The Empress’s Blind Consort: Invincible in Secret

Vol2 – Chapter 4 – War has begun, declare war on all nations!

In the third year of the Kaiyuan Era, Zhao Yuhuan knocked on the gates of the Imperial Capital. The seven major forces joined in the siege, but the Empress, against overwhelming odds, emerged victorious!

Many high-ranking members of the seven major forces were either dead or crippled, affected by the explosion of the Black Star triggered by Zhao Yuhuan. Now, forces including the Great Qian Dynasty and the Blood Sea Empire have all retracted their territories, retreating to a corner.

Half a month later, Empress Qin Liuli of Great Jin summoned the civil and military officials. In the hall, a solemn and murderous atmosphere pervaded, silent and still.

Dongfang Liuli stood tall, her cold gaze piercing through the beaded curtain of her crown, sweeping across the assembled officials. With a wave of her sleeve, she declared loudly:

"I intend to march north, aiming to annihilate the Blood Sea Empire, the Great Qian Dynasty, the Wuyatian Sect, the Five Spirit Clan, the Forbidden Zone of Sword Seclusion, the Ao Lai Kingdom, and the Shaman God Sect!"

"To avenge the blood feud of that day’s siege, ministers, are you willing to fight alongside me?"

The factions within the court, usually at odds, unified their opinions at this moment, raising their arms and shouting in unison:

"War! Let’s carve out a bright and clear sky!"

"Long live Your Majesty! Great Jin will unify the world on the remnants of the seven major forces!"

"Long live Your Majesty!"

"We cultivators fear no battle!"

...

...

No one was afraid; their fighting spirit was high! Even Jiang Canghai, known for his defensive strategies, did not object, softly uttering a single word: "Kill!"

Qin Fenghuo was even more exaggerated, drawing his weapon, his hair standing on end, eager to let out a long howl!

That day, Qin Fenghuo suffered the greatest defeat of his life, first being pinned in the Forbidden Zone by Zhao Yuhuan’s spear, then being besieged by Moon Shine Realm cultivators from the seven major forces, resulting in the death of his avatar nurtured for a hundred years.

Qin Fenghuo had long awaited this battle!

In the ranks of the civil officials, Meng Qingzhou, in his capacity as a minister, stood with his hands in his sleeves, head lowered in silence.

In his heart, he sighed:

‘The Great Jin Dynasty under the Empress’s rule is vibrant and full of potential, much like the Great Qin Empire of my previous life.’

If the original plot were to proceed, the Empress would be destined to fail, and Great Jin would change its name and ruler.

However, without the Empress, Great Jin seemed drained of its spirit. Additionally, the overpowered protagonist, with his lofty ambitions, would conquer a place and then lose interest, discarding Great Jin like a worn-out shoe.

As for Zhao Yuhuan, the master of the art of survival, he dismissed many loyal and radical ministers on his first day in office, favoring conservative and cunning ministers.

In just two or three years, Great Jin transformed from a nation feared for its military prowess into a reclusive, unambitious country.

Now, with the Zhao family’s downfall, Great Jin was once again brimming with youthful vigor. Despite the ongoing factional struggles, the presence of external threats united everyone.

Dongfang Liuli’s voice was stern as she scanned the ministers, saying:

"This campaign must not only be won but must be a perfect victory, like a hot knife through butter! I want the soldiers of Great Jin to be like a piercing arrow, striking deep into the far north! To completely eradicate the seven major forces!"

"I want the iron cavalry of Great Jin to shake the entire world!"

"Gentlemen, can you achieve this?"

The ministers were silent for a moment, then all blushed with excitement, shouting loudly: "We can!"

"Long live Your Majesty, the iron cavalry of Great Jin will be immortal!"

Dongfang Liuli smiled, a wild and unrestrained smile, enjoying this moment immensely.

For in her heart, she was fulfilled. The campaign against the seven major forces was not only for revenge, not only for unification but also to end the chaotic wars among the nations and give Salted Fish Meng a world without smoke and fire.

This was the greatest romance Dongfang Liuli could think of.

After the war declaration, Dongfang Liuli quickly began appointing generals and strategists.

"Sea Prince—Jiang Xiaoqing, lead the vanguard to pave the way for the three armies!"

A bearded general in the early Moon Shine Realm stepped forward, clasping his fists: "Thank you, Your Majesty. I will not fail you!"

"Whale Slayer Marquis—Long Yuankong, lead thirty thousand heavy infantry to form the left and right wings of the three armies!"

"Balance Marquis—Xia Zhi, lead thirty thousand formation troops to provide rear support!"

"Minister of War—Qian Yuan, command the divine airships, leading one hundred thousand heavenly troops. Once the battle begins, immediately descend upon the enemy, catching them off guard!"

"The ten generals of the Ministry of War, I command you to lead the Shadow Guards, roaming the battlefield edges, primarily targeting enemy commanders. You are a blade aimed at their throats; ensure a single strike victory!"

...

...

As one appointment after another was announced, each soldier stood tall and accepted their orders. A peculiar phenomenon occurred: the more dangerous the task, the happier the soldiers were, their eyebrows raised to the sky; the simpler the task, the more sullen the ministers were, with some even volunteering for the most dangerous tasks!

Meng Qingzhou couldn’t help but feel anxious, curious about what the Empress would assign him.

Soon, the announcements for the military officers were completed, and it was the turn of the civil officials.

Most civil officials were appointed as strategists or deputy generals, responsible for coordination and tactical adjustments.

Meng Qingzhou listened intently, hearing that even officials with lower ranks than his were given missions, but he remained unassigned.

As most civil officials received their appointments, the Empress’s announcements paused, seemingly finished.

Meng Qingzhou scratched his head, feeling a bit depressed.

What’s the meaning of this, do they look down on me!?

The civil and military officials exchanged puzzled glances, wondering why Minister Meng had no task.

Dongfang Liuli paused, then continued:

"Qin Fenghuo of the Big Column Kingdom!"

Qin Fenghuo, unable to contain his excitement, stepped forward with a clang, knelt down, and shouted: "Your servant is here!"

"I appoint you as the deputy commander of the three armies. Do not disappoint me," Dongfang Liuli said.

Qin Fenghuo, not hearing the content, immediately kowtowed in gratitude: "Yes! Your servant accepts..."

"Hmm?"

"Deputy commander?"

Qin Fenghuo looked up in confusion at the Empress, his face full of surprise and incomprehension.

I am the head of the military, who is more qualified than me to be the commander of the three armies? Who has the right to make me a subordinate!?

"I am not convinced! I..." Qin Fenghuo’s old face turned red, feeling humiliated, and he shouted loudly.

But just as he spoke, the Empress issued the next imperial edict:

"I appoint Minister Meng Qin as the commander of the three armies, overseeing a million troops. Minister Meng’s orders are to be regarded as my own!"

"Disobedience will be met with immediate execution!"

Qin Fenghuo was stunned, then his expression changed dramatically, filled with joy, and he immediately kowtowed in gratitude: "I am convinced, I am willing to be the deputy commander of the three armies."

My God! A Sage commanding a battle, how could we possibly lose!?

The court was in an uproar, except for a young man with a black ribbon over his eyes, standing still, who finally burst out with an expletive: "What the hell!"

Are you kidding me!?

Directly making me the commander of the three armies, leading a battle that could determine the unification of Great Jin, a victory would bring prosperity, a defeat would mean the fall of the nation.

This is a battle that will go down in history, the culmination of efforts by over ten generations of Great Jin’s rulers, and the revival initiated by the Empress, all leading to this moment.

Of course, what troubled Meng Qingzhou the most was not these factors.

But that regardless of victory or defeat, his name would spread across the world, everyone would know him, which was completely contrary to his path of survival!

‘Actually, there’s no need to think so highly of me...’ Meng Qingzhou was extremely depressed.

It wasn’t fear, just a feeling of trouble.

"Your servant..." Meng Qingzhou was about to refuse when he heard the sound of the Empress’s sleeve waving, followed by her authoritative voice:

"Dismissed, we march north tomorrow!"

Knowing Salted Fish Meng’s character well, the Empress gave him no chance...

Before leaving, Dongfang Liuli gave Meng Qingzhou a deep look, thinking to herself:

‘My man will be a great figure renowned throughout the world. Whether you are or not, I will pave the way for you, and you just need to follow the path I’ve laid out and claim your glory.’