Chapter 540: with translation of chapter title

After the imperial envoy left, the Yue Family Army camp outwardly resumed its usual drills and vigilance, but inside surged an unrest that could not be quelled.

Although the banner of the Commissioner had been raised and the grain promised by the Imperial Court had begun to arrive in installments, easing the urgent need, the heaviness in Yue Fei's brow did not lessen.

Inside the central tent, the oil lamp flickered.

Yue Fei stood alone before the map of Huainan, his gaze repeatedly sweeping over the interlocking enemy‑and‑our territories.

In his hand, the small flag used for marking was raised, lowered, raised again, yet he could not bring it down.

"Steady defense," "Do not be greedy for merit and rash advance," "Preserve the border and pacify the people"... the Imperial Court, or rather Chancellor Qin conveyed through the envoy, these admonitions still rang in his ears.

Yet the threat of the Jin forces and the puppet Qi was close at hand, the yearning to recover lost lands burned in his chest, and the Northward Aspiration army's comrades' notion of "take the initiative, fight to sustain war" also echoed in his ears.

Several different voices intertwined in his mind, making it hard for him to decide on the next direction of advance.

"Commander... no, Commissioner."

The voice of the personal troops' commander, Zhang Bao, sounded from outside the tent, carrying a barely perceptible excitement.

"From the north... Shi Dun, Elder Brother Shi, has arrived, saying he has urgent business to discuss."

Yue Fei's spirit lifted, and he immediately said.

"Please, hurry!"

Shi Dun remained the same capable and steady figure, though his brow bore the wind and frost of a long journey.

He entered the tent, clasped his fists in salute.

"Congratulations on your promotion, Commissioner Yue."

Yue Fei waved his hand and personally poured him a bowl of water.

"Shi Brother, no need for formalities."

"Your visit, is it at Master Chen's instruction?"

He faintly sensed that Shi Dun's arrival might resolve his present perplexity.

Shi Dun did not beat around the bush; he took the water bowl but did not drink, and spoke directly.

"I dare not presume to give instruction."

"Master Chen has heard of your promotion, Commissioner, and also heard the Imperial Court's intention."

"He asked me to convey four words to you, Commissioner: 'Steady establishment, steady strike.'"

"'Steady establishment... strike?'"

Yue Fei repeated it softly, his eyes showing contemplation.

"Exactly."

Shi Dun nodded, his tone sincere.

"Master Chen says, as you have newly received this heavy responsibility as Commissioner, your foundation is not yet solid; although the Imperial Court has given you a title, its intentions are unfathomable, and constraints will surely abound."

"If at this juncture you rashly launch a large‑scale offensive, victory would bring merit that shocks the sovereign, inviting suspicion and suppression; defeat would cost troops and generals, giving the Imperial Court a pretext, and possibly even provide an excuse to strip your military authority."

"Conversely, if you wholly obey the Imperial Court's order to 'stand firm' and confine yourself to self‑imposed limits, troop morale will surely slacken, and the grand cause of resisting the Jin will become empty talk."

"Therefore, only 'steady establishment, steady strike' is the best course."

Yue Fei's eyes grew sharp.

"What does 'steady establishment' mean? What does 'strike' mean? Please, Brother Shi, elaborate."

"'Steady establishment' means using the Commissioner's authority to act on expediency, nominally following the Imperial Court's order to 'preserve the border and pacify the people,' but in fact fully organizing defenses, clearing out small Jin and puppet strongholds within the jurisdiction, purging the vicinity, and managing the existing territory as tightly as a sealed barrel."

Shi Dun had clearly received detailed instructions from Master Chen before coming, and now his relay is clear and orderly.

"At the same time, actively gather the scattered righteous volunteers resisting the Jin, train new troops, and, using the supplies allocated by the Imperial Court and those seized, strengthen the foundation."

"This move appears conservative, but in reality it is accumulating strength, solidifying the base, leaving the Imperial Court with nothing to say."

Yue Fei gave a slight nod; this partly coincided with his own thoughts.

"And what about 'strike'?"

"'Strike' means, on the basis of 'steady establishment,' seizing the right moment to launch a swift and fierce limited offensive against points where the Jin or puppet defenses are weak yet vital to grain routes or strategic locations."

Shi Dun's voice lowered, carrying a force.

"The target must be clear, the action decisive; we must achieve tactical objectives, seize supplies, boost morale, and prove to the Imperial Court and the world that the Yue Family Army is not merely capable of passive defense but also possesses the ability to take the initiative and break the enemy!"

"But remember, such operations should not be on too large a scale; after the engagement, we must promptly withdraw and return to a 'steady defense' posture, to avoid an early strategic showdown with the Jin main force, lest we exhaust ourselves and give the Imperial Court a handle."

This discussion, like parting clouds to reveal the sun, instantly cleared the tangled thoughts in Yue Fei's mind.

He had previously been torn between the alternatives of "loyalty to the sovereign" and "resisting the Jin," never imagining that within the framework given by the Imperial Court he could skillfully exercise the right to act on expediency, taking a pragmatic path that both accumulates strength and effectively strikes the enemy while minimizing court suspicion to the greatest extent.

"What a fine 'steady establishment, steady strike'!"

Yue Fei could not help but praise it, his eyes flashing with bright light.

"Not greedy for merit, not rash in advance, nor sitting idle in a troubled city."

"Seek development within stability, seek battle opportunities within development!"

"Master Chen's true insight and piercing vision—I have been instructed!"

The blockage in his heart seemed to be shifted away in an instant, and his thoughts became exceedingly clear.

The several offensive directions he had previously hesitated over now, under the 'steady establishment, steady strike' strategy, immediately had clear choices.

Which places need priority consolidation, which targets can serve as objects of limited strikes, were already clear in his chest.

Seeing Yue Fei understand, Shi Dun also smiled and added.

"Master Chen also asked me to remind the Commissioner that within the Imperial Court, the pro‑peace faction is not to be underestimated."

"Every move the Commissioner makes in Huainan will be watched by countless eyes."

"In future actions, we must pay even more attention to having a legitimate name and proper justification."

"Each sortie, big or small, can be labeled 'suppress bandits,' 'pacify the countryside,' or 'repel harassing raids'; in the battle reports, the wording must be weighed so as to show merit without overly provoking the officials at court."

"This is not fear; it is a strategy of struggle, to gain more time and space."

Yue Fei nodded solemnly.

Chen Wen's thoughts are meticulous; Fei keeps them in mind.

He well knew that, in this complex situation, he must maintain the spirit of resisting the Jin while also understanding political detours; this indeed requires great wisdom.

Chen Wen's suggestion undoubtedly pointed him toward a viable path.

After seeing Shi Dun off, Yue Fei once again stood before the map.

This time, he hesitated not at all; the small flag in his hand fell precisely, marking several points on the edge of the defense zone, garrisoned by small units of the False Qi, and controlling the key passages leading to the northern mountain areas.

"Issue the order!"

Yue Fei's voice regained its former decisiveness and dignity.

"Wang Gui, Zhang Xian, Xu Qing, hear the order!"

"I command you three: each lead your elite forces; three days later at dawn, strike simultaneously to remove the False Qi strongholds at Crouching Ox Hill, Black Wind Ridge, and White Sand Ford."

"Externally, we claim they are bandits who harassed our defenses and plundered the people, to be eradicated!"

"You must fight swiftly and decisively, seize all supplies, clear the passages, then immediately return to defend; do not linger in battle!"

"Received!" the three generals replied in unison, their fighting spirit high.

The new strategy having become clear, the Yue Family Army, this sharp sword, will, under the policy of 'steady and solid', hide its edge in the sheath, occasionally reveal its sharpness, step by step solidify its foundations, cut the enemy, and await the day when it truly draws its sword for a northern expedition to Zhongyuan.

Almost as Yue Fei issued the military order,

Far in the north, Chen Wen slowly opened his eyes in the quiet chamber.

Although he was not there in person, he seemed, through an intangible connection, to 'see' that the sharp light halo in the south was no longer bewildered but had condensed into a steady and firm force, like a boulder, like a bow drawn but not released, firmly planted upon the South of the Huai lands.

He felt the inner progress bar, now complete, once again send a clear throb.

Providing key strategic advice that influences the direction of one side, such 'effort' and 'intervention' at this level brings immense growth.

"The foundation is steady……"

Chen Wen murmured to himself, a glint of expectation flashing in his eyes.

"Next, it's my turn…… to take that step."