From cute to empress

Chapter 190 The Dilemma of Decision-Making

"Summon the envoys of the neighboring country to an audience." I tried to sound calm, but my heart was churning. Was the neighboring country's request for peace sincere, or were they harboring sinister intentions?

I waved my hand to let the eunuch withdraw, and handed the letter to Zhen Youcai beside me. "What do you think, my dear ministers?"

Grand Tutor Zhang was the first to step forward, his graying beard trembling slightly as he moved. "Your Majesty, I believe this letter of peace is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our country. Years of war have depleted our neighboring country's national strength. Now that they've taken the initiative to seek peace, it's a golden opportunity for our country to recuperate and improve the people's livelihood!"

"Grand Tutor Zhang is absolutely right," Advisor Liu also agreed. "Good relations between our two countries and mutual trade will not only bring huge economic benefits to our country, but will also promote cultural exchange and integration. It is truly a great thing that benefits both the country and the people!"

I nodded slightly and turned my gaze to the silent Wang Jianguan. "Lord Wang, what are your thoughts on this matter?"

The royal censor frowned, his eyes filled with worry. "Your Majesty, I believe this matter requires caution. Our neighboring country has wicked ambitions, and I'm afraid their request for peace is not sincere..."

Before he could finish his words, Grand Tutor Zhang interrupted him, "Censor Wang, what do you mean by this? Do you want us to give up this hard-earned opportunity for peace and continue to fight with our neighboring country?"

"That's not what I meant..." Wang Jianguan wanted to explain, but I stopped him with a wave of my hand.

"Alright, this matter is of great importance. I need to consider it carefully." I rubbed my aching temple. "That's all for today. My dear ministers, please withdraw."

After everyone dispersed, I kept Zhen Youcai and asked, "Youcai, what do you think about this matter..."

Before I could finish my words, I heard hurried footsteps outside the door, followed by a panicked voice, "Your Majesty, something terrible has happened..."

"Your Majesty, something terrible has happened..." The young eunuch rushed in in a panic, interrupting the conversation between Zhen Youcai and me. He knelt on the ground and spoke in a hurried tone, "Urgent news from the border! Neighboring countries...neighboring countries..."

"What happened in the neighboring country?" My heart skipped a beat and an ominous premonition came over me.

"Our neighboring country... they tore up the armistice agreement and launched a large-scale invasion of the border!" The young eunuch's voice trembled with obvious fear.

"What?!" I slammed the table and stood up, my anger instantly overwhelming me. Damn it! How dare they use such a despicable trick!

Zhen Youcai grasped my shoulders and said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, calm down!" He turned to the young eunuch and asked sternly, "How is the battle going? Do you have a detailed report?"

"Reply...Reply to the general, the battle report said...said that the neighboring country is coming with great force this time, and our army was caught off guard. Several cities on the border...several cities on the border have already..." The little eunuch's voice became smaller and smaller, and it was almost impossible to hear what he was saying.

"Has it fallen?" My voice was cold, as if it came from the Netherworld.

The young eunuch didn't dare to look up, but just held the battle report high in his hand. Zhen Youcai took the battle report, quickly glanced through it, and his face suddenly turned ashen.

"Your Majesty," he took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, "Our neighboring country came prepared this time. Not only are their troops powerful, but they are also equipped with new siege equipment. Our army has suffered heavy losses..."

"What a 'sincere request for peace'!" I laughed in anger and slammed the teacup to the ground. "They planned this all along!"

"Your Majesty, now is not the time to assign blame," the royal censor stepped forward, his tone heavy. "The most urgent task is to mobilize troops as quickly as possible to support the border!"

"Lord Wang is right," Grand Tutor Zhang also realized and agreed, "This old minister suggests that we immediately summon all the generals to discuss countermeasures!"

"No need," I took a deep breath and forced myself to calm down. "Pass the order down. We'll hold court tomorrow morning to discuss strategies for dealing with the enemy!"

It was late at night, but I couldn't sleep. The perfidy of my neighbor and the raging wars on my frontier weighed heavily on my heart like a huge rock.

"Your Majesty, you haven't eaten for the whole day. Please eat something." Chuntao came in with a bowl of porridge and looked at me with concern.

I shook my head and motioned her to put the porridge down. "I'm not hungry. You can leave first."

"But..." Chuntao wanted to persuade her again, but was stopped by my look.

I walked to the window and looked out at the dark night sky, feeling lost. Is peace really so far away?

"Your Majesty..." Zhen Youcai's voice sounded behind him, with a hint of fatigue and worry.

I turned around, looked at him, and asked softly, "Do you think we can still win this war?"

Zhen Youcai was silent for a moment before he slowly said, "Your Majesty, I..." He seemed to be hesitating about something.

"Your Majesty, I believe that as long as we unite as one, we will be able to overcome all difficulties!" Zhen Youcai's words were firm and powerful, but they couldn't hide the worry in his eyes. I knew he was comforting me and encouraging himself.

"I understand," I took a deep breath, suppressing the confusion and uneasiness in my heart. "We cannot lose this war, and we cannot afford to lose."

For days, I have summoned my ministers to discuss countermeasures, but I have yet to find a solution that satisfies both sides. Just when I was about to despair, Liu, the counselor, made a bold suggestion - peace talks.

"Peace talks?" I looked at him in surprise. "The war is raging right now. They might not be willing to talk, and..."

"Your Majesty," Advisor Liu interrupted me, "I believe that although our neighboring country is aggressive, it must also be under tremendous pressure. This war will benefit neither of us. If we can persuade them with reason and appeal to their emotions, perhaps we can find a peaceful solution."

His words resonated with me. Yes, war is a disaster for everyone involved. If the dispute can be resolved through peaceful negotiations, why let more people shed blood and sacrifice?

I looked at the others. Grand Tutor Zhang's brow furrowed, as if hesitating. Censor Wang bowed his head in deep thought, his thoughts unexplained. Finally, I made up my mind. "Convey my decree and send envoys to the neighboring kingdom to discuss peace!"

When the news reached the border, Zhen Youcai was deploying defensive fortifications. He put down the blueprints in his hand, a flash of shock in his eyes, followed by deep worry. He knew the courage it took for me to make this decision, and he also knew that the road to peace talks would be thorny.

Without a moment's hesitation, Zhen Youcai immediately set off to rush back to the capital. He knew that at this critical moment, he had to return to my side to provide me with support and strength, and also to add a military bargaining chip to this negotiation.

"Your Majesty, I'm back." Zhen Youcai appeared at the door of the imperial study, exhausted. His armor was still stained with blood, which was the trace of the battlefield and also his promise to me.

I stood up and walked forward, looking into his eyes, and said word by word: "It's great to have you here."

However, I know in my heart that the real challenge has just begun...

"Your Majesty, an envoy from a neighboring country requests an audience." Advisor Liu's voice brought me back to reality from my reverie. Taking a deep breath, I slowly said, "Announce."

The envoys from the neighboring country walked into the hall with a certain arrogance, their words full of the attitude of a victor. Their conditions were very harsh, requiring us to cede territory, pay compensation, and hand over several border cities.

"Your Majesty, you absolutely cannot agree to this!" Grand Tutor Zhang was the first to stand up and object, filled with righteous indignation. "This is forcing us into a dead end!"

I motioned him to calm down. My gaze swept over everyone present, finally landing on the arrogant envoy. A faint smile played on my lips. "The conditions proposed by your country are not unacceptable to us."

The moment these words were spoken, the entire room was shocked. The envoy's face showed a hint of pride, while our ministers all showed expressions of disbelief. Zhen Youcai even took a step forward, wanting to say something but stopping himself.

I shook my head gently, reassuring him, and then spoke slowly, "But the word 'accept' also needs to be accompanied by some small 'conditions'."

I unleashed my prepared arguments, replacing the cession of territory and indemnity with trade, using retreat as a pretext for advancement, pressing the issue step by step, and ultimately securing control of the negotiation. Finally, the neighboring country's envoys signed the agreement, and a protracted war was about to come to an end.

"Your Majesty is wise!" Advisor Liu was the first to praise, his face full of excitement.

I handed the agreement to the eunuch beside me and announced, "Three days later, the contents of the peace agreement will be formally read out in the court!"

However, when I made the contents of the peace agreement public, it caused an uproar in the court.

"Your Majesty! This is clearly a humiliating treaty!" Wang Jianguan was heartbroken. "Such harsh terms are no different from defeat!!"

I looked at the excited ministers, and the gazes behind them, representing different opinions, with mixed feelings. I knew that the road to peace was not destined to be smooth sailing... "This peace agreement," I said slowly, my voice low but loud enough for everyone present to hear clearly, "is for the benefit of the people of the world..." Before I could finish my words, I was interrupted by an angry roar.

"That's nonsense!" Grand Tutor Zhang stood up suddenly, pointed at my nose, and said in a trembling voice, "You are being too soft-hearted! Too soft-hearted!"