As an official, what's wrong with raising a few monsters?

Chapter 338 Win or Die

"Your Majesty, you can't!"

"Your Majesty, I am willing to remain in Yueyang and fight to the death!"

"Your Majesty, if we leave, Qian Yuan's backbone will be broken!"

"We have too many people, our journey is too slow, and we have too few guards! Escaping won't be easy either, so we might as well stay in Yueyang City!"

"Your Majesty, you need to consider the future of Qian Yuan! With you here, Qian Yuan has hope. What if..."

……

There was much discussion in the imperial court, with officials expressing their opinions.

Some said we should leave quickly, while others said we should stay and fight to the death.

The officials also summarized the advantages and disadvantages of each option.

"Snapped!"

After everyone discussed it for a while, Xiao Xinyue suddenly slammed her hand on the throne.

The court fell silent for a moment, and everyone raised their heads to focus their gaze on the throne.

They knew that His Majesty had made his decision.

Xiao Xinyue lowered her eyes to look at the officials below and said calmly, "Gentlemen, I have made up my mind to establish the capital at Jiqu."

Everything is going well on the northern front. Mingchen and Lingyu have lived up to expectations and directly captured two passes.

Then Xiao Xinyue no longer needs to hide her true intentions.

The capital will remain unchanged, still located in Jiqu; this is a foregone conclusion.

The reason I was so concerned about this matter before was simply to cooperate with Mingchen and lull the enemy into a false sense of security.

Upon hearing this, Yun Zheng and several other ministers who advocated for war frowned. Was His Majesty planning to withdraw?
However, Xiao Xinyue then changed the subject, standing up and saying, "However... I cannot leave now!"

"The people are of paramount importance to the nation and its people, while the ruler is of lesser importance."

"I have risen to my current position step by step thanks to the blessings of my ancestors and the trust and respect of the people. Only then have I achieved what I have today. The villains of Beilie have committed all kinds of atrocities, burning, killing, and looting. If we leave, there will be no one to protect the millions of people of Lieyang."

"If you retreat one step, you will retreat every step of the way."

"When Emperor Taizu conquered the country, he once killed 3,000 enemies with only 300 men outside Jiacheng Pass, establishing an unparalleled reputation."

"The Blood-Clad Emperor Qi once led his troops into battle, becoming a hero of his time and conquering vast territories."

Throughout history, all those who have achieved great things have gone through hardships and faced difficulties head-on.

"What, do you all want me to abandon the city and flee, to become a cowardly ruler?!"

Xiao Xinyue raised her eyebrows, her gaze sweeping over the assembled officials, her voice firm and resolute.

The ministers fell silent upon hearing this.

"Zhi!"

Immediately afterwards, she drew her long sword from her waist: "I, Xiao Xinyue, bear the weight of family and country, and I am also capable of personally leading troops to defend the nation."

"My mind is made up. I will stay and defend Yueyang to fight the enemy to the death."

Ever since she went to Beilie alone to negotiate, she had cut off all her cowardice and despair.

She will only move forward, not retreat.

What kind of king would run away to save his life when faced with difficulties?
It's just that we're in a weak position and somewhat dangerous, but it's not a situation where we're bound to lose.

Three thousand people is three thousand people. She needs to let the world see the integrity of the Qianlong Emperor.

She was not a cowardly emperor who simply followed Mingchen around and won without lifting a finger.

Her withdrawal may seem to save her life, but it has destroyed much of the hidden reputation she has painstakingly built.

If a roughneck like Wang Huai can fight on the front lines, so can she!

How can one become a king without experiencing the trials and tribulations of life and death, without witnessing the tragic songs of blood and tears?

She was not a coward who feared death; she was brave and capable, and she would not let her people down.

Xiao Xinyue spoke resolutely, leaving no room for retreat.

After he finished speaking, the court seemed to quiet down a bit.

An invisible aura of imperial power swept over them, and the ministers inexplicably felt that this empress, wielding a sharp sword and possessing unparalleled elegance, seemed to be born a rank higher than them. A soft buzzing sound rang in their ears, as if the roars of dragons echoed, and golden light dissipated. The golden scales that had once crossed the Heavenly Gate transformed into swimming dragons, appearing and disappearing as if churning behind the queen.

People also understood her intentions, and even some spineless people who were filled with fear and anxiety could no longer voice their opposition.

Yun Zheng, a proponent of war, had his eyes shining and kept bowing, saying, "Your Majesty, I am willing to follow you and live or die with Yueyang."

Very good, Xiao Xinyue did not disappoint him.

Yun Zheng was not without desires.

He sought merit, fame, and eternal glory.

Right now, the opportunity lies in protecting Yueyang and holding off the enemy forces.

He will leave a significant mark on history alongside this valiant ruler.

They will definitely win!

"Your subject is willing to live and die with Yueyang!"

"I am willing to live and die with Yueyang!"

"Your Majesty, I am willing to lead the troops and defend Yueyang!"

Yun Zheng started the discussion, and one by one, the ministers bowed and expressed their agreement.

Whether it's true or false, at least on the surface, everyone's goal is the same.

"Lord Li, immediately issue a proclamation to the entire city, stating that the enemy has invaded. The Northern Lie people are vicious and kill without mercy. Yueyang is now at a critical juncture of life and death. I wish to live and die with the people. I hope that the people will join me in our hatred of the enemy and overcome this crisis."

"The minister obeys the order!"

"Lord Bai, immediately send someone south to deliver a message, instructing General Wen and General Zhang to immediately put aside their current affairs and lead their troops back to provide reinforcements."

"The minister obeys the order!"

"General Sheng, you are now in charge of 800 troops guarding the capital. Immediately set up city defenses, install cannons, and protect water sources."

"The last general takes command!"

……

Qian Yuan's forces are currently too scattered.

Four dukes and three military commanders have already been dispatched.

Mingchen and Lingyu were stationed in the northern border, while Xiao Ling was sent to the south to wipe out the remaining stubborn forces of the Blood-Clad Army.

There really aren't many people available in Yueyang City.

However, in this short period of time, Xiao Xinyue still made well-organized arrangements and deployments.

Even in the face of danger, she remained rational.

"Your Majesty, shall we request the return of General Ling or Lord Ming?"

Just then, someone suddenly shouted.

Mingchen and Lingyu have never failed so far.

They keep creating miracles, they keep winning.

Just hearing their names brings a sense of reassurance.

If they return, people are willing to believe that they can overcome any danger they face.

Xiao Xinyue paused upon hearing this.

Come to think of it, this seems to be the first time that she is about to face danger and Mingchen is not by her side.

"Need not!"

She pursed her lips and said in a deep voice, "The situation in the North is already harsh. If we recall the two dukes, we may not be able to hold the two passes, and all our efforts will be in vain."

She is not a bird that needs to be protected under wings.

She can stand on her own.

but……

It's almost Chinese New Year, and from a purely personal perspective, she does miss that bad guy a little.

I wonder if that person misses her?

……

Meanwhile, Yueyang East.

The snow was stained by countless footprints, turning into dirty mud and water mixed with the yellow soil, making it somewhat muddy.

Amidst the biting wind and snow, the sounds of mournful cries and wails could be heard not far away.

A village of moderate size was destroyed in an instant by the army of tigers and wolves.

Snowflakes drifted down from mid-air.

The New Year had just passed, and countless corpses lay scattered on the ground, lifeless and with no future in sight.

All the grain had been looted, but not a single penny of money or valuables had been taken.

The black flags of the Northern Fierce Army fluttered, and tens of thousands of troops marched westward with imposing momentum.

The soldiers were exhausted from their long journey day and night.

Seeing this, a lieutenant frowned and said to the general beside him, as if trying to persuade him, "General, the soldiers are all tired. Men and horses are exhausted, and we cannot exert our full strength. If we fight for profit over a hundred miles, we will capture three generals. Let's garrison and rest for a while."

Looking in his direction, the firelight illuminated his imposing figure, revealing a stern face that commanded respect without anger.

Tian Hong was the most distinguished general in the Northern Army.

Tian Hong, who should have been confronting Ming Chen at the three passes in the north, has now crossed hundreds of miles and appeared in the heart of Qian Yuan, advancing towards the old capital Yueyang.

In the dead of winter, they crossed the sea and, contrary to common sense, attacked and plundered the lands of Qian Yuan.

This was the matter that Ji Yuting had discussed with Qin Lou in the Tiger Palace.

Bei Lie must not continue to act according to Ming Chen's plan.

That would put them in a very passive position, constantly being anticipated and manipulated by others.

They need to take the initiative and seize the initiative.

Mingchen would have thought that he could hold off a general of equal rank from the Northern Lie forces in the Northern Border. But the Northern Lie did not do that. Instead, they did the opposite, sending Ji Yuting to deal with Mingchen, forcing a general like Tian Hong to take a risk and launch a surprise attack on Yueyang.

Currently, the military forces within Qian Yuan are scattered, and the country is still cleaning up the mess left by the previous chaos, especially in Yueyang City, where Xiao Xinyue has very few imperial guards by her side.

If troops manage to cross the three passes and head straight for Yueyang, Mingchen and Lingyu might make some moves and reveal weaknesses, giving them a chance to reclaim the three passes.

In this way, the enemy is mobilized by oneself.

Only by taking things by surprise can you win.

Ji Yuting's strategy offered two paths.

One way is to cross the mountains on both sides of the three passes, take a small path down, and head straight for the northern border of Qian Yuan.

However, those paths were narrow and difficult to traverse, some even blocked, and the environment was harsh, making large-scale marches extremely dangerous; a slight misstep could result in the annihilation of the entire army.

Even with great luck, if they manage to pass through, they'll be half dead, their fighting power greatly diminished.

The second option was to cross the sea by boat, travel south to the eastern part of the Qian Yuan garrison which was undefended, launch a lightning-fast landing, and directly attack Yueyang.

This also carries enormous risks. The sea is unpredictable, and a slight storm could mean the end for the entire army.

Deep inside Qian Yuan, fighting alone and isolated, the outcome would be extremely perilous should Qian Yuan recover.

Crossing the sea might pass through the territory of the Jinglan Alliance. The attitude of the Jinglan Alliance, that troublemaker, is hard to fathom, and there may be twists and turns along the way.

Neither of the paths is easy to walk.

Therefore, only a battle-hardened, highly respected, and extremely powerful general can take on this important task.

Otherwise, the morale of the troops might already be in chaos before the soldiers even arrive.

Among the Northern Army, only Tian Hong was qualified.

Tian Hong chose to cross the sea.

Beilie has the Liehe River, which runs through the north and south. Although its shipbuilding industry is not as developed as that of the Jinglan Alliance, which relies on waterways, it is still quite advanced and can complete the task of crossing the sea to the south.

Once Bei Lie successfully lands and advances on Yueyang, they will undoubtedly achieve the greatest results, which is much easier than crossing the mountains.

Upon hearing the deputy general's suggestion, Tian Hong shook his head and said decisively, "No!"

"No rest, no rest allowed, forced march!"

"I need to get to Yueyang City as quickly as possible!"

Tian Hong fought his whole life, a life of military service, and achieved numerous military exploits.

How could he not know how dangerous a weary army could be?
But he couldn't wait!
He traveled at breakneck speed, burning, killing, looting, and resupplying wherever he could, all in order to move as quickly as possible.

What Bei Lie needs to do now is to strike unexpectedly, to become an arrow released from a bow, and to pierce Qian Yuan's chest.

Ignoring all else, they marched directly into Yueyang City.

Xiao Xinyue is still in Yueyang City.

The defenses of Yueyang City were extremely weak.

Messages need to be relayed, reinforcements need to be sent... all of this takes time.

Even if Xiao Xinyue is lucky enough to escape, as long as Yueyang City falls, their Northern Lie will have won a great victory.

Relying on Yueyang City as a hub, the northern border of Qianyuan was entirely under the control of Beilie.

They could march north to besiege the northern border garrison of Qian Yuan, cutting off Ming Chen and Ling Yu's escape route. No matter how many schemes and tricks they devised, they couldn't stop the tide of events.

Even if Xiao Xinyue doesn't die, her political status will be greatly reduced, and the morale of the Qian Yuan army will be directly crushed, just like it was during the last war.

It can be said that it directly took away most of Qian Yuan's life.

But this is also a gamble.

The longer it drags on, the more disadvantageous it will be for these people.

Once Xiao Xinyue catches her breath and reinforcements arrive, they will be in danger.

Snowflakes drifted down from the sky, landing on his black and white temples.

The general gently touched his hair, his gaze fixed intently on the west, and murmured, "In this battle, I will surely clear away all obstacles for His Majesty!"

Time flies.

He is fifty-six years old this year.

With gray hairs growing at his temples, the once spirited Pillar of the Northern Lie had aged considerably.

Tian Hong was actually very anxious.

He felt himself growing old; the broadsword he used to wield with such power was now making him breathless.

In the middle of the night, I often experience some hidden, stinging pains on my body.

His body had begun to give him warning signs.

No one can defy the passage of time.

He was growing older and weaker, while the young king of the enemy country was maturing, and the enemy's general, the sorcerer Mingchen, and others were becoming increasingly powerful.

Qian Yuan is very dangerous. It is a land of outstanding people and talents. We cannot give them a chance to catch their breath, otherwise they will end up like the war god who shattered the mountains and rivers eighty years ago.

He needs to hurry, before he dies of old age, while he can still wield his weapons.

Seize the last moments, fight across the battlefield, and fulfill His Majesty's grand ambitions.

Although he couldn't quite fathom many of His Majesty's thoughts, he still didn't understand why he should associate with that sorcerer Mingchen.

But this veteran general, who had spent his entire life on the battlefield, was truly loyal to Bei Lie and His Majesty.

Therefore, after hearing Ji Yuting's somewhat dangerous plan, he did not refuse.

There is no such thing as gaining huge benefits without taking risks.

The sudden appearance of the Northern Fierce Army on the eastern coast shocked the imperial court and caused countless people to want to flee.

However, Bei Lie is also taking risks.

They were isolated deep in enemy territory, surrounded by enemies, and faced difficulties in resupply.

Either win or die.

When two people meet on a narrow path, neither of them has a way to retreat.

It's a test of who is braver and more resilient!

……

"General Zheng, this is..."

As the New Year passed, Mingchen stared blankly at the general before him.

After a year, the person in front of me has changed drastically.

His once handsome face is now covered with several knife scars, the wounds oozing blood, a rather horrifying sight, making him completely unrecognizable.

If the voice hadn't been familiar, Mingchen wouldn't have recognized him.

The horrified man immediately knelt down on one knee and bowed to Ming Chen, saying, "Zheng Jun has released prisoners and betrayed his country, a crime punishable by death."

"This name is entrusted to Lord Ming. I hope that Lord Ming will carry out the execution in public as a warning to others."

“There will be no more Zheng Jun from now on. I will change my name to Zheng Yong.”

Mingchen was taken aback upon hearing this.

Zheng Jun's move was unexpected.

However, what surprised him was not Zheng Jun's resolute and loyal actions.

Rather, it's his vision, wisdom, and overall perspective...

It is perfectly normal for loyal and righteous people to sacrifice their appearance and life for their country.

Mingchen respects these people.

However, few people are able to see the hidden value behind things.

This was something Zheng Jun did on his own initiative, not something Ming Chen asked him to do.

These are fundamentally different.

Normally, Zheng Jun, having returned from his undercover mission, would be grateful to Ming Chen and willing to fight to the death for his country... This is the typical thought for someone in his niche.

However, he can reflect on it carefully afterward.

What is Bei Lie's purpose in wanting to go back to Liu Xifeng?

What impact do these individuals have on the overall situation?

What was the purpose behind Mingchen's performances?

By reflecting on his own remaining value, he can glimpse many calculations and conspiracies hidden behind this transaction, and discover many implicit things.

And make bold and decisive decisions.

Liu Xifeng was exonerated by Ming Chen's scheme, but he hasn't been exonerated by Bei Lie yet.

Perhaps his sworn brothers are still grumbling and protesting in Beilie right now!

He abandoned his own name and appearance, condemning Zheng Jun as a traitor, and thus made his final contribution.

At the same time, it can be seen as a way of putting an end to the story of those brothers from Beilie who treated him sincerely.

He believed that Mingchen had the ability to find a death row inmate to take his place and die with that name on his behalf.

This decisive action also served to demonstrate to Mingchen his qualifications, wisdom, and magnanimity.

Returning from the enemy camp, he saw and experienced a great deal.

This is his growth.

How can you prove to your boss that your talents far exceed your position and that you can do much more?
It means doing more and taking on more responsibility while completing what you are supposed to do.

This person is good. Even though his position is lower, he can still do more and take on greater responsibilities.

Mingchen looked at him deeply, then stepped forward to help him up, but shook his head and sighed repeatedly, "General, why are you in this state?"

Even if the intention was to make an example of Zheng Jun, there are other ways.

Why not just transfer him away?
Why such a drastic decision?
Zheng Jun shook his head and respectfully said to Ming Chen, "This humble general is willing to fight under Lord Ming and General Ling to protect our country."

Mingchen gently patted his shoulder, looked at his terrifying face, and said only, "It is truly a blessing for Qianyuan to have such a brave and valiant general as General Zheng!"

As the two were talking, a messenger rushed over and said to Mingchen, "Sir, an envoy from the Jinglan Alliance has arrived."

(End of this chapter)