Chapter 539: The Imperial Court's Olive Branch

The victory report of the Yue Family Army's complete annihilation of Li Cheng's unit and the seizure of a large amount of supplies was like a huge stone thrown onto the stagnant, lifeless Huainan waters, causing ripples that quickly spread.

Not only did nearby prefectures and counties tremble, but even the False Song court far away in Lin'an (Hangzhou) could no longer pretend to turn a blind eye.

On this day, Yue Fei was in camp discussing with Wang Gui, Zhang Xian, and other commanders the next steps in training and scout deployment when a messenger arrived to report that an imperial envoy had arrived outside the camp to proclaim the edict.

Hearing this, everyone in the tent straightened up, exchanging wary glances.

The intentions of the imperial court in sending this envoy at this time are hard to fathom.

"He came rather quickly."

Wang Gui snorted softly, whispering.

"Last time they urged us to transfer defenses and cut our rations, they weren't this eager."

"Now that we've won a battle, they come sniffing around."

Zhang Xian, more steady, signaled Wang Gui to be quiet and looked toward Yue Fei.

"Commander, let's see what the court's decree is this time."

Yue Fei's face remained calm, showing no joy or anger; he simply smoothed the slightly wrinkled battle robe from training and said in a low voice.

"Open the central gate, set up the incense table, and receive the envoy."

The camp gates swung open; a detachment of brightly armored Imperial Guard escorted a clean-shaven, red-robed eunuch official who strode in proudly.

The eunuch held a yellow silk scroll, his demeanor bearing the arrogance of an imperial envoy; his gaze swept over the assembled Yue Fei and his subordinate commanders, lingering a moment on their somewhat worn armor and weapons, and the corner of his mouth twitched almost imperceptibly.

"Jiangyin Army Commander Yue Fei, receive the edict—"

The eunuch drew out his voice, his piercing tone echoing across the camp.

Yue Fei lifted the front of his battle robe and knelt on one knee.

The officers and soldiers behind him followed suit, kneeling en masse.

The eunuch unfurled the yellow silk edict and read it aloud in a clear voice.

The content was nothing more than praising Yue Fei's troops for their recent "brave fighting and exaltation of our military might," and specially bestowing commendation.

Following that came the substantive part: promoting Yue Fei to Pacification Commissioner of Huainan West Circuit, authorizing him to oversee military affairs in Huainan West Circuit and to "act with discretionary authority."

At the same time, the edict mentioned that the court had already allocated some grain and military supplies, which would soon be transported to the front.

Pacification Commissioner!

"Act with discretionary authority!"

These two words made the kneeling Wang Gui, Zhang Xian, and other commanders' hearts jump.

This is not the previous "Commander" hampered at every turn; this is a true regional grand official with considerable autonomy!

Moreover, the court actually allocated grain and provisions?

Even Yue Fei's lowered eyes flickered with a hint of emotion.

This reward cannot be considered light.

It almost places half of the responsibility for resisting the Jin in Huainan West Circuit on his shoulders, while also granting him unprecedented trust and authority.

"Your subject, Yue Fei, receives the edict with gratitude.

Long live the emperor, long live, long live forever."

Yue Fei's voice remained steady as he received the heavy yellow silk edict with both hands.

After the proclamation, the eunuch's arrogant expression eased somewhat, replaced by a slightly more affable smile.

"Congratulations on your promotion, Commissioner Yue."

The emperor and the court officials place great hopes in the Pacification Commissioner.

He stepped closer and lowered his voice.

"Before departure, Minister Qin has a message for the Commissioner through us."

Yue Fei's eyes narrowed slightly.

Minister Qin naturally refers to Qin Hui, whose influence in the court has been growing day by day.

"Envoy, please speak."

"Minister Qin says that Commissioner Yue is a bulwark of the state and should prioritize the greater good."

The eunuch's voice dropped even lower, carrying a hint of deep meaning.

"Although the court has just been stabilized and many undertakings await revival, relations with the Jin... are not entirely without room for maneuver.

As Pacification Commissioner in Huainan, you should focus on holding the line, ensuring peace and safety for the people, and must not seek glory through reckless advances, lest you... undermine the court's grand plan.

He paused, then added pointedly.

"As for those dubious so-called 'aid' that are essentially banditry, the Commissioner must still discern right from wrong, keep his distance, lest he give others a handle and betray the imperial grace.

The admonitory and warning tone in these words is already quite evident.

On one hand, they elevated his office, gave him real power, and bestowed favors; on the other, they warned him not to unilaterally expand the war, and to draw a clear line with the Northward Aspiration Army.

After seeing off the envoy, the atmosphere in the central tent did not relax due to the promotion; instead, it grew even more solemn.

"Commissioner, the court is clearly giving a stick and then a sweet date!"

Wang Gui, the most blunt, couldn't help but shout.

"They give us the title of Pacification Commissioner and want us to just stay put, not allowed to take the initiative against the Jin dogs? They also want us to cut ties with the Northward Aspiration Army? This is nonsense!

Without the Northward Aspiration Army's timely help in the snow, we would have been starving these past days, watching wounded soldiers die!"

Zhang Xian also furrowed his brow.

"The court's move is both to win over and to restrain.

They fear that your achievements are too great, your military power too heavy, and even more that you might join forces with the Northward Aspiration Army, creating a situation where the tail is too big to control.

This 'act with discretionary authority' right is likely very limited; once you touch the court's bottom line, it could be revoked at any time.

Xu Qing muttered softly.

What should we do now? Should we take this official post or not? Should we accept the provisions or not?

The gazes of all the generals gathered on Yue Fei.

Yue Fei rubbed the scroll of yellow silk imperial edict in his hand, feeling its icy cool smoothness.

He walked to the crude Huainan map hung on the tent wall, his gaze sweeping over the prefectures and counties occupied by the Jin army and the false Qi, and he remained silent for a long time.

Loyalty to the sovereign and love for the country were the teachings he received since childhood, and also the foundation of his belief.

The Imperial Court's appointment and recognition held an extraordinary significance for him.

This represented 'orthodoxy,' representing the 'righteous cause' name he had always fought for.

Yet reality was so cold and cruel.

What is the Imperial Court's 'grand plan'? Is it to seek safety in a corner? Is it to compromise and seek peace?

If he were to follow the Imperial Court's intent, hold his position and await orders, watching the Jin people ravage the northern lands helplessly, watching the hope of recovering lost territory fade day by day, then how would he differ from those bureaucrats who only know how to seize power and profit?

How, then, would the soldiers under his command who followed and trusted him conduct themselves?

And there was the Northward Aspiration Army.

Could that helping hand extended in dire straits, that wholehearted camaraderie of like-minded souls, be easily erased or cast aside by the Imperial Court with just a phrase 'of unknown origin' and 'akin to bandits'?

Two ideas, two choices, collided and tore fiercely within his heart.

He closed his eyes, and in his mind appeared the refreshed faces of the soldiers after a hearty meal, the hope rekindled in the eyes of the wounded after treatment, and…… Shi Dun's sincere and steadfast eyes, as well as the conviction called 'Northward Aspiration'.

After a long while, he slowly opened his eyes; all the struggle and confusion in his pupils faded away, leaving only a firmness as solid as a boulder.

"Take the post."

Yue Fei's voice was not loud, yet it carried the force of cutting nails and slicing iron.

"The Imperial Court has appointed me Commissioner and granted me the authority to act on discretion, precisely so I may better organize the troops, train in martial arts, resist the Jin bandits, and recover the rivers and mountains!"

"This is a righteous cause of proper name and speech; how could it be abandoned because of the private interests of certain individuals within the Imperial Court?"

His gaze swept over the generals in the tent.

"The provisions, too, must be gathered."

"This is something the Imperial Court ought to allocate; it is the brothers' due—why should we refuse it?"

"With this batch of provisions, we can quickly restore our vigor, recruit more warriors, and forge more armaments!"

"As for the Northward Aspiration Army..."

Yue Fei paused, his tone growing deep.

"The grace of aid from like-minded comrades is like a rebirth."

"I, Yue, am certainly not an ungrateful, treacherous person."

"However, for the sake of the greater situation, to reduce the Imperial Court's groundless suspicions, future interactions must be more covert and cautious."

"In this matter, I have my own sense of measure."

Finally, he directed his gaze to the blackened area on the map marked as occupied by the Jin army, and he pressed his finger down heavily.

"Since we have received the nation's grace, we ought to take it upon ourselves to expel the barbarians and restore the former borders!"

"From now on, how we employ troops, when we launch attacks—the initiative lies with me!"

"If the Imperial Court inquires, we shall say it is 'acting on discretion,' to exterminate harassing enemies and safeguard the realm and its people!"

"The general abroad need not obey the sovereign's orders!"

"This is an ancient teaching!"

His words rang out like metal striking stone, both accepting the Imperial Court's 'olive branch,' utilizing the title and resources it provided, while clearly drawing a line, preserving the initiative in resisting the Jin and the potential connection with the Northward Aspiration Army.

Wang Gui, Zhang Xian, and the others, hearing this, felt their hearts suddenly open, their faces showing an exhilarated expression.

They feared not battle, but being bound hand and foot, and having no avenue to display loyalty and righteousness.

Now Yue Fei has made the choice that best aligns with their inner sense of righteousness and practical benefit—how could they not support him?

"We, the subordinate officers, solemnly obey the Commissioner's order!"

Almost at the same moment Yue Fei made his decision.

Far away in the northern land's Black Cloud Stronghold, Chen Wen was seated in meditation in a quiet chamber, adjusting his condition to prepare for breaking through the Lv. 5 bottleneck, when his heart stirred slightly.

Through that marvelous 'Fortune Momentum Initial Perception,' he faintly sensed that the southern sharp halo, originally somewhat disordered and fluctuating due to the Imperial Court's edict, after a brief sway, had not only not been fully assimilated or suppressed by the yellow energy representing the Imperial Court's orthodoxy, but had become more condensed, more resolute, faintly revealing a sharp edge that breaks constraints and forms its own pattern!

A hint of understanding curled at the corner of Chen Wen's mouth.

"You have chosen…… a path that is more arduous yet also full of potential, haven't you?"

"Excellent."

"In that case, my assistance to you will be worthwhile."

"Then I, too, ought to…… begin."