equality

The wind from the western border, carrying the last bit of warmth, also brought the solemnity of the eve of the decisive battle.

Inside the central army tent, a huge cowhide map covered the entire wall. The area on it, representing the last vestiges of power in the Western Qiang royal court, was tightly surrounded by several sharp arrows. The Western Qiang was like a trapped beast, waiting to be tied up.

Beneath the tent, Xue Cheng, Pan Hao, Wang Mengzi, Zhao Kun, Li Mao, Wang Zhen and other generals stood solemnly, their armors clanging, their eyes blazing, all focused on the figure in front of the map that was slender but like a magic needle that stabilized the sea.

Ning Lingyi traced her fingertips across the Yesha Plain, the last stronghold of the Western Qiang royal court on the map, and issued an order: "The Qiang King is the source of all evil. If we don't capture this beast, there will be no peace in the Western Frontier. We must fight to the hilt, sweeping the land and destroying the Western Qiang once and for all."

"Xue Cheng!"

"I am here!" Xue Cheng stepped forward, his voice as loud as a bell.

"I order you to lead the main force of the central army and attack the eastern line of Yeshayuan head-on to attract the Qiang King's main force. You must kill them and not let them escape!"

"Understood!"

"Pan Hao, Wang Mengzi!"

"I am here!" Pan Hao and Wang Mengzi responded in unison, one calm and the other fierce.

"You two will each lead 10,000 elite cavalrymen to encircle the Qiang King from the north and south wings, cutting off his retreat and preventing him from escaping north or west. Pay particular attention to the north," Ning Lingyi's eyes narrowed slightly. "Although we have a temporary alliance with Beishuo, we must remain vigilant. Tuoba Hong's scouts have been more active recently."

The two men's expressions froze as they said solemnly, "Your Majesty, rest assured. We will defend the place with all our might and will not let the Qiang King escape, nor will we allow anyone else to get involved!"

"Zhao Kun, Li Mao, Wang Zhen!"

"I will be here!"

"Each of you three will lead a small force to wipe out the remaining resistance forces in the surrounding area, clear out any obstacles, and support the main force. All resistance will be annihilated, but if you encounter civilians, you must not harass them."

"Understood!"

Ning Lingyi looked around at the generals and said, "This battle is about the fate of our nation and the revenge of countless soldiers! Anyone who captures or kills the Qiang King will be granted a title of nobility, regardless of their background! They will be promoted three levels and rewarded with a thousand gold coins!"

With the generous reward, the generals all shouted in unison: "We are willing to die for your majesty! We will flatten the wild desert and capture the Western Qiang King alive!"

When the military order was given, all the generals responded with a roar, and then filed out, recruiting soldiers and generals, and preparing their troops. A murderous aura rose to the sky, crushing towards the last heart of the Western Qiang.

Ning Lingyi personally saw the army off and only returned to the tent after watching the iron-like team disappear into the dust.

This time, she did not march with the army, but chose to stay in the rear of the central army, coordinating the overall situation and supporting all parties. She still had 10,000 elite troops in her hands in case of emergency.

In the following days, good news came in from the front line like snowflakes.

"Report! General Xue Cheng has broken through the first barrier on the eastern front of Yesha Plain and engaged the Qiang King's main force!"

"Report! General Pan Hao has successfully bypassed the northern wing and defeated a Qiang tribe attempting to escape north!"

"Report! General Zhao Kun defeated the Baishan tribe and captured seventeen nobles!"

"Report..."

Every time news of victory arrived, the atmosphere in the central military tent became more lively.

At this rate, perhaps this war, which has lasted for several years, can be ended within the year, and the Western Qiang can be completely wiped off the map.

Ning Lingyi looked at the military newspaper and couldn't help but raise the corners of her lips slightly.

Her long-cherished wish was about to be fulfilled, and even though she was a calm person, she couldn't help but feel a sense of ambition to pacify the world.

This war to annihilate the country was fought beautifully, and she will be remembered in history as a wise ruler.

But she had been working so hard for days that she could hardly hide the fatigue between her brows.

Ning Lingyao, who had been standing by her side, saw this and felt worried. That day, she pulled her sleeve and pleaded softly, "Sister, the weather is nice outside, let's go out for a walk? Just for a while, ride some horses, and get some fresh air, okay?"

Ning Lingyi raised her eyes and met her sister's concerned gaze. Her heart softened and she finally nodded: "Okay, I'll do as you say."

The two sisters changed into ordinary military uniforms, did not bring too many ceremonial guards, and only brought more than ten elite guards. They quietly left the military camp, let their horses go, and headed towards the border town not far away.

This border town is called Anxi, and is now completely under the control of the Southern Dynasty.

Although traces of the war can still be seen in the city, the streets have been repaired, shops have opened, and pedestrians are coming and going, and the city has become somewhat lively.

Ning Lingyi and Ling Yao walked slowly, leading their horses, like two ordinary female soldiers, looking at the market with great interest.

Ning Lingyao was particularly excited. She was already a graceful young girl and had been in the army for a long time. It was a rare moment for her to relax. She found everything new and interesting, and she talked to her sister in a low voice from time to time.

"Look, sister, there's someone selling Hu Bing over there. They smell so good!"

"And over there, those Qiang people are also setting up stalls to sell furs. It seems no one is chasing them away..."

Ning Lingyi smiled and let her sister pull her around, and the tension in her heart relaxed a little.

While resting at a tea stall, Ning Lingyao, holding a coarse porcelain bowl, watched the occasional patrol soldiers passing by on the street. Suddenly, she asked softly, "Sister, why are all the generals in the army men? I see that even Sister Su, who is so capable, can only command supplies in the rear. Why can't women lead troops and fight on the battlefield like General Xue and General Wang?"

Ning Lingyi pondered for a moment upon hearing this, then sighed softly, "This is incredibly difficult. It's not that women are inferior to men, but rather that this is the way the world is. For thousands of years, etiquette and moral principles have confined women to the inner chambers of the home, where supporting husbands and raising children is considered the proper path. It's already difficult to step out into the world, let alone fight on the battlefield. The obstacles aren't just from outsiders' criticism; sometimes they also come from within the constraints of family, close relatives, and even the women themselves."

She looked at her sister, her eyes gentle yet profound. "Even for me, who seems to have the utmost power now, it will take more than a day or two to change these millennia-old customs. It's even more difficult than conquering the Western Qiang royal court. This isn't something that can be accomplished by one person in one lifetime. It requires the efforts of generations upon generations, to fight, to change, to let the world see the power of women."

Ning Lingyao listened attentively, her eyes gleaming with thought, and nodded vigorously: "Sister, I understand. This matter is difficult, but we have to find a solution together, right? I will also work hard!"

She thought for a moment and tried to articulate her thoughts: "I think we could start by teaching more women to read and write, just like my sister did in Mingzhou. Once they understand the principles and broaden their horizons, they might develop different ideas. Also, could the military also allow some capable women to take on certain positions? Gradually, people will get used to it..."

Ning Lingyi's eyes lit up with admiration, and she gently patted her sister's hand. "Yao'er, you said it very well. First, observe carefully, think carefully, and then try to change step by step. Perhaps you can have a different future. I'm very pleased that you have this intention."

The two sisters chatted for a while, and Ning Lingyao talked about her views on war. She felt that war was cruel, but it seemed that it was something that had to be done.

Ning Lingyi listened patiently and guided her to think about the cause and effect and cost behind the war from time to time.

As the sun was setting, the two of them found a clean-looking restaurant to have dinner.

While eating simple meals, I listened to the idle chatter of the diners around me. Most of them were talking about how life is now stable, trade routes are open, and taxes are lighter than before. Their words revealed their satisfaction with their current lives and their expectations for the future.

Ning Lingyao whispered, "Sister, look, as long as there's no war and people can live in peace, the people will be able to make their lives better and better, and prosper. Isn't it enough to just ensure their safety?"

Ning Lingyi shook her head slightly and said softly, "Stability is the foundation, but it's not that simple. Whether the administration is fair, whether the taxes are equitable, whether there is a place to appeal for grievances... so many trivial matters, all of which are related to people's livelihood."

"A single wrong thought by a ruler may lead to untold suffering for the people. Therefore, we must constantly reflect on ourselves and observe from all sides, and not easily judge what is good or bad."

As she spoke, she suddenly recalled her first arrival in Mingzhou many years ago, and laughed to herself, "Even I often feel on thin ice now, fearing that a wrong decision would cause endless harm. I no longer feel the same satisfaction as when I first came to power, when I could slash corruption with a single blow."

Ning Lingyao suddenly realized, and heartache flashed in her eyes: "That's why my sister's brows are always furrowed. She has more and more things on her mind, and they are getting heavier and heavier."

Ning Lingyi smiled: "People always change. The burdens on their shoulders are different, and their thoughts and ideas are naturally different."

Ning Lingyao suddenly stopped, took Ning Lingyi's hand, her eyes burning, her tone more serious than ever before: "Sister, next time we go to war, let me lead a troop, even if it's just a small division of a few hundred people, let me be a small general, and really fight in the battlefield, okay?"

Ning Lingyi subconsciously shook her head upon hearing this: "Yao'er, the battlefield is no child's play. Swords and knives have no eyes. You are still young..."

"I'm not a kid anymore!" Ning Lingyao interrupted her anxiously. "Sister, I know you're worried about my age, that I might get hurt, or even that I might not come back. I know you care about me, love me, and can't bear to leave me."

She looked at her sister and said seriously, "But sister, you cherish me, but don't you cherish these soldiers who fought for you? Many of them may not have had as good a background as me. They haven't read as many books or learned as many principles. They may just be farmers or ordinary people. Many of them first picked up a sword on the battlefield and learned how to fight and how to survive."

"They have parents and sisters too, and there are people who worry about them. Just because I'm your sister, can I hide behind them and watch them bleed and sacrifice with a clear conscience?"

Ning Lingyi looked at her sister's excited and serious face, feeling a bitter pain in her heart. She reached out and gently stroked her sister's wind-blown hair, her voice slightly hoarse: "It is precisely because you are my sister that I am so reluctant to let you go, so unwilling..."

"It's precisely because I'm your sister!" Ning Lingyao's eyes welled with tears. "That's why I should stand up. Sister, you taught me that with great ability comes great responsibility. I received the best education, learning both civil and martial arts, wasn't it just for this moment? Do those who die on the battlefield have to be children of ordinary people forever? This isn't fair to me, nor to them!"

These words, every word struck Ning Lingyi's heart.

She looked at her sister, and it seemed as if she truly realized for the first time that the little girl who needed her protection under her wings had grown up completely.

After a long time, Ning Lingyi let out a long sigh, her eyes filled with complex emotions, including worry, reluctance, but more importantly, indescribable pride.

She finally nodded: "Okay...Sister promises you."

Ning Lingyao wiped away her tears and held her sister's hand: "Don't worry, sister, I'm not afraid of death. I will protect the country and our people just like you!"

The two sisters are like one body. If it is beneficial to the country, they will be willing to live and die for each other.

The afterglow of the setting sun lengthened the figures of the two sisters and sprinkled them in the rising smoke from the cooking fires in Anxi City.

Just as Ning Lingyi and her sister were enjoying this rare leisure time, a horse galloped into Anxi City like crazy and headed straight for the restaurant where they were.

The guards immediately stepped forward to stop him, but the knight dismounted, stumbled, and fell, shouting at the top of his lungs, "Your Majesty! Urgent military information! The Beishuo... Beishuo army suddenly appeared northwest of Yeshayuan, their intentions unclear! General Wang Mengzi sent me to report this, Your Majesty, please make a quick decision!"

The teacup in Ning Lingyi's hand fell to the ground and shattered into pieces.

The tea splashed everywhere, just like her tightened heart.

Tuoba Hong, you are here after all.