Chapter 531

Yue Fei's question was like three sharp arrows, pointing straight to the core.

The night wind brushed past, carrying the river's moisture, causing the torches before the tent to flicker, illuminating the two men's equally resolute and solemn faces.

Shi Dun drew a deep breath, knowing that any empty words now could ruin all previous efforts.

He met Yue Fei's scrutinizing gaze, lowered his voice, and began by describing the current state of the Northward Aspiration army.

"I dare not conceal anything from Commander Yue."

"Our Northward Aspiration army raised its banner at Black Cloud Stronghold; we now have about five thousand troops capable of battle, controlling the surrounding hundred-li area."

"However, our foundation is still shallow, with strong enemies surrounding us."

"To the north, the main force of the Jin army eyes us hungrily; though they have temporarily withdrawn, their fangs are not sheathed."

"To the south, the False Song Imperial Court regards us as a thorn in the eye and a splinter in the flesh."

"Internally, provisions are scarce, everything awaits revival, and survival is quite difficult."

He neither exaggerated nor hid the difficulties, his tone candid.

Yue Fei listened silently, his eyes flickering slightly.

Five thousand troops, on a battlefield where clashes often involve tens or even hundreds of thousands, are not many.

Yet to survive in the gap between the Jin army and the False Song court, and to achieve victories like those at Zhao Prefecture and Black Cloud Stronghold, already shows its resilience and combat strength.

"As for the plans of our Northward Aspiration army..."

Shi Dun paused briefly, his tone becoming firm and resonant.

"Nothing else, just four words—resist the Jin, protect the people!"

"If the Jin invaders do not withdraw, our army will not disband;"

"If the land and rivers are not restored, this resolve will not shift!"

"Whether the False Song Imperial Court wages war or seeks peace, survives or perishes, the Northward Aspiration army's banner of resisting the Jin will never fall!"

These words rang out with force, carrying an indisputable resolve.

Several of Yue Fei's personal guards behind him, hearing this, showed moved expressions in their eyes.

They were all veteran soldiers who had fought bloody battles against the Jin troops, and they knew well how difficult it was to uphold these four words under a court that pursued peace and a deteriorating situation.

Yue Fei's face remained calm, but deep in his eyes something seemed to have been stirred.

He gave a slight nod, neither affirming nor denying, then turned and asked:

"What kind of person is that Mr. Chen?"

"To have the likes of Lin Chong, Chao Gai, and Wu Yong wholeheartedly assist him is certainly no ordinary matter."

Shi Dun had already prepared his response in mind, and answered calmly:

"Mr. Chen is the soul of our Northward Aspiration army."

"He possesses the talent to govern the world and harbors the ambition to end the chaotic age."

"What is rarer still, he values affection and righteousness, his heart tied to the common folk."

"Our Northward Aspiration army's present stature is entirely thanks to his guidance."

He did not mention any special abilities of Chen Wen, describing only his bearing, aspirations, and personal charm, which instead made him seem more genuine and credible.

Yue Fei's eyes flickered slightly, as if he had developed a stronger interest in this mysterious "Mr. Chen."

But he did not pursue the question further, instead steering the conversation to the most crucial point.

"Warrior Shi, you just said that the Northward Aspiration army's original intention was also 'resist the Jin, protect the people,' which seems to share common ground with my own aspirations."

"However, I have one matter I do not understand; I hope you can clarify."

His tone grew solemn.

"Since your Northward Aspiration army holds 'protecting the people' in mind, why then do you engage in... taking to the greenwood of Liangshan and opposing the government?"

"Even if the court... indeed has its shortcomings, the moral principles and laws still remain."

"For you to rally the masses, rise in revolt, and break order—would that not add further chaos to this troubled world, plunging the people deeper into water and fire?"

"Such conduct, compared with your spoken claim of 'protecting the people,' is it not self-contradictory?"

This question is extremely sharp, directly pointing to the legitimacy and moral dilemma of the Northward Aspiration army's uprising.

It is also the greatest grudge in the heart of a commander like Yue Fei, deeply influenced by traditional loyalist thought yet caring for the populace.

Shi Dun was not silenced by the question; instead, he straightened his bound chest and raised his voice somewhat:

"Commander Yue's words, please forgive me, Shi Dun, for not daring to agree!"

"What is order? What are the moral principles?"

"If order means allowing corrupt officials to run rampant, extorting the people;"

"If moral principles mean sitting idly by while alien trample our lands, shattering mountains and rivers;"

"If laws mean forcing the loyal and virtuous to bear injustice, chilling the hearts of aspiring scholars;"

"Then, to break such order and reshape true moral principles that protect the people—what is wrong with that?"

His eyes blazed as he fixed his gaze on Yue Fei.

"Taking to the greenwood of Liangshan is not our wish; it is a forced, helpless path to survival!"

"The False Song Imperial Court abandoned the north, fled south to seek comfort, ceded territory and paid indemnities, and fawned upon the invaders!"

"Such a court—could it possibly protect the people? Could it possibly resist the Jin?"

"If we follow Commander Yue's words, must we not have our Northward Aspiration army's thousands of brothers stretch their necks to the slaughter, awaiting the Jin butcher's knife?"

"Or must we, like ordinary commoners, kneel by the roadside and beg for mercy from the barbarian chieftain?"

A series of rhetorical questions, like heavy hammers, struck the silent night.

Some of Yue Fei's personal guards behind him instinctively clenched their fists, their faces showing a mix of indignation and agreement.

Yue Fei himself also trembled imperceptibly in his body.

Shi Dun's words were like a key, piercing the layer of fantasy and persistence toward the Imperial Court that he had deliberately maintained deep within his heart.

How could he not know the Imperial Court is corrupt?

How could he not hate those officials who only know how to vie for power and profit, clinging to their petty comforts?

Only the two words "loyalty to the sovereign" were like shackles, tightly binding his actions.

Shi Dun saw Yue Fei silent, knowing his words had taken effect; his tone eased slightly, but he remained resolute:

"Commander Yue, we of the Northward Aspiration Army act only seeking a clear conscience!"

"We rose from obscurity, deeply aware of the people's suffering;"

"We lick blood from the blade's edge, striving for a sliver of survival, to leave a patch of clean land for our Chinese descendants!"

"This is the way of the Northward Aspiration Army!"

"Perhaps it differs from Commander Yue's steadfast 'loyalty and righteousness,' yet the heart to resist the Jin and defend the land is evident to heaven and earth!"

The clash of ideas collided fiercely in the night.

Without swords flashing, it was no less heart-stopping.

Yue Fei remained silent for a long time, merely gazing at the distant, deep night and the endless river flowing beneath it.

His heart was clearly undergoing tremendous upheaval.

One side was the deeply rooted loyalty-to-the-sovereign ideology and the Imperial Court's orthodoxy;

the other side was the bloody reality and another possible path shown by the Northward Aspiration Army.

After a long while, he slowly turned, his eyes once again falling on Shi Dun, complex and inscrutable.

He waved his hand, saying to his personal guards:

"Loosen his bonds."

The guards hesitated slightly, then stepped forward and undid the leather rope binding Shi Dun's wrists.

With the bonds undone, Shi Dun moved his somewhat numb wrists, his heart slightly eased.

At least, the other side showed a willingness to communicate.

"Stone Warrior,"

Yue Fei's voice carried a hint of fatigue not easily noticed, yet remained steady.

"Your words, I, Yue, must consider carefully."

"I admire the Northward Aspiration Army's resolve to resist the Jin."

"But, our paths differ; likely we cannot scheme together."

"Our situations differ, our positions are not the same."

"The matter of alliance is no trivial affair; it cannot be decided by my word alone, and we must also consider the futures and lives of the troops under my command."

He neither immediately agreed nor flatly refused.

This was already within Shi Dun's expectations.

If Yue Fei readily agreed to ally, it would be unlike his character.

"Commander Yue's caution is only natural."

Shi Dun clasped his fists and said.

"My purpose in coming south this time is first to ascertain Commander Yue's character and aspirations."

"Having seen you today, I know you are a true hero, a true patriot!"

"The matter of alliance can be discussed gradually."

"I only hope Commander Yue knows that in these northern lands there remains a force that echoes yours from afar, jointly resisting the Jin barbarians!"

"Should Commander Yue ever have need, or circumstances change, the Northward Aspiration Army is willing to stand shoulder to shoulder with you in battle!"

He did not press the matter, but left space and goodwill for future cooperation.

Yue Fei gave Shi Dun a deep look and nodded.

"Good."

"Today's meeting has also benefited me greatly."

"You, Stone Warrior, may rest here for the night and depart tomorrow."

"As for future matters… let us see how the situation unfolds."

He ordered his personal guards to take Shi Dun to an empty tent in the camp to rest, counting it as a temporary acceptance of this "uninvited guest."

Shi Dun knew that achieving such progress tonight was no small feat.

A genuine alliance is certainly not accomplished in a single night.

But the seed has been sown; awaiting the right moment, it will take root and sprout.

He watched Yue Fei turn and stride back to the grand tent, his upright silhouette, and thought to himself:

"Your lordship, the person you have been watching… is indeed extraordinary."

"However, to truly set him upon the Northward Aspiration path will likely require… many twists and turns, even… a bone‑deep upheaval."