Chapter 603

The main hall of Luoyang Marshal's Residence has now been temporarily converted into a conference chamber.

Around the rough-hewn long wooden table, the seats are filled with people.

Yue Fei sits in the chief seat, wearing an old battle robe washed until it's whitish, without armor, yet he exudes a steady, mountain-like presence.

To his left are the core of the Northward Aspiration Army: Lin Chong, Wu Yong, Chao Gai, Ruan Xiao II, Guan Sheng, and Huyan Zhuo.

To his right are the old troops of the Yue Family Army and newly integrated commanders:

Zhang Xian, Wang Gui, Yue Yun, Niu Gao, and several mid-ranking officers who distinguished themselves in the Luoyang restoration battle.

Chen Wen sits in a slightly off‑center spot behind and to the side of Yue Fei, not very conspicuous.

Yet no one in the hall will overlook his presence.

Wang Ru hides in the shadow near the door, like a silent silhouette.

The atmosphere in the hall is solemn; the fire in the charcoal brazier occasionally crackles, further emphasizing the silence.

"Everyone is here."

Yue Fei spoke, his voice not loud but clear enough to reach every ear.

"Today I have summoned you all to discuss our army's next course of action.

Before that, there are a few matters I need to brief you on."

His gaze swept over the assembly, especially the several new‑face commanders.

"First, it concerns the movements of the southern court."

Yue Fei's tone was calm, but when he uttered the two words "court," all warmth vanished, leaving only a cold scrutiny.

"The Security Bureau and our scouts have investigated from multiple angles and now confirmed that the False Song's Privy Council has issued orders to the three circuit commissioners of Huainan East, Hubei North, and Jingxi South.

Under the pretext of 'suppressing rebels and recovering lost territory,' they are mustering troops, slowly concentrating toward the directions of Ruzhou and Tangzhou.

Total forces are currently estimated at between fifty and eighty thousand, mainly infantry.

Supported by some naval units moving north along the Han River to provide assistance."

"Its vanguard of about ten thousand, led by the former Yue army commander Wang Jun (originally under our command), has already marched out of Xinyang and will soon reach the southern foothills of Tongbai Mountain."

"Wang Jun?"

Zhang Xian furrowed his brows, a flash of anger and contempt crossing his eyes.

"This scoundrel has indeed defected to Qin Hui!"

Wang Gui gave a cold snort: "A petty clown, a defeated subordinate—what right does he have to come here?"

"Do not underestimate the enemy."

Yue Fei raised his hand to stop his subordinates' indignation and calmly analyzed.

"Wang Jun is mediocre in ability, yet this time he serves as the court's vanguard.

He must be receiving special favor from certain individuals in Lin'an, possibly implying extraordinary means or backing.

Moreover, many of his troops are former soldiers of ours who were dispersed and re‑absorbed; they know some of our tactics, which is disadvantageous."

He paused, then continued:

"The False Song court's troop mobilization appears formidable, but in reality the various forces are of mixed motives, and grain transport is difficult.

The actual manpower and resolve that can be committed to the northern front are doubtful.

Their primary aim is likely not a genuine decisive battle with us, but to create pressure and block our southward expansion.

At the same time… it may also be adding chips for a possible future 'deal.'"

"A deal?"

Wu Yong lightly shook his feather fan, a gleam of insight flashing in his eyes.

"Military Lord Yue, are you referring to the Jurchens?"

Yue Fei nodded:

"This is the second matter. Regarding the Jin state, according to reports returned from Bei Jing's Night‑Unceasing and the Hebei righteous armies,

Wanyan Zongbi (Wuchu) after retreating to defend Yanshi and Gong County, has heavily fortified defenses and contracted his forces.

He has issued orders to the garrisons in Hebei and Hedong: 'Strictly hold the cities, permit no reckless fighting.'

Although it appears to be shifting to a defensive stance, their upper capital has been engaging in unusually frequent secret envoys with Lin'an."

Lin Chong interjected:

"Our army, while at Mang Mountain, once intercepted scattered Jin messengers; though we did not obtain the full text, we have pieced together fragmentary information.

The Jin seem willing to accept the False Song's claim to the territory south of the Huai River and to join forces to exterminate our army as conditions.

In exchange, they seek some tacit approval or cooperation from the False Song court regarding grain supplies and even… the northern border troubles."

"Northern border troubles?"

Among the newly promoted officers, someone voiced their doubt.

Yue Fei and Chen Wen exchanged a glance; Chen Wen gave a slight nod.

Yue Fei then spoke in a low voice: "This is the third matter I wish to discuss today, and possibly the most thorny."

He signaled his personal guards to hang up a larger map of the northern territories.

He pointed to the area north of the Yellow River, beyond the traditional Jin-controlled region.

"About half a month ago, the elite squads we sent to Hebei and Hedong to contact the righteous armies and scout enemy conditions began to return some unusual reports."

"North of Zhen Ding Prefecture, west of Da Tong Prefecture, and even farther in the regions of Fengzhou and Yunnei Prefecture, multiple bands of unfamiliar and extraordinarily formidable cavalry have appeared."

"Their attire differs from that of the Jin troops, the Western Xia army, and even all known steppe tribes."

"Their horsemanship is superb, they come and go like the wind, and their combat power is astonishing."

Yue Yun, young and full of vigor, couldn't help but ask: "Father, how formidable are they? How do they compare to the Jin's Iron Pagoda?"

Yue Fei glanced at his son, then spoke slowly:

According to survivors' descriptions, their ordinary cavalry, in one-on-one encounters, were not inferior to our army's most elite Beibei Army scouts in horsemanship, sword and archery, and endurance.

Their squads coordinated seamlessly, employing crafty and ruthless tactics, and… seemed unafraid of casualties, with extremely tenacious fighting spirit.

Several joint reconnaissance detachments of our army and the Hebei rebel forces have already encountered them, suffering heavy casualties, with only a handful escaping.

A suppressed intake of breath sounded in the hall.

Everyone present knows the caliber of the Beibei Army scouts.

They are the top-tier light cavalry personally crafted by Yue Fei, selected one in a hundred, and superbly equipped.

Used for the most dangerous reconnaissance, raiding, and pursuit missions.

Ordinary Jin cavalry scouts dare not engage them head-on.

Now a sudden batch of unfamiliar cavalry has appeared, whose ordinary units can rival the Beibei scouts?

"Not only that."

Wu Yong added, his face also growing solemn.

"These cavalry appear over an extremely wide area, their movements hard to predict, seeming quite familiar with the terrain of Hebei and Hedong.

"What's more puzzling is that they not only attack our forces and the rebel armies,

"they also strike scattered Jin detachments and even some small steppe tribes.

"Their behavior… is not like looting; it resembles a purposeful sweep, reconnaissance, and even… hunting."

Hunting?

That word cast a deeper shadow over everyone's hearts.

"Can we discover their origin and banner?" Guan Sheng asked, stroking his beard.

Yue Fei shook his head:

"Engagements are brief; the enemy is extremely cautious, never leaving survivors, nor lingering in battle, departing immediately after success.

"To date we have not captured their complete banner; wounded rebel leaders have given only vague descriptions.

"On some of their cavalry's saddle blankets or leather armor, there appear strange emblems resembling wolf heads or falcons, unlike any known tribe."

He pressed his finger heavily on the blank northern area of the map.

"Based on what we know, they come from farther north, from the deep southern desert steppe where Jin control has long weakened and intelligence is nearly blank.

"Their scale, intent, and whether anyone is behind them are all unknown."

The hall fell into a brief silence.

To the south, the False Song court's great army presses the border; though full of doubts, we cannot neglect to guard against it.

To the west (actually northwest), remnants of the Jin forces hunker down, but a joint threat with the equally menacing False Song is possible.

Now, to the north, a mysterious and formidable unfamiliar force has suddenly emerged, friend or foe unknown.

But its displayed aggressiveness is heart-pounding.

Luoyang, as if suddenly plunged into a potential predicament of being besieged on three sides.

"Scared of a bird!"

Niu Gao broke the silence with a gruff voice.

"Meet force with force, water with earth!

"The False Song's weaklings, the Jin's stray dogs, and now some unknown wild cavalry.

"Our Northward Aspiration-Yue allied army's swords are still itching for action!

His words were blunt and bold, yet they provoked a low murmur of agreement.

Tense as it may be, everyone present are generals who have fought their way out of blood and fire, having seen mountains of corpses and seas of blood; how could they be cowed by an unknown threat?

Yue Fei's gaze swept slowly over the officers; seeing their solemn yet fearless faces, he felt assured.

"General Niu's words show confidence, but we must not be reckless.

He said in a deep voice.

"The current situation: enemy intentions unclear, multiple parties in motion. Our army has just taken Luoyang; its foundation is not yet solid, and popular support is only beginning.

"We must first prioritize steadfastly defending Luoyang and consolidating our foundation."

"Zhang Xian, Wang Gui."

"Your subordinate is here!

"I order you two to take overall charge of Luoyang's city defenses. Effective immediately, strengthen the four gates, increase patrols, and root out spies.

"Repair damaged wall sections promptly, and begin digging moats and setting up anti-cavalry obstacles at key points outside the city, while stockpiling more defensive equipment."

"Received the order!

"Lin Chong, Guan Sheng, Huyan Zhuo.

"Present!

"Reorganize all cavalry, intensify drills.

"Send out more scouts, south to Rushan, north to the Yellow River, west to Hangu Pass, expanding reconnaissance range, especially monitoring the movements of unfamiliar northern cavalry.

"When encountering the enemy, do not engage rashly; prioritize gathering intelligence and preserving yourselves."

"Will obey!

"Mr. Wu, Chief Chao, and the Ruan brothers.

Wu Yong, Chao Gai, and Ruan Xiaoer clasped their hands.

"Please assist the three of you in accelerating the training of newly attached troops, forming them into units.

"At the same time, contact Heiyun Village and all possible rebel armies and strongholds to be won over, to solidify the outskirts and spread eyes and ears.

"Understood.

"The remaining officers, each attend to your duties, reorganize your units, raise alertness, and stand ready for deployment.

Yes!

After a round of deployment, clear and orderly, everyone's hearts were somewhat eased.

Yue Fei finally looked at Chen Wen: "Mr. Chen, regarding armament supplies, especially dealing with possible special enemy situations, you still need to put in more effort."

Chen Wen nodded, taking from his bosom several newly polished metal tokens bearing fine star-like patterns.

This is the newly made 'Star Pattern Order'; its effectiveness is more stable and stronger than the previous 'Northward Aspiration Order'.

I will gradually bestow the imprint upon all of you and the selected elite cadres.

Facing an unknown enemy, a little extra preparation is never a bad thing.

Seeing that token, Lin Chong, Wu Yong, and the others had a flash of eagerness and reassurance in their eyes.

They fully understood what this token signified.

Then let's disperse.

Yue Fei rose.

Each of you, make ready. In these critical times, I hope you all unite and overcome these difficulties together.

The generals responded in unison, and after paying their respects, they filed out one by one.

Inside the council hall, only Yue Fei, Chen Wen, and Wang Ru in the corner remained.

Yue Fei walked to the window, gazing at the overcast sky outside, and spoke slowly:

Mr. Chen, those northern scouts... could they be related to the Iron Crow Army?

Chen Wen fell silent for a moment, then nodded.

Eight or nine out of ten. Moreover, I fear it is only the beginning.

Yue Fei gripped the windowsill, his fingers tightening slightly.

The tree wishes to be still, but the wind will not cease.

He turned around, his eyes sharp as a blade.

Then let the storm come even more fiercely.

Let's see whether the wind blowing from all sides is harder, or the walls of my Luoyang City!

Outside the window, the cold wind howled, lifting the residual snow at the eaves of the commander's residence.

The oppressive atmosphere of the impending great battle permeated every corner of Luoyang City.