From cute to empress

Chapter 120: A Clever Plan to Defeat the Enemy

The night was chilly, the candlelight in the tent flickering, illuminating the intricate lines on the map. Zhen Youcai frowned, his slender fingers sliding gently across the map, repeatedly deducing the enemy's and our own situation.

"Your Majesty, this plan is truly bold, but also extremely risky," Zhao Xianfeng said in a deep voice, his burly figure looking particularly majestic under the flickering candlelight. "If we can't arrive in time, the consequences will be disastrous."

"So," I put down the teacup in my hand and said firmly, "We must trust them. General Zhao, you lead 5,000 elite soldiers and ambush them in Black Wind Gorge. Make sure to burn the enemy's food supplies!"

"I obey your command!" Zhao Xianfeng clasped his fists and accepted the order, turned around and left, disappearing into the dark night with a passion and a belief in victory.

"Your Majesty, are you truly confident in entrusting such an important task to General Zhao?" Zhen Youcai's face showed worry. "I'm worried..."

"I believe in him." I interrupted him, my eyes firm. "He is the most courageous general in my Great Zhou. He will definitely not let me down."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Zhen Youcai lowered his head and said no more.

I understand his concerns. Zhao Xianfeng carries a heavy responsibility, and any misstep could lead to complete failure. But I believe that with his experience and ability, he will be able to complete the mission.

"General Zhen," I looked at him, a sly look in my eyes, "from now on, it's up to you."

Zhen Youcai understood, a confident smile playing on his lips, "Your Majesty, don't worry. I have laid a net of heaven and earth, and I am just waiting for the Hu Man King to fall into it."

"Great!" I couldn't help but applaud. "I want to see who's better!"

At the same time, in the enemy camp, Military Advisor Sun was anxiously gesturing on the map, trying to persuade the Human King to change his mind.

"Your Majesty, I think this is suspicious. Our army must not act rashly!" Military Advisor Sun urged. "Our army has ample food and fodder. We just need to hold our ground and wait for the Zhou army to run out of food, and then we can capture them in one fell swoop!"

"Hmph, you cowardly rat!" King Human pushed the map aside, his face full of disdain. "The Zhou army is just a bunch of rabble. I will kill them all without a single soldier left!"

"Your Majesty, you must not be careless!" Military Advisor Sun wanted to persuade him again, but was interrupted impatiently by King Human.

"Enough! I have made up my mind. Tomorrow morning, I will march towards Black Wind Gorge!"

Military Advisor Sun sighed helplessly. He knew he had done his best. But he still had a foreboding feeling in his heart, as if a huge storm was about to come...

The next morning, just after daybreak, the Human King led his army towards the Black Wind Gorge.

A storm is brewing, and a war is about to break out...

The first rays of dawn pierced the darkness, tinting the entire landscape with a faint golden hue. Clad in silver armor, I stood atop a high observation tower, my gaze piercing the distance. Banners fluttered, drums thundered, and the barbarian army, like a black torrent, surged toward Black Wind Gorge.

"Your Majesty, the Human King has entered the encirclement!" The messenger beside him reported loudly, his tone unable to conceal his excitement.

I took a deep breath, suppressed the tension in my heart, and ordered in a deep voice: "Pass the order down, light the beacon!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a flash of fire shot up into the sky, leaving a trail of black smoke in the azure sky. This was the signal to attack!

Almost at the same time, deafening shouts and cries of killing came from both sides of the canyon, and countless rockets poured down like raindrops, instantly setting the rear of the Human army on fire.

"What's going on?!" The Hu Man King obviously didn't expect our army to set an ambush, and shouted in panic, "Where did the ambush come from?!"

"Your Majesty, we've fallen into a trap! It's a trap set by the Zhou army!" Military Advisor Sun shouted in horror with a pale face.

Before they could even think, the Human army was engulfed in flames and thick smoke. Panicked, the soldiers fled in all directions, trampling on each other, and the once orderly ranks instantly fell into chaos.

"Kill!" Zhen Youcai's voice rang out like thunder. He led the troops and rushed into the enemy camp like a tiger descending from the mountain. They were unstoppable.

"Kill!" Our army's morale was high, and they rushed towards the Human army like a tide, dividing and surrounding them.

Seeing his own army retreating step by step, the Human King was furious. He waved the scimitar in his hand and madly killed the soldiers around him.

"Damn it! Damn it!" He roared repeatedly, but was unable to save the situation.

I gripped the hilt of my sword tightly, observing everything on the battlefield with cold eyes. I knew we were going to win this war!

As the sun sets, the battlefield is littered with corpses and rivers of blood.

"Report—" A soldier, covered in blood, stumbled up to me, "Your Majesty, King Human... King Human..."

"What's wrong with him?!" I stood up suddenly and asked anxiously.

The soldier took a deep breath and said in a heavy tone, "The Human King... he fled with his remaining troops..."

I swayed, nearly losing my balance. Escaped? He actually escaped?!

"Escaped..." I muttered to myself, gripping the hilt of my sword even tighter. The setting sun cast a cold light on my armor. The joy of victory had barely reached me before it was washed away by this sudden news. He had escaped, carrying humiliation and hatred back to his steppe.

"Your Majesty," Zhen Youcai dismounted and walked over to me. His face was a bit tired, but it couldn't hide his heroic spirit. "Although we won this battle, the Human King is cunning and treacherous. He escaped this time and will definitely come back again."

I nodded, looking at the devastation, feeling a mixture of emotions. Yes, this victory wasn't easy.

"General Zhao," I turned to the equally dusty Zhao Xianfeng on the other side, "you will lead the troops to count the casualties, properly arrange for the fallen soldiers, and provide compensation to their families."

"I obey your command!" Zhao Xianfeng clasped his fists and turned to deal with the aftermath.

I looked into the distance. There used to be a place where the barbarian army was stationed, but now it was just a devastated place.

"Your Majesty," Zhen Youcai followed my gaze and said in a deep voice, "The barbarians are brave and skilled in battle. Although we've inflicted a heavy defeat on them this time, there's no guarantee they won't change their tactics and strike back again."

I looked back at Zhen Youcai, whose eyes gleamed with wisdom. "General Zhen, what are your thoughts?"

"I think we should..." Zhen Youcai paused, leaned close to my ear, lowered his voice, and expressed his thoughts.

After listening to this, I pondered for a moment and said slowly, "Let's do it."

As night fell, Black Wind Gorge returned to its former tranquility, with only the occasional chirping of insects reminding people of the fierce battles that had taken place there. I stood before the map, surveying the intricate lines, and a sudden, unprecedented sense of responsibility surged within me.

"Someone come here!" I turned around and shouted outside the tent.

"What does Your Majesty want?" The guard immediately opened the curtain and walked in.

"Pass the order down, immediately..." I paused, my eyes firm as I said, "We must...

"Pass the order down. Immediately strengthen the defenses of Black Wind Gorge!" I pointed to the location of Black Wind Gorge on the map. "Also, send a message back to the court and say..." I paused and took a deep breath, "Say that the situation on the front line is critical and request swift reinforcements from the court!"

The guard took his orders and left, but my gaze lingered on the map. Black Wind Gorge is a crucial pass into the heart of the Central Plains. If it were lost, the consequences would be disastrous. Even if Zhen Youcai's strategy could successfully delay the Human army, we couldn't pin all our hopes on it.

I rubbed my brows, feeling a wave of fatigue wash over me. For the past few months, I've been in a state of high tension, afraid that if I'm not careful, I'll lose everything.

"Your Majesty," Xiao Tao, the personal maidservant who had been waiting beside him, brought a cup of ginseng tea, "You haven't slept for a whole day and night. Have some ginseng tea and rest."

I took the ginseng tea, took a sip, and the bitter taste spread across my tongue.

"Xiaotao, do you think we can really win this battle?" I put down the teacup and looked at the dark night sky outside the tent, my heart full of confusion.

Xiao Tao was silent for a moment, then gently held my hand and said softly, "Your Majesty, you can do it. You are destined to be the emperor, sent by heaven to save the people!"

I looked at Xiaotao's sincere eyes, and my heart calmed down a little. Yes, I can't just give up like this. I still have a lot to do. I still have to protect my people and my country!

For the next few days, I personally supervised the construction of the Black Wind Gorge's fortifications, sleeping less than two hours a day. Seeing how dedicated I was, the soldiers were also motivated to work day and night to speed up the construction.

However, just when we thought everything was going according to plan, an urgent message from the front broke the brief peace...

"Report—" the messenger's voice rang out outside the tent, "General Zhen, urgent news!"

My heart sank suddenly, and a sense of foreboding came over me. I flung aside the curtain and snatched the letter from the messenger's hand.

"Your Majesty..." Xiaotao looked at me worriedly, but didn't dare to disturb me.

My eyes quickly scanned the contents of the letter, and my expression became increasingly uglier as each line of handwriting passed.

"Supply shortages...seriously impact...the army's combat effectiveness..." I muttered to myself, and the letter in my hand fell to the ground.