From cute to empress

The letter fluttered to the ground, and I felt dizzy. Li Defu exclaimed and quickly held me up. I gathered myself and picked up the thin piece of paper with trembling hands. The few words on it were like a basin of ice water, pouring over me from head to toe.

Northern Xinjiang is in crisis!

The Xiongnu have broken the peace treaty and returned, putting the border in a state of emergency. Even more alarming, the letter mentions that this time the Xiongnu are coming with a fierce force, not only well-prepared but also equipped with unprecedented weaponry. This reminds me of a previous debate at court, when the Minister of War had mentioned the insufficient garrison and aging armaments in the northern border, urging the court to allocate funds to strengthen the defenses. However, the Ministry of Revenue, citing an empty treasury, refused. Now, I wonder if there's a connection.

"Pass the order down, summon all ministers, and go to the imperial study to discuss matters immediately!" I tried hard to suppress the uneasiness in my heart and gave the order in a deep voice.

In less than half an hour, Zhen Youcai, Chen Daru, Wu the painter, Li the musician, Zhou the poet, Meng the monk, and others had all gathered in the imperial study. I handed Zhen Youcai the urgent military intelligence letter, and after reading it, his expression became very serious.

"My dear ministers, the war in the northern border is urgent. I wonder if you have any good plans?" I glanced at everyone and asked in a deep voice.

"Your Majesty, I think the most urgent task is to immediately mobilize troops to support the northern border, and at the same time raise food and military pay to resolve the urgent problem!" The Minister of War was the first to speak.

"Your Majesty, I believe there may be a hidden agenda behind this Xiongnu invasion." Chen Daru stroked his beard and pondered. "From what I know, the Xiongnu's new Chanyu is stubborn and self-righteous, and doesn't seem like someone who could come up with such a thorough plan."

Chen Daru's words reminded me, and I immediately thought of the "never-before-seen weapons" mentioned in the letter. Could it be that...

"Your Majesty," Zhen Youcai, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke up. "I believe that this Xiongnu invasion is secretly manipulated by other forces! And their goal is probably not just the northern border, but..."

He paused, glanced at the crowd, and said word by word: "Overthrow my dynasty and destroy my country!"

The air seemed to freeze at this moment, and everyone's face showed expressions of shock and disbelief.

"How...how is this possible?" Poet Zhou muttered to himself, "Who on earth could have such evil ambitions?"

"Your Majesty," Monk Meng, who had been in charge of intelligence work, stepped forward and clasped his hands together. "I have recently received secret reports that some reactionary forces within the country are colluding with external forces, attempting to subvert the country through cultural infiltration and economic sanctions. This Xiongnu invasion is very likely part of their conspiracy!"

"Cultural infiltration? Economic sanctions?" I muttered to myself, and suddenly a feeling of anger and powerlessness that I had never felt before surged in my heart.

Could it be that everything we have worked so hard for over the years will be destroyed in an instant?

No, never!

I stood up abruptly, swept my gaze over everyone with determination, and said in a deep voice, "Pass the order down. Block the news and strengthen the security. No one is allowed to enter or leave the palace without my permission!"

When everyone heard this, their expressions were stern, and they said in unison: "As ordered!"

I took a deep breath and looked at these loyal ministers in front of me, and suddenly a surge of ambition surged in my heart.

"We must win this battle! Not only must we win, but we must win beautifully!" I clenched my fists, my gaze determined. "Pass the order down. Strengthen national defense. At the same time, increase investment in culture and education to improve the quality of our people..."

Before I could finish my words, I suddenly heard hurried footsteps outside the door. Then, a guard ran in in a panic, knelt on the ground, and said in a trembling voice, "Report..." "Report...Your Majesty, urgent news from the North...Northern Frontier!" The guard's voice was trembling, and he was obviously frightened by some news.

My heart tightened, and I quickly stepped forward and snatched the letter from his hand. The bright red ink on the letter was particularly glaring, as if it foreshadowed some ominous sign.

"The Huns... the Huns' army has broken through the border defense line and is... approaching the capital!" The guard's voice was intermittent and contained a hint of despair.

There was an uproar in the imperial study, and the ministers looked at each other with shock and fear written on their faces.

"What are you panicking about!" I slammed my hand on the table and shouted angrily, "How dare the mere Xiongnu be so rampant! Pass the order down, mobilize all troops immediately, I will lead the army in person!"

"Your Majesty, this is too much!" Chen Daru quickly stepped forward to dissuade him. "The Xiongnu are coming with such force this time, they're clearly well prepared. Your Majesty, your precious life is worth millions, how can you risk it so easily?"

"Yes, Your Majesty," Zhen Youcai also stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "I am willing to lead the troops to fight and defend the country to the death!"

I took a deep breath and forced myself to calm down. I knew that now was not the time to act rashly. I had to stay rational in order to lead everyone through this difficult time.

"Lord Chen," I looked at Chen Daru and asked in a deep voice, "In your opinion, how should we deal with this now?"

Chen Daru pondered for a moment and then said slowly, "Your Majesty, the Xiongnu invasion this time is not only a military invasion, but also a cultural invasion. They want to destroy our culture, make us lose our national confidence, and thus collapse without a fight."

He paused and continued, "Therefore, we must not only strengthen national defense, but also increase investment in culture and education, improve the quality of our people, and let the people understand that we have a 5,000-year history of civilization and a culture to be proud of. We must never bow to any foreign forces!"

Chen Daru's words were like a stone that caused a thousand ripples, causing a huge response in the imperial study.

"Master Chen is right!" Painter Wu was the first to respond. "I will use my brush to depict the magnificent mountains and rivers of our country and sing the praises of our nation's heroism!"

"I want to use my notes to compose passionate melodies and awaken the fighting spirit in people's hearts!" Musician Li said excitedly.

"I will use my poems to sing the praises of our nation's indomitable spirit and inspire the soldiers to fight bravely!" Poet Zhou followed closely behind.

"Amitabha," Monk Meng clasped his hands together and chanted in a low voice, "I wish to pray for the country. May the Buddha protect our dynasty and help it safely overcome this disaster!"

Looking at these loyal ministers before me, an unprecedented strength suddenly surged in my heart. I knew that we would definitely win this battle!

"Okay!" I stood up suddenly, sweeping my eyes across the crowd with determination. "Pass the order down, immediately..."

Before I could finish my words, I heard hurried footsteps outside the door...

"Report—" The guard's cry interrupted my thoughts. He rushed into the imperial study, knelt on the ground, and said in a hurried tone, "Your Majesty! Painter Wu...he..."

"What happened to Painter Wu? Tell me quickly!" I was extremely anxious. Could it be that the Huns' claws had already reached the capital?

The guard trembled and said, "Painter Wu... he committed suicide on the city gate, leaving behind a suicide note, hoping to use his passion to awaken the people's fighting spirit!"

"What?!" I felt my vision go dark and I nearly fainted. Painter Wu, the bohemian artist with a heart for the world, had chosen such a decisive way to express his patriotic feelings.

"Where is his suicide note?" I asked, trying hard to suppress my grief.

The guards quickly presented a bloodstained letter. I opened it with trembling hands, only to see a few lines of large characters scrawled in flamboyant script: "The Xiongnu barbarians dared to encroach upon our Central Plains. Their hearts are damned! We were born and raised here. How can we sit idly by and watch our land fall? I shed my blood as a warning to the world: Anyone who dares to challenge the mighty Han will be punished, no matter how far away they are!"

Every word was heartbreaking, every sentence pierced my heart. I finally couldn't hold back my tears. Painter Wu used his life to sound a wake-up call for this country.

At the same time, news came from the border that the army led by Zhen Youcai had engaged in a desperate battle with the Xiongnu army. He led the troops and bravely killed the enemy. Inspired by his words, the morale of the soldiers was high and they vowed to live and die with the border.

The flames of war raged, smoke billowing everywhere. The entire nation was mobilized, and the people, whether wealthy or able, joined the fight against the foreign enemy. Music Master Li composed passionate war songs to inspire the soldiers; poet Zhou wrote tragic and heroic poems to praise the heroes' achievements; and Monk Meng led the monks in chanting scriptures day and night, praying for divine protection...

I knew full well that this war was not merely a military engagement, but a contest of culture and spirit. Despite the grief over the loss of Painter Wu, I devoted all my energy to promoting domestic reform. I issued laws to encourage cultural creation, establish schools, promote education, and elevate the quality of our citizens. I understood that a strong nation requires not only a strong military but also an indomitable national spirit.

"Report—" Another urgent report came, "Your Majesty, General Zhen... he..." The guard's voice became increasingly quiet, and my heart suddenly sank...

"Your Majesty, General Zhen... he..." The guard's voice trembled, like a taut string that could break at any moment. My heart suddenly tightened, and an inexplicable fear spread from the depths of my heart.

"Tell me! What happened to General Zhen?" I stood up suddenly and spoke in a sharp tone, not allowing him to have any hesitation.

The guard knelt on the ground, his voice barely audible: "General Zhen... he is seriously injured..."

"What?!" My vision went dark and I nearly fell. How could this happen? Zhen Youcai, that fearless and passionate man, how could he...

I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself. "I have ordered all ministers to be summoned to the Imperial Study immediately for a meeting!"

I stumbled back to the dragon table and slumped in a chair. Painter Wu's voice and smile, Zhen Youcai's bold words, the sound of war drums from the border—scenes woven into my mind, and my heart ached as if it were being torn apart.

Soon, Chen Daru, Li Leshi, Zhou Shishi, Meng Gaoseng and others hurried over. Each of them had a heavy and worried look on their faces, and it was obvious that they had heard about the battle at the border.

"My dear ministers," I said hoarsely, trying to suppress the grief in my heart, "the Xiongnu are now invading on a large scale. The border is in danger. The country is in imminent danger. How should we respond?"

Chen Daru was the first to step forward, cupping his hands and saying, "Your Majesty, the most urgent task is to stabilize the military spirit and boost morale! This old minister suggests that Your Majesty issue an imperial decree to comfort the soldiers at the border, and announce to the world that we will unite with the people to resist the foreign enemy!"

"Your Majesty," Music Master Li also stepped forward and said, "I am willing to lead the disciples of the music troupe to the border and use music to inspire the fighting spirit of the soldiers!"

"Your Majesty," the poet Zhou followed closely, "I am willing to write an impassioned poem to praise the bravery of the soldiers and inspire their fighting spirit!"

"Amitabha," said Monk Meng, clasping his hands together. "I wish to lead all the monks in chanting sutras and praying day and night, asking the Buddha to protect our soldiers and grant them a speedy triumphant return!"

Looking at the determined faces before me, a glimmer of hope ignited in my heart. Yes, I am not fighting alone!

In the days that followed, I toiled day and night, issuing decrees, encouraging farming, rectifying official administration, comforting the people, and doing my best to provide support to the front lines. I knew full well that this battle was not only about the survival of our country, but also about the dignity of our nation!

"Report—" A guard rushed in and knelt on the ground, "Your Majesty, urgent news from the border..."

My heart sank suddenly, and I had a premonition that something big was going to happen.