The Empress has abandoned me? I'll support a new emperor and destroy your kingdom!

"As for the morale within the pass," Yun Jin turned around and looked directly at Zhou Bo, "it is normal for a newly defeated army to have low morale. However, low morale does not mean collapse."

The soldiers suffered from cold and hardship, lacked clothing and food, and had no medical care for the wounded and sick. This was the root cause of their low morale!

The generals' minds are wavering, either because they see no hope or because of personal gain, so they need to be purged!

Tomorrow, I will go to the city walls, distribute cotton-padded clothes to reward the soldiers, and execute those corrupt officials who withhold military rations and bully their comrades!

"I'd like to see whether it's the people's hearts that are turned away, or the stubbornness of a few parasites!"

Her tone turned sharp, carrying an undeniable air of ruthlessness that even made the veteran general Zhou Bo feel a slight chill.

"As for defending the city..."

Yun Jin walked to the table, picked up a scroll, and handed it to Zhou Bo.

"This is the 'Strategy for Strengthening the Defense of Tiebi Pass and Countering the Enemy,' drafted by Marquis Weiyuan, Duke Zhao, after discussions with this palace. Please review it, Governor Zhou."

It details aspects such as city defense reinforcement, troop deployment, weapon usage, night watch, counter-surprise attacks, and counter-infiltration.

The Duke of Zhao will arrive at the pass soon to take command of the military.

However, before his arrival, all defenses within the pass still needed to be overseen by Governor Zhou.

"My purpose in coming here is to assist Governor Zhou in stabilizing the situation and coordinating internal and external affairs; it is not to seize power or hinder his efforts."

Zhou Bo took the scroll with trembling hands, unfolded it, and saw that it was meticulously analyzed, with all the items listed being the current weaknesses of the Iron Wall Pass's defenses and ways to improve them. It even made predictions and countermeasures for several possible siege methods that the Di people might adopt.

Some of the ideas are quite novel and even bold. They are by no means just theoretical discussions, but rather the work of someone who has been through many battles and has a deep understanding of the Di people's tactics!

Was this the work of Marquis Weiyuan? Or... is there someone else behind this princess?

He suddenly looked up at Yun Jin, his eyes filled with shock, confusion, and a glimmer of unbelievable hope.

"Your Highness...this..."

"Governor Zhou," Yun Jin interrupted him, her tone softening but becoming even more serious.

"I know your doubts and the heavy burden on your shoulders."

The loss of Shuofeng City was not solely your fault.

The main reasons were the court's inadequate relief efforts and the machinations of spies.

But the past is past. The most urgent task now is to defend the Iron Wall Pass!

As long as they remain imprisoned, there is still hope for northern Xinjiang.

If the gate is lost, everything will come to an end!

We are now in the same leaky boat, facing the raging waves together!

Whether we unite to overcome the difficulties or distrust each other and wait for the ship to capsize and everyone to perish, it all depends on the decision of Governor Zhou and me!

She took a step closer, her gaze earnest and resolute: "Commander Zhou is a veteran general in the army, deeply respected by the people. I need your experience, I need you to stabilize the morale of the troops."

The soldiers inside the pass need a backbone who can lead them to survive and protect their homeland!

I can assure you that provisions and military equipment will be delivered to you in a continuous stream!

Traitors and internal threats will be eliminated one by one! Imperial reinforcements are also on their way!

But all of this is predicated on the fact that we must first hold our own and make this impregnable pass a true impregnable fortress!

Zhou Bo stared blankly at the young princess before him, at the unwavering determination, wisdom, and sense of responsibility in her eyes that seemed to belong to a woman from the inner palace, and at the astonishingly detailed strategy in her hand.

Recalling her composure in the face of cold treatment during the day, and her analysis of the supplies, enemy situation, and morale just now... the thick ice wall in her heart, built of prejudice and despair, began to crack.

Perhaps... perhaps this time, the court sent not a burden, but a turning point?

His Adam's apple bobbed a few times, and finally, his ramrod-straight back relaxed almost imperceptibly.

He slowly clasped his hands in a fist salute. This time, his tone was less distant and resistant, and more solemn and inquisitive: "Your Highness... is insightful and far-sighted. This humble general... admires you. However, what Your Highness just said about provisions, enemy situation, and strategies..."

"Governor Zhou need not inquire further about the source; simply know that these are all genuine and can be implemented immediately."

Yun Jin said solemnly, "Tomorrow, I ask Governor Zhou to summon all the generals to redeploy the defenses, take stock of the provisions and weapons, and rectify military discipline according to this strategy."

I will personally oversee this. Anyone found to be outwardly compliant but inwardly defiant, or to be perfunctory and irresponsible, will be subject to military law, regardless of their official rank!

"As for the Di people..." A cold glint flashed in her eyes, "Let them come if they want. This Iron Wall Pass will be their burial ground!"

Zhou Bo took a deep breath, as if to expel all the pent-up frustration and despair that had been building up in his chest for days.

He took a step back, knelt on one knee, clasped his hands above his head, and said in a deep voice, "This humble general, Zhou Bo, will obey Your Highness's orders! I am willing to live and die with Your Highness and with Iron Wall Pass!"

This kneeling carries a different meaning than the ceremonial kneeling during the day.

"Governor Zhou, please rise." Yun Jin stepped forward to help him up. "It's late. Governor, you should go back and rest early. There are still tough battles to fight tomorrow."

"This subordinate takes his leave!" Zhou Bo stood up, glanced at Yun Jin again, his gaze no longer showing contempt, but only solemnity and a hint of expectation. He turned and strode away, his steps seemingly lighter than when he arrived.

Watching Zhou Bo's figure disappear into the snow outside the courtyard gate, Yun Jin slowly sat back down in her chair, letting out a soft sigh of relief. Her back was already soaked with cold sweat.

The confrontation with this veteran general appeared calm, but was actually dangerous, no less so than a debate in the imperial court.

Fortunately, she was well-prepared and had the support of Mr. Su's intelligence and strategies, and finally managed to break through the hardest layer of this impregnable pass.

"Your Highness, Governor Zhou..." Qingdai stepped forward, her eyes filled with joy.

"This is just the beginning." Yun Jin rubbed his temples. "Winning him over is easy, but winning over his arrogant and fierce generals and rekindling the fighting spirit of these thirteen thousand desperate soldiers is the real challenge. Night Owl."

"Your subordinate is here." Night Owl slipped inside.

"Tomorrow I will go up to the city. You will take our men and blend in with the guards to keep a close watch on all areas, especially the granaries, armories, and the four gates. If there is any unusual activity, or if anyone dares to harm me, kill them without mercy."

At the same time, I personally distributed the warm clothing and medicine we brought to the wounded soldiers who needed them most and to the most arduous sentry posts in front of all the soldiers. The distribution had to be done according to the roster, without error.

"yes!"

"Also, inform Pang Xiaopan that the first batch of grain must be delivered on time, in full, and safely."

At the same time, he was instructed to secretly spread the news within the pass that the Duke of Zhao was about to arrive and bring reinforcements from the imperial court, but it had to be done discreetly, so that no one would know that it was us who had done it.

"clear."

Once everything was arranged, Yun Jin felt a wave of intense fatigue wash over her.

She walked to the window and looked out at the dark night sky once more.

The wind and snow seemed to have lessened a bit, but the chill was even more intense.

"Mr. Su," she murmured to herself, "I have embarked on the path you paved for me."

The first hurdle of this ironclad pass has been overcome. Now, let's see how the winds and snows of the northern frontier will temper me.

She gripped the cool "heart-protecting mirror" in her sleeve, as if she could draw strength from it that was thousands of miles away, yet always guiding her.

Meanwhile, at the Hidden Abode in Lin Yuan City, almost at the same time, Su Che received the first secret report from Night Owl via Hawk, detailing Yun Jin's arrival at Iron Wall Pass and the results of her nighttime conversation with Zhou Bo.

He put down the secret report, walked to the huge sand table of the northern frontier, and gently pushed the white chess piece representing Yun Jin forward, placing it at the core position of "Iron Wall Pass".

"The first step is to establish a firm foothold and gain the initial approval of the commander-in-chief, thus achieving the goal."

He muttered to himself, his finger slowly tracing the lines between "Wild Fox Ridge" and "Northern Wind City" on the sand table. "Zhao Jianing is in position, the supply lines are open. The seed of 'Number Seven' should also sprout within the Northern Barbarians..."

He looked up and gazed northward, his gaze seemingly piercing through layers of houses and thousands of miles of mountains and rivers, seeing the majestic yet fragile fortress in the wind and snow, and the slender figure struggling within it, trying to ignite a spark.

"Your Highness, the baptism of iron and blood has only just begun. May the snow and wind of the northern frontier help us both become true... players of the game."

He turned and walked to his desk to begin drafting the second instruction for "Number Seven".

With Yun Jin's move, the game in the Northern Frontier officially entered the mid-game struggle.

Meanwhile, Luandi Modu, far away in Shuofeng City, probably never imagined that the Jiangqiong Border Army, which he saw as already broken and demoralized, was undergoing some subtle and dangerous changes because of the arrival of a woman and some pawns quietly shifting in the shadows.

A bloody prelude has begun in the battle for Iron Wall Pass, a complex game involving the imperial court, the frontier, and even the enemy's internal affairs.