Chapter 1473: The Black Robe Stained Red with Blood

Just as Eastern Wu seemed stable and Xiao Qiao was immersed in her own peaceful life, an unprecedented crisis quietly descended.

It was a stormy night when an urgent report suddenly arrived from the borders of Eastern Wu: the Great Wei army was pressing at the borders, and the situation was critical. This news was like a bolt from the blue, plunging all of Eastern Wu into panic. Although Xiao Qiao was in the inner palace, she felt this ominous aura. Her heart could not help but tighten, worrying for the soldiers on the front lines and even more for the future of Eastern Wu.

At this critical juncture, Xiao Qiao did not choose to flee but stood up resolutely. She knew well that although she was but a woman, she had responsibilities that could not be shirked. She began to run about, using her influence to mobilize the commoners and aristocratic clans of Eastern Wu to prepare together to resist the foreign enemy.

She first arrived at the Eastern Wu military camp to comfort the soldiers about to set out on the expedition. With her singing and zither playing, she sent them warmth and encouragement, letting them feel the warmth of home and firming their resolve to resist the foreign enemy. Her appearance was like a clear stream, nourishing the parched hearts of the soldiers and making them respect this great woman even more.

Next, Xiao Qiao arrived at the Eastern Wu government offices to discuss strategies for resisting the foreign enemy with the officials. She proposed many insightful suggestions, such as strengthening border defenses, improving military equipment, and mobilizing the commoners. Her wisdom and courage made the officials look at her with new eyes and respect this woman even more.

However, just as Eastern Wu was united and preparing to resist the foreign enemy, even more terrifying news arrived. A mysterious general in black robes had appeared in the Great Wei army. He was highly skilled in martial arts, possessed extraordinary strategic talent, and had been invincible all the way, having already captured several Eastern Wu cities in succession. The appearance of this black-robed general caused the morale of Eastern Wu to plummet and made Xiao Qiao's heart leap to her throat once again.

She knew that this black-robed general would be the greatest threat to Eastern Wu. To resist this formidable enemy, Xiao Qiao decided to go to the front lines in person to fight side by side with the soldiers. She donned battle robes, took up a long sword, mounted a warhorse, and like a heroic female general, led a unit composed of Eastern Wu elites to meet that black-robed general.

The two armies met on a desolate battlefield. The black-robed general, clad in black robes and holding a long spear, stood firm at the front of the formation like an invincible god of war. Xiao Qiao, wearing silver armor and holding a long sword, stood before the Eastern Wu formation; her gaze was firm and brave, as if she were prepared for a life-or-death struggle with the enemy.

The battle began, and the soldiers of both sides surged toward each other like a tide. Xiao Qiao took the lead, brandishing her long sword as she charged toward the black-robed general. Her swordsmanship was sharp and accurate, with every strike aimed directly at the enemy's vital points. However, the black-robed general was no ordinary person; he brandished his long spear like a dragon soaring and a tiger leaping, forming a fierce clash with Xiao Qiao's swordsmanship.

Their battle was exceptionally intense, with sword light and spear shadows intertwined like a magnificent painting. However, as time passed, Xiao Qiao gradually felt her strength failing. The black-robed general's martial arts were truly too formidable; although her swordsmanship was sharp, she could never break through his defenses.

Just as Xiao Qiao felt despair, the soldiers of Eastern Wu suddenly launched a fierce offensive. They surged toward the Great Wei army like a tide, building an indestructible line of defense with their flesh and blood. Their heroism and resolve made Xiao Qiao feel an unprecedented power. She knew she could not fall, for she was the hope of Eastern Wu and the spiritual pillar of the soldiers.

Thus, Xiao Qiao brandished her long sword once more and charged toward the black-robed general. This time, her swordsmanship was even sharper, with every strike containing the heroism and resolve of the Eastern Wu soldiers. Although the black-robed general was highly skilled, he gradually felt the pressure under Xiao Qiao's fierce onslaught.

Finally, during a fierce clash, Xiao Qiao found the black-robed general's flaw. She swung her long sword, piercing through the black-robed general's defenses like lightning and striking directly at his heart. The black-robed general let out a miserable cry and fell to the ground, his black robes stained a bright red.

Seeing this, the soldiers of Eastern Wu cheered and jumped for joy. They knew that this mysterious black-robed general had been defeated by their goddess—Xiao Qiao. Their morale was greatly boosted, and they surged toward the Great Wei army, building a line of victory with their flesh and blood.

The battle ended, and Eastern Wu achieved victory. Xiao Qiao stood on the battlefield, looking at the fallen soldiers, her heart filled with grief and respect. She knew this victory was bought with the lives of the soldiers, and she had given everything for her country.

After the war, Xiao Qiao returned to the capital of Eastern Wu. Although she had been through a hundred battles, her beauty and wisdom shone even more brilliantly. Her story was passed down as a fine tale, becoming a model for female heroes in Eastern Wu and throughout the Three Kingdoms period.

However, for Xiao Qiao, this war left deep scars. She had lost many close comrades and friends and had witnessed the cruelty and ruthlessness of war. She began to cherish a peaceful and tranquil life even more and devoted herself even harder to the cultural construction and educational undertakings of Eastern Wu.

She used her influence to actively promote the cultural development of Eastern Wu. She advocated for female education, encouraged women to read and write, and made huge contributions to raising the cultural level of Jiangdong. At the same time, she often provided relief to impoverished commoners, helping those who had lost their homes due to the war to rebuild them. Her good deeds won widespread respect and love.

As time passed, Xiao Qiao's beauty might not have been what it once was, but her wisdom and kindness became as mellow as aged wine. Her story was continuously passed down by later generations and endowed with more imagination and embellishment. She became the embodiment of beauty and wisdom, the ideal woman dreamed of by countless scholars.

The love story between Xiao Qiao and Zhou Yu was also borrowed by countless love stories of later generations. Their meeting, knowing, staying together, and final parting were all endowed with profound emotional connotations, becoming a symbol of people's pursuit of loyal and unswerving love. In that Three Kingdoms era where heroes emerged in large numbers, Xiao Qiao wrote a legend of her own in her unique way.

However, for Xiao Qiao, what she cherished most was still that beautiful time spent with Zhou Yu. She often recalled every moment spent with Zhou Yu; those sweet and warm scenes seemed forever engraved in her heart. She knew that no matter how time flowed, her love with Zhou Yu would forever be remembered in the long river of history. ===== CHAPTER 1474 =====