Chapter 574

The outer camp of the Jin army west of Zhuxian Town was torn apart at the most exhausted moment before dawn.

The remnant troops of the Northward Aspiration Army led by Lin Chong.

Using the last of their energy gathered from six consecutive days and nights of marching and attacking, they launched a desperate charge.

No detours, no tricks.

Only a piercing thrust condensed to a point.

The battle was brief but brutal.

When Lin Chong, covered in blood, led the remaining four hundred or so cavalry out of the encirclement and shook off the pursuing troops in chaos behind him.

The east already showed fish-belly white.

They finally stepped into the outermost part of the Yancheng battlefield.

And almost at the same time.

They had long received an urgent message from Shi Dun.

The Yue Family Army's elite cavalry unit, which had been guerrilla scouting the outskirts for an opportunity, also detected the movement here.

Zhang Xian and Yue Yun led two hundred elite cavalry of the Elite Army, leaping out like leopards from the rear of the side-wing hills.

They cleanly cut off a Jin cavalry unit that tried to bite the tail of the Northward Aspiration Army.

Two equally exhausted units, both stained with campaign dust and blood.

In the dim morning light and lingering gunpowder smoke, they met in a deserted village southeast of Zhuxian Town.

When Lin Chong saw the familiar 'Yue' flag and, beneath it, the person whose face was weary,

the young commander (Yue Yun) whose eyes were still sharp as before, and the steady and solemn Zhang Xian.

The tightly stretched heartstring finally relaxed a little.

"Northward Aspiration Army, Lin Chong." He reined in his panting warhorse, clasped his fists, and shouted hoarsely.

"Yue Family Army, Zhang Xian (Yue Yun)!"

Zhang Xian and Yue Yun almost simultaneously returned the salute, their gazes quickly sweeping over the small cavalry before them, every man wounded, eyes like wolves.

and the blood-stained "Northward Aspiration" flag, in their eyes shock and reverence intertwined.

No more pleasantries.

"Where is General Yue? Take me to him at once!"

Lin Chong urged.

"Instructor Lin, please follow me! The Marshal has been waiting a long time!" Zhang Xian showed no hesitation, turned his horse and led the way.

The party rode nonstop, passing several concealed outposts and hastily dug trenches.

They quickly reached a small hidden camp built around a ruined temple and broken walls.

Inside the side hall of the ruined temple where the central command was stationed, oil lamps stretched several shadows across the mottled walls.

Yue Fei was quietly discussing matters with a few core commanders, including Wang Gui.

In his hand he tightly gripped a sealed letter that had been repeatedly read, its edges frayed.

The letter had arrived last night deep into the night, delivered by Shi Dun's top night‑raider, who risked his life to breach the Jin blockade.

The ink on the letter pierced the paper, carrying the anxiety and resolve from a thousand miles away.

"……The Lin'an edict is nothing but a noose."

Internal traitors have moved, danger arises from within the arms……When commanding abroad, one may not obey imperial orders.

……One must decide according to the actual situation, with the welfare of all under heaven in mind……

If Yancheng cannot be held, the foremost priority is to preserve the troops and keep the seed of the northern expedition.

……The lands of Northward Aspiration can serve as a place of refuge……

Each character felt like a red‑hot branding iron searing his heart, yet also like a cold, clear spring.

It extinguished the last trace of his illusions and wishful thinking about the Imperial Court.

The 'internal traitor' indicated in the letter matched what he had been covertly investigating these past days.

The abnormalities of Wang Jun, the deputy commander of the baggage corps who had already grasped some clues, fit perfectly!

This letter completely solidified Yue Fei's decision, which had been brewing but had been painfully hesitant due to the shackles of 'loyalty to the sovereign'.

"Report—Marshal! The Northward Aspiration army's Instructor Lin Chong has arrived! Commander Zhang Xian is now escorting him here!"

The urgent report from the personal troops broke the solemn atmosphere in the hall.

Yue Fei snapped his head up, his eyes flashing with astonishing brilliance.

Please, quickly!

He carefully folded the secret letter, tucked it close to his body, and then strode swiftly toward the hall door.

Almost as the tent flap was lifted, Lin Chong's figure appeared at the entrance.

Their eyes met.

What Yue Fei saw was a face covered in wind‑frost and bloodstains.

Yet his expression remained steadfast and calm, and his eyes, though hardened by trials, still burned with fighting spirit.

What Lin Chong saw was a commander, though in dire straits, exhausted and haggard.

But his spine was straight as a pine, his gaze clear and firm as a cold pool.

Instructor Lin!

Yue Fei was the first to clasp his fists, his voice slightly hoarse from excitement.

Riding a thousand miles to aid, sacrificing life without hesitation—Yue Fei… on behalf of the entire Yue Family Army, I thank you!

Lin Chong stepped aside to avoid the ceremony, then moved forward to support Yue Fei's arm.

General Yue, please don't do this!

Lin Mou has come at the command of my lord, solely to jointly resist the Jin invaders.

Let us jointly preserve the vital essence of Huaxia! What need for thanks!

Mr. Chen...

Yue Fei seized Lin Chong's arm, his grip heavy, his eyes filled with complex emotion.

Mr. Chen's letter—I have received it.

He paused, lowered his voice, and spoke each word distinctly.

"……Mr. Chen's words strike like thunder, awakening those lost in dreams!"

Lin Chong's spirits rose; he knew the crucial information had been delivered and accepted by the other side.

He immediately interfaced, his voice low yet clear:

"My lord also repeatedly urged before his departure, ordering Lin Mou to inform the general: the situation is dire, act decisively when needed. Though the Northward Aspiration forces are weak, we are willing to advance and retreat together with the general!"

Yue Fei nodded heavily, dispensed with further pleasantries, and directly led Lin Chong to the crude map.

"Instructor Lin, please look— the current situation..."

He quickly pointed on the map.

"Yancheng has been besieged for five days; the Jin army numbers over 150,000, attacking day and night.

"The city's grain, fodder, and arrows can last at most another three to five days.

"The Imperial Court… the allied forces to the east and west have already withdrawn south; yesterday another fourth urging order to advance arrived.

"Within two days we must 'relocate defenses,' which is actually to force me to collapse under the Jin encirclement."

"Our main forces remain trapped in the city, commanded by Niu Gao, Zhang Xian, and others.

"I lead three thousand elite cavalry outside, nominally called 'patrol and support.'

"In reality, this is to preserve our last mobile strength and to seek outside aid and an opportunity to break the stalemate."

"As for internal threats…

Yue Fei's eyes flashed with a cold light.

"We have been covertly monitoring as per Mr. Chen's letter; awaiting the moment, we can strike to eliminate them.

He pointed toward the northwest of Yancheng.

"Although the Jin siege is strict, the northwest corner, due to complex terrain, has relatively sparse fortifications, and there is a stretch of hill forest that can provide cover.

"My original plan was, if things become impossible, to concentrate our elite forces here and attempt a breakout.

"Advance northwest into the foothills of the Taihang Mountains, then plan further moves."

"The fresh troops brought by Instructor Lin—now is the time!

Yue Fei's blazing gaze fell upon Lin Chong.

"I don't know how your troops are faring; can they still fight?

Lin Chong answered without hesitation.

"Our unit set out with five hundred elite fighters, breaking through numerous passes along the way, engaging in several battles.

"Now only four hundred twenty-three remain, everyone wounded, nearly half the horses lost, and our strength is at its limit.

His tone was firm and unyielding.

"If the general gives the order, even through blades and fire, the sons of Northward Aspiration will not furrow a brow!

If the general gives the order, even through knives mountains and seas of fire, my Northward Aspiration youths will not furrow a brow!

Yue Fei lightly punched the map.

"I don't want your troops to charge again; the most urgent thing now is time!

"I need the force you brought to serve as my most reliable reserve, to rest and recuperate here in concealment.

"At the same time, since your unit knows the northern terrain, routes, and the Jin rear's strengths and weaknesses, I need you, Instructor Lin, together with Zhang Xian and Wang Gui.

"to help me perfect every detail of the northwestern breakout route, planning supply, ambush, and liaison points along the way!

Help me perfect every detail of the northwest breakout route, planning well the supply, blocking, and rendezvous points along the way!

Yue Fei turned his gaze toward Yancheng and spoke resolutely.

"I must secretly return to the city at once to take charge of the overall situation, steady morale, and… eliminate internal threats!

"Once preparations are complete, we will follow the plan and await the chance to break out!

"As long as the main forces in the city can break out and join this cavalry outside, we have hope of escaping this death trap and preserving the foundation of our northern campaign!

Lin Chong instantly grasped Yue Fei's entire plan.

——This is to have the brave sever their wrists, abandon the desperate defense of an isolated city, and seek mobile survival!

This is entirely consistent with Chen Wen's idea of 'preserving the seed'!

"Lin Chong obeys! My unit will immediately conceal itself, rest, and assist in refining the breakout plan!

Lin Chong clasped his fists in assent.

"But General Yue returning to the city now carries great risk…

"We can no longer afford to worry about much.

Yue Fei waved his hand, his tone leaving no room for doubt.

"An army cannot go a day without a commander.

"Moreover, if internal threats are not eliminated, any talk of breakout is empty.

"I have my own way to return.

He turned to Zhang Xian and Wang Gui.

"Wang Gui, you will stay with Instructor Lin here to assist in organizing and planning the troops.

Wang Gui, you follow Instructor Lin here, assist in planning the army organization.

Zhang Xian, select the fifty most elite personal soldiers.

Follow me, pose as Jin army cavalry, detour to the north gate and attempt to sneak in.

"Marshal, let me go!"

Yue Yun urged.

"Stay here and assist Instructor Lin."

Yue Fei glanced at his son, his gaze deep.

"Remember, if… if I don't return, the troops outside the city will be temporarily commanded by Zhang Xian; we must unite with the Northward Aspiration Army brothers and act according to the plan!"

"Father!"

"Marshal!"

Everyone was startled.

Yue Fei, however, had already turned around, began to take off his conspicuous armor, changed into ordinary soldiers' clothing, his tone flat yet containing immense force:

"Yancheng can be abandoned, but the soul of my Yue Family Army must not scatter!"

"The spark of the Northern Expedition must be kept!"

"Mr. Chen has already pointed out the way forward for me; Yue Fei, how could I betray this sincerity, how could I hesitate any longer?"

"Carry out the order!"

Inside the ruined temple, all fell silent for a moment.

Lin Chong looked at the famed general before him, who had made the most difficult yet clearest decision in dire straits, and a feeling of respect welled up in his heart.

He again clasped his fists and gave a deep bow.

"General Yue, take care! Lin Chong is here, awaiting your good news!"

Moments later, a small unit, dressed in mixed disguises and utterly inconspicuous.

They quietly left the camp, vanished into the morning mist and hills, and stealthily headed toward the isolated city heavily besieged.

Lin Chong, meanwhile, was with Wang Gui, Yue Yun, and the others.

They quickly began to organize the troops, study the map, and make the most solid preparations for the breakout that would decide the lives of tens of thousands.

The northern and southern forces stood at the edge of this desperate situation.

Not only did they accomplish the meeting of armies, but also, under the catalyst of Chen Wen's letter,

they quickly coalesced into a unified whole with a shared goal and a clear path.

And further north, on that hidden path,

Chen Wen, on horseback, seemed to sense something, and suddenly reined in his mount.

The two old and new tokens in his bosom almost simultaneously transmitted a faint but clear warmth.

It seemed as if a strong resonance of "momentum" occurred in the distant south.

He gazed toward Yancheng, a complex expression flickering across his weary face.

"The letter has arrived…"

"The way, too, has been pointed out…"

"From now on, it's up to you."

He gently patted the restless horse's neck, again urged his mount onward, and continued south.

His road, too, is not yet finished.