Chapter 597: Enemy Invasion

The people of Anyang are wealthy, their hearts are stable, and there are all kinds of entertainment venues available. It is simply a paradise on earth.

Chen Qingqing slept until she woke up naturally every day, counted money until her hands cramped, and lived a very happy life.

She still doesn't know that the four nations have united and are preparing to attack Anyang, with the goal of getting her and Anyang's huge wealth...

One day, Chen Qingqing had just finished breakfast and was about to go out when Zhou Jingyuan hurried in.

Ke Xin raised her eyebrows, and said with a hint of teasing, "Master Zhou, your government office seems to be quite quiet, what brings you to the princess's residence?"

Zhou Jingyuan ignored her and looked at Chen Qingqing with a serious face, "Princess, something terrible has happened."

This was the first time Chen Qingqing had seen Zhou Jingyuan lose his composure like this. She smiled faintly and asked, "Why is Lord Zhou so flustered? What happened?"

"The four nations of Gaoluo, Xiyue, Beiyi, and Nanjiang have united to cause chaos on the border, intending to launch a simultaneous attack and seize the entire Daning."

Chen Qingqing waved her hand disapprovingly, "Don't panic, Lord Zhou. The Emperor will surely have a conclusion on how to defend against the enemy. You and I don't need to worry about it."

"Princess, you're absolutely right." Zhou Jingyuan tried to comfort her, but he couldn't help but add, "Your Majesty is a skilled warrior, but with the four nations united now, I'm afraid our Great Ning Dynasty will suffer!"

Seeing Zhou Jingyuan's worried look, Chen Qingqing frowned slightly.

Since becoming Princess Anyang, she has been paying close attention to the situation in the court.

Chu Jiuqing's title of God of War was not earned in vain. Before he ascended the throne, he was stationed at the border and his enemies were terrified.

After he ascended the throne, neighboring countries submitted to him and kept to themselves. Why are they attacking him today?

Thinking about this, he asked, "Master Zhou, do you know why they united to attack our Great Ning Dynasty?"

"Our Daning Dynasty is developing rapidly now. The country is rich and the people are strong. The people are safe and peaceful. They are jealous!"

Chen Qingqing never dreamed that the wealth of the Daning Dynasty would attract the covetousness of neighboring countries, who would even start a war to divide the Daning Dynasty. This was simply wishful thinking.

"Since they know that the Daning Dynasty is rich and powerful, why do they still dare to provoke a war? Aren't they afraid of being beaten?"

"Otherwise, why would the four nations unite? If only one nation had provoked, we wouldn't have been afraid at all. But now that they've united, I'm afraid it's not good." Zhou Jingyuan said, shaking his head and sighing. "Your Highness, from what I've seen, they chose to attack the northwest border. They're definitely targeting Anyang. We'd better make plans early."

Chen Qingqing's breathing tightened. The northwest border was only a thousand miles away from Anyang. If they broke through the border defense line, it would only take more than a month to reach here.

But for such a big thing, Chu Jiuqing, as the monarch of a country, could not just watch the enemy advance straight ahead. Perhaps they had already deployed defenses and sent elite soldiers and generals to garrison. There was no need for her to worry about it.

Thinking of this, Chen Qingqing's nervous heart calmed down, and she said in a nonchalant tone,

"Don't panic, Lord Zhou. The Emperor of Chu is a wise ruler. He must have anticipated the enemy's plan and has surely sent reinforcements."

Zhou Jingyuan smiled bitterly, "Princess, the enemy is cunning. Although my emperor is wise, he was indeed deceived by them this time."

"What's going on?"

"The four nations made a feint to the east and attacked in the west. My emperor misjudged this and sent additional troops to the borders of Beiyi, Xiyue, and Nanjiang respectively half a month ago. It's too late to withdraw the troops now."

Chen Qingqing clenched her fists together and thought secretly, although there are garrisons guarding the northwest border all year round, how can the four countries resist the combined forces of 500,000?

The enemy was bluffing and creating tension on the border, but suddenly sent troops to the northwest. They must have been well prepared.

The weakest border defense of the Daning Dynasty should be the northeastern border, but they chose to attack from the northwest border.

She was puzzled as to what the four countries' purpose was.

It seems that she needs to prepare herself and take precautions against any problem.

"Master Zhou, if this is the case, we must not sit idly by and wait for death. Protecting our Daning territory is our unshirkable responsibility."

"The princess is right. When the nest is overturned, no egg is left unbroken. Even if I die, I will fight them to the bitter end."

"Okay, Master Zhou, if you have made up your mind, please follow me."

The two came into the study.

There was a huge map hanging on the wall, which was the defense map of the entire Anyang city.

This was not because Chen Qingqing had foresight, but because he was able to quickly understand the location of each town based on the map.

"Anyang is surrounded by mountains on three sides and faces water on one side. If the enemy wants to attack, it is definitely impossible to take the water route. They will probably choose a land route.

"But we can't let our guard down near water, we must be fully prepared," Chen Qingqing said, gesturing with her hands.

"Princess, do you have any good plan to defend against the enemy?" Zhou Jingyuan's eyes were full of hope. In his mind, Chen Qingqing was completely different from other women. She was courageous and smart, and could accomplish things that many men could not.

Chen Qingqing did not answer his question, but asked,

"If the enemy invades, how many soldiers and generals can we use to defend ourselves?"

Zhou Jingyuan said truthfully, "We only have 3,000 soldiers guarding the city right now, but don't worry, Princess. I've received a secret letter that the Emperor has personally led an army of 100,000 and is on his way."

"Distant water cannot quench immediate thirst. We still have to rely on ourselves, otherwise the emperor will come to collect our corpses."

"Princess, you are right." Zhou Jingyuan frowned. "Princess, how about issuing a recruitment notice? All men over the age of fifteen should report to the government office and be ready to meet the enemy at any time."

"No, untrained soldiers will die in vain even if they go to the battlefield. Unless it is absolutely necessary, we must not let the good men of Anyang die easily."

Chen Qingqing refused decisively. She frowned slightly. The purpose of developing the economy was to allow the people to live a good life with enough food and clothing, but she didn't expect that it would be targeted by jackals, tigers and leopards. In this case, she would never show mercy.

Zhou Jingyuan was somewhat puzzled. "If we don't recruit soldiers, are we going to give up Anyang?"

"How can that be? Every blade of grass, every brick and every tile in Anyang were created with my painstaking efforts. How can I give them away to others?"

Chen Qingqing narrowed her eyes and pointed at the three routes that the enemy must pass through on the map.

"Master Zhou, quickly send people to set traps and tripwires here, here, and here. The more the better. Also, arrange fortifications. Begin immediately. Don't bother me for the next few days. Let me know when you've finished setting up the city defenses."

"Yes, I'll send someone to do it right away." Zhou Jingyuan didn't ask any more questions. He knew that every decision Chen Qingqing made was right. As long as he did what she said, he would definitely go right...