The number one spendthrift woman in the capital actually brings glory to her entire family?

Upon hearing Sikong Jin's words, Mei Ruhua was immediately taken aback!

"My lord, do you intend to attack Tashe City? However, Tashe City has nearly 150,000 troops from the Liao Dynasty, and we don't even know the situation inside the city yet. Wouldn't it be inappropriate to send out troops rashly? At least we should send scouts and intelligence agents to find out the situation ahead... Moreover, shouldn't we consult with Hangu Pass first for such an important battle plan? A single move can have far-reaching consequences, my lord!"

"Enough! Stop talking! My three thousand soldiers and beloved generals have all perished at the hands of the Liao army. If I don't avenge this, wouldn't I be a coward? Ask for instructions? What's the point of asking for instructions? By the time the order is issued, it will be too late! The Liao army in Tashe City has repeatedly plundered and killed our people on the border of Dayong. I have tolerated them for too long. I cannot quell my hatred without teaching them a lesson! This is a military order! Carry it out!"

Sikong Jin angrily flung her sleeves and strode out of the study.

Mei Ruhua was shocked and stunned for a moment. She had no choice but to leave the study and rush back to the military camp to summon her generals and issue orders.

One late autumn night in the year 467 of the Red Moon Calendar, Lord Sikong finally stopped his devilish training of his soldiers and suddenly ordered the army to march directly across the Malan Plain toward Tashe City, a major city on the border of the Liao Dynasty. No one expected that it was Sikong Jin's expedition that would start another bloody storm on the Fengyun Continent.

However, many people are unaware of the real reason behind Sikong Jin's sudden military campaign, leading to various interpretations among later generations regarding the sudden westward advance of this powerful and renowned general.

The later compilation of the "Red Moon Notes" offers the following analysis of Sikong Jin's actions:

In fact, the border situation between Hangu Wangzhou and the Liao Dynasty has always been in a stalemate. If this balance cannot be broken, the stalemate will continue and the battle line will be extended indefinitely. The shrewd Empress Sikong Jin clearly and keenly foresaw the disadvantages of this stalemate. At present, the turbulent situation is historically inevitable, and the Da Yong and Da Liao will have a war sooner or later.

General Zhang Feng and his three thousand soldiers perished at the hands of the defenders of Tashe City, which became the fuse for the outbreak of war in the entire southwestern battlefield. Only by leading troops to break through Tashe City and launching an inspiring battle could the stalemate in the entire southwest be completely broken, and only in this way could a new life be found amidst the chaos of war.

Careful planning and decisive action are essential. Opportunities in combat are ever-changing, and failing to seize them could lead to missed opportunities.

It was precisely because Sikong Jin realized this that he raised the banner of justice and shouted for revenge for his dead brothers, which aroused the soldiers' boiling blood and high morale. With lightning speed, they marched westward to attack Qihar!

This western expedition was of great historical significance and was a very important turning point in the military career of the shrewd and powerful Empress Sikong Jin!

……

It was already late at night. On the military parade ground outside Malan City, 50,000 soldiers of the Four Banners Army were already sitting neatly on their horses, each holding a sharp sword tightly in their hand and pulling on the reins with one hand. Their faces were solemn and serious as they awaited the arrival of their commander.

The Four Banners Army at this time was no longer the same Four Banners Army that Sikong Jin had brought from the capital. This Four Banners Army was reorganized by Sikong Jin.

For more than a year, thanks to Sikong Jin's increasingly powerful financial support, her trusted bodyguard captain Berger secretly recruited soldiers and expanded the garrison in Malan City. With the iron-fisted deputy general Mei Ruhua's strict training and Berger's personal supervision of horsemanship training, the hidden army in Malan City had long since reached nearly 30,000 men. Apart from the 5,000 remnants that Sikong Jin had brought with her when she was first exiled here, the entire force consisted of cavalry.

They were assigned to various passes, each commanded by a deputy general.

Based on the considerations of Lord Xingqi Tian and Ji Wuge in Hangu City, Sikong Jin had already assigned the original four banner soldiers to various passes and mixed them with the garrison of Malan City on the second day after returning to Malan City. After nearly three months of integration, the entire army is now completely renewed.

Outside the Sikong Mansion, Mei Ruhua had already changed into a battle robe and was about to rush into the mansion when she saw that Lord Sikong had changed into a black outfit and was wearing a thick cloak. He looked heroic and imposing as he strode out from inside.

"grown ups!"

The female deputy general, Mei Ruhua, was almost blinded by the imposing aura of Lord Sikong. However, when she saw Lord Sikong's cold and handsome face, as well as the cold gloom in her eyes, she immediately trembled. Even from a distance, she could feel the sharp and murderous aura emanating from her!

"Has the troops assembled?"

Sikong Jin asked in a cold voice. His tone and aura were very different from usual. Mei Ruhua suddenly felt that the adult was like the brightest star hanging high in the sky!

"Reporting to Your Excellency, the assembly is complete. Our 50,000 brothers outside Malan City are fully prepared for the expedition. General Li Ji has already led his troops back. However, Your Excellency, should we send General Meng and Lord Zhu back? They have nearly 20,000 troops at Lingxi Pass and Zhenyuan Pass combined. Facing the 150,000 Liao troops at Tashe City, our chances of victory will be much greater. Also, Your Excellency, we haven't seen any trace of Lady Bei and her men. So we..."

Mei Ruhua looked at Sikong Jin with some hesitation, and asked as she quickly followed in her footsteps.

"No need. They have more important tasks to do. This is likely to be a fierce battle. The Liao army in Tashe City outnumbers ours by three times. If we win, we'll all be living the high life after entering the city. If we lose, the enemy's iron cavalry will break through the gates of Malan City, and we'll all be finished. So, we can only win, we can't afford to lose!"

Sikong Jin's tone was heavy and resolute. After saying these words, she quickly mounted her horse, and the sable that had been following behind her also leaped up in an instant and perched on her shoulder.

A moment later, the sound of rapid hoofbeats rang out. Before Mei Ruhua could say anything, Lord Sikong had already spurred his horse and galloped away. After thinking for a moment, Mei Ruhua quickly mounted her horse and followed him.

Outside Malan City, at the encampment of Sikong Jin's army.

"General Li, the lord has arrived!"

"And General Mei is back too!"