However, to the courtiers' surprise, Zhou Linglong showed no signs of anger. Instead, her expression revealed a trace of thoughtfulness.
"Retreating all troops to Chang'an... it's not impossible," she muttered, gently rubbing her temples.
Orion's army was undeniably strong. Given its power, trying to hold each city would only lead to futile defenses. It would be better to consolidate forces and prepare for a final confrontation under the walls of Chang'an.
Zhou Linglong smiled and addressed the court, "What Mr. Ge has suggested makes sense. Against Orion's elite forces, scattering our defense would only lead to defeat. Send my orders: evacuate all troops from Yizhou and retreat to Chang'an!"
The court erupted in shock.
The ministers exchanged bewildered glances. None of them had expected the empress to make such a decision.
"Your Majesty, you mustn't do this!" came the voices of opposition almost immediately.
One minister stepped forward, raising his voice, "Your Majesty, throughout history, no empire has thrived by surrendering its lands! Even the smallest piece of territory was fought for by our ancestors. If we abandon Yizhou, how will we resist Orion's advance?"
Voices rose in agreement, some of the more outspoken ministers even scolding her openly. "The king dies defending the kingdom! The emperor guards the land! How can we abandon Yizhou and let it fall to the enemy? Zhou Linglong, are you not ashamed to sit on the throne your ancestors fought for?"
Conceding territory was unthinkable. In any dynasty, it would be seen as the first step toward collapse.
Zhou Linglong, however, remained calm despite the outbursts. She understood the anger—they were trapped in old ways of thinking. In the past, she might have agreed with them. But now, things were different.
Her ancestor, Zhou Huangye, had agreed to personally lead the northern campaign against Orion. With a Martial Saint on the battlefield, she was confident this threat could be swiftly dealt with. Once Orion was defeated, reclaiming lost cities would be a simple task.
In her mind, the retreat was not about abandoning territory—it was about saving lives. These weren't just ordinary soldiers; they were cultivators, the very foundation of the empire's strength. And their lives should not be wasted needlessly.
"My dear ministers, you need not panic," she said, her voice cutting through the murmurs. "I am ordering the Yizhou troops to withdraw to avoid unnecessary bloodshed. We cannot allow Orion to claim the city easily, nor can we permit him to march directly to Chang'an unchecked."
A voice broke the tense silence. "But Your Majesty, if the Yizhou troops withdraw, who will stand against Orion?"
Zhou Linglong smiled coldly. This was exactly the question she had been waiting for.
"Ah, now we come to the heart of the matter," she said, her tone hardening. "The imperial forces left in Chang'an are needed to defend the capital. They cannot be moved. Therefore, I have decided to form an elite force to counter Orion's army. And my dear ministers, I expect your full support."
The true purpose of the meeting was now laid bare. Where would the army come from? From the noble families, of course.
"In this battle, I require each noble family to send 90% of their private soldiers to the frontlines. Additionally, I demand that each family sends their ancestors and most powerful masters to join the fight."
Zhou Linglong's gaze swept across the silent hall. "Do any of you have objections?"
The court was stunned. The ministers stared at her, wide-eyed. Send 90% of their private soldiers? And even more shocking—call upon their revered ancestors?
The silence stretched, and none of the ministers dared to speak. This was unprecedented. They all came from powerful families of cultivators, and their ancestors were their greatest assets. Asking them to risk their lives on the battlefield was unthinkable.
Zhou Linglong's sharp eyes landed on Minister Yang Yan, one of her few trusted confidants. "Minister Yang, what do you think of my proposal?"
Yang Yan broke out in a cold sweat. He was trapped between the empress and the noble families. Agreeing would mean alienating the powerful aristocrats. Refusing would offend the empress.
"Perhaps... we could discuss this further..." he stammered, his voice trembling.
Zhou Linglong's eyes narrowed. "Yang Yan, I am deeply disappointed in you."
Her gaze turned back to the court. "Is there no one here who will set an example? Will no one rise to defend Da Zhou?"
But none of the ministers dared to speak. They all knew how powerful Orion had become. The fall of the Wenjian Sect, the greatest sect in the Great Zhou Dynasty, had sent shockwaves through the empire. No one wanted to face such a dangerous foe.
The silence was deafening.
"Do you have no desire to protect the empire?" Zhou Linglong's voice was cold and sharp. "Are you refusing to make a sacrifice for Da Zhou?"
The room remained deathly quiet.
Finally, an old minister broke the silence. "Your Majesty, we are willing to send soldiers and even our finest cultivators, but asking for our ancestors... is it not too much?"
Zhou Linglong's expression turned icy. Just as she was about to respond, a sneer echoed from the back of the court.
"How fortunate we are to have such loyal ministers in Da Zhou."
Zhou Huangye, who had been silently observing the proceedings, finally stepped forward.