A person in a splendid robe embroidered with dark patterns, trailing on the ground, with hair like clouds, loosely tied at the back, appearing casual and natural. Apart from a white jade tassel hairpin, there was nothing else. A thin veil covered their face, fluttering in the wind, exuding an air of mystery.
Even with a veiled face, one could tell she was radiant. Such a woman captivated men's gazes. However, it was deeply unsettling that she was to personally lead the northern campaign, and moreover, as the foremost Grand Marshal of Xian Yue Kingdom. Such an honor was rarely bestowed even upon men. It was perplexing and incomprehensible why the Emperor would allow a woman to personally lead the troops.
Qing Yao slowly dismounted from the carriage, followed closely by Yin Xuan, who also dismounted. His imposing aura was evident, causing An Dingfeng to pause. This man was incredibly captivating. Was this the Vice-Marshal Yin Xuan, the foremost fierce general under the Empress?
An Dingfeng had heard the Emperor refer to him this way. This man looked formidable, possessing the ferocity of a leopard, the languor of a lion, and the arrogance of a tiger, all in a seemingly casual manner. The Empress was indeed extraordinary, to have such a powerful subordinate.
An Dingfeng, along with his subordinates, stepped forward and knelt to welcome the Empress.
"Your subordinates pay their respects to the Empress."
Outside the barracks, the soldiers who had been eagerly waiting knelt down as soon as they saw their commander. They naturally followed suit, kneeling behind General An.
A dense layer of kneeling figures filled the military compound. Qing Yao took a couple of steps forward, reaching out to help An Dingfeng up. Her clear, cold voice gently resonated.
"General An, please rise. This is a military zone; such formalities are not required."
"Thank you, Empress," they all rose. An Dingfeng led the way and, with a wave of his hand, spoke calmly, "Empress, please."
Qing Yao nodded slightly and walked towards the military headquarters, with An Dingfeng preceding her.
On the ancient road, their entourage comprised both men and women, the men handsome and the women beautiful, a truly pleasing sight. However, when the onlookers saw Xiao Yu'er at the rear, there was a ripple of murmurs. Why had even a child been brought along? And a pure white wolf and a little fox as well.
After their procession passed, the soldiers couldn't help but gather and whisper cautiously.
"Why has even a child been brought here? This is a military stronghold."
"I heard the Empress is personally leading the campaign. General An has transferred ten thousand troops from other camps. They say the Empress will personally lead them in training."
"Is that possible? The Empress?" The soldier who spoke next remained silent, but everyone understood. Such a delicate Empress was hard to believe. Perhaps she was intelligent and resourceful, but now she was facing ten thousand troops, and in the future, the armies of Dan Feng Kingdom, numbering tens or even hundreds of thousands.
In the camp's grand hall, the head of the table was the commander's seat, usually occupied by General An. Below, two neat rows of chairs were for the deputy generals. This was still a critical area where everyone discussed important camp matters. The defenses were extremely strict, with numerous soldiers, and ordinarily, no one could approach without authorization.
With the Empress present today, An Dingfeng dared not occupy the main seat.
By the Emperor's decree, the Empress was the Grand Marshal, and he was merely her vanguard. Therefore, the seat of honor naturally belonged to the Empress.
"Your Highness, please."
An Dingfeng spoke respectfully. The three deputy generals under his command, Lu, Zhang, and Huang, exchanged startled glances, their expressions darkening slightly. Although the General trusted the Empress, they had not yet witnessed her capabilities, making it difficult for them to believe that such a delicate and graceful woman could command the three armies.
Qing Yao paid no attention to the deputy generals' expressions. She nodded slightly, turned, and took her seat at the head of the table. An Dingfeng sat in the first seat to her left, Yin Xuan in the first seat to her right, and the rest followed in order. Xiao Yu'er, Mo Chou, and Bing Xiao stood behind her.
The atmosphere in the hall was initially oppressive.
An Dingfeng raised his head, scanned the battlefield cloud beside him, and asked in a deep voice, "Where are the others?"
"They will be here shortly."
Although Lu Zhan Yun was displeasthe with the Empress, he was respectful towards General An and quickly stood up to reply.
As soon as he finished speaking, a soldier rushed in from outside the hall and quickly announced, "Reporting to General An, the deputy generals and staff officers from all camps have arrived."
"Good, let them in."
An Dingfeng gave the order, and the soldier retreated. Soon, several figures entered from the hall entrance. Each of them scanned the surroundings with a look of disdain. Some even saw Qing Yao seated in the place of honor, while their respected General An sat below, and their eyes flickered with anger. However, due to Qing Yao's status, they refrained from expressing it, with some even grumbling inwardly.
Warfare was a man's affair. Women should be at home, tending to children and infants. Why come here to join the commotion? They truly wondered what the Emperor was thinking, allowing this woman to act so recklessly. Moreover, in this military stronghold, even children were brought, along with animals.
"We greet General An."
The deputy generals called out in unison. An Dingfeng waved his hand, stood up, and introduced them to the assembled deputy generals: "This is the Empress of Xian Yue."
"Your subordinates greet the Empress." Their voices were listless. These deputy generals felt no enthusiasm for the upcoming campaign against Dan Feng Kingdom because the disparity was too great. Ten thousand troops attacking a major nation. How formidable were they? Now, even the commander was a woman. If they were to attack, it should be General An as the commander; otherwise, they felt utterly demoralized.
Qing Yao coldly observed their distracted and listless state, completely unfazed. Changing their perceptions would not happen overnight, and she had ample time to wear them down. A hint of bloodlust suddenly appeared at the corner of her lips.
"Be seated."
The hall was neatly divided into two rows of people: generals, various deputy generals, and staff officers, numbering over twenty individuals. Among these twenty, besides An Dingfeng, it seemed no one believed in her capabilities.
Qing Yao paid no mind to their expressions, shifting her gaze to An Dingfeng's face and slowly asked, "General An, can the ten thousand troops be mobilized?"
"Yes, Your Highness. They have all been mobilized."
An Dingfeng stood up to reply, turned to the deputy generals behind him, and said, "Twenty thousand under Lu Zhan Yun, thirty thousand under Zhang Zhao Ze, thirty thousand under Huang Mu Chang, and my twenty thousand, totaling one hundred thousand. These one hundred thousand are entirely at Your Highness's disposal."
As An Dingfeng called out their names, Lu, Zhang, and Huang stood up. They were the same individuals who had greeted them earlier with An Dingfeng. These were soldiers personally trained by An Dingfeng, all young and spirited. They strongly disapproved of the Empress taking command, their expressions filled with dejection. The deputy generals who were not called upon cast sympathetic or schadenfreude glances towards the Empress seated at the head.
Qing Yao made no pronouncement, nor did she deliver any speech typical of a new leader. She simply stated calmly, "Tomorrow, the ten thousand troops will assemble at the training grounds."
She then looked at An Dingfeng and said, "We shall dismiss for now. I am a little tired today and will rest. We will begin reorganization tomorrow. If anyone is found to be unqualified, I will show no mercy."
These words, laced with a bloody and eerie undertone, startled many. They looked intently, only to see the Empress still with a serene expression. The others breathed a sigh of relief, dismissing it as a jest.
Thinking of the reason the Empress gave for dismissing them, many inwardly scoffed. Had she merely sat in a carriage for a few days? To be so easily tired. It seemed she was truly a woman. Could such a person lead troops into battle?