonged to me, the princess that should have belonged to me, everything that belonged to me. I only want to cripple him with my own hands now. That's already merciful and compassionate enough."

Seeing the hysterical guy in front of him, the Prince of Zhennan smiled evilly.

Now he was only one of the five princes in this Xiongnu army. If he could use Jiang Zuo Wang to eliminate Jiang Chen, his reputation would completely surpass the Khan.

This current Khan was just the last Khan's son entrusted to him before his death, which made Zhennan Wang, who had always held heavy troops, feel uneasy.

That was why he had been looking for an opportunity to kick the Khan off the stage, and now Jiang Zuo Wang had delivered such an opportunity to him.

"Since that's the case, why don't we go to the camp and discuss the details of our cooperation? At that time, I will be the Xiongnu Khan, and you will be the emperor. We will not invade each other and jointly seek greater benefits."

At this moment, these two ambitious guys met and immediately collided with sparks that were difficult for ordinary people to imagine.

And Jiang Chen, their number one target, had already appeared inside Shimen Pass.

Seeing Jiang Chen, all the imperial guards who had followed Jiang Zuo Wang immediately knelt down.

"Your Majesty, your ministers are incompetent and failed to keep Jiang Zuo Wang. This guy is probably already negotiating with the Xiongnu on how to betray us."

Looking at these generals, Jiang Chen felt very sad.

"When all of this is over, you should all go to your own fiefdoms to live out your years in peace."