Amidst the stillness of the midnight hour, when darkness embraced the capital city, a resonant chime pierced the quietude. The bell, a colossal monument at the heart of the city, echoed its somber toll across the land. Its metallic voice bore the weight of urgent tidings, its toll signaling the onset of an impending conflict. Urgency coursed through the air like a charge of electricity, carrying the message of war to every corner of the kingdom.
In swift response, a eunuch darted through the dimly lit corridors of the palace, his steps guided by a sense of duty. His destination was the emperor's courtyard, where his words would deliver the news that had arrived on the wings of war. With bated breath, he entered the courtyard, his voice breaking the stillness as he announced the arrival of dire tidings — the enemy kingdom had launched an assault, thrusting the realm into the throes of conflict.
The emperor, stirred from his slumber, wasted no time in summoning forth his authority. His command was swift and decisive, echoing through the hushed chambers of the palace. The decree was clear: ministers and generals alike were to converge upon the court, their collective wisdom and expertise a shield against the tempest of war.
Meanwhile, beyond the confines of the palace, Feng Li's quarters stood enveloped in darkness. The echo of the bell reverberated through the corridors, a clarion call that roused him from his rest. In the fraction of a moment, he was alert, slipping into his attire with a practiced swiftness. The servants in attendance stirred, a chorus of concerned voices poised to intervene. Yet, before their words could find voice, Feng Li asserted his intent with an unwavering declaration, "I am going to court, and no one shall impede my path."
Mounted upon his steed, he embarked on a rapid journey through the moonlit streets. The rhythm of his horse's hooves was a testament to his resolute urgency, carrying him toward the heart of authority. Within minutes, he arrived at the court, the distance between his abode and the seat of power an inconsequential stretch. As he dismounted, tethering his horse outside, the courtyard loomed before him, its atmosphere taut with apprehension.
Stepping into the court, Feng Li was met with a tableau of activity. The ministers, dignitaries of wisdom and experience, were engaged in fervent discourse, each voice a thread in the tapestry of deliberation. The urgency of the situation was etched upon their faces, their expressions a blend of concern and strategy as they sought to navigate the uncharted waters of conflict.
As Feng Li strode into the chamber, an invisible current of curiosity and surprise swept through the assembly. The ministers, once immersed in animated discussion, ceased their verbal exchanges and shifted their focus. Like a collective gaze, their attention converged upon the emperor, their unspoken queries resonating in the air — why had the crown prince made an appearance at this critical juncture?
Addressing the crown prince directly, the emperor's voice cut through the silence, a measured inquiry that held a note of intrigue, "Feng Li, what brings you to this assembly?"
Feng Li's gaze met the emperor's, his demeanor a blend of determination and conviction. His response was a steady declaration, his words imbued with a sense of purpose, "Your Majesty, I humbly request an opportunity to contribute to the protection of our empire."
The emperor's brows furrowed in contemplation, a shadow of concern clouding his features. He voiced his reservation, the weight of experience underscoring his words, "Feng Li, war is no trivial pursuit, and you have yet to tread the path of battle. How do you propose to shoulder such a responsibility?"
Undeterred, Feng Li met the emperor's skepticism with steadfast resolve, his plea echoing in the chamber, "May I implore Your Majesty to grant me a chance?"
A murmur of disapproval rippled through the gathered ministers, their dissent palpable in their expressions. However, before their voices could find articulation, the emperor intervened, silencing their objections with a raised hand. His gesture signaled his intent to hear Feng Li out, to grant him the platform to present his case.
Eyes fixed on the emperor, Feng Li seized the opportunity to explain his position, his tone earnest and forthright, "Your Majesty, I beseech you to bestow upon me the privilege of understanding the adversary we face. If you may, please share with me the specifics of the enemy kingdom."
With a nod from the emperor, General Yu took the mantle of explanation upon himself. His voice held a gravity that mirrored the weight of the situation, each word a brushstroke painting the dire circumstances they faced.
"The enemy kingdom, Your Majesty, hails from our western borders, a neighboring land that has harbored ambitions of seizing our realm for its own. Despite their comparatively smaller expanse, their military might stands as a formidable force. Our western region, where the conflict brews, is currently defended by a contingent of 200,000 soldiers. However, our adversary boasts an army numbering around 450,000 strong."
The room seemed to hold its breath as General Yu continued, the gravity of their predicament casting a somber pall over the gathering. He elaborated on the logistical complexities they confronted, "Should we choose to mobilize forces from other parts of our empire, the toll in terms of resources, finances, and time would be staggering. The distances to traverse are vast, and the demand for sustenance for our troops would strain our coffers and granaries alike. To march from other corners of our land would entail a journey spanning nearly a month, a span of time we cannot afford."
Amidst the backdrop of this heavy revelation, a voice of astute strategy pierced the tension. Feng Li, though young in years, displayed a maturity and insight that belied his age. His plan, though audacious, held an undeniable logic that resonated with the weight of possibility.
"Permit me, Your Majesty, to suggest a course of action. If we were to divide our forces, deploying our swordsmen at the forefront while our archers rain their arrows from the rear, we may find advantage. Initiating an attack from the north could also serve to disrupt the enemy's equilibrium. I posit that their concentration of forces lies in the west, thus leaving their other sectors potentially vulnerable due to this dispersion."
The audaciousness of Feng Li's proposal rippled through the room like a fresh breeze, momentarily thawing the air of apprehension. The ministers and generals, accustomed to the rigid paradigms of strategic thinking, found themselves stirred by the young crown prince's innovation and insight. In that instant, the wisdom of youth shimmered, a beacon of hope amidst their encroaching challenges.
The emperor's decree resounded in the chamber like a commandment etched in stone, swiftly finding its way to the westward-bound general. General Yu's preparations began in earnest, the gravity of the situation reflected in the urgency with which he assembled his forces.
However, amidst the backdrop of these somber deliberations, a fervent voice, passionate and determined, resounded. It was none other than Feng Li, the youthful crown prince, who interjected with an impassioned plea that reverberated through the hall. His words carried a weight of conviction that none could contest.
"Your Majesty, I implore you to permit my presence in the ranks as we march westward. Even should your command seek to restrain me, my resolve shall remain unshaken."
The emperor, familiar with his son's tenacity, understood the futility of standing in his way. With a nod, the monarch acquiesced to Feng Li's fervent wish, acknowledging the fire that burned in the young prince's heart.
News of Feng Li's resolute decision spread, casting ripples of astonishment and trepidation among the palace staff. The empress herself was struck dumb by the revelation, her shock leading to a fainting spell that reverberated like an aftershock throughout the palace. The maids, caught between their concern for the empress and their reverence for Feng Li's choice, were left paralyzed in a tumultuous mire of emotions.
Swift action was taken as they summoned the imperial doctor, a figure of experience and wisdom. His examination painted a sobering picture, as he announced with a calm that contrasted the chaos, "Your Majesty, the empress succumbed to the shock, her constitution unable to withstand the weight of the news."
The empress stirred from her unconsciousness, her eyes fluttering open like the delicate petals of a waking flower. Her gaze found solace in Feng Li's presence, and her trembling hand reached out to clasp his, a lifeline in the sea of her emotions.
"Feng Li," her voice quivered, a fragile thread of concern woven into her words, "promise me that you won't venture into the throes of war. My heart cannot bear the thought of you being distant from my sight."
Feng Li's fingers gently intertwined with hers, their touch a reassurance that transcended words. His voice, warm and soothing, swept over her like a gentle breeze, "Mother, you need not carry the weight of worry. I shall return unscathed, for the strength of your prayers shall protect me. Await my safe return."
Emotion cascaded in waves, overwhelming the empress's resolve as her tears flowed freely. She clung to Feng Li, her embrace a testament to the depth of her love and the immensity of her fear. As his words sank into her heart, the empress knew that she had no choice but to let her son pursue his destiny, even if it meant braving the perils of war.