From cute to empress

Chapter 118 Dilemma

The night wind blew across the city walls, making my dragon robe rustle, but it couldn't dispel the growing gloom in my heart. Zhen Youcai's words, like a flash of lightning, illuminated the shadow behind this victory.

"Too easy..." I muttered to myself, my thoughts returning to the previous battle. Indeed, we won this battle too easily. Although the barbarian tribes were fierce, their resistance against our offensive seemed somewhat...weak.

"Report——"

A scout quickly ran up to the city wall, knelt on one knee, and said in a hurried tone: "Your Majesty, the spies report that reinforcements from the Barbarian Tribe are on the way and are expected to arrive in two days!"

My heart sank. Just as Zhen Youcai had predicted, this victory indeed concealed a greater crisis. Once the barbarian tribe's reinforcements arrived, the situation would be extremely unfavorable for us.

"Call Minister Liu and General Wang!" I made a prompt decision and gave the order quickly.

Soon, Minister Liu and General Wang hurried over.

"Your Majesty, what do you want me to do?" Minister Liu's old face was full of fatigue, but his tone was still respectful.

I told them the news brought by the scouts, and the faces of the two old ministers immediately became solemn.

"Your Majesty, I believe we should retreat temporarily, conserve our strength, and make plans later." Minister Liu spoke first, his tone heavy. "The barbarian tribe's reinforcements are numerous, so we shouldn't confront them head-on."

"Lord Liu is right. We should put the overall situation first." Another minister echoed.

My brow furrowed, my heart swirling with struggle. Retreating would mean losing this hard-earned advantage, potentially even undoing all our previous efforts. But if we continued to attack, facing an enemy several times our size, did we really have a chance of victory?

"Your Majesty, I believe we should defeat the enemy before their reinforcements arrive!" General Wang suddenly stepped forward, his tone firm. "Our morale is high now, and this is the perfect time to strike hard at their downfall!"

Zhen Youcai also stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "I second the proposal! The barbarian tribes are cunning and cunning. If we let them catch their breath, I'm afraid there will be endless troubles!"

Minister Liu wanted to say something more, but I raised my hand to stop him. I took a deep breath, scanned the crowd, and finally landed on Zhen Youcai. I slowly said, "General Zhen, you say..."

Everyone's eyes were focused on Zhen Youcai. I could feel his body tremble, but he quickly straightened his back and looked at me firmly.

"Your Majesty, I believe that offense is the best defense!" He paused, his tone strong and powerful. "The barbarian tribes are accustomed to deception. They are deliberately showing weakness to lure us into retreat, but they are secretly gathering their forces. When we retreat, they will counterattack! Rather than sit and wait for death, it is better to take the initiative, disrupt their deployment, and annihilate them in one fell swoop!"

"General Zhen is right!" General Wang echoed, "Your Majesty, this opportunity is fleeting and will never come back again!"

I remained silent, my mind racing. What Zhen Youcai and General Wang said was not without reason. The barbarian tribes were cunning and treacherous, and we had to be on guard. However, if our attack failed, the consequences would be disastrous.

"Your Majesty, I think..." Minister Liu wanted to persuade me again, but I suddenly stood up and interrupted him.

"That's enough." I took a deep breath and tried to stay calm. "We'll discuss this later. I need to think about it carefully."

I waved my hand, signaling them to leave, leaving only Zhen Youcai behind.

"Your Majesty..." Zhen Youcai seemed to want to say something, but I shook my head, signaling him not to speak.

The night deepened, and the cold wind chilled me to the bone, but it was nothing compared to the torment I was feeling. I walked to the window, gazing at the dark night sky in the distance, my heart filled with confusion.

On one side are the hard-earned fruits of victory, and on the other side are the lives of tens of thousands of soldiers at stake. How should I choose?

"Mengmeng..."

Zhen Youcai's low voice came from behind me, with a hint of worry and heartache. I turned around and met his deep gaze. I opened my mouth, but didn't know what to say.

"you……"

"You..." I wanted to say something, but my throat felt dry and I couldn't say anything. Zhen Youcai walked forward and gently hugged me.

"I know what you're worried about," he whispered in my ear, "but you're the empress, you have to trust your own judgment."

His words, like the warm sun on a winter's day, dispelled the gloom within me. I took a deep breath, trying to calm the turmoil within. Zhen Youcai was right. I am the empress, and I cannot be controlled by fear.

"You're right," I raised my head, my eyes determined. "I can't let the fear of failure hold me back." I released my clenched fists, as if a huge stone had been lifted from my heart. "Pass on my decree. Tomorrow morning, send an elite force to launch a tentative attack on the barbarian tribe!"

"Your Majesty is wise!" Zhen Youcai and General Wang, who had been waiting outside the gate, said in unison. I nodded and continued, "At the same time, strengthen the city's defenses and be on high alert to prevent a surprise attack from the barbarian tribes!"

"According to the order!"

The next morning, at daybreak, Zhen Youcai and General Wang led their chosen elite troops toward the barbarian tribe's camp. I stood on the city wall, watching them go, my heart filled with worry and anticipation.

The exploratory attack was incredibly fierce; the resistance of the barbarian tribes was far more tenacious than we had imagined. The beating of drums and the cries of slaughter were deafening. From the city walls, I could clearly see the dust rising and the flashing of swords on the battlefield in the distance.

Time passed minute by minute, my heart rising and falling with the changing battle situation. Finally, at sunset, Zhen Youcai and General Wang led their troops back in triumph. Although they were both wounded, their faces were filled with the joy of victory.

"Your Majesty, I have fulfilled my mission and successfully repelled the attack of the barbarian tribe!" General Wang knelt on one knee and said excitedly.

"Great!" I couldn't hide my excitement. "You are all heroes of the empire!"

"Your Majesty," Zhen Youcai stepped forward, his face devoid of relief. "Although this attack was successful, I've discovered..." He paused, his tone becoming somewhat serious. "The barbarian tribes seem to have been prepared. Their fortifications are stronger than before, and..."

"And what?" My heart tightened and I asked.

"Moreover," Zhen Youcai took a deep breath, "I discovered that they seemed to be deliberately luring us to attack..."

"Lure us to attack?" I repeated his words, a sudden sense of foreboding rising in my heart. "You mean..."

"I suspect," Zhen Youcai said in a heavy tone, "their real goal is..."

Before he could finish his words, a deafening roar suddenly erupted from outside the city, followed by deafening cries of killing...

"boom--"

The walls seemed to tremble, and I stumbled, grabbing a battlement to steady myself. "What's going on?" I demanded sharply, my heart feeling as if an invisible hand were gripping it tightly, making it difficult to breathe.

"Report—" A soldier, covered in blood, stumbled up to the city wall, knelt on one knee, and said in a trembling voice, "Your Majesty, the barbarians... the barbarian army has launched a surprise attack, General Wang... General Wang..."

"What happened to General Wang?" I grabbed the soldier's collar, anxious.

"General Wang... fought bravely and died for his country..." The soldiers burst into tears.

My head buzzed, and everything went black. General Wang... he actually...

"Your Majesty," Minister Liu's voice rang in my ears, "Now that the barbarian army is approaching, the most urgent task is to deploy defenses as quickly as possible. We must not lose our composure!"

I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself. Minister Liu was right. Now is not the time to be sad. I must cheer up and protect my people!

"Pass the order down, the entire army is on alert and ready to meet the enemy!" Although my voice was trembling, it revealed an unquestionable majesty.

The atmosphere on the city wall instantly became extremely tense, and everyone was preparing for the upcoming battle.

"Youcai..." I looked off into the distance, my heart filled with worry. Zhen Youcai, where are you now? Are you safe?

Time passed minute by minute, the shouting and killing outside the city was getting closer and closer, and my heart was getting tighter and tighter.

Suddenly, a familiar figure appeared in my sight. It was Zhen Youcai! He was back!

My heart finally settled down, but before I could open my mouth, his words plunged me into an icy cave again.

"Your Majesty," he dismounted, knelt on one knee, and said in a low voice, "I have discovered a flaw in the enemy army..."

"A flaw?" A glimmer of hope ignited in my heart. "What flaw?"

"Their food and supplies are hidden in a secluded valley..." He paused, his tone becoming somewhat serious. "If we can destroy their food supplies, we will definitely win this war."

"Okay!" My eyes lit up, "Then what are we waiting for? Let's do it now..."

"Your Majesty," Zhen Youcai interrupted me, "I have one more thing to report." He raised his head and looked at me gravely, "This valley is strategically located, easy to defend but difficult to attack, and..."

He took a deep breath, as if trying to suppress something. "Besides, the Barbarian King is likely to personally lead his troops to garrison there..."

My heart sank suddenly, and a chill ran from the soles of my feet to my heart.

"You mean..." My voice trembled, "If we want to destroy their food supply, we must..."

"We must... confront the Barbarian King head-on..." Zhen Youcai's voice was soft, yet weighed a thousand pounds.

I fell silent. I knew what this meant. The Barbarian King was a brave warrior, commanding countless elite soldiers and generals. If we chose to take the risk, we would be putting ourselves in danger...

"Your Majesty," Zhen Youcai raised his head, his eyes firm, "Please give the order!"

I looked at the man in front of me. His eyes were firm and his expression was resolute, as if he was ready to die.

I took a deep breath, my heart filled with struggle and pain. On one side was victory within reach, on the other was unknown risk. How should I choose...

"I……"