Even emperors have it tough, so don't be too picky about the entries.

Chapter 51 Loyalty!

Chen Shao pointed outside and asked:

"Mingzhu, what is this?"

Yuwen Mingzhu looked bewildered: "The Imperial Palace."

Damn... I wasn't referring to the North, I wasn't asking you to answer about the Northern Barbarians, was I?

Chen Shao sighed: "Yes, it's the imperial palace."

"This is the culmination of generations of hard work, a national treasure. Once the city falls, it will be burned to the ground by the Northern Barbarians."

"The Northern Barbarian cavalry will drink from the imperial palace and use the heads of us Han people as chamber pots."

"Your father is a powerful general who holds military power. Han Cao was able to escape this calamity, but he cannot."

"His head was hung atop the city wall!"

"Your aunt is the Empress Dowager. She will first become someone's concubine and eventually be sold into a brothel."

"All of your Yuwen family's hundreds of members will be torn apart by five horses."

"???"

Yuwen Mingzhu asked instinctively, "What about you, Your Majesty?"

"The Emperor? Of course I'll be fine. They need me to appease the people."

Of all the officials in the court, only your Yuwen family is going to suffer.

"Really?" Yuwen Mingzhu asked, her face full of questions.

"Why would I frighten a beautiful young girl like you!"

"But your father..."

Chen Shao sighed, "Although your father is wise and decisive, he fears the Northern Barbarians like a tiger. Now the city walls are short of soldiers and generals, while the Grand General firmly holds the power of the Imperial Guards."

"Mingzhu, haven't you heard that I emptied the entire national treasury to recruit soldiers and buy horses?"

Yuwen Mingzhu had heard a little about this matter.

I even heard about a pyramid scheme.

But she only liked playing with weapons and had little interest in or care about these things.

Now that I've heard Chen Shao say this, I think I understand something.

"You...you want military power to save our Yuwen family?"

"Otherwise what?"

"If it weren't for your Yuwen family, I would have abandoned the city and fled long ago."

"The land of Jiangnan is infinitely prosperous; where else could I find such pleasure as here?"

Why is it that even with such a favorable situation, the Yuwen family couldn't seize absolute power?

They're just naturally a bit dim-witted.

Yuwen Mingzhu was actually somewhat moved.

Her eyes seemed a little red.

Chen Shao felt it wasn't enough.

He grabbed Yuwen Mingzhu's shoulders with both hands.

"Mingzhu, once the city falls, not only your Yuwen family, but the entire Central Plains will be filled with sorrow and scorched earth."

"In times of national crisis, when the Central Plains are in ruins, there must always be patriots who rise up to call for national salvation and survival."

"A pearl!"

Chen Shao pointed out the window and shouted:

"A storm is coming, the sky is dark and the earth is gloomy, everyone huddles in their coop, afraid to move, but there's always one rooster that will brave the storm, standing on the highest branch, crowing even when soaked to the bone!"

"This is what they call 'even in the darkest of times, the rooster crows incessantly!'"

Chen Shaoyue became increasingly excited as he spoke.

Although it was done intentionally, wasn't it also his true thought?

At times like these, countless people must step forward and sacrifice themselves to save the country!

Yuwen Mingzhu's eyes widened, and she blinked:

"You mean you want me to be a prostitute?"

"..."

Absolutely.

Chen Shao was speechless.

Just as he was about to consider using a more accessible and understandable approach, Yuwen Mingzhu chuckled.

"I understand what you mean, I'm not stupid."

"My dad always said I was the smartest and first in the Yuwen family."

"I'll find a way to help you. Actually, I didn't want my dad to end up like that either."

Chen Shao understood that her words referred to the matter of deposing and installing an emperor.

......

By dusk, five thousand warhorses had already entered the capital.

Chen Shaodu couldn't help but marvel at the Black Wind Stronghold's extraordinary methods.

At the same time, he couldn't help but wonder if the efficiency would double if the court were governed by underworld methods.

Look how efficient they are.

No government approval, no official documents from the imperial court, no official seal of the Minister.

If I said I'd arrive today, I'll arrive today.

Chen Shao, accompanied by Shen Qingci, Bai Bingbing, and Yu Qi'an, went to inspect the Iron Fist Army.

According to reliable intelligence, the Northern Barbarians will launch a major offensive tomorrow.

It's still necessary to boost morale.

Yu Qi'an truly deserves his reputation as a high-ranking official who rose through the ranks from the bottom.

Thirty thousand troops were under his command.

They lined up in neat squares in the afterglow of the setting sun.

At first glance, it gives one the feeling that it is as swift as the wind, as gentle as the forest, as aggressive as fire, and as immovable as a mountain.

"Lord Yu, you have truly remarkable skills. In just two or three days, you have built such an iron army."

Yu Qi'an shook his head slightly:

"It's all show and no substance; building an iron army is easier said than done."

"Black Wind Stronghold is still keeping its promise, and with the high price paid in the capital, we can still gather 10,000 cavalry."

"This is our guarantee for turning the tables in the future."

Chen Shao patted him on the shoulder and said, "Man proposes, God disposes."

"I have done everything I could. If I still cannot stop the Northern Barbarians' blades, I will not be without regrets, but I can at least have a clear conscience."

Yu Qi'an nodded, then suddenly drew his sword.

Immediately afterwards, the clanging sound of 30,000 swords being drawn simultaneously made the banners flutter loudly.

"loyalty!"

Thirty thousand people shouted in unison, their voices soaring into the sky.

"Lord Yu, who did you learn this from?"

Yu Qi'an chuckled.

"Only in this way can soldiers be made fearless in the face of death."

...

At the fourth watch of the night, Chen Shao, unable to sleep, went to the city wall.

To his surprise, Shen Qingci was even more insightful than he had anticipated.

Yu Qi'an worked through the night to set up defensive fortifications.

Shen Qingci stood there with his hands behind his back.

"Can't sleep?" She didn't turn around, but she knew it was Chen Shao.

"How could I possibly sleep?" Chen Shao said frankly.

Who could fall asleep after being transported to this world and witnessing such an exciting battle?

In my past life, watching a war movie might have kept me so excited that I couldn't sleep all night.

The night was still deep, and the bright moon hung high in the sky.

The cold moonlight shone on the city wall, creating a rather somber atmosphere.

"This time, the Northern Barbarians probably won't fall for it again. Your Six Ding Six Jia may be miraculous, but it's fake after all."

"The Northern Barbarians are skilled warriors, while the Great Yan army is utterly corrupt. We might actually be defeated in this battle. Aren't you afraid?"

"Only a grandson isn't afraid."

Chen Shao stood beside her, gazing at the Northern Mang camp in the distance, where smoke was already rising from the chimneys.

Before long, they will launch a full-scale attack.

He sighed, "Who isn't afraid of death..."

He was silent for a moment, then suddenly murmured:

"A man should leave his hometown with lofty ambitions, and vow not to return until he has achieved fame. Why should he be buried in his native land? There are green mountains everywhere in life."

Shen Qingci looked up at her.

Something seemed to be shining in his cool, clear eyes.

She stared at Chen Shao for a long time, then shook her head helplessly:

"If you hadn't died, you might have actually accomplished something great."

"I will do my best to keep you alive."

"Big sister, you should take care of yourself first."

Shen Qingci ignored his teasing and looked up at the bright moon in the sky.

"The moon is so round tonight."

"The Mid-Autumn Festival is just a few days away, but unfortunately, what we're waiting for may not be a family reunion."

Shen Qingci has always been passionate and patriotic.

But fate is cruel and the world is unjust.

She was born in the Qing'an Dynasty.