Chapter 536

Once the military council's decision was made, the Northward Aspiration army, this precise machine, sprang into swift action.

Lin Chong and Wu Yong were responsible for overall coordination and dispatch, while Chao Gai personally went to supervise the packaging of grain, fodder, and medicine.

The entire Black Cloud Stronghold was filled with a tense atmosphere unlike ordinary war preparations.

Chen Wen was not aloof from the matter.

He personally came to the cave in the stronghold that was temporarily serving as a storehouse.

The interior was dimly lit, yet the piled-up sacks and crates felt especially substantial.

That was the spoils seized from the Battle of Eagle Beak Valley, and also one of the Northward Aspiration army's most important foundations at present.

"Mr. Chen."

Ruan Xiaowu, who was in charge of inventorying supplies, saw Chen Wen enter and hurried forward, his face showing some difficulty.

"Really allocate two hundred shi? This… this is almost more than three-tenths of the grain and fodder we have seized this time."

"Adding the medicine… our brothers in the coming months will likely be hard-pressed again."

Chen Wen's gaze swept over those grain sacks, and he could smell the fresh grain's distinctive, slightly damp fragrance.

He reached out and patted a bulging sack, which emitted a dull thud.

"Xiaowu, I understand your difficulty."

Chen Wen's voice echoed in the cave, carrying a soothing power.

"This grain was bought with the brothers' lives; every grain is precious."

"But think about it, why are we fighting to the death on the northern frontier?"

"Isn't it to drive the Jurchen out, so that this Zhongyuan land sees less of the Yue Family Army's current misery?"

"If we grudge this bit of grain and fodder, and stand by while a capable, daring anti-Jin force in the south is destroyed, how are we any different from those False Song officials who only care about power and profit, disregarding the great righteousness of the nation?"

Ruan Xiaowu opened his mouth, finally sighed heavily, and nodded firmly.

"I understand now!"

"Mr. Chen, rest assured, I will definitely pick out the best grain and the most effective medicine!"

He said this, turned, and shouted at the busy auxiliary soldiers.

"Did you all hear that?"

"Be careful!"

"No moldy or shriveled grains may be mixed in at all!"

"The same goes for the medicine—pick the finest quality!"

Watching Ruan Xiaowu's busy back, Chen Wen felt somewhat relieved.

The cohesion of the Northward Aspiration army is forged precisely in this gradual accumulation of consensus.

He paced over to the area where the medicine was stacked.

A few veterans who knew a little medicine, under Wu Yong's guidance, were carefully sorting and packing.

Trauma medicine, hemostatic powder, warming cinnamon and cassia, and changshan grass for treating epidemics—though the variety is not extensive, it is already the utmost sincerity the Northward Aspiration army can offer.

Wu Yong saw Chen Wen approach, put down the medicine mortar he was holding, and spoke softly.

"My lord, we have prepared as much as possible according to your orders."

"Especially the trauma medicine—we have almost divided half of it."

"However… I still have a concern."

"With such a large batch of supplies heading south, even if disguised as well as possible, it is hard to completely escape the notice of all parties."

"If the Jin army discovers it and intercepts us en route, would that not mean total loss?"

"If the False Song court learns of it, they might even charge Yue Fei with the crime of 'colluding with bandits,' thereby harming him instead."

Chen Wen nodded; Wu Yong's concern was precisely the greatest risk of this matter.

"The strategist's concern is entirely correct."

He pondered and said.

"Therefore, for this operation, what matters is being 'swift,' 'secret,' and 'dispersed.'"

"Let Ruan Xiaoqi divide the manpower and supplies into several groups, disguising themselves as different merchants, refugees, even defeated False Song soldiers, and take different routes."

"They are to rendezvous at a secret location south of the Huai, after which Shi Dun's people will receive and guide them in."

"Even if some groups are lost along the way, the others can still preserve a portion."

"As for the False Song court's suspicions…"

Chen Wen's eyes turned slightly cold.

"As long as Yue Fei can win battles and hold troops, the court, even if suspicious, will not dare to act against him lightly in the short term."

"In these chaotic times, strength is the only firm principle."

Wu Yong seemed lost in thought, his palm-leaf fan swaying gently.

"Dividing into batches, using multiple routes, breaking the whole into parts… this can greatly reduce risk."

"I will now go and work out the details with Ruan Xiaoqi."

Two days later, everything was ready.

Before a hidden trail behind Black Cloud Stronghold's rear mountain, several dozen batches of men laden with goods and dressed in various ways had already gathered.

Some pushed single-wheeled carts, some led mules and horses, appearing just like ordinary caravans or fleeing refugees.

But their gazes were more alert, and their builds more agile.

Ruan Xiaoqi, dressed in semi-worn merchant attire, stood at the front of the group and bowed his fists in farewell to Chen Wen, Lin Chong, and the others.

"Mr. Chen, Instructor Lin, Heavenly King, Strategist!"

"Everyone, rest assured!"

I, Ruan Xiaoqi, even if I risk my life, will surely send these grain and medicine, not a grain less, not a package lacking, into Yue Commander's hands!

His voice was not loud, yet it carried the particular resoluteness of a Liangshan man.

Lin Chong patted his shoulder and spoke in a low voice.

"Xiao Qi, be careful on the road."

"When faced with trouble, do not act rashly; preserving yourself and the supplies is paramount."

"Remember the rendezvous point and signal; if anything changes, send someone back to report promptly."

Chao Gai then handed over a waterskin.

"Inside is fine strong liquor, to ward off the cold on the road."

"Come back alive, and I'll treat you to something better!"

Chen Wen said nothing, merely stepping forward, his gaze sweeping over each warrior about to depart.

He walked up to Ruan Xiaoqi, extended his hand, and firmly pressed on his arm.

Everything was understood without words.

Ruan Xiaoqi felt the strength transmitted to his arm, nodded heavily, then abruptly turned around and lowered his voice to shout.

"Depart!"

The troop set off silently, like a trickle merging into the twilight‑shrouded mountains and forests, winding toward the perilous, unknown road to the south.

After seeing off the transport team, Chen Wen felt no relief; instead, the weight on his shoulders grew heavier.

This batch of supplies concerns Yue Fei's survival, as well as the future strategic deployment of the Northward Aspiration Army.

No loss can be tolerated.

He strolled onto the fort wall and gazed far south.

The night was as dark as ink, with no starlight or moonlight.

Only the torches in the camp flickered, casting a faint halo in the darkness.

In his perception, that originally somewhat wavering sharp halo in the south seemed to have steadied a little due to the Northward Aspiration Army's firm decision to aid this time.

This is a subtle perception, arising from the "Shi Yong" vague grasp of the world's grand trends.

Meanwhile, his internal "Growth Progress Bar", already near saturation, once again transmitted a clear throb.

Undertaking and executing such a difficult, far‑seeing strategic decision brings a "growth" that far exceeds ordinary daily construction or routine combat.

He closed his eyes and carefully sensed this change.

It was a vigor accumulated to the extreme, about to burst forth.

The bottleneck at Level 5 had become as thin as a cicada's wing.

"Soon……"

Chen Wen murmured to himself.

"When Xiao Qi's news returns, and when the southern situation stabilizes, that will be my moment to break through."

"Then, perhaps the 'Script Perusal' will let me truly see what kind of gloom shrouds Yue Fei, and indeed the entire world."

The night wind swept over the fort wall, bringing the chill of deep autumn in the northern lands.

Chen Wen's figure stood on the wall like a silent statue, guarding the foundation of the north while gazing at the beacon fires of the south.

The provisions have gone south, and the spark of hope has already been sown.

What remains is waiting, and in that waiting, accumulating enough power to change everything.