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

"Lord Marquis is busy with military affairs, there's no need for such formalities." Yun Jin's expression remained unchanged as she stepped aside. "Lord Marquis, please take a seat."

Zhao Qingcang didn't stand on ceremony and sat down in the main seat, his gaze sweeping over the city wall defenses and the faint outline of the Di camp in the distance.

"Your Highness, being of noble birth, personally ventured into such a perilous place, demonstrating His Majesty's trust in you. However..."

He abruptly changed the subject, his gaze flashing like lightning as he looked at Yun Jin. "This old minister has heard that Your Highness, within the pass, not only supervised the army and pacified the people, but also personally oversaw criminal justice, suppressed traitors and pacified the borders, and even... arbitrarily used military equipment and improved warfare tactics?"

This statement carries a clear sense of interrogation.

Unauthorized use of weapons and modification of tactics are major taboos in the military, especially for a "layman" princess like Yun Jin.

Zhou Bo's forehead was covered in sweat. He wanted to explain, but Zhao Qingcang stopped him with a look.

Yun Jin met Zhao Qingcang's scrutinizing gaze, remaining neither humble nor arrogant: "Your Excellency is wise."

Yun Jin was ordered to inspect the military formation and take overall command. Spies within the pass were colluding with the enemy, endangering the nation; in this urgent situation, swift and decisive action was necessary.

As for weaponry and tactics, Yun Jin dared not say that he had made any "improvements." He only noticed that the crossbows used by his soldiers were not powerful enough to break through the Di people's heavy armor. Fortunately, an old friend gave him a few specially made arrows, which proved effective. He then ordered his archers to try them out, and they managed to achieve a breakthrough and dampen the enemy's morale.

This was the result of the soldiers' valiant efforts; Yun Jin dared not take credit, much less dare to utter any words of "unauthorized action."

She spoke calmly, glossing over the "unauthorized action" and focusing on "acting expediently in an emergency" and "soldiers fighting bravely." She also mentioned "gifts from an old friend," implying that someone was supporting her behind the scenes, but without revealing it.

A strange light flashed in Zhao Qingcang's eyes.

This girl is quite quick-witted, and her words are also quite appropriate.

He stopped pursuing the matter and instead asked, "What is Your Highness's view on the current situation regarding the enemy and ourselves?"

This is the real test.

Yun Jin knew perfectly well what was going on. After a moment's thought, she walked to the huge map of the northern frontier, pointed to the enemy and friendly forces marked on it, and said clearly.

"My lord, please take a look. The Di leader, Modu, riding on the momentum of his victory over the north wind, has more than 50,000 troops stationed in front of the pass, and their morale is high."

However, their attacks, which lasted for several days without success, were thwarted by a night raid, and their morale was broken. More importantly,

She pointed in the direction of Shuofeng City, "The Right Wise King, Tuoba Wugu, has a long-standing feud with Luandi Maodun. This time, due to the unfair distribution of spoils, he has led his 5,000 cavalrymen away from Shuofeng, and their whereabouts are unknown."

"Luan Di Maodun harbored inner anxieties and fears, and faced with a fortified city on the outside; though his forces were formidable, a rift had already begun to develop."

She paused, then looked at Zhao Qingcang: "As for our side, the Marquis's army has just arrived, with well-trained soldiers, ample provisions, and high morale."

The garrison inside the pass, after days of bloody fighting, is no longer the demoralized army of the past. They have learned from their past mistakes and are now ready to fight. Moreover, with the traitor eliminated, they have no worries about their rear.

As one side gains and the other loses, the Di people, though seemingly powerful, have actually revealed weaknesses.

Zhao Qingcang's eyes flashed repeatedly upon hearing this.

This analysis is clear, logical, and hits the nail on the head. In particular, the grasp of the internal conflicts of the Northern Di is so detailed. This is something that a princess in the inner palace could not possibly know.

He remained calm and composed: "In Your Highness's opinion, how should we defeat the enemy?"

"We are good at defense, but not good at offense," Yun Jin said frankly. "Luan Di Maodun is wary of the Marquis's army and will not dare to launch a full-scale attack on the city in the short term, for fear of being attacked from both inside and outside. He will either retreat or... take a risk and launch a general offensive before the Marquis's army has a firm foothold and has fully coordinated with the garrison inside the pass, in order to achieve a quick victory."

"So which path do you think he will choose?" Zhao Qingcang pressed.

"Luan Di Maodun is like a jackal, greedy and suspicious. Retreating would damage his prestige and make it difficult to explain to the tribe. Taking a risk is in his nature."

Yun Jin said with certainty, "Yun Jin is certain that by tomorrow or the day after, at the latest, they will launch a full-scale attack on the pass, making a final desperate attempt. At that time, it will be our opportunity."

"An opportunity?" A glint flashed in Zhao Qingcang's eyes. "What brilliant plan does Your Highness have?"

"In my humble opinion, Yun Jin, we might... turn the tables on you and lure you into our trap."

Yun Jin drew a circle on the map between Tiebi Pass and Di Camp.

"If Luan Di Maodun attacks the city with all his might, his main camp will inevitably be empty."

The Marquis can personally lead his main force and elite troops to secretly leave the pass under cover of night, maneuver around to their flanks and rear, and ambush them in the strategic locations of "Black Wind Gorge" or "Eagle Beak Cliff".

While the siege was in full swing and their rear was undefended, the Marquis suddenly launched a surprise attack, stormed the central army camp, burned their supplies, and cut off their retreat!

Meanwhile, the garrison inside the pass held firm, tying down the main force of the Di people. Another surprise force was then dispatched…”

She pointed to the direction of "Wild Fox Ridge" on the map, "From here, we can harass their flanks or intercept their fleeing troops. A three-pronged attack will surely throw the Di people into chaos! Even if we cannot annihilate them completely, we can severely weaken them and force them to flee north in panic, thus ensuring peace in the northern frontier for several years!"

This plan was bold and meticulous, combining defense, flanking maneuvers, and surprise attacks. It made full use of the advantages of the newly added troops and intelligence, and also had an extremely accurate grasp of the enemy leader's psychology.

After listening, Zhao Qingcang remained silent for a long time, his fingers unconsciously tapping the table, his eyes scanning back and forth across the map, clearly calculating rapidly. The hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop; everyone held their breath, awaiting the old general's decision.

Zhou Bo was deeply moved and thrilled by what he heard.

If this plan succeeds, it will be an immense achievement.

If we lose, we will lose everything, and Iron Wall Pass may be lost.

The princess dared to place herself in the most dangerous "bait" position.

Stay behind at the pass and face the fierce attack of the main force of the Di people!

After a long silence, Zhao Qingcang raised his head, his gaze complex as he looked at Yun Jin: "Your Highness's plan is a risky move. Leaving the city to defend against the full force of the Di people is extremely dangerous. Is Your Highness aware of this?"

"Yun Jin knows."

Yun Jin met his gaze, her eyes clear and firm.

"However, to catch a big fish, one must offer a fragrant bait. Lord Marquis is the commander-in-chief of the three armies, and cannot be moved lightly, nor can he be left for long. The garrison inside the pass, after being reorganized by Yun Jin and Governor Zhou for several days, is familiar with the defenses and is confident that it can withstand the Di people's fierce attack for several days.

Only with Yun Jin here can we maximize morale and convince Luandi Maodun that our main force is inside the pass, leaving our rear vulnerable. This risk is worth taking. Moreover,

She smiled slightly, a hint of coldness beyond her years: "Luandi Maodun has wanted Yun Jin's life for quite some time. Yun Jin is right here, waiting for him to come and take it. Let's see if he has the ability to cross the Iron Wall Pass, to step over the corpses of thousands of soldiers in the Northern Frontier, and come before me!"

These words were resounding and carried a resolute confidence that said, "Even if there are thousands of people against me, I will go."

Not only were Zhou Bo and the others filled with fervor, but even several of Zhao Qingcang's seasoned and trusted generals behind him were slightly moved.