vrcanaries Chapter 205 Marching into the Vermilion Bird Kingdom
Chapter 205 Marching into the Vermilion Bird Kingdom
Night falls.
People sat around the campfire, their faces beaming with joy.
The flames leaped and danced, as if they were dancing with the people.
The air was filled with the aroma of barbecue and laughter, and everyone was enjoying this rare moment of relaxation and joy.
Halfway through the party, Zhao Jihua stood up, raising his glass: "I would like to toast everyone to celebrate our hard-won peace!"
After saying that, she drank it all in one gulp.
"it is good!"
Everyone followed her and drank it all in one gulp.
Zhao Jihua continued, “What happened to General Li and the others today has saddened me. Our soldiers are out there protecting our country, and their parents, wives, and children should not be used as bargaining chips to threaten them. I hope you will all take this as a warning… I plan to establish a Protectorate in Lingnan Prefecture and Miao Territory in the future to recruit and protect the families of those soldiers. I wonder if the people of Miao Territory would agree?”
Ge Lou laughed and said, "Our Miao region is vast and sparsely populated. The High Priest can easily take in a hundred or a thousand."
Zhao Jihua also laughed: "I just think that Miao territory is dangerous and protected by Gu worms, so no one dares to go there to steal them. This way, we don't need to send extra troops to protect it, killing two birds with one stone."
Su Tiyu said worriedly, "However, with so many soldiers' families, their food and lodging are a big problem."
Zhao Jihua said, "Don't worry about that. They'll have to work there too. Ali will arrange suitable food, lodging, and jobs for them. As for those who don't want to go to Miao territory, let them go to Lingnan."
(Xia Li: My life has been one of serving my sister like a slave, always at her beck and call.)
Ge Lou knelt down, holding Su Tiyu's hand: "Su Tiyu is my wife. We plan to get married today. Please, High Priest, grant us your blessing."
Zhao Jihua smiled and said, "Congratulations to you both! I wish you a long and happy marriage! I'm too busy right now, so after today, you two will act as my agents for all affairs in Miao territory."
(Sister Zhao: Yay, the burden on my shoulders is lighter again)
"There's one more thing,"
She stood on the high platform and said passionately, "Soldiers and their families, although peace on the border has been temporarily maintained, the threat from the Vermilion Bird Kingdom still exists. Back then, the First Prince did not subdue the Vermilion Bird Kingdom in order to maintain peace among the four kingdoms. But in return, the other side secretly instigated the White Tiger Kingdom to disrupt the peace of our border. Can we tolerate this?"
The soldiers waved their fists, shouting, "We can't bear it! We can't bear it!"
"Should we avenge this?"
"Report! Report!"
"Now, in order to completely eliminate the hidden dangers and protect the peace of the Azure Dragon Empire, I have decided to launch an expedition!"
"Marching to war! Marching to war!"
Seeing the crowd's enthusiasm and willingness to go to war, she walked towards the main tent with satisfaction. "Generals, come with me to discuss this matter."
The crowd, busy devouring their food: ...
Huh? Why do they suddenly want to go to war?
It's like they've been brainwashed.
……
Inside the main tent.
General Pang asked, "Whom does Your Majesty intend to send? Or will you personally lead the expedition..."
Zhao Jihua: Am I crazy? There are talented people who don't need to personally lead the army!
She came to southern Xinjiang in person because she knew she had to rely on herself there.
It's not to say that she, as the emperor, had to court death.
If she does everything herself, what is the point of having court officials and common people?
Zhao Jihua, seated in the main seat, announced: "A million troops will be assembled on the frontier to directly attack the White Tiger Empire; furthermore, I hereby issue an edict to return to the capital immediately, ordering the Grand General of the State and Zhou Qingyu to lead 20 troops from the capital to subdue the Vermilion Bird Kingdom."
General Zhou hesitated and asked, "20, is that enough?"
"The Vermilion Bird Kingdom has just suffered a heavy blow and the court is unstable. I have confidence in the strength of the General of the State and Zhou Qingyu. 20 is more than enough."
Zhao Jihua patted Pang Shuai on the shoulder as if he were patting a younger relative, and said, "Don't be nervous. I know that the White Tiger Kingdom is warlike, and men, women, and children basically all join the army. Their numbers are probably three times yours, but I believe you can fight ten against one. Also, once Zhou Qingyu and the others have subdued the Vermilion Bird Kingdom, they will come to help you."
That's how it was settled.
……
Five days later, on the drill ground.
As dawn broke, tens of thousands of soldiers were already lined up in neat rows, their armor gleaming coldly in the dim light, their spears standing like a forest, and their military flags fluttering loudly.
Zhao Jihua, dressed in a majestic black cloak over silver armor, stood tall and straight on the high command platform.
Her deep eyes swept over the troops below the stage, and wherever her gaze fell, the soldiers stood even straighter.
"Soldiers!"
Zhao Jihua spoke, his voice deep yet penetrating, echoing across the empty training ground: "We are about to embark on a journey, the road ahead uncertain, life and death unknown. But why do we fight? For the millions of people behind us, for every inch of the land beneath our feet!"
Her voice gradually rose in intensity, each word striking the hearts of the soldiers with a powerful impact.
"The blades in our hands are not for show! They are the strongest weapons to defend our country!"
"Today, as we take this step, we disregard life and death! Every single one of us is the backbone of our army, and every charge is a head-on blow to the enemy! Victory will surely be ours!" She raised her arm and shouted, igniting the passion of the soldiers below. They raised their weapons and roared in unison:
"Victory is certain! Victory is certain!"
The sound waves surged one after another, soaring straight into the sky.
Commander Pang also said loudly, "Soldiers, we shoulder the heavy responsibility of defending the country and protecting the people. This expedition may face many difficulties, but I believe that as long as we work together, we will definitely be able to expand the territory of our motherland!"
The soldiers shouted in unison, "Victory! Victory!"
The sound resounded through the sky, filled with boundless fighting spirit and determination.
Zhao Jihua said, "Go, my good sons, I await your triumphant return!"
Pang Shuai pulled on the reins, and the white horse neighed and galloped off into the distance.
The mighty army followed closely behind, embarking on a journey full of unknowns and challenges.
……
"The army has all gone to war, what do you plan to do?" Xia Li asked.
She just arrived in southern Xinjiang yesterday.
Zhao Jihua: "I plan to ride my horse back along the way to visit people and observe their lives, and to promote talented individuals."
“Sure, I’m free right now, I’ll come with you, we can treat it as a trip.”
The group, disguised as usual, headed towards the capital.
She also discovered quite a few problems along the way.
For example, today, a girl wants to sever ties with her parents.
Xia Li sneaked in, leaned against the door and listened intently, and roughly understood the ins and outs of the story.
To put it bluntly, it's about a daughter wanting to make her way in the world, but clearly her father doesn't share that view.
Her parents wanted to keep their daughter by their side, so behind her back, they arranged a pretty good marriage for her.
To prevent his daughter from disagreeing, he even devised a plan to put his unsuspecting daughter in someone else's bed.
Who wouldn't hate this? Even if it's an arranged marriage by parents, it shouldn't be arranged like this, right?