From cute to empress

Chapter 192: Iron-like Determination

"Someone!" I stood up suddenly and slammed the secret letter in my hand onto the table, shaking the memorials on the table. "Pass the order down, tomorrow morning at the court, I will lead the army in person!"

"His Majesty!"

"Think twice, Your Majesty!"

As soon as I finished speaking, the hall erupted in an uproar. Grand Tutor Zhang and Censor Wang immediately fell to their knees, terror written all over their aged faces.

I took a deep breath, suppressing the rage within me. I coldly glanced at the people kneeling below. Their faces showed shock, worry, and even a hint of...doubt?

"Do you think I'm joking?!" I slammed the table and stood up, roaring, "My neighboring country is bullying me too much. Do they really think my dynasty is deserted?!"

"Your Majesty, please calm down!" Grand Tutor Zhang kowtowed tremblingly. "Your Majesty is worth a fortune, how can you easily take risks? I believe this matter requires further consideration..."

"Long-term planning? How do you plan?!" I pointed at the secret letter and shouted, "The border is in crisis, the people are displaced, and you let me sit back and do nothing. Is this what you call 'planning'?!"

"Your Majesty, that's not what I meant..." Grand Tutor Zhang was so frightened that his face turned pale, but he still insisted on his point of view. "It's just that war between the two countries will inevitably lead to devastating losses. Your Majesty, please put the country first!"

"Grand Tutor Zhang is right. War only brings suffering and destruction." Advisor Liu, who had remained silent until then, stepped forward and said, "In my opinion, we should first send envoys to the neighboring country to negotiate and find out the truth. Perhaps there are some misunderstandings..."

"Misunderstanding?" I sneered. "They've already hit us right on our doorstep, how can there be any misunderstanding?!"

"Your Majesty!" Zhen Youcai, dressed in military uniform, walked quickly into the hall, knelt on one knee, and clasped his fists, saying, "I demand to fight! Your Majesty, please allow me to lead the army to the battle. I will make sure those barbarians will never return!"

"Good! You have backbone!" I looked at Zhen Youcai with admiration, then turned to look at the ministers who were still kneeling on the ground and trembling, and a deep disappointment surged in my heart.

"What? Are you all speechless?!" My gaze swept across their faces like a sharp blade. "Are you willing to watch the people of our dynasty suffer and our country be trampled upon?!"

Silence, suffocating silence.

"Okay, very good." I took a deep breath, my tone icy cold. "Since none of you want to speak, then I will speak for you!" I turned abruptly, looked outside the hall, and said word by word, "Pass on my decree. Tomorrow morning, muster the troops and march out!"

"Your Majesty! Absolutely not!" As soon as I finished speaking, Grand Tutor Zhang shouted at the top of his lungs, his old body almost crawling on the ground. "War between two countries will waste people's money and manpower. Your Majesty, please reconsider!"

Advisor Liu also stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I believe what Grand Tutor Zhang says is reasonable. Our neighboring country's recent military action may be impulsive. We should first use courtesy before force, sending envoys to negotiate and ascertain their true intentions. If they insist on provoking a war, our dynasty will have a legitimate reason to do so, and it won't be too late to engage them then!"

I looked at the ministers kneeling below, feeling a mixture of emotions. Their concerns were not unfounded; war would indeed bring incalculable losses. But were we simply going to allow ourselves to be bullied and swallow our anger in silence?

My gaze fell on Zhen Youcai. He was still in full military uniform, standing with his back straight, his gaze firm and composed. I knew he longed to fight, to defend his country with his own strength. However, war is no joke. I couldn't put the lives of countless soldiers at risk because of a momentary impulse.

I took a deep breath, forced myself to calm down, and slowly said, "Grand Tutor Zhang, Advisor Liu, I understand everything you say. I'm not a war-loving person, but facing the provocation of our neighbor, we can't just give in. Do you think I really want to fight?"

There was a hint of fatigue and helplessness in my tone.

"I don't want to see civilians displaced and soldiers shed blood on the battlefield. However, if we keep giving in, it will only make the enemy more unscrupulous. If they can cross the border today, they can lay siege to the city tomorrow! What will we do then? Are we going to hand over the country our ancestors left us?!"

My voice echoed in the hall for a long time.

"I have made up my mind. I will first send envoys to the neighboring countries to convey our dynasty's desire for peace. If they are stubborn and insist on provoking war..." I swept my eyes over the people in the hall again, my tone firm and resolute, "Then don't blame me for being rude!"

"Xuan——"

"Announce—" My voice echoed in the empty hall, carrying an unquestionable majesty, "Where is the Minister of Rites?"

An old minister in a crimson official robe stepped out tremblingly, bowed and said, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty is here."

"I order you to draft a letter immediately and send envoys to the neighboring countries to convey my intentions to them clearly and unambiguously!"

"I obey your order!" The Minister of Rites wiped the sweat from his forehead and retreated tremblingly.

"General Zhen!" I turned to Zhen Youcai, who had been silent all the time. His eyes met mine, and there was a firm light in them.

"I'm here!" He knelt on one knee, clasped his hands together, and his loud voice rang out in the hall.

"I order you to return to the border immediately, strengthen border defense, recruit new soldiers, and make all preparations for war!" My tone was unquestionable, with the majesty and determination of a king.

"I obey your command!" Zhen Youcai's voice was sonorous and powerful, full of confidence and determination. He stood up, bowed to me, turned around and strode out of the hall.

Watching Zhen Youcai leave, I was overwhelmed with mixed emotions. I know what war means: bloodshed, sacrifice, and the separation of life and death. But to protect this land, to protect my people, I had no choice.

"My dear ministers, I know you still have concerns in your hearts, but I have made up my mind. I believe that evil cannot prevail over good, and justice will prevail!" I glanced around at the ministers in the hall. Their faces were full of worry and anxiety, but I believe that my determination and my will will eventually lead them to victory.

"Retreat—"

I stood up, and with the help of the palace maid, slowly walked up the steps and entered the imperial study.

Inside the Imperial Study, the Imperial Censor was pacing anxiously. Seeing me enter, he hurried forward, bowing and saying, "Your Majesty, have you truly decided to go to war with our neighbor?"

I walked to the desk and gently stroked the inkstone on it. It was my father's favorite item. Now, this inkstone has passed into my hands, which also means that the vast land and the millions of ordinary people are now on my shoulders.

"Wang Jianguan, tell me, do I have any other choice?" I raised my head, looking at him firmly. "I have already sent envoys and prepared for war. I am ready."

Wang Jianguan was silent. He understood that my determination was made and no one could change it.

"Your Majesty..." He hesitated to speak, and finally just sighed deeply, "I understand. I will..." He turned and walked out, his steps heavy and his back desolate.

"Where are you going?" I asked.

Wang Jianguan stopped and turned around, his eyes gleaming with determination: "I will go to the people and tell them that your majesty's decision is to protect our homeland and our dignity!"

"Censor Wang..." I called softly, a warm feeling welling up in my heart. I had never doubted Censor Wang's loyalty. He always put the safety of the people first, and he always supported me.

After Wang Jianguan left, Liu Moushi came out from behind the screen. He has always been my most trusted think tank, wise and calm.

"Your Majesty, have you really thought it through? Once the war starts, lives will be lost and the national treasury will be emptied!" said Liu Moushi worriedly.

"I know, but I can't just watch them trample on our dignity and eat away at our land! I want them to know that we are not easy to bully!" I clenched my fists tightly and spoke in a firm tone.

A few days later, Wang Jianguan came back. His face was tired and dusty, but his eyes were unusually bright.

"Your Majesty, I have walked through the streets and alleys and told the people your decision. The people all said that they support you and support you in protecting our homeland!" Wang Jianguan's voice was loud and powerful.

My heart warmed and my eyes moistened. The support of the people is my greatest motivation.

However, my warnings seemed to fall on deaf ears. News continued to arrive from the border that the neighboring army, far from withdrawing, had intensified its violence, repeatedly crossing the border and committing all sorts of atrocities, including murder, looting, and arson.

"This is too much!" I slammed the table and stood up, burning with anger.

"Your Majesty, calm down!" His Highness's Grand Tutor Zhang quickly advised, "If a neighboring country is so arrogant, it must have something to rely on. We must not act rashly!"

At this moment, a guard hurried into the hall, knelt on the ground, and reported loudly: "Report - urgent news from the border, the neighboring country's troops... the neighboring country's troops..."

"What happened to the neighboring country's army? Tell me quickly!" I asked loudly, anxiously.

"The neighboring country's army... they... they..." The guard was so frightened that his face turned pale and he stammered, unable to speak.

"Speak!" I shouted sternly.

"The neighboring country's army... they broke through... broke through..." The guard's voice trembled, "They broke through Yunwu Pass!"

“What?!” My head buzzed and my vision went dark... Yunwu Pass, that’s the last barrier on our border!

"Your Majesty..." There was an exclamation in the hall, and the ministers were in chaos.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. "Pass the order down. Tomorrow morning, there will be a court..." My voice was cold, carrying an unprecedented sense of authority and determination.