From cute to empress

The flames lit up half the sky red, and the crackling sounds of the burning still seemed to echo in my ears. Yesterday's surprise attack caught the enemy off guard, and the remaining troops were forced to retreat to the border town.

"Your Majesty, the enemy's retreat has been cut off, and they are now hiding in the city. Should our army make a concerted effort to capture the city?" Outside the tent, Lieutenant General Ma's voice was loud and clear, revealing an unstoppable spirit.

I put down the map and my eyes fell on the city's marker, feeling a heavy feeling in my heart. A siege would inevitably result in heavy casualties. I'm not a soft-hearted person, but...

"What do you think, General Zhen?" I looked at Zhen Youcai who was thinking with his head down. He had sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, and his expression was focused. When he heard my question, he raised his head, and a gleam of light flashed in his eyes.

"Your Majesty, I believe that a siege might be a better option."

"Besiege the city?" Lieutenant General Ma was puzzled. "Our army's morale is high now. Why don't we attack with all our might and completely annihilate the enemy?"

Zhen Youcai walked over to the map, pointed at the city, and slowly said, "Border cities are easy to defend but difficult to attack. A forceful attack will inevitably result in heavy losses. The enemy army has little food and grass. If we surround the city and cut off their supply lines, they will surrender within ten days due to lack of food and water."

I nodded slightly. Zhen Youcai's analysis coincided with mine. Attacking the heart is better than attacking the city. If we can capture the city without bloodshed, that would naturally be the best outcome.

"Pass the order down. Divide the army into three groups and surround the border town. Make sure to cut off all communication between the city and the outside world!"

"Yes!" Deputy General Ma took the order and left, leaving only Zhen Youcai and I in the tent.

"Your Majesty seems to still be worried?" Zhen Youcai walked to my side and asked softly.

"I was just thinking that there are so many people in the city. If we are trapped in the city, I'm afraid..." I can't let go of those innocent people in my heart.

"Your Majesty is merciful," Zhen Youcai consoled him. "I have already arranged for staff to set up a porridge stall outside the city to provide relief to the people. I believe the governor of Wu County is not someone who cannot distinguish right from wrong and will definitely allow the people to leave the city."

I nodded, feeling a little relieved.

From the tower of the border town, the governor of Wu County gazed at the dark mass outside the city, his heart shuddering. The enemy army was advancing with such force that they had completely surrounded the border town.

"Sir, the enemy is now besieging the city. How should we respond?" a general beside him asked anxiously.

Wu Jun Shou took a deep breath and said in a deep voice: "Pass the order down to strengthen the city defenses and calm the people. Don't panic!"

"Yes!"

At night, there were flickers of fire outside the city walls, torches from the enemy camp. Standing on the city wall, the prefect of Wu County gazed at the distant lights, his mind ablaze with thoughts.

Suddenly, a soldier hurried up to the city wall and said, "Report! Sir, many people have come from outside the city and want to take refuge in the city!"

The governor of Wu County was shocked. He knew that this was the enemy's strategy, and they wanted to take the opportunity to consume the food and grass in the city.

"Open the city gates and let the people in!"

"grown ups!"

"Excuting an order!"

The heavy city gate slowly opened, and a sea of ​​civilians poured into the city, among them were a few figures...

It was late at night, and the cold wind howled outside the tent, like the low growl of a wild animal, disturbing everyone's restlessness. But I couldn't sleep at all. My mind kept replaying the scene of the Wu County Magistrate opening the city gates and letting the people in.

"Your Majesty, what are you worried about?" Zhen Youcai's voice brought me back from my thoughts.

I turned to look at him and sighed softly, "There are many civilians in the city. Now that the enemy is trapped, their food supplies must be tight. I'm worried..."

"Your Majesty, please be merciful." Zhen Youcai walked over to the table and poured me a cup of hot tea. "I have already arranged for people to distribute porridge outside the city. I believe the people will be fine."

I took the teacup and took a sip. Amidst the steam, I saw a man walking out of the tent. He was tall and straight, with an imposing manner. It was the newly promoted young general, General Li.

"Your Majesty, General Zhen." General Li saluted with his fists clasped and his tone was respectful.

"General Li, why did you come here so late at night? Is there something important?" I put down my teacup and looked at him.

"Your Majesty, I have carefully observed the terrain of the border town and formulated several siege strategies. Please review them." General Li said as he was about to present the defense map in his hand.

I took the drawing, looked at it carefully, and handed it to Zhen Youcai. After he looked at it, his brows frowned slightly.

"General Li's idea is good, but it's too risky, and the casualties are incalculable," Zhen Youcai said in a deep voice. "Your Majesty is merciful and cannot bear to see these soldiers sacrificed in vain."

General Li was young and full of vigor, and wanted to fight for it again, but I raised my hand to stop him. "I understand General Li's loyalty, but attacking a city is no joke. We must win at the lowest cost to be worthy of the bloody battles fought by our soldiers."

"I understand." General Li lowered his head, his tone a little lost.

I turned to look at Zhen Youcai, "How do we conquer their hearts?"

Zhen Youcai pondered for a moment, a gleam in his eyes, "Your Majesty, we can..."

On the morning of the second day, I was standing on a high platform under the city wall, wearing armor, with a huge army behind me, making a huge noise.

"Listen, soldiers in the city, you have been surrounded. Lay down your weapons and open the city gates. I promise in the name of the empress that I will spare your lives!" I used my internal strength and my voice spread throughout the border town.

On the city wall, the face of the Wu County Magistrate was ashen, and the generals beside him looked at each other, not knowing what to do.

"If you resist stubbornly, you will only sacrifice yourself in vain. Your families, your wives, children and the elderly are all looking forward to your safe return. Do you want to let them down?!" I continued to shout, with a hint of compassion and helplessness in my voice.

On the city wall, the soldiers began to stir. Some of them showed fear, some had confused eyes, and some even began to secretly wipe away tears...

The commotion on the tower grew louder, and I could even hear a few suppressed cries. The face of the Wu Commandery Magistrate grew increasingly grim, and he tried desperately to calm the troops, but to little avail.

"Your Majesty, the time is almost here," Zhen Youcai rode up to me and whispered. I nodded slightly and tightened my grip on the reins, but I felt no joy. This war was not what I wanted from the beginning, but to protect this hard-earned peace, I had no choice.

"Pass the order down and prepare to attack the city!" I raised the sword in my hand high, my voice firm and powerful.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!" The deafening sound of war drums rang out, and soldiers surged toward the city gates like a tide, their cries of battle deafening. On the towering walls, I saw some soldiers dropping their weapons and kneeling, begging for mercy. But others, their eyes filled with despair and madness, made a final stand, as if willing to burn themselves to the ground.

The siege was brutal, both sides raging with blood. The walls were soon filled with corpses, and the ground was stained red with blood. I suppressed my reluctance and continued to command the troops, adjusting the offensive strategy.

"Your Majesty, the city gate is about to be broken open!" A messenger came galloping over on horseback, shouting excitedly. My heart trembled, and I turned to look at Zhen Youcai. His eyes were also shining.

"Follow me and kill!" Zhen Youcai shouted and rushed towards the city gate.

"Kill—" I raised my sword high, leading the soldiers behind me, and followed closely...

At this moment, I saw a figure in armor on the city wall, raising a bow and arrow towards me...