From cute to empress

Chapter 195 The Decision on the Dragon Throne

In the Golden Palace, the former peace and prosperity was replaced by a solemn and murderous atmosphere. I sat upright on the dragon throne, tossing the urgent report from the border to the steps below, and sweeping a cold gaze over the ministers.

"My dear ministers, the border is in crisis, and our neighboring country has evil ambitions. They are negotiating peace on the surface, but in fact they are harboring evil intentions and intend to invade our territory again!" I said in a deep voice, and every word struck the hearts of the civil and military officials.

As soon as these words came out, there was an uproar in the court.

"Your Majesty, this is absolutely impossible! How could the monarch of a neighboring country, who has sworn brotherhood with you, commit such a treacherous act?" Prime Minister Li was the first to object. He had always advocated peaceful coexistence, and now he found it even more unbelievable. "Your Majesty, please be discerning and do not listen to slanderous words and rashly start a war!"

"Prime Minister Li, I am not a rash person." My tone was steady, yet it radiated an unquestionable authority. "General Zhen saw it with his own eyes, and there's a secret letter to prove it. How could it be false? Are you questioning my judgment, or shielding a traitor?"

"Your humble servant dare not!" Prime Minister Li knelt down hurriedly, with cold sweat on his forehead. He knew my skills and knew the consequences of disobeying me.

"Your Majesty is wise! The neighboring country's evil ambitions are obvious. Our army cannot sit idly by and wait for death!" Minister Wang, a former military commander, stepped forward in support. "I second the proposal to send troops to completely eliminate these scoundrels and put an end to their future troubles!"

"Minister Wang is absolutely right!" Voices of agreement rose one after another among the ministers. Obviously, the pro-war faction had the upper hand.

"I have made up my mind," I announced loudly, looking around at my ministers. "In three days, I will personally lead the army!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the court fell into a state of profound silence, a pin drop audible. Everyone was stunned by my resolve; they hadn't imagined I would personally take up arms and lead the army into battle.

"Your Majesty, I have a report to make!" A clear voice broke the silence. I looked in the direction of the voice and saw a woman in gorgeous clothes walking out of the queue and bowing to me... "It's Princess Zhao." I heard whispers from below. I recognized her. She was a princess who came from a neighboring country as a marriage partner. She has always been gentle and virtuous, and is deeply loved by the Queen Mother.

"I wonder what the princess wants to report?" I asked, with a vague guess in my heart.

"I heard that Your Majesty will be leading the army in person, and I am deeply worried," Princess Zhao raised her head, her eyes determined. "Although I am a woman, I am willing to contribute my humble efforts to the peace between the two countries. I sincerely ask Your Majesty to allow me to accompany the army!"

Her words were so powerful that the court erupted in an uproar, everyone shocked by her bold request. I pondered for a moment. Princess Zhao's status was special; bringing her along might have unexpected benefits.

"Approved." I finally agreed to her request. Upon hearing this, Princess Zhao's beautiful eyes flashed with joy, and she respectfully retreated back to the queue.

Three days later, the army assembled outside the city, flags fluttering and a murderous aura rising. I was dressed in golden armor, riding a tall horse, and behind me was a dark mass of troops, stretching as far as the eye could see.

"Soldiers!" General Sun stood atop the platform, his resounding voice echoing through the heavens. "Our borders are in danger. Our neighboring nations are treacherous and attempting to invade our territory! This battle is a matter of life and death for our dynasty and the safety of our people! Are you willing to join me in the battle to defeat the enemy and defend our homeland?"

"We are willing to follow Your Majesty into battle to kill the enemy and defend our country!" The soldiers were excited, their voices shook the sky, and their momentum was as strong as a rainbow, as if they were going to turn the world upside down.

I was filled with pride and looked into the distance with a determined gaze. There was the direction of the enemy, and also the road to glory that I was about to embark on.

At this time, Zhen Youcai rode up to my side. He was wearing silver armor, and his handsome face was full of determination: "Your Majesty..."

"Your Majesty," Zhen Youcai rode up to my side, clad in silver armor, his handsome face filled with determination. "I've already investigated and found that the enemy commander, underestimating the enemy and advancing rashly, is currently leading a large force to camp near Yingchoujian. We can..."

He leaned over and whispered in my ear, detailing his plan. I nodded as I listened. The terrain at Yingchoujian was steep and difficult to defend, and the enemy commander had clearly underestimated the enemy by choosing to station there.

"Alright, I'll do as you say, my dear minister!" I ordered decisively, "Pass the order down, the army will set out immediately, heading for Yingchoujian!"

"As you say!" Zhen Youcai took the order and left. Soon, the army set out. I rode my warhorse at the front of the team, followed by a mighty army, with banners covering the sky and a murderous aura.

In order to confuse the enemy, we deliberately slowed down our march and sent a small force to launch a feint attack near Yingchoujian, creating the illusion that the main force was about to arrive.

The enemy commander was fooled. He thought our army was just a bunch of rabble, so he didn't take it seriously and let down his guard. Little did he know that our real goal was to bypass Yingchoujian and penetrate the enemy's rear!

After several days of rapid marching, we finally arrived at our destination. Standing on a high point, I looked at the brightly lit enemy camps in the distance, and a surge of heroic ambition welled up in my heart.

"Your Majesty, we can attack now!" Zhen Youcai came to my side with excitement in his eyes.

I took a deep breath, drew the sword from my waist, raised it high, and shouted loudly: "Soldiers, follow me and kill!"

"Kill! Kill! Kill!" Deafening cries of killing echoed through the night sky. Our soldiers rushed towards the enemy camp like tigers descending from the mountains, and a brutal battle began...

The enemy was caught off guard and immediately fell into disarray, fleeing in all directions. I led the charge, brandishing my longsword as if I were in an empty space, and wherever I passed, the enemy fell one after another.

"Your Majesty is mighty! Long live His Majesty!" Under my leadership, the soldiers were unstoppable and quickly occupied the enemy camp.

"Report—" A soldier ran over in a panic, "Your Majesty, the enemy commander led the remaining troops to flee..."

"Chase!" I ordered without hesitation, "Today, we must capture the enemy leader alive!"

"Your Majesty, you can't do that!" Princess Zhao, who had been silent until then, suddenly spoke up to stop them. "Don't chase after a desperate enemy, Your Majesty!"

I looked at her anxious expression and frowned slightly, "Why did the princess stop me?"

"Why did the princess stop me?" I looked at her anxious expression and frowned slightly.

"Your Majesty, do not pursue this desperate enemy!" Princess Zhao's voice was tinged with tears. "Although the enemy commander has been defeated, he still has elite troops at his disposal and is very familiar with this terrain. We are alone deep in our territory. If we rashly pursue him, we might fall into his trap!"

"Your Highness, you're worrying too much," Prime Minister Li said, stepping forward and stroking his beard. "The enemy is already at the end of its strength. Now is the perfect opportunity to strike hard at their downfall. How can we let them go? Your Majesty, I believe we should attack with all our might and completely defeat the enemy, putting an end to their future troubles!"

Upon hearing this, Minister Wang immediately retorted, "Prime Minister Li is wrong. Excessive war will only bring untold suffering to the people. Now that our army has won its first battle, why not withdraw while we're ahead and negotiate peace with the enemy? Wouldn't that be the best of both worlds?"

"Negotiation? Humph, Lord Wang, have you forgotten how these barbarians bullied the people of our dynasty?" Prime Minister Li blew his beard and glared, obviously very dissatisfied with Minister Wang's proposal.

"You two, my dear ministers, both have a point," I raised my hand to signal them to quiet down. "But this battle concerns our national prestige, and we must not take it lightly. Pass the order down; the army shall rest for half an hour, and be sure to take a headcount, calculate the casualties, and prepare..."

Before I could finish my words, I heard shouts and cries of killing in the distance. Unlike the previous unstoppable attacks of our army, this sound was full of panic and fear.

"Report—" A soldier covered in blood stumbled into the tent, "Your Majesty, the enemy... the enemy has an ambush! General Sun... he..."

"What's wrong with General Sun?!" Zhen Youcai grabbed the soldier's collar and asked sternly.

"General Sun... In order to cover our retreat, he was killed by the enemy... killed by the enemy..." The soldier burst into tears and could no longer speak.

"Not good!" My heart sank, a sense of foreboding washed over me. "Pass the order, all troops on alert! If you have talent, follow me to meet the enemy!"

After saying that, I jumped on my horse and galloped towards the direction where the shouts and screams came from. Zhen Youcai followed closely behind me, his face also very solemn, obviously realizing that this time the enemy was not a simple one.

Not long after I rushed out of the tent, the scene before me made me gasp...