From cute to empress

Chapter 116: Border Emergency

The wax still radiated a scorching heat, and every word on the letter was like a branding iron, deeply imprinted on my mind. The barbarian tribes, those greedy and brutal creatures, had actually torn up the peace treaty, assembled a massive army, and intended to invade our borders!

"The border is in crisis! The border is in crisis!" Nanny Li's voice trembled, her old eyes filled with tears, "What should we do..."

I stood up abruptly, the letter in my hand crumpled. Panic and fear were only a momentary thing, and I quickly calmed down. I am the Empress, the ruler of this world. In this moment of crisis, I cannot lose my composure!

"Pass on my decree and immediately summon all ministers to the imperial study to discuss matters!" My tone was unquestionable and carried the majesty of a superior.

In less than half an hour, all civil and military officials gathered in the Imperial Study. I threw General Wang's secret report to the ground. The resounding sound echoed in the silent hall, and everyone felt the seriousness of the situation.

"My dear ministers, the border is in danger and the barbarians are invading. What good plans do you have?" I glanced at the ministers below with a sharp gaze.

For a moment, the hall was abuzz with discussion. Some advocated holding our ground and awaiting reinforcements, while others suggested sending envoys to the barbarian tribes to negotiate and resolve the crisis. Various opinions intertwined, but no solution satisfied me.

"Enough!" I slammed the table, interrupting everyone's discussion. "The barbarians' wicked ambitions cannot be resolved through negotiation! I have made up my mind. I will personally lead the army to the border and lead the expedition!"

As soon as this statement came out, everyone in the audience was shocked.

"Your Majesty, absolutely not!" An old minister stepped forward tremblingly. "You are a precious person, how can you take such a risk so easily? Your Majesty, please reconsider!"

"Yes, Your Majesty, the journey to the frontier is long and the environment is harsh. You must not put yourself in danger!"

"Your Majesty, please prioritize your health and think twice before you act!"

……

I heard repeated pleas for help, but I turned a deaf ear. General Wang is a loyal veteran of my father's legacy. He would never raise such an alarm without cause. The barbarians are coming with such force, it's no small matter. If I retreat now, where will the people at the border be? Where will the safety of our country be?

"I have made up my mind. No need to persuade me!" I said firmly, leaving no room for doubt. "Pass the order down. The army will assemble immediately. In three days, we will march to the border!"

I glanced around, my gaze finally landing on Zhen Youcai, standing at the forefront of the generals. He stood tall and straight, his gaze resolute, like a sword unsheathed, emitting a chilling cold light...

"Your Majesty, I am Zhen Youcai. I am willing to be the vanguard and defend the country's territory to the death, and keep our country safe!" He knelt on one knee, his voice loud and resounding, and every word seemed to strike my heart, causing ripples.

I looked at him, my eyes filled with relief and trust. Over the years, he had grown from a young, inexperienced man to the great general who now defended the country. I had witnessed his loyalty and ability.

"Very well! I appoint you the General of the Northern Expedition, commanding the three armies. Set out immediately for the border!" I drew the Imperial Sword from my waist, a symbol of supreme power. "Seeing this sword is like seeing me! I give you 50,000 elite soldiers. You must defend the border and await the arrival of the army!"

"I obey your order! Thank you for your grace!" Zhen Youcai took the imperial sword with both hands, with a determined light flashing in his eyes.

Three days later, before dawn, the square in front of the palace was already packed with people, flags fluttering, and drums thundering. Wearing a golden dragon robe and a phoenix crown, I stood on a high platform, looking down at the dark mass of troops below.

"Soldiers!" I raised my sword high, my voice echoing across the square. "Barbarians have bullied our great nation, invaded our borders, and killed our people. I will not be a human being until I avenge this!"

"Whoever offends the mighty Han will be punished, no matter how far away they are!" The deafening roar came from the soldiers' mouths and resounded through the sky.

"Today, I fight alongside you, swearing to drive the barbarians from our great land!" I mounted my horse, my golden armor gleaming in the sunlight. "Let's go!"

"Let's go! Let's go! Let's go!" The army marched out of the capital in a mighty force, and the people spontaneously stood on both sides of the road to see us off.

"Your Majesty, the journey is long, please take care of yourself!" An old woman knelt on the ground trembling, tears streaming down her face.

"Your Majesty, you must return safely!" The young girls waved the flowers in their hands with tears in their eyes.

I reined in my horse and looked back, seeing those eyes full of expectation and worry, a warm feeling surged in my heart.

"I will definitely return victorious!" I said loudly, my tone full of confidence and determination.

The army marched northward, mighty and powerful, towards the frontier. As I rode on my horse, gazing at the long road ahead, I had only one thought in my mind:

"Wait for me, here I come..."

The thud of horse hooves beats against my heart, and also against the road to the frontier. The army marches with great haste, sleeping in the open air, wishing they could grow wings and reach the border. Every day, I share the same food and shelter with the soldiers, and seeing their weary faces, I feel not only heartache but also admiration.

"Your Majesty, you haven't slept for several days. Take a rest." Zhen Youcai was holding a bowl of hot porridge, his eyes full of worry.

I took the bowl of porridge and shook my head gently. "The soldiers are still holding on. How can I be complacent? The situation on the border is urgent. I must get there as soon as possible."

"But..." Zhen Youcai wanted to persuade him again, but I interrupted him with my hand.

"No need to say more, I've made up my mind." I stared into the distance, my eyes determined. "Pass the order down, all troops, speed up and make sure we reach the border within three days!"

"Yes!" Seeing that I had made up my mind, Zhen Youcai said no more and turned around to convey the order.

Three days later, we finally arrived at the border. The sight before me, however, made my heart sink. The city walls were mottled with scars left by battle. The gates were closed, flags fluttered from the towers, and a solemn, murderous atmosphere hung in the air.

General Wang had already led his soldiers to greet them at the city gate. He was wearing armor and his face was haggard, but his eyes were still firm.

"Your Majesty, I am here to see you!" General Wang knelt on one knee and spoke in a loud voice.

"General Wang, please stand up quickly." I hurried forward to help him up. "How is the battle situation at the border?"

"Your Majesty, the barbarians are coming in full force. Although our army has fought hard, we are outnumbered and have lost three cities." General Wang's tone was heavy.

My heart sank. It seemed the situation was worse than I thought.

"Who is the barbarian leader? Why did he suddenly launch an attack?" I asked in a deep voice.

"Your Majesty, the barbarian leader is called..." General Wang paused, a hint of strangeness in his tone, "He calls himself the 'God of War'. This time he leads an army of 100,000 to invade, threatening to flatten our vast land and rob us..."

Before General Wang could finish his words, a soldier came running over in a panic, "Report! Your Majesty, General Wang, the barbarian leader has sent an envoy, saying..."

"What?" I had a bad feeling in my heart.

The soldier swallowed and said in a trembling voice, "They said...they wanted Your Majesty to go in person to negotiate peace, otherwise... otherwise..."

"What else?!" I asked sternly, furious.

"Otherwise, you will destroy my border and kill everyone!" The soldier's voice became smaller and smaller, almost inaudible.

I clenched my fists tightly, my nails digging deep into my flesh, and anger surged in my heart.

"What a big tone!" I sneered, with a cold light flashing in my eyes, "Pass the order, the entire army prepare for battle! I will make sure that this so-called 'God of War' will never return!" "Your Majesty, you must not do this! The barbarians are cunning, this might be a trap!" When General Wang heard that I was going to fight, he immediately knelt down to dissuade me.

"General Wang, don't worry. I've made up my mind!" My eyes were firm, and an imperial aura naturally emanated from me. I turned to look at the soldiers behind me and shouted, "The barbarians have bullied my borders and violated my land. Today, I will let them know the price of provoking my great land!"

"Your Majesty is mighty! Your Majesty is mighty!" The soldiers were excited, their voices shook the sky, and a raging fire ignited in my heart.

Soon, the barbarian envoy was brought before me. He was tall and strong, with a face full of flesh, and his eyes were full of contempt and disdain.

"Are you the emperor of this great... country?" He looked me up and down, his tone frivolous. "You look delicate and tender, but I wonder if you have the courage to challenge my king on the battlefield?"

"How dare you! You don't kneel down when you see His Majesty!" the guard beside him shouted angrily.

The messenger snorted coldly, showing no fear at all, "My king said that if he wants him to kneel, he must come to invite him personally!"

"You!" The guard was so angry that he drew his sword, but I stopped him.

"Withdraw." I looked at the messenger in front of me coldly, and said calmly, "Go back and tell your king that I accept his challenge. I will see you on the battlefield tomorrow at noon!"

"Okay! I hope you can still be so tough by then!" The messenger said, turned around and left, extremely arrogant.

"Your Majesty, these barbarians are so rampant, I'm afraid it's a trap!" General Wang said worriedly.

"When the enemy comes, we will fight him; when the water comes, we will block it with earth. I want to see what tricks these barbarians are playing!" A gleam of light flashed in my eyes.

The next day, at dawn, I led my army to the battlefield. The two armies faced each other, banners obscuring the sky and a murderous aura swirling in the air. Clad in golden armor and mounted on a majestic horse, I stood at the front, my gaze piercing the barbarian horde.

A moment later, a figure slowly emerged from the enemy camp. He wore black armor, a horned helmet, and wielded a massive mace. It was none other than the barbarian leader. Astride his horse, he laughed heartily, his voice resounding like thunder. "Hahaha! Are you the emperor of this...? You're truly a childish brat! If you know what's best for you, surrender now, or else..."

Before he could finish his words, I suddenly drew the long sword from my waist, pointed it at him, and shouted, "How dare you! Today, I will let you know who is the true king!"

"kill!"

"Come on!"

As soon as the words fell, the two armies collided violently like two torrents. The shouts of killing, the clash of weapons, and the neighing of horses resounded through the sky...

I pulled out the map from my waist and examined it carefully by the light of the fire. Zhen Youcai stood beside me, his brow furrowed. "The enemy is coming with great force, and their formation is very strange. It seems we..."

"Report—" A soldier covered in blood stumbled over, "Report, General, the enemy...the enemy..."