Chapter 525

The next morning, the core leaders of the Northward Aspiration Army gathered again in the main commander's tent.

The atmosphere was even more solemn than before.

The news that came from the south last night weighed on everyone's hearts like a cold, massive stone.

Chao Gai still had his fiery temper, and he was the first to break the silence, his voice making the tent canvas hum:

"Nothing to say! Since the Imperial Court in the south isn't doing its job, and the Iron Crow Army's black hand has reached out there, we absolutely cannot just stand by!"

He waved his big hand, pointing south.

"In my view, we should immediately raise troops and march across the Yellow River to attack!"

"First, to rendezvous with any brothers in the south still resisting the Jin, such as those surnamed Yue;"

"Second, to give the False Song court and the Iron Crow Army a hard kick, letting them know our Northward Aspiration Army is not to be trifled with!"

His proposal was full of his usual bravery and directness, carrying the shadow of the Liangshan era's swift gratitude and vengeance.

However, as soon as his words fell, Lin Chong voiced his opposition in a low tone:

"My lord, this move is too risky!"

He walked to the simple sand table and traced his finger along the Yellow River's course.

"Our army has just been founded, its base not yet secure; the danger of food and forage has only just been eased."

"If we now split forces to march south, our main strength will leave the base, leaving Black Cloud Village empty; should the Jin army spot an opportunity and launch another major assault, our foundation would be in immediate peril."

"At that point, the southern detachment would be isolated, with no advance or retreat, risking total annihilation."

His analysis was calm and realistic, pointing out the Northward Aspiration Army's currently most fatal weakness—its strength is still insufficient to support a two-front war.

"What Instructor Lin says is reasonable."

Wu Yong lightly shook his fan, spoke in between, his gaze sweeping over Chao Gai and Lin Chong.

"Then, the lord's concern is not without basis."

"With the False Song court having fled south, anti-Jin forces in the north are nearly a vacuum; only our Northward Aspiration Army stands alone, unable to bear it."

"If no strong aid rises in the south, or if figures like Yue Fei are first strangled by the Iron Crow Army, then the pressure on our north will increase tenfold compared to today."

"Then, even if our army holds the fort to the death, we could hardly resist the Jin's national strength; prolonged defense would inevitably lead to loss."

He paused, then uttered the most crucial question.

"Thus, the crux of the present situation lies in a single 'measure'."

"How can we give support to potential southern allies, restrain the Iron Crow Army, yet not jeopardize our own foundation?"

The tent fell into a heated debate.

One faction, led by Chao Gai, advocated more active intervention, even at the risk of danger;

while another faction, led by Lin Chong, insisted on steadfastly defending the north and gradually seeking development.

Each side held firm to its view, each with ample justification.

Chen Wen sat in the chief seat, remaining silent.

He listened to both sides' arguments, but his gaze fell on the rough wooden table before him, as if examining some invisible scale.

On one side, it was the life and death of thousands of soldiers of the Northward Aspiration Army, the foundation painstakingly built;

on the other side, it was that sword freshly drawn in the south, its cold light already menacing—a potential 'node' that could change the entire anti-Jin situation, and also a 'variable' the Iron Crow Army is eager to eliminate.

He could feel that the internal 'Growth Progress Bar' had, due to recent coordination and decisions, gained some solid increase.

And in his mind, the southern fervent 'Fortune Momentum' light point and the shadow of intensifying Iron Crow Army activity continually intertwined.

"Ability Granting" gave him the confidence to intervene;

but the reality of troop and grain limits clearly delineated the boundaries of action.

"Everyone."

When the debate's voice slightly subsided and everyone turned their gaze to the ever-silent Chen Wen, he finally spoke.

His voice was not loud, yet it carried an undeniable decisiveness.

"Brother Chao Gai's desire to go south to break the stalemate is for our army's long-term plan; his courage is commendable;"

"Instructor Lin's advocacy of holding the base is to take responsibility for the army's safety; he is mature and steady."

He first affirmed both sides' core motives, easing the somewhat tense atmosphere in the tent.

"However, our current situation, as Instructor Lin said, indeed lacks the strength to support a large army moving south."

"But the southern situation, as Analyst Wu also analyzed, concerns our survival and cannot be ignored."

His finger lightly touched the spot representing Black Cloud Village on the sand table, then swept southward, tracing an imaginary line across the Yellow River.

"The main force cannot be moved lightly, but an elite squad can act like a dagger, striking straight at the vital point."

Chen Wen's gaze turned sharp, sweeping over everyone in the tent.

"My intention is to dispatch a capable small team; numbers need not be many—thirty will suffice;"

"but they must be alert and decisive, familiar with the southern situation, and loyal and reliable;"

"to be led by a capable leader, secretly heading south."

He clearly expounded the decision:

"This mission has three tasks;"

"First, to scout the true situation in the south after the False Song's southern relocation, especially the distribution and circumstances of anti-Jin forces;"

"Second, to contact Yue Fei's troops, convey our Northward Aspiration Army's intention to jointly resist the Jin, and assess their true condition and potential;"

"Third, to as far as possible discern the patterns and intentions of the Iron Crow Army's activities in the south."

His words were clear and orderly, transforming a potentially risky military operation into a well-defined intelligence and diplomatic mission.

"This mission carries considerable risk, but if successful, its strategic value would be immeasurable."

"If we can join forces with Yue Fei, then our Northward Aspiration Army will have gained a reliable responsive force in the south, able to greatly divert the attention of the False Song court and the Jin army;"

If we can discern the Iron Crow Army's movements, then our future responses will be able to hit the mark.

Chen Wen finally hammered out the decision, his gaze falling on the eager Shi Dun and Ruan Xiaoqi.

Shi Dun is steady and capable; Ruan Xiaoqi is familiar with the waterways and the jianghu.

Then you two will lead the squad, how does that sound?

Shi Dun clasped his fists, without hesitation:

"I will dutifully obey the lord's command!"

Ruan Xiaoqi even grinned:

"I've long wanted to go play in the southern waters again! Leave it to me!"

Chao Gai felt the squad lacked enough vigor, but seeing Chen Wen had already decided and the mission goal was clear, he also had to suppress his nature, speaking in a muffled voice:

"Since that's the case, I, Old Chao, will pick the best brothers for you!"

Lin Chong also breathed a sigh of relief; as long as they weren't splitting forces to march south in strength, the risk could be controlled, he added:

"We need to work out detailed communication methods and emergency plans to ensure everything is foolproof."

The decision has been made, the debate subsided.

The Northward Aspiration Army's warship, under Chen Wen's control, adjusted its course again.

No longer clinging to a corner, but cautiously and firmly extending their feelers toward that southern region which is more chaotic yet also brimming with infinite possibilities.

A squad that will soon change many people's fates has thus entered a frantic preparation stage.

And Chen Wen knows, this is only the first step.

The real storms are still ahead.