Chapter 572

Inside the Hall of Gathered Righteousness, the atmosphere was so heavy you could wring water out of it.

Translation: In the Hall of Gathered Righteousness, the atmosphere was so heavy it could wring water out.

We need to keep "Hall of Gathered Righteousness" maybe translate as "Hall of Gathered Righteousness". It's a place name (a hall). Should we translate? It's a meaningful place name; we can translate. Not in glossary; we will add to glossary as "Hall of Gathered Righteousness". But the instruction says list every named entity. So we should include it.

Thus line: In the Hall of Gathered Righteousness, the atmosphere was so heavy it could wring water out.

The oil lamp cast several swaying shadows on the wall, pulling and distorting them somewhat.

Translation: The oil lamp cast several swaying shadows on the walls, pulling and distorting them somewhat.

Chen Wen stood before the main seat, not sitting.

Translation: Chen Wen stood before the main seat, not sitting.

Before him lay the freshly compiled, top‑secret intelligence summary urgently assembled by Wang Ru from multiple southern channels.

Translation: Before him lay the top-secret intelligence summary just urgently compiled by Wang Ru from multiple southern channels.

Every character on it exuded bloodshed and despair.

Translation: Every word on it reeked of blood and despair.

"...... The Jin forces have completed their encirclement; troop strength is estimated at over 150,000, and the banner of Wanyan Zongbi has been raised."

Note: The line begins with six ellipses; it reads: "The Jin forces have completed their encirclement; troop strength is estimated at over 150,000, and the banner of Wanyan Zongbi has been raised."

"All allied troops of the eastern and western wings of the puppet Song have obeyed orders to retreat south, leaving Yancheng completely isolated."

Translation: "The eastern and western allied forces of the False Song have all been ordered to withdraw south; Yancheng is now completely isolated."

"The city's grain and fodder, according to covert estimates, can last at most five days; arrow consumption is enormous and resupply is difficult."

Translation: "The city's grain and fodder, according to covert estimates, can last at most five days; arrow consumption is enormous, and resupply is difficult."

"Within the Yue Family Army, Wang Jun and his two close aides have been frequently entering and leaving the grain storage area this afternoon, acting furtively, as if counting or moving some kind of supplies; their motive is unclear but highly suspicious."

Translation: "Within the Yue Family Army, Wang Jun and his two close aides have frequently entered and exited the granary area this afternoon, acting furtively, as if checking or moving some kind of supplies; their motive is unclear but highly suspicious."

"From the Lin'an side, the fourth urging to advance has been issued, with harsher wording, demanding departure within three days. However, Yancheng is actually already surrounded; this order… is almost a death sentence."

Translation: "From Lin'an, the fourth urging order to advance has been issued, its wording harsher, demanding departure within three days. Yet Yancheng is actually already surrounded; this edict... is almost a death warrant."

Chen Wen's voice was not loud, his pace steady, yet each piece of information that sank in made everyone's hearts drop a little.

Translation: Chen Wen's voice was not loud, his pace steady, but each point of information that fell made everyone present's heart sink a notch.

Chao Gai's face turned ashen, his clenched fists making a cracking sound.

Translation: Chao Gai's face turned iron-blue, his clenched fists making a cracking sound.

Lin Chong tightly pressed his lips, his gaze fixed on the words '150,000' and 'isolated' in the report.

Translation: Lin Chong tightly pressed his lips, his gaze fixed on the words "150,000" and "isolated" in the intelligence.

Wu Yong held his feather fan before his chest, his brows knotted into a shape like the Chinese character for river.

Wu Yong held his feather fan still before his chest, his brows knotted into a shape like the Chinese character for river.

The Ruan brothers, Xiao Er and Xiao Wu, exchanged a glance, each seeing anxiety in the other's eyes.

Translation: The Ruan Xiao Er and Ruan Xiao Wu brothers exchanged a glance, each seeing anxiety in the other's eyes.

Wang Ru stood solemnly to one side, her face icy, a faint worry hidden deep in her single eye.

Translation: Wang Ru stood stiffly to one side, her face icy, a faint worry hidden deep in her single eye.

"The situation, roughly speaking, is as such."

Translation: "The situation, roughly speaking."

Chen Wen lifted his head, his gaze sweeping over the crowd.

Translation: Chen Wen lifted his head, his gaze sweeping over everyone.

"Yancheng has become a death trap. The court not only refuses to help, but secretly tightens the noose. The Jin forces aim to swallow the Yue Family Army in one fell swoop, forever eliminating the threat of a northern expedition."

Translation: "Yancheng has become a death trap. The Imperial Court not only refuses to help, but tightens the rope from behind. The Jin forces aim to swallow the Yue Family Army in one fell swoop, forever eliminating the threat of northern expeditions."

"As for our warning letter seeking change, the earliest it could reach Shi Dun's hands is tomorrow evening, or even the day after, before being passed on to Yue Fei."

Translation: "Our warning letter calling for change, at the earliest, will only reach Shi Dun's hands tomorrow evening, or even the day after, before being passed on to Yue Fei."

He paused, his voice carrying a weighty force.

Translation: He paused, his voice carrying a weighty force.

"I can't wait any longer."

Translation: "We can't wait."

"Everyone, we must make a decision immediately."

Translation: "Everyone, we must make a decision immediately."

"Whether, and how, to aid Yancheng?"

Translation: "Whether, and how, to aid Yancheng?"

The hall fell into complete silence.

Translation: The hall fell into complete silence.

Only the faint crackle of bursting lamp flowers could be heard.

Translation: Only the faint crackling of the lamp's blossoms could be heard.

Aid?

Translation: "Aid?"

How to aid?

Translation: "How to aid?"

Yancheng lies a thousand miles away, with the Jin main force mobilizing and standing ready in between, and the ambivalent puppet Song prefectures lined with checkpoints.

Translation: "Yancheng lies a thousand li away, with the Jin main force, busy mobilizing troops and standing ready, in between, and the False Song prefectures with ambiguous attitudes and numerous checkpoints."

All the forces of the North‑Looking Army together barely exceed ten thousand, yet we must also spare troops to guard the Black Cloud Stronghold's foundation and monitor Jin movements in Hebei and Shandong.

Translation: "The Northward Aspiration Army's total forces barely exceed ten thousand, yet we must also detach troops to guard the Black Cloud Stronghold's foundation and monitor Jin movements in Hebei and Shandong."

Sending too few would be like a drop of water in a burning cart, or lambs into a tiger's mouth.

Translation: "Sending too few would be like a cup of water on a burning cart of firewood, or lambs into a tiger's den."

Sending too many would leave the Black Cloud Stronghold empty; if the Jin or the puppet Song court noticed, they could strike while we're exposed, destroying our base.

Translation: "Sending too many would leave the Black Cloud Stronghold empty; if the Jin forces or the False Song Imperial Court noticed, they could strike while we're exposed, destroying our base."

Chao Gai was the first to break the silence, slamming the table hard.

Translation: "Chao Gai was the first to break the silence, slamming the table hard."

"Help! We must help! Yue Pengju is a true hero who stands heaven and earth; his troops are there to recover our Han lands. Our North‑Looking Army's banner is 'North‑Looking'—how can we stand by while the Jin dogs extinguish the spark of the northern expedition? To see death and not save it, old man Chao Gai will have no face to walk the martial world!"

Translation: "Help! We must help! Yue Pengju is a true hero; he leads his troops to recover our Han lands, which is why they're trapped there! Our Northward Aspiration Army's banner is 'Northward Aspiration'—how can we stand by while the Jin dogs extinguish the spark of the northern expedition in the south? To see death and not save, old man Chao Gai will have no face to walk the jianghu!"

His voice rang out, carrying the fierce blood and righteousness typical of the martial world's ruffians.

Translation: His voice rang loud, carrying the blood and righteousness typical of jianghu ruffians.

Lin Chong slowly exhaled, his voice much calmer.

Translation: Lin Chong slowly exhaled, his voice much steadier.

"What the Heavenly King said is correct. Publicly or privately, emotionally or rationally, we should help. If General Yue is defeated, the Jin's arrogance will only grow; they will surely focus all efforts on clearing the rear, doubling the pressure on our North‑Looking Army in Hebei and Shandong. When the lips are gone, the teeth feel the cold."

Translation: "What the Heavenly King says is reasonable. Publicly or privately, emotionally or logically, we should help. If General Yue is defeated, the Jin's arrogance will surely grow; they will surely focus all efforts on clearing the rear, doubling the pressure on our Northward Aspiration Army in Hebei and Shandong. When the lips are gone, the teeth feel the cold."

"But how to help requires careful calculation. A thousand‑mile rush demands speed, and above all, quality over quantity. Infantry would surely fail; before reaching Yancheng they would likely be exhausted or intercepted en route."

Translation: "But how to help requires careful calculation. Aiding from a thousand li away, speed is prized, and precision over numbers. Infantry certainly won't do; by the time they reach Yancheng, they'd likely be exhausted or intercepted en route."

He looked at Chen Wen, his eyes sharp.

Translation: He looked at Chen Wen, his gaze sharp.

"Only cavalry will do. Pick the finest troops, those most skilled at long‑distance raids and hard fighting, lightly equipped with minimal attendants—one rider with two or even three horses, no baggage, just armor and dry rations. At maximum speed, like a drill, thrust straight in!"

Translation: "Only cavalry. Pick the finest, most skilled at long-distance raids, most capable in hard fighting cavalry, travel light with minimal baggage, each rider with two or even three horses, no supply train, just armor and dry rations, moving at top speed like a awl driven straight in!"

"The goal is not to smash the besieging Jin forces—that's unrealistic. The goal is to meet General Yue Fei, or open a gap for him to break out, or join forces with him to strengthen his defense, awaiting other variables."

Translation: "The goal is not to crush the besieging Jin forces—that's unrealistic. The goal is to rendezvous with General Yue Fei, or open a breach for him to break out, or join forces to strengthen his defense of the city, awaiting other variables."

Wu Yong shook his feather fan and took up the conversation.

Translation: Wu Yong shook his feather fan and took up the conversation.

"What Instructor Lin said is correct. However, this move carries enormous risk."

Translation: "What Instructor Lin says is correct. Yet this move carries enormous risk."

"First, who should lead the unit? They must be brave and skilled in battle, moreover calm and decisive, able to adapt on the fly. Penetrating deep into enemy rear encirclement is no task for anyone less than supremely wise and courageous."

Translation: "First, who will lead the team? Must be brave and skilled in battle, moreover calm and decisive, able to adapt on the fly. Penetrating deep into enemy rear encirclement is no task for anyone less than great wisdom and courage."

"Second, how should the route be chosen? Avoid the Jin main force concentration areas, avoid the puppet Song prefectures that might obstruct, and consider horse stamina and resupply. We need an extremely detailed and highly secret route map."

Translation: "Second, how to choose the route? Avoid the Jin main force concentration areas, avoid False Song prefectures that might obstruct, and consider horse stamina resupply. We need an extremely detailed, extremely secret route map."

"Third, after making contact—should we assist in defending the city, or join forces to break out? If breaking out, which direction? These are variables; the commander must have considerable authority to decide in the heat of battle."

Translation: "Third, after rendezvous—assist in defending the city, or jointly break out? If breaking out, which direction? These are variables; the commander must have considerable authority to decide on the battlefield."

"Fourth, and most important—after we draw out the elite cavalry from our Black Cloud Stronghold, how will we defend it? The Jin forces in Hebei have not diminished; if they discover our stronghold empty and launch a major assault, how shall we respond?"

Translation: "Fourth, and most important—after we draw out our elite cavalry from the Black Cloud Stronghold, how will its defense be? The Jin forces in Hebei have not reduced their numbers; if they discover our stronghold empty and launch a major attack, how do we respond?"

Questions came one after another, stark and coldly realistic.

Translation: "Questions came one after another, realistic and cold."

Righteousness cannot fill the stomach, and hot blood cannot satisfy hunger.

Translation: "Righteousness cannot fill the stomach, hot blood cannot sate hunger."

War ultimately comes down to concrete manpower, routes, supplies, and rear‑area logistics.

Translation: "War ultimately comes down to actual manpower, routes, supplies, and rear support."

Everyone's gaze once again focused on Chen Wen.

Translation: "Everyone's gaze once again focused on Chen Wen."

He is the ruler, the true backbone of the North‑Looking Army.

Translation: "He is the lord, the true backbone of the Northward Aspiration Army."

The final decision must be made by him.

Translation: "The final decision must be made by him."

Chen Wen remained silent.

Translation: "Chen Wen remained silent."

How could he not know the risks?

Translation: "How could he not know the risks?"

This is almost a gamble wagering part of the North‑Looking Army's elite, and possibly even shaking its foundation.

Translation: "This is almost a gamble staking part of the Northward Aspiration Army's elite, possibly even shaking its foundation."

If we win the gamble, perhaps we can save Yue Fei, preserve the vigor of the northern expedition, and forge a true life‑and‑death alliance with the Yue Family Army, greatly improving the future situation.

Translation: "If we win, perhaps we can save Yue Fei, preserve the vigor of the northern expedition, truly forge a life-and-death alliance with the Yue Family Army, and greatly improve the future situation."

If we lose, the elite troops sent out could be annihilated, and the Black Cloud Stronghold might face crisis.

Translation: "If we lose, the elite sent out could be wiped out, and the Black Cloud Stronghold might also face crisis."

But…

Translation: "But..."

In his mind, that sword, being assailed from inside and out by a black iron curtain and golden chains, flashed again, its light and shadow rapidly dimming.

He flashed past the fragments in the "script reading" that foreshadowed the tragedy of "Fengbo Ting".

He flashed past the possible betrayal and framing that Yue Fei might face in dire straits.

Cannot wait.

The inertia of history (or rather, the "script") is too great, and the shadow manipulated by the Iron Crow Army is too thick.

If we do not, at this most critical juncture, invest the greatest variable and exert the strongest intervention, then everything will slide toward that known, tragic ending.

He must gamble.

Moreover, he also has chips to gamble with.

"Instructor Lin."

Chen Wen finally spoke, his voice calm yet carrying an indomitable resolve.

"If you were to lead troops, how many men would you need? How many horses? How many days to reach the outskirts of Yingcheng?"

Lin Chong's body trembled slightly, his eyes suddenly blazing with astonishing vigor, without a trace of hesitation.

"Five hundred elite cavalry will suffice! Each with three horses, no heavy armor, only light leather armor, long weapons, bows and crossbows, ample arrows, carrying ten days' dry rations and salt and medicine."

"The route… we can take the mountain trails we control, bypassing major strongholds like Daming Prefecture, cutting through the weakly held areas of the False Song, and thrust straight to south of Zhengzhou. Along the way, our 'South Wind Chronicle' hidden posts will relay to provide secret supply points and intelligence."

"Traveling day and night, changing horses but not people, discarding all burdens… six days! Within six days, we will surely reach the outskirts of Yingcheng!"

Six days!

This is already the speed that pushes man and horse to the limit of endurance.

Chen Wen nodded.

"Good. I'll give you five hundred elite cavalry, each with three horses, and supply arms, armor, grain, and medicine as you need."

"Military Advisor Wu, you and the Ruan brothers, immediately based on all the maps and intelligence we hold, devise three or more alternative routes and support plans, marking all known hidden posts, supply points, and danger zones. I want to see them within an hour."

"Chao Tianwang, the defense of the stronghold is entrusted to you entirely. After I leave, you will be in charge. Contract the outer outposts, reinforce the stronghold's key defenses everywhere, set up more decoy troops, send out scouts widely. If the Jin army attacks, there's no need to fight head‑on; rely on the mountain fortifications, hold out for reinforcements. I will leave behind some of the effects of 'Ability Granting' to help you defend the stronghold."

"Wang Ru, mobilize all your forces to pave the way for Instructor Lin's march. Clear potential obstacles on the route, interfere with any possible surveillance by the False Song, and ensure that news of their departure reaches the enemy as late as possible."

Order after order was clear and decisive, assigned to each person.

All responded solemnly, knowing the matter was settled.

"Instructor Lin." Chen Wen finally looked at Lin Chong, his gaze deep.

"This journey is perilous, a nine‑deaths‑one‑life chance. Your mission is not to win a battle, but to meet a person and safeguard a banner."

"When you see General Yue Fei, tell him that Northward Aspiration's Chen Wenzhong once said, 'A general abroad is not bound by the sovereign's orders,' which is the ultimate truth. But also tell him, 'As long as the green mountains remain, there's no fear of lacking firewood.' If the situation cannot be done, then the foremost duty is to preserve the soldiers' lives and keep the seeds of the northern expedition."

"If necessary… you may abandon Yingcheng, head northwest or northeast to link up with our northern forces. Heiyun Village, or even farther north, will always have a place to settle."

"These five hundred brothers, and you Lin Chong, are the sinews and bones of my Northward Aspiration army. I want you all to return alive as much as possible."

Lin Chong dropped to one knee, clasped his fists above his head, and his voice rang out like metal.

"Lin Chong, receive the order! I will not disgrace the mission! I will surely bring General Yue out!"

Chen Wen stepped forward and personally helped him up.

Then he walked to the hall and faced the crowd.

"This operation is called 'Breaching the Wall'."

"We want to chisel a hole in the iron wall forged jointly by the Jin army and the False Song court."

"Let light shine in, so those inside can see hope and find a way to live."

"Prepare immediately!"

"At dawn tomorrow, at the initial moment of the Mao hour, the five hundred cavalry will set out on time, heading south!"

"Yes!"

The crowd roared their assent, quickly dispersed, and each prepared.

Only Chen Wen and Wang Ru remained in the hall.

"My lord, you just said… 'after I leave'?" Wang Ru keenly caught that word.

Chen Wen looked at her and nodded slightly.

"Lin Chong heading south is the overt line. I still need a covert line."

"Over at Zhao Lao'nian's side, the first newly made token has just completed preliminary processing. I want to personally carry it and take another, more secret route, getting as close to Yingcheng as possible."

"If possible… perhaps at the critical moment we could pass through it and do something more."

Wang Ru's face changed.

"My lord! Impossible! Your body is worth a fortune—how can you personally venture into such peril? Yingcheng is already a dragon's pool and tiger's den; if you draw near, then…"

"There is no 'if'."

Chen Wen cut her off, his gaze firm.

"Some matters, some powers, must have me present in person to be exerted."

"Besides, Shi Dun is still coordinating in the south; I need the most direct perception of that situation."

"Heiyun Village has Chao Gai and you all; I am reassured."

"This need not be discussed further. Go prepare, pick the most capable shadow guards to accompany me. Remember, it must be absolutely secret."

Wang Ru knew Chen Wen's mind was set, so she could only suppress her worries and accept the order solemnly.

"Subordinate… I obey. I will surely protect my lord's safety!"

After she withdrew, Chen Wen stood alone in the empty hall of brotherhood.

Gazing southward, he seemed to hear the distant battlefield's war drums and horns about to sound.

"Breaching the Wall…"

He whispered the operation's codename over and over.

It was not only to carve a path of survival for Yue Fei.

It is also to, for this world shrouded in the shadow of the 'script' and the Iron Crow Army, chisel open a crack of contingency.

Success or failure rests on this single move.

He slowly clenched the newly made token in his sleeve that still retained warmth.