From cute to empress

Chapter 193: Shadow

The news of Yunwu Pass's capture reverberated like a thunderclap, leaving me dizzy and dazed. This majestic pass, a staunch barrier against foreign enemies since ancient times, was now breached. How could I not be distraught?

"Your Majesty..." Grand Tutor Zhang's aged voice trembled slightly. "Yunwu Pass has been lost. The situation is urgent. Your Majesty, please make a decision as soon as possible!"

I took a deep breath and forced myself to calm down. I was no longer the naive young woman I once was. The responsibility of a ruler meant I couldn't afford to be weak. I slowly stood up, my gaze sweeping across the anxious faces in the hall. I said firmly, "Pass the word down. We'll hold court tomorrow morning to discuss our strategy for resisting the enemy!"

The next day, the atmosphere in the court was solemn. The ministers all wore stern expressions. The usual clamorous voices vanished, replaced by the quiet before a storm.

"My dear ministers," I looked around and said in a deep voice, "Cloud Mist Pass has been lost. Our neighboring country has bullied us too much. How should we respond now? Do you have any good plans?"

"Your Majesty," the royal censor was the first to step forward. Despite his advanced age, he still stood tall and straight. "This neighboring country's actions were clearly planned long ago. Their evil ambitions are evident! I believe we should immediately dispatch troops to retaliate and bolster our national prestige!"

"I second the proposal!"

"I also second the proposal!"

As soon as Wang Jianguan finished speaking, a chorus of agreement echoed throughout the court. Looking at these loyal officials and generals who had bravely stepped forward for the safety of the nation, a warm feeling welled up in my heart.

"Your Majesty," Advisor Liu stepped forward and bowed, "We have a legitimate reason to send troops to counterattack, but we must carefully consider the situation. I suggest that you immediately send a message to General Zhen, ordering him to lead his troops to the border. While repelling the enemy, we must also ascertain their situation so that we can formulate a more effective response."

"Approved!" I agreed to Advisor Liu's suggestion without hesitation, my eyes fixed on a young, armored general below. "General Zhen, this expedition carries a heavy responsibility. I hope you can live up to our expectations, repel the invading enemy, and protect our territory!"

"I obey your order!" Zhen Youcai clasped his fists and accepted the order, his firm eyes filled with determination to face death.

Watching Zhen Youcai leave, I felt a mixture of emotions. He knew that this journey to the border was a life-or-death struggle, yet he remained unwavering. His loyalty and courage moved me deeply.

"Master Zhang," I retracted my gaze and looked at the old official beside me, "I will leave the logistics and supply matters to you. Make sure to ensure the needs of the soldiers on the front lines are met."

Grand Tutor Zhang bowed and accepted the order. I looked at his gray hair and suddenly felt a little worried: "Grand Tutor, this matter..." "Grand Tutor, this matter..." I wanted to say something but stopped. Grand Tutor Zhang has worked for state affairs for most of his life. Now he is in his twilight years, and I really can't bear to let him run around for food and supplies.

"Your Majesty, there's no need to worry." Grand Tutor Zhang seemed to see my concern, and a resolute smile appeared on his old face. "Although I'm old, my bones can still be put to good use! It's my honor to share your Majesty's worries and serve the people with all my heart!"

I nodded with emotion. Master Zhang's loyalty to the emperor and his patriotism were truly admirable. Turning to look at Advisor Liu, he was looking down at a map, his brow furrowed, clearly pondering a strategy for dealing with the enemy.

"Lord Liu," I asked softly, "the war is urgent. Do you have any good plans?"

Advisor Liu raised his head, a gleam in his eyes. "Your Majesty, I believe that in this battle, we must not only repel the invading enemy, but also take the opportunity to weaken their strength to prevent future troubles!"

He walked over to the map, pointed to a valley north of Yunwu Pass, and said, "This place is called Luofeng Valley. It's strategically located, easy to defend but difficult to attack. If we can lure the enemy into the valley and then launch a surprise attack, we'll surely achieve a complete victory!"

I looked at the map and nodded secretly in my heart. Advisor Liu's strategy was indeed brilliant, but it was not easy to lure the enemy into Luofeng Valley.

"Your Majesty," Advisor Liu seemed to see through my concerns, "I have a plan. We only need to send an elite force to pretend to attack the enemy's rear. This will surely draw their main force to Luofeng Valley!"

I thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "Okay! As Liu Aiqing said, I'll leave this matter to you and Grand Tutor Zhang to discuss together. We must ensure that nothing goes wrong!"

"We obey your order!" Grand Tutor Zhang and Advisor Liu responded in unison.

After seeing off the two old ministers, I rubbed my brows tiredly. The shadow of war hung over the entire palace, making it hard for me to breathe.

"Official Wang," I looked at the silent official, "how is the situation among the people?"

Wang Jianguan sighed and said, "When the people heard the news that Yunwu Pass had fallen, they were all in a panic. I have ordered people to post notices everywhere to calm the people, but..."

"But what?" I demanded.

The royal censor hesitated for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, the treasury is now empty. If we want to support this war, I'm afraid..."

I understand what he means. War is fought for money and food. Without sufficient supplies, even thousands of troops will be of no avail.

"Official Wang," I took a deep breath, a look of determination flashing in my eyes, "Pass the order down. Tell them I want to raise food and wages for the soldiers. Anyone who donates money and food will be rewarded handsomely!"

"Your Majesty..." Wang Jianguan wanted to say something, but I had made up my mind.

"I have made up my mind. This matter is settled!" I said in a firm tone, leaving no room for doubt.

Wang Jianguan had no choice but to obey the order and leave. Watching him leave, I silently prayed in my heart, hoping that this war would end soon and return peace and prosperity to the people...

"Your Majesty," a young eunuch hurried in. "The Imperial Censor is outside the palace gates, requesting an audience. He has something important to report!" "Summon him!" I suppressed my uneasiness, striving to maintain the emperor's dignity. The Imperial Censor hurried into the imperial study, his face showing signs of fatigue, yet also a hint of joy.

"Your Majesty! I have something important to report!" He bowed with both hands, his tone excited.

"But has there been any progress in the fundraising?" I asked anxiously. The tight situation in the national treasury these days has kept me awake at night. I wish I could take out all my gold, silver and jewelry to fill the national treasury.

"Exactly! Upon hearing Your Majesty's call, the people generously donated money and labor. Even..." Wang Jianguan paused, seeming a little unbelievable, "Even the beggars on the street donated the few copper coins they had begged, saying they wanted to do their bit to help the soldiers defending their country!"

My heart warmed, and tears welled up in my eyes. These past few days, I've been under immense pressure. Neighboring countries are watching closely, and the undercurrents in the court have left me exhausted. But now, the patriotism of the people is like a warm current flowing into my heart, giving me boundless strength.

"Also, Craftsman Sun led hundreds of craftsmen in the city to work day and night to forge weapons and repair the city walls. They said that they wanted to allow the soldiers to have no worries and go into battle to kill the enemy with peace of mind!" Wang Jianguan's voice was a little choked, and he was obviously moved by the patriotism of the people.

I took a deep breath, suppressed the turmoil within me, and nodded, "Good! Good! Good! I'm deeply relieved that the people are so understanding and righteous! Pass the order down; all those who have donated money and food will be recorded in the register. After the war subsides, I will personally reward them!"

"Your Majesty is wise!" Censor Wang knelt down and kowtowed excitedly.

At this moment, there was a sudden sound of hurried footsteps outside the door. Immediately afterwards, a guard rushed in, knelt on the ground, and reported loudly: "Report! Your Majesty, urgent news from the border!"

My heart tightened, and a sense of foreboding washed over me. Could something have happened on the front lines?

"Show it up quickly!" I tried to stay calm, reached out to take the secret letter presented by the guard, unfolded it, and the contents surprised me.

"Neighboring country... seeking peace?" I muttered to myself, hardly believing my eyes. The letter was sincere, expressing a willingness to return the city we had previously occupied and sign a peace agreement, never to invade again.

"This..." I froze in my tracks, not knowing what to do. The war reports from the front clearly indicated the situation was intense, so how could a neighboring country suddenly offer peace?

I looked up at Wang Jianguan, only to see he too was puzzled. At that moment, Zhen Youcai's resolute gaze before his departure suddenly surfaced in my mind, along with his resounding words: "Your Majesty, rest assured. I will live up to your trust and return triumphantly!"

Could it be... that there's a connection? I clutched the secret letter tightly in my hand, my mind racing. On one side was the neighboring country's sudden request for peace, and on the other were the soldiers about to arrive at the front. How should I choose...

War and peace have always been a double-edged sword, hurting others as well as oneself.

The neighboring country's sudden request for peace was like a huge rock, stirring up a thousand waves on a calm lake and throwing my once resolute mind into chaos. I repeatedly looked at the secret letter in my hand, and every word seemed to carry a tremendous weight, weighing me down and making me breathless.

"Your Majesty?" Seeing that I had been silent for a long time, Wang Jianguan called out tentatively in a low voice.

I raised my head and looked at the familiar faces in front of me, including the elderly and steady Grand Tutor Zhang, the loyal and devoted Censor Wang, and the resourceful and resourceful Adviser Liu... They have all accompanied me through countless ups and downs, and now, I also need their wisdom to help me overcome the difficulties before me.

"My dear ministers, what do you think about this matter?" I handed the secret letter in my hand to Grand Tutor Zhang, with a hint of fatigue in my tone.

"This..." Grand Tutor Zhang took the letter and read it carefully. A gleam of light flashed in his cloudy old eyes. "Your Majesty, I think this matter is too strange. We must be on guard!"

"Grand Master, you are absolutely right," Advisor Liu also stepped forward and said, "Our neighboring country is ambitious and has suddenly asked for peace. I'm afraid they have other plans. Your Majesty, please reconsider!"

"But..." I hesitated. "The soldiers on the front line are already ready to go. If we stop sending troops now, wouldn't it be..."

"Your Majesty!" the royal censor said firmly, "The soldiers are certainly important, but the safety of the nation is paramount! If we fall into the enemy's trap, the consequences will be disastrous!"

I was silent. I knew they were all right, but when I thought of Zhen Youcai's determined eyes and how he was willing to risk his life to defend his country, my heart ached like a knife.

"Your Majesty, I dare you to think twice!" Grand Tutor Zhang led all the ministers to kneel on the ground and said in unison.

I looked at them, a mixture of emotions welling up in my heart. I longed to accept our neighbor's request for peace, end this war, and allow my country and my people to live in peace. But how could I watch my soldiers sacrifice their lives in vain? How could I betray their trust and expectations of me?

"Pass the order down, order the soldiers at the border to suspend military deployment and strengthen border defense. No one is allowed to act rashly without my order!" I took a deep breath, suppressed the waves in my heart, and said in a firm tone.

"Your Majesty is wise!" all the ministers responded in unison.

As I watched them, my heart felt no relief at all, but rather a heavy burden. Was the neighboring country's request for peace genuine, or was it a hidden threat? Was this war ending, or just the beginning? I had no way of knowing. I could only wait, wait for time to tell...

It was late at night, and I was standing alone in front of the window, looking at the twinkling stars in the sky, feeling confused.

"Dong dong dong..."

There was a knock on the door, bringing me back from my thoughts.

"Come in."

The door opened gently, and Grand Tutor Zhang and Advisor Liu walked in.

"It's so late, why haven't you two rested yet?" I turned around and asked them.

Grand Tutor Zhang and Advisor Liu exchanged a glance. Grand Tutor Zhang stepped forward and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, I have something to report."