Chapter 68: The Emperor May Personally Lead the Campaign
The northern border, the Zhenbei Army camp.
Marquis Pei Zhongyuan of Zhenbei opened the two letters sent by his son Pei Xuan via express courier. He first read the one conveying a secret imperial edict, his eyes sharp; then he unfolded the family letter, his brows furrowing slightly before turning into a soft sigh.
He remained silent for a moment, carefully put away the secret edict, and then said in a deep voice to the guards outside the tent: "Beat the drums and raise the tent!"
The dull yet rapid drumbeats instantly resounded throughout the camp.
Within moments, all officers of mid-ranking rank and above, fully armed, gathered in the central command tent, hands on their swords, standing solemnly. The atmosphere inside the tent was heavy, and no one uttered a sound.
Pei Zhongyuan's gaze swept over every familiar face below, his voice steady and powerful: "I have just received a secret decree from His Majesty in the capital."
The generals' expressions tightened, and they became even more focused.
Pei Zhongyuan continued, "His Majesty has ordered that the entire northern border be placed on the highest state of combat readiness immediately! All camps and passes, be on your best!"
An impatient lieutenant couldn't help but ask, "My lord, have those wolf cubs in the north made any unusual moves again?"
Pei Zhongyuan snorted coldly: "More than just unusual activity? According to reliable intelligence, various tribes in the North have been secretly gathering, sharpening their knives!"
Another experienced and prudent adjutant pondered for a moment and said, "My lord, what does His Majesty mean..."
Pei Zhongyuan's voice suddenly rose, filled with iron-blooded killing intent: "His Majesty's decree is that if the Northern Kingdom provokes us in the slightest, no matter how small, we need not ask for permission. We must strike them back hard! We must strike them until they feel pain and fear! His Majesty has granted us the right to act first and report later!"
"Execute first, report later?!" A collective gasp filled the tent, followed by a fierce glint in the eyes of the generals. This meant that His Majesty had granted them immense trust and autonomy, and it also meant... a great battle was imminent!
"Furthermore," Pei Zhongyuan said, surveying the crowd with a chilling tone, "His Majesty has secretly mobilized 50,000 elite Imperial Guards, who will arrive at our northern border within ten days! His Majesty's mind is made up for this battle!"
He slammed his fist on the command table, his voice echoing through the roof: "Gentlemen! We have been raising an army for a thousand days, but we must use it for one! The northern kingdoms have never given up their evil intentions and have repeatedly invaded our borders. Now they are even harboring treacherous thoughts! His Majesty is a man of great talent and ambition, and he intends to take this opportunity to eliminate the northern threat forever! As border troops, we have a duty to defend our territory and should be at the forefront for His Majesty!"
His gaze was intense, and he spoke each word clearly: "Listen up, all of you! From this moment forward, sharpen your weapons, feed your warhorses! Inspect your armory, and take stock of your provisions! Once His Majesty's decree arrives, or if the Northern Kingdom dares to cross the line..."
He paused, his voice like the clash of cold steel:
"That will be the time for us to achieve great deeds and conquer the northern lands!"
"We obey your orders, Lord Marquis!" All the generals roared in unison, their voices almost lifting the tent roof, their fighting spirit soaring to the heavens.
Pei Zhongyuan looked at his fierce and powerful generals and slowly nodded. He knew that the gears of war had begun to turn. This time, it was no longer a minor border skirmish, but a national war that would determine the fate of both nations! And his Zhenbei Army would be the sharpest blade in His Majesty's hand!
When Yuwen Che returned to Guanju Palace, Su Luoxue had just woken up and was being served warm water by Fuling. Seeing him enter, she put down the cup and a dependent smile appeared on her face.
Yuwen Che walked over, naturally took the cup from Fuling's hand, waved for her to leave, and sat down next to Su Luoxue.
"Xue'er," he said, taking her hand in his hand. His tone was gentler than usual, with a hint of seriousness that was barely perceptible. "There's something I want to tell you first."
Seeing that his expression was different from usual, Su Luoxue sat up straighter and asked, "Ache, what's wrong?"
"Regarding the coronation ceremony," Yuwen Che looked at her and said slowly, "I intend to... bring the date forward a little."
Su Luoxue was slightly taken aback: "Ahead of schedule? Why?"
"I want you to be officially recognized as soon as possible." Yuwen Che stroked the back of her hand with his fingertips and continued, "Although the ceremony will be brought forward, I assure you that it will be just as grand and you will not be wronged."
He paused, his voice lowering slightly: "Furthermore, the Northern Kingdom... may be facing a major upheaval."
Su Luoxue's heart tightened, and she gripped his hand tightly: "The Northern Kingdom? They...aren't they still willing to give up?"
“Helian Bobo harbors wolfish ambitions, and the Northern Kingdom’s national strength has been recovering in recent years, making it a major threat to our Great Zhou.” Yuwen Che’s eyes grew cold. “If this threat is not eliminated, there will never be peace on the border, and it may even endanger the foundation of Great Zhou.”
He looked at Su Luoxue, his gaze deep and resolute: "I have decided that when the time is right, I will send troops to the north to eliminate future troubles!"
Su Luoxue gasped. Although she didn't understand military and political affairs, she knew how serious it was for two countries to go to war: "We're...we're going to fight?"
"Mm." Yuwen Che nodded, pulling her into his arms, his chin gently resting on the top of her head. His voice was extremely soft, yet carried an undeniable strength, "This battle concerns the fate of the nation; it cannot be lost. If the frontline battle requires..."
He paused, feeling the person in his arms stiffen momentarily, then held her tighter and said clearly:
"I may... personally go to the northern border to oversee the expedition."
"No!" Su Luoxue suddenly raised her head, her face pale, tears welling up in her eyes instantly. She tightly gripped his clothes. "Ache, you can't go! Swords and spears are indiscriminate on the battlefield, it's too dangerous! I don't want you to go!"
Seeing her panicked state, Yuwen Che felt a pang of tenderness and pain in his heart. He cupped her face, wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, and spoke with an unprecedented gentleness and firmness:
"Xue'er, listen to me. I am the emperor, and it is my responsibility to protect the country. If the Northern Kingdom is not destroyed, I will not be at peace, and you and the children will never have a peaceful future."
He gazed into her eyes and said, word by word, "I promise you, I will return safely. For you, for our child, I will never let anything happen to myself."
He kissed her moist eyelashes: "If I really do go to the battlefield, you must trust me. Stay in the palace, rest well during your pregnancy, and wait for my triumphant return, okay?"
Su Luoxue knew there was no turning back. His informing her of such a momentous decision beforehand was already the greatest respect and care he could show. She buried her face in his chest, tears silently soaking his dragon robe, and finally could only nod, choking back sobs.
"You...you must be careful...my child and I...we'll wait for you to come back."
"Alright." Yuwen Che embraced her tightly, his eyes filled with unwavering tenderness and the resolute determination of an emperor. He had to balance the tender embrace with the bloody battlefield. To protect the softness in his arms, he was willing to become a sharp blade, clearing away all obstacles in his path.
Feeling the trembling and silent tears of the person in his arms, Yuwen Che's heart clenched. He gently patted her back, his tone becoming increasingly soft and soothing:
"Silly Xue'er, don't think too much, okay? The most important thing for you right now is to take care of yourself and our baby." He placed his warm hand on her slightly protruding belly. "Look, they are all listening. We can't let them live in fear with their mother."
Su Luoxue sobbed, her voice muffled, "But...you're going to such a dangerous place..."
“Who said I would definitely go?” Yuwen Che interrupted her, forcing a lighthearted smile. “Didn’t I just say ‘maybe’ and ‘if necessary’?”
He lifted her shoulders, making her look at him, and patiently explained, “Our Great Zhou has a large army and many generals, and there are many capable and skilled warriors. Marquis Pei Zhongyuan of Zhenbei is an old general, calm and steady, who has guarded the northern border for many years and knows the northern country like the back of his hand. His son, Pei Xuan, is also a rare military talent, brave and decisive. There are so many other generals, all of whom are pillars of the country.”
He spoke with certainty, trying to reassure her: "Perhaps they will be able to sweep across the northern border and return in triumph without my personal presence. I am merely informing you of the worst-case scenario so that you are aware of the situation; it is not necessary for me to personally lead the expedition. There are many affairs in the court that I also need to oversee."
Su Luoxue looked at him through teary eyes, as if trying to discern the truth in his words: "Really... you might not go?"
“Of course.” Yuwen Che raised his hand and gently wiped away the tears on her cheek with his fingertips, his eyes tender. “I promise you, I will never take any risks unless absolutely necessary. After all…”
He leaned close to her ear, lowered his voice, and said with a hint of teasing and deep affection, "I can't bear to leave you and our child for so long. I still want to see our child born safely, protect them as they grow up, and hear them call me Father."
These words, filled with warmth and promise, finally eased Su Luoxue's tense nerves. She leaned back into his arms, her small hand still clutching his clothes, but her emotions were noticeably calmer.
"Then...then promise me that if you really...really have to go, you must bring enough guards and come back safely." She whispered, her voice filled with deep dependence.
"Alright, I promise you." Yuwen Che solemnly promised and hugged her tightly.
The candlelight flickered in the hall, casting their embracing figures on the wall. Yuwen Che knew that whether or not he would personally lead the expedition ultimately depended on the Northern Kingdom's movements and the development of the war. But at this moment, he was willing to offer a moment of peace to the person in his arms with kind words. As for the blood and fire to come, he would bear it all himself.
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