Yun Shu rejected Great General Wei Yuan and his men's request without a flicker of expression.
The very next day, both the Tian Sheng Weekly and the Capital Daily printed a bold, oversized headline that took up the entire front page:
"Alcohol for Disinfection Is a Lifesaving Miracle, But When Drunk, It Becomes a Deadly Poison!"
Great General Wei Yuan and the others stood in silence.
...Could that possibly be true?
Was the liquor really so strong that it could kill a man?
When Her Highness the Crown Princess had said such words in front of them, they had suspected she was merely trying to turn them away politely. But now that it was printed in black and white across the kingdom's major papers for all the world to see...
Though the battle-hardened generals, many of whom were notorious for their love of strong drink, still had their doubts, they ultimately chose to fall quiet.
Their compliance, however, did not last long.
For by mid-sixth month, seven of Tian Sheng's neighboring states—excluding only Bei Xiang and Wa—had declared war on Tian Sheng simultaneously.
Within the time it took to conduct a single morning court, three urgent military dispatches had already arrived, each carried by a rider who had galloped over eight hundred li without rest.
The generals all stepped forward to request permission to go to war. Even Marquis Wu'an, whose hair had long since turned silver, rose with unwavering resolve.
By contrast, among the civil ministers, a few with more timid temperaments began to grow uneasy. Some even allowed their apprehension to give rise to quiet blame directed at Yun Shu.
"Your Majesty," one of them said, "though the likes of Annan may be small in size, the strength of seven nations combined is no trifling matter.
Bei Xiang is currently embroiled in internal strife, which is the only reason they have not joined the fray. But should Tian Sheng be weakened under this siege, Bei Xiang might seize the opportunity to deal us a crippling blow."
"Indeed, Your Majesty. In this humble servant's view, the most urgent task at hand is to send envoys to negotiate with the seven kingdoms.
No doubt they were spurred to act after hearing the Crown Princess's words toward Wa's diplomatic envoy during the New Year's banquet. A misunderstanding has likely taken root.
If we can make our intentions clear and demonstrate that Tian Sheng does not harbor designs to conquer or annex their lands—
If we show mercy to the people of Wa, and clarify that even though Tian Sheng must retaliate for the atrocities committed along our coast, we intend only to deliver punishment and seek reparations, not to harm the innocent—
Then perhaps this war can still be—"
"Insolence!"
Though the man had barely spoken a few sentences, nearly every one struck a nerve.
Emperor Xuanwu could hardly suppress the rage surging within him.
"So what you are saying," he growled, "is that the reason seven kingdoms have now united to wage war against Us is all because of Us and the Crown Princess?"
"Your servant dares not!"
The official who had just spoken immediately collapsed to his knees with a thud, his face ashen.
"Your servant only meant to—"
"Only meant what?"
Emperor Xuanwu slammed his hand on the dragon desk, the sound echoing through the hall like thunder.
"The decree to send troops against Wa was issued by Us. What the Crown Princess said at the New Year's banquet to Wa's envoy was precisely what We had long held in Our heart.
If you believe those two things caused this war, and yet claim not to blame Us or the Crown Princess, then what is it you imply?"
"Your servant truly dares not!"
"Your Majesty, please quell your anger!"
Though many within the court had found that official's words distasteful, there were more pressing matters to address.
"Your Majesty, the front lines await orders. We beg Your Majesty to swiftly dispatch forces so that we may take to the battlefield."
"Indeed, Your Majesty. The railway is only just beginning construction, the steam trains not yet operational, and steam carriages are far too few to be useful in war.
We must proceed with conventional military operations. Time is not on our side."
"Your Majesty, I humbly request to go to war!"
"Your Majesty—"
Each and every ranked general in court came forward, one after another, voicing their petition with unwavering resolve.
Emperor Xuanwu's gaze swept across the gathered ministers. At the front of the court, Yun Shu stood quietly, not moving to step forward.
Yet the Simulation Life Selection System had shown that she would eventually don armor and lead troops into battle.
Could it be that she had not gone at the start, and had only taken the field later when the tides turned?
If Tian Sheng truly began to falter, how could he possibly bear to send her into danger?
Or was there more to it?
He thought of her many recent actions, especially the time when she had fervently argued for the punishment of Wa. The words she had spoken then still rang in his ears.
After a brief hesitation, Emperor Xuanwu called her name in a low voice.
"Crown Princess."
Yun Shu had been silently analyzing which generals her Imperial Father might assign to which regions. Startled by his summons, she quickly straightened.
"Your Daughter is present."
"Are you willing to go to war yourself?"
"...What?"
Who was going?
Her?
Even Yun Shu was caught off guard by the abrupt question, and the entire court was left dumbfounded.
A chorus of ministers stepped forward to object.
"Your Majesty, the daughter of a noble house does not sit beneath the eaves! Her Highness the Crown Princess has never studied the martial arts. If she were to enter the battlefield untrained, it would be far too dangerous."
"I second that. As the heir to the throne, the Crown Princess must prioritize her own safety. The situation has not yet grown so dire that the heir must personally fight."
"Indeed, Your Majesty. Her Highness the Crown Princess—"
"Replying to Father Emperor, Your Daughter is willing to march to war."
"…!!!"
In the midst of all the fervent objections, that single voice stood apart, clear and resolute.
Even her grandfather, who had always been her staunchest supporter, now looked at her with disapproval.
As for Great General Wei Yuan and the rest of the battle-hardened generals, their expressions said it all. If they could carve the words Your Highness, what madness is this? onto their faces, they would have.
It took a while before someone finally managed to speak.
"Your Highness must not act on impulse. Blades on the battlefield know no mercy."
"This Princess is not acting on impulse."
Yun Shu glanced at him, then turned back toward Emperor Xuanwu and offered a respectful bow.
"Father Emperor, after careful thought, Your Daughter finds that what Sun Daren said earlier was not entirely wrong. This war may indeed have something to do with me.
So I plan to go to the frontlines to see if there is any way I might be of use. It would also serve as a chance to broaden my experience."
Truth be told, Yun Shu still had some hesitation about facing the brutal realities of ancient warfare.
Yet despite Sun Daren's timidity, he had spoken a truth worth considering.
Even if they were small nations, the combined force of seven kingdoms was no trivial matter.
She had been hesitant before, concerned that introducing modern firearms into this world too quickly might bring more harm than good.
After all, the components of gunpowder were not especially hard to develop. Once it appeared even once, others would not take long to recreate it.
And if the whole world had access to such weapons, then perhaps it would have been better if none had them at all.
But in light of the current crisis... if the worst were to happen...