The generals, seeing Lan Yan's arrival, were filled with high spirits and exclaimed, "Your Majesty, we are ready, awaiting only your command."
During the wait for their Empress, they had been diligently investigating the enemy camp and had gathered ample information.
Lan Yan nodded with satisfaction. "I am here only to oversee the battle. Unfamiliar with the intricacies of warfare, I shall leave the specific matters to you. Furthermore, this is a strategy discussed between myself and the consort. I would like you to review it and see if it is viable."
The generals accepted the document and, after examining the detailed analysis, smiled. "Your Majesty, many of the suggestions you and the consort have put forth are excellent. Your humble subordinates will return to discuss them further with the troops."
"There is no need to return. You may all gather here. While I may not be an expert, I can listen." Lan Yan invited the other generals to join, so they could deliberate on the strategies together.
The generals were deeply moved by this gesture. Initially, they had questioned why Jun Yelan was present, but with the strategies he proposed, no one dared to harbor such thoughts anymore.
Witnessing Lan Yan's openness, they freely voiced their ideas.
Lan Yan, from time to time, nodded, listening intently.
Meanwhile, Jun Yelan stood by, diligently recording important information. Once everything was compiled, he discreetly placed it on Lan Yan's desk.
Lan Yan smiled at Jun Yelan. After the generals paused their discussion, she spoke, "I understand everything now. Your vanguard should attack, but also be mindful of not being attacked from the rear. Moreover, the surrounding mountains and rivers present terrain that can be utilized."
"That is all I have to say. I will now leave the further elaboration to the consort." She had done her best to absorb the information.
Jun Yelan continued from where she left off. "The main force can attack from several directions..." He stood before the map, pointing to the intended attack routes.
Initially, the generals were not particularly engaged, but as they listened, their interest grew. By the end, they exclaimed, "Consort, we are truly amazed by your knowledge of warfare. You have earned our deepest respect."
"It is no wonder the Empress loves you so dearly; we are all nearly in the same state."
Jun Yelan's expression remained unchanged as he replied, "These are merely trivial skills. It is you, the seasoned warriors who have experienced battles, whom I truly respect." After returning their salute, he turned to look at Lan Yan.
Lan Yan, struggling to keep her eyelids open, waited until Jun Yelan finished before quickly announcing, "There is a battle tomorrow, so all generals should go and rest now." She felt an almost desperate urge to see them leave.
The generals withdrew.
Lan Yan immediately let out a yawn, a watery film forming in her eyes. "Jun Yelan, you should go as well. I will stay here a little longer." She still had some strategies to ponder.
Jun Yelan walked to the map and said, "It's fine, I would like to stay as well."
"Very well then." Lan Yan began to re-examine the generals' earlier discussions, the candlelight on the table gradually dimming.
Jun Yelan replaced the candle and, watching Lan Yan's focused expression, sat beside her and continued to study the map.
As dawn broke, Lan Yan stretched. Looking up, she saw Jun Yelan's profile. She smiled and said, "Jun Yelan, we've been working hard all day. Shall we go for a walk outside?"
She hadn't yet seen the surrounding area since arriving at the military camp.
Jun Yelan nodded and stepped forward, taking Lan Yan's hand as they walked out of the tent.
Lan Yan was momentarily surprised as Jun Yelan led her towards the rear mountain. She didn't question it, only feeling a sense of reassurance from Jun Yelan's back, instinctively wanting to follow his pace.
Jun Yelan, mindful of Lan Yan behind him, deliberately slowed his steps to wait for her. After walking for about fifteen minutes, he released her hand and announced, "We've arrived."
Lan Yan gazed out, finding herself standing on the mountainside, looking down upon the entire border. Closer, she saw the military camp and the stationed soldiers, while in the distance, ordinary folk lived their peaceful lives.
As she witnessed this scene, her heart was touched. To her, this was but a small world, but to these people, it was the place they relied on for their survival, their home.
She vowed that even if she eventually had to leave, she would first fulfill her duties and protect this very scene.
A warmth returned to her palm as Jun Yelan took her hand, standing beside her.
"Jun Yelan, I won't say thank you this time." Lan Yan turned and hugged Jun Yelan's waist, burying her face in his chest, and murmured, "Jun Yelan, I now know what I need to do. You can also pursue what you wish to do, without worrying about me."
She knew Jun Yelan yearned to fight on the battlefield.
Jun Yelan's pupils quivered slightly. He gently pulled Lan Yan to sit down, leaning her head on his shoulder. He tightly held her hand and said, "My greatest desire used to be to see all the mountains and rivers. Now that I am at the border, it feels like my wish is being fulfilled."
"I will accompany the army tomorrow. Only by truly experiencing it can the most suitable strategies be devised; otherwise, it is mere armchair strategy. I will certainly return safely."
He leaned down and softly kissed Lan Yan's forehead, his heart filled with warmth.
"Alright. I will stand here and watch you return." Lan Yan smiled faintly and continued to lean on Jun Yelan. She would not hinder him but would fight alongside him.
The next morning, Lan Yan watched the soldiers mounting their horses. She drank a cup of wine and shouted, "Return in triumph!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!" the soldiers replied as they rode away.
Only Jun Yelan remained. He tightened the reins, cast a deep glance at Lan Yan, and said, "Take care of yourself." With that, he led the elite troops behind him and galloped away.
Lan Yan stood in place, murmuring, "May your journey be smooth." As promised, she had come to the rear mountain, also to provide a sense of security for all the soldiers.
At this moment, the battlefield erupted into chaos, with both armies engaging in fierce combat.
At the opposing military camp, Xi Chen repeatedly inquired, "How is the battle progressing? Have you found Lan Yan?"
A soldier beside him replied, "Your Highness, the battle is currently intense. As for the Empress of Yan Dynasty, she is reportedly observing from a mountain."
"What? How can she be so bold!" Xi Chen's face was filled with shock, unable to believe it. He stepped out of the tent and ascended to a high vantage point. He could see a small figure on the opposite side. This woman had truly come!
His own country, Hao, could not afford to lose. He clenched his fist, his gaze fixed on the battlefield.
The two sides on the battlefield were evenly matched. Just as Hao was about to launch an offensive, a contingent of elite troops from Yan appeared and charged towards them.
These elite troops were well-trained and possessed exceptional skills. In a short time, they scattered the enemy ranks and penetrated their formation.
The Hao soldiers were terrified and fled in all directions, shouting, "When did Yan become this formidable?"
Witnessing this, Xi Chen gripped the railing beside him, equally bewildered. "How could this happen? They weren't here before!" To his astonishment, he even saw Jun Yelan leading the elite troops!
Under his stunned gaze, Hao suffered repeated defeats and quickly lost the battle.
The Yan soldiers guarded the border, raising their banners high and proclaiming, "Those who offend Yan will be punished, no matter how distant."
Jun Yelan watched this scene, a smile tugging at his lips. He turned and headed towards the military camp, where someone was waiting for him.