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

Chapter 341 This first battle was personally fought by me.
This war is a severe test for everyone.

Tian Hong needs to face an unknown future and a situation of being alone with enemies everywhere.

Similarly, in Qianyuan Yueyang City, the nation was also facing a critical crisis.

"Your Majesty, I have a plan. We can send someone to impersonate Your Majesty and leave Yueyang to escape to Jiqu. When the Beilie army hears the news, they will definitely pursue us without hesitation. Our army can set up an ambush and cut off their retreat... causing the enemy army to collapse."

Tian Hong marched too fast.

Emergency reports from the front lines were transmitted, covering nearly a hundred miles in a single day, breaking through all obstacles in their path.

They advanced with unstoppable momentum, and it was clear they were heading straight for Yueyang.

Yueyang City is now closed, and no one is allowed to enter or leave.

The entire city is under martial law, and everyone is mobilized for war, awaiting the impending great battle.

Xiao Xinyue is now working tirelessly day and night, handling all sorts of affairs.

He convened a meeting of his leadership team to discuss how to repel the enemy.

One of the ministers glanced at Xiao Xinyue and offered his advice.

However, before Xiao Xinyue could respond, another minister spoke up in rebuttal: "Lord Yan, this plan is inappropriate."

"His Majesty has publicly declared that he will live and die with Yueyang. The people of Yueyang are now in high spirits and full of righteous indignation, and the army is ready to fight. However, once the news of His Majesty's escape spreads, it is still unknown whether it will be able to deceive the enemy, but we ourselves will be thrown into chaos."

Xiao Xinyue simply looked at the map and nodded slightly.

This kind of scheme is somewhat reminiscent of Mingchen's style.

But she is not Mingchen, and neither are the people present.

Few people can master the art of these tricks.

Some fancy and elaborate schemes are not suitable for them; using them only makes them look like a poor imitation.

She did not intend to use such a deceptive tactic to lure the enemy.

"Your Majesty, I have a plan. Tian Hong's army is shrewd and cautious, leaving no room for error. We can use the tactic of emptying the city gates. Tian Hong will surely become suspicious and suspect an ambush..."

"No, Lord Liu, this is a risky plan..."

The small meeting was attended by several of Xiao Xinyue's confidants. Everyone spoke freely, sharing their ideas and strategies, and discussing their flaws and shortcomings.

Many of the proposed solutions sounded extremely flawed and were unlikely to be adopted.

However, the interweaving of wildly imaginative ideas can always spark wisdom and broaden one's thinking.

Xiao Xinyue looked at the map and asked calmly, "How many guards do we have in our city right now?"

A general stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, the original guards numbered three thousand, and in recent days, four thousand volunteers have been recruited in the city, bringing the total to seven thousand soldiers."

"Artillery has been deployed at all city gates, and a thousand garrison soldiers are patrolling day and night in shifts."

Xiao Xinyue nodded upon hearing this.

The announcement she made had an unexpectedly good effect.

Although large numbers of people desperately fled the city, many loyal and righteous individuals also dedicated themselves to serving her during this life-or-death crisis.

They were even able to recruit four thousand volunteers.

Who says we Qian Yuan people have soft bones?

If a monarch is sincere, there will always be people who support and endorse her.

She said to her subordinates, "These four thousand men need to be carefully sorted out. Select the strongest and most capable men to join the guards, where they will be led and trained by veterans. They can then participate in the war."

"The remaining men will gather together and undergo unified training under General Zhao, who will then be in charge of logistics and support tasks. They should not go to the battlefield unless absolutely necessary."

Resources are tight right now, and every person and every unit needs to be carefully managed.

"Yes!"

Xiao Xinyue pursed her lips and said, "Everyone, I have an idea."

"When the Northern Lie army is at the city gates, I intend to launch a night attack. What do you think?"

"I personally led three thousand guards to strike directly at the enemy camp."

Although Xiao Xinyue was a woman, she was not timid or cowardly.

On the contrary, she was even more mad and decisive than most people.

She had previously told Mingchen that she could personally lead the army into battle.

Now, in this critical moment of life and death, as a queen, she is willing to step forward and lead her soldiers down the most dangerous path.

"what?!"

"Your Majesty, this..."

The enemy outnumbered us ten to one, putting us at a significant disadvantage. We needed to wait for reinforcements.

Under such circumstances, does Xiao Xinyue not only not want to defend the city, but instead want to take the initiative to attack?
The ministers exchanged glances, their expressions varying.

"The enemy outnumbers us; we must not act rashly!"

"Your Majesty is of noble birth; how can you place yourself in such a dangerous situation?"

"No, the Northern Lie army came by sea and traveled thousands of miles. Their soldiers must be exhausted. Your Majesty is right. It is indeed an opportunity to launch a surprise attack."

"The art of war says: strike when the enemy is not expecting you, and attack when they are unprepared. Bei Lie certainly did not expect that our army would dare to take the initiative and strike before they could establish a firm foothold."

"However, this is a dangerous undertaking, Your Majesty should not personally take to the field!"

……

Xiao Xinyue's bold proposal sparked a great deal of discussion among the courtiers.

Some people support it, while others oppose it.

They were all people Xiao Xinyue trusted, and none of them were stupid. They quickly explained the pros and cons of this move and understood the logic behind Xiao Xinyue's seemingly reckless decision.

If the Northern Lie army were to besiege the city, their weakest point would obviously be right after they arrived.

We experienced crossing the sea by boat and then traveling thousands of miles at high speed.

These are clearly the most exhausted and weary soldiers. If we launch a surprise attack before they can gain a foothold, we could very well achieve great results.

However, the disadvantages are also obvious.

The Qian Yuan forces are weak and cannot afford to take risks. If they fail, the price they pay could be devastating.

However, there is one point that both supporters and opponents agree on.

That is why this journey is so dangerous, and Xiao Xinyue cannot personally lead the expedition.

However, Xiao Xinyue shook her head. The cautious opposition did not offer any points that would change her mind: "Gentlemen, we have reached the most critical juncture. I am the emperor and have the courage to go all out. The one who stands at the forefront in times of crisis is the leader."

"I've made up my mind."

She drew the sword from her waist, raised an eyebrow slightly, and her gaze was sharp as a knife.

His entire demeanor suddenly changed.

It seemed as vast as the endless sky, as fierce as a raging storm, its powerful aura overwhelming the people present, making them feel breathless.

With a light slash of the longsword, the surging sword force carved a trench in the ground.

"I will personally lead this first battle."

……

The relationship between Mingchen and Hong Lingshuang is strange; they admire each other yet scheme against each other, and their interactions are both tender and carefree.

He didn't stay in Bailing City for long. After receiving the news, he simply took his leave and left.

A bet without any written proof was left behind.

Hong Ling Shuang didn't say much, just smiled and waved goodbye to him.

She is free, and so is Mingchen.

In the northern border, there is Libu Pass.

Despite his 'serious injuries,' General Ling continued to play his role well, staying in the garrison commander's residence every day and not showing his face for a long time.

Fortunately, all the details in the military had been arranged, and the generals below were managing the daily training and defense matters in an orderly manner.

The absence of Ling Yu, the head coach, will not have a significant impact.

Compared to the impending storm in Yueyang City, where people were filled with anxiety.

The northern border, which should be a war-torn frontier, is instead a peaceful place.

"what?!"

"The Northern Fierce Army has launched a surprise attack, crossing the sea to Kangzhou and heading straight for Yueyang City?!"

Ling Yu received the message, her brows furrowed, and she immediately turned to look at the map.

"How many soldiers are there? Who is leading them?"

Ling Yu is a general who has been carefully cultivated by the God of War. He is exceptionally talented and has extremely high military skills.

With just this little bit of information, she could instantly see the whole picture, the pros and cons of this move for Qian Yuan and Bei Lie, and its impact on the overall situation.

She knew that Yueyang City was in an extremely dangerous situation. Once Yueyang fell, it would trigger a chain reaction like dominoes falling.

The North will also be greatly affected at that time.

However, it was equally difficult for the Bei Lie army to penetrate deep into enemy territory alone.

If the supply lines are stretched too long, logistics will not be able to keep up, and enemies will be everywhere. If you are not careful, you will go too far.

This is a huge gamble for both sides, and the outcome is unpredictable, with too many manipulable factors at play.

Bei Lie needs a great general who can control the overall situation.

There are no more than three such people in Beilie.

Mingchen, who was beside him, lowered his eyes slightly and said, "Tian Hong, lead 30,000 elite troops."

Ling Yu frowned even more deeply: "What?! Tian Hong went south? That's where we're facing off..."

That was the last name she wanted to hear.

Tian Hong went south, so who was the person they were confronting?
been played!

I never expected that after I had just pulled off a trick with Bei Lie, he would learn it so quickly.

When she first rose to prominence, she became famous by stepping on Tian Hong's head.

At that time, Tian Hong's attack made the entire northern border of Qian Yuan unable to raise its head, and it never won a single victory, only defending and not attacking.

It was she who turned the tide and caused Tian Hong to suffer a minor loss, which led to a series of opportunities for rapid advancement in his career.

Even so, Ling Yu dared not underestimate this old rival.

The pillars of Beilie who have protected the country for decades are truly valuable.

Ling Yusheng's success was simply due to her willingness to fight and her good luck.

An enemy like Tian Hong is terrifying; he acts with meticulous care, yet his attacks are like a raging storm.

If someone like this leads a large army to attack Yueyang, Yueyang is likely in some danger.

Mingchen shook his head and sighed, "I've been tricked."

Although it's frustrating, it's normal. He's not a god who can truly control people's hearts.

It's impossible for him to have control over everything.

Ling Yu said helplessly, "Mingchen, the northern army cannot march south and cannot provide support to Yueyang."

That's often how things are.

Even if the idea comes to mind, there's still a lack of ability to achieve it.

Ling Yu desperately wanted to support Yueyang; even if it meant losing the two passes they occupied, Yueyang was the one they couldn't afford to lose.

Its importance as the capital city for hundreds of years during the Qian Yuan era is self-evident.

She also knew what kind of person Xiao Xinyue was, and that she would never abandon the city and leave.

In that case, Yueyang City would have no way out.

The fall of Yueyang City means that Xiao Xinyue has been captured or is dead.

It's either win or the Qian Yuan dynasty is destroyed.

But... the North is too far away.

It's still snowing, making the march even slower.

She led her troops back to reinforce, which would take at least a month, and she could only bring back one-tenth of her troops.

The daylilies were cold by then.

At that time, Tian Hong will attack together with the Northern Army of the Northern Border. She may not be able to take care of both ends and will be stuck in the Northern Plains where there is no natural defense.

Military strategists would absolutely dread such a situation.

Since she couldn't get support from her side, she could only pin her hopes on the defense of Yueyang City and the reinforcements from the south.

Mingchen nodded slightly upon hearing this: "I know."

Although he made that somewhat presumptuous bet with Hong Ling Shuang.

But that was just a burst of emotion and pure trust. He didn't really dare to guarantee that Yueyang City would be able to get through this crisis safely.

Ling Yu looked at Ming Chen and asked again, "So, what are your plans?"

The two were in perfect sync and didn't need to say anything extra.

"I need to go back."

The little bird landed on Mingchen's shoulder, tilted its head, and looked adorable.

Mingchen said earnestly to Lingyu, "Sister, the Northern Border is now in your hands."

The army cannot return to Yueyang, but Mingchen can return whenever he wants.

He released the cat's feathers in Yueyang, and the little bird was also very fast, taking less than an hour to return. He had many ways to quickly return to the city.

He was alone and had no way to repel the enemy.

However, the name 'Mingchen' has at least gained some prestige now.

Something is better than nothing.

He's just idling around in the North anyway, so he might as well go back and help his own king.

The little snake poked its head out of his arms, then vanished in a flash.

“That young general at Zhenling Pass is no simpleton; he knows some unorthodox techniques. I’ll leave Long Lian here to help you deal with this crisis.”

"it is good!"

The night was pitch black, and there were no stars.

Unseen by anyone, a streak of light shot into the sky, flew south, and disappeared.

……

Time flew by, and the fierce and ruthless enemy forces of the North had already reached the gates of Yueyang City.

Tens of thousands of people, a vast, dark mass, dotted the snow-covered mountains and rivers, creating an eerie contrast.

How to capture Yueyang City?
Previously, the Blood-Clad Army led by Wang Huai had already successfully provided an answer.

As the second suitor of Yueyang, Tian Hong naturally also did his research on how to win her over.

He advocated a forced march and a strong attack, aiming to capture the poorly defended Yueyang City before reinforcements arrived.

It's impossible to completely replicate Wang Huai's strategy of besieging Yueyang City.

But there are still many things we can learn from them.

The location where he is now stationed is the same location where Wang Huai led his troops to be stationed.

It has a water source, a wide field of vision, is not easy to ambush, and has a superior geographical location.

The soldiers gazed at the majestic capital city, which had stood for five hundred years, their faces filled with excitement and anticipation.

That's Yueyang City!
Although Ji Qu was the capital of Qian Yuan, in terms of international perception, people still recognized Yueyang City more.

This is the heart of Qian Yuan, its economic, cultural, and political center, a place that Bei Lie has never been able to conquer.

Now, they've arrived!
If they can conquer this city, it will be a tremendous achievement in destroying a nation, and they will surely leave a significant mark on history.

In an instant, the fatigue and exhaustion from the long march seemed to be overwhelmed by the excitement.

night.

Inside the general's tent, the lamplight flickered.

Tian Hong kept the lamp lit, looking at all sorts of intelligence, absorbing all kinds of information, and organizing the next steps of the plan.

Xiao Xinyue still showed no intention of escaping. The city was heavily guarded, and cannons were mounted on the city walls, their dark muzzles menacing.

Despite their overwhelming numerical superiority, this siege was no simple matter.

"General, it's already late!"

"You should get some rest."

"Qian Yuan probably won't send troops."

Cheng Xinqing, the deputy general who had been following him, said with some concern.

The soldiers were exhausted from their long march and at least got a day of rest.

But this old general never rested from beginning to end.

Even when the soldiers were resting, he was still calculating with all his might, often staying up until the wee hours of the morning before he could finally close his eyes and rest for a short while.

Cheng Xinqing had followed Tian Hong for eight years, and he knew very well that the general was gradually aging and becoming weaker.

He was worried that his idol's health would be ruined by the war.

Upon hearing this, Tian Hong simply shook his head slightly: "It's alright."

"hold on!"

He doesn't plan to rest tonight.

Although they have rested for a day, they are still at their weakest.

He didn't know if the enemy would dare to attack at this moment, catching him off guard.

But he can't gamble.

He cannot place the future of the army on the subjective decisions of the enemy.

He has already made preparations to deal with any potential crisis.

He also needs to be able to step forward and take charge of the overall situation at any time.

Xiao Xinyue wanted to personally lead the army into battle, while Tian Hong worked tirelessly to oversee the overall situation...

They all worked very hard, which is what a leader should do.

In critical moments, leaders need to stand at the forefront in order to unite everyone's hearts and minds and achieve their goals with maximum efficiency.

"General..."

Cheng Xinqing was just about to say something.

But at this moment,
"Whoosh!"

The arrow pierced the air and struck the Northern Fierce Army camp.

A pebble falls into the calm lake, creating ripples.

The quiet night was broken at this moment.

next moment,
"Enemy attack!"

"Enemy attack!"

"Enemy attack!"

Firelight punctuated the deep darkness, and suddenly bursts of noise arose.

Cheng Xinqing was immediately shocked, his eyes widened in disbelief.

Qian Yuan... really launched a night raid!
General, you actually guessed right.

Suddenly, he shuddered and broke out in a cold sweat for no apparent reason.

If he were in the position of a general, he would certainly not consider things as thoroughly as a general would, and would only think that the enemy would not dare to take the initiative to attack with a force ten times larger than his own.

Without proper precautions, we might suffer a great loss.

Sure enough, compared to the Great General, he was still far inferior.

"Hoohoo!"

A cold wind blew outside the tent, causing the tent curtains to flutter up and down.

It's not spring yet, and the winter nights are quite cold and biting.

The old general narrowed his eyes, revealing a gaze even colder and more stern than ice and snow.

"Good good!"

"Since you're here, just stay!"

The old general's voice was low, hoarse, and gloomy, like a demonic monster that would take lives.

They, the Northern Lie, are the country with the advantage.

The northern border suffered a setback, losing two passes in a row, but... do you really think Qian Yuan can keep winning?
Don't be too smug for too long!

Don't treat everyone like fools.

Dancing on the edge of a knife will always come at a price!

He stood up, flicked his cloak, and picked up a helmet from the table beside him: "Xinqing, come with me into battle!"

In this first battle, he wanted to show the emperor and his ministers of Qian Yuan just how sharp the Northern Lie army was.

Now, the scales of victory have tipped in favor of the North.

"Yes!"

(End of this chapter)