Chapter 611: Dividing Troops to Formulate Strategy

The secret chamber of the marshal's mansion.

The candlelight stretched the shadows of several people and cast them onto the walls.

The atmosphere was more tense and more practical than in the main hall.

Chen Wen, Yue Fei, Wu Yong, Lin Chong, and Wang Ru, who was in charge of specific liaison and action.

The five gathered around a makeshift square table.

Two maps were spread on the table.

One was a rough strategic map of the Chen dynasty's northern borders and the grasslands.

The other was a detailed map of the vicinity of Luoyang and the northern territories of False Song.

"Time is pressing."

Chen Wen spoke first, his fingertip pressing on Zhenbei Pass on the Chen dynasty map.

"After I return east, my primary goal is to assist Shi Dun and stabilize the northern border defenses."

"The enemy forces are catalysts, fearless of death, with shadowy entities mixed in, making conventional tactics of limited effect."

"I must go to the front lines myself, using Ability Granting to boost elite troops' combat power, combined with Zhao Lao Nian's new devices, to effectively curb their offensive and buy time."

His finger moved northward, pointing deep into the grasslands.

"At the same time, we must find and, if possible, destroy the source of the Iron Crow Army's large-scale Catalysis Ritual being conducted deep in the grasslands."

"This is their power base. Cut the root, and the enemy on the front lines will be like water without a source, unable to endure."

Yue Fei stared at the unfamiliar map and slowly nodded.

"If Bei Jing is secure, Great Chen is safe; if Great Chen is safe, our rear has no worries. This is fundamental and cannot be lost."

He looked toward Chen Wen.

"My lord, how many people should you bring east? Is Sir Wang Ru coming along?"

"Wang Ru will accompany me to the vicinity of the Light Curtain to handle passage matters, then return to Luoyang to be responsible for limited liaison between the two realms thereafter," Chen Wen said.

"I will take only two of the most capable Jing'an Office guards, travel light and swift. More people would only hinder us."

"As for this realm..."

His gaze fell back onto the detailed map of Luoyang.

He drew a heavy circle around the two characters "Luoyang".

"This place is our sole foothold west of the Light Curtain, and also the forward base for any possible future counterattack."

"We must hold it."

"Moreover, we cannot merely defend passively."

Wu Yong lightly shook his feather fan and said via the interface: "My lord's intention is for us to continue restraining False Song, the Jin, and even the emerging Yuan forces in this realm?"

"Not bad." Chen Wen affirmed: "The Iron Crow Army operates on two fronts, consuming huge resources. The more active we are in this realm, the greater the pressure we exert on them, and the more their manpower and attention devoted to Bei Jing will be spread thin."

"This is strategic containment."

"It is also... to create conditions for the future Fire Seed Transfer."

"Fire Seed Transfer?" Lin Chong's eyes narrowed.

Chen Wen said solemnly: "If it cannot be done, this realm will eventually be overwhelmed by the Yuan's flood; we must be able to safely guide the most important variable—namely, all of you—to Great Chen."

"Preserve the fire seed, so we may rise again."

"Therefore, Luoyang must not only be a fortress, but also an anchor point—a reliable coordinate for future evacuation operations."

Yue Fei's eyes flashed with sharp light.

He understood Chen Wen's deeper layout.

"Defending Luoyang to the death is, of course, the immediate priority."

"But in this process, we must accumulate strength, seize the initiative, and ensure that even in the worst case, there remains a retreat route and a glimmer of hope."

"I understand." Yue Fei's voice was calm and strong.

"Luoyang's strategy needs adjustment."

"We cannot merely hunker down and defend the city."

"We must have offense within defense, using attack to substitute for defense."

"On one hand, relying on the city defenses to wear down the manpower of the False Song and Jin allied forces."

"On the other hand, dispatch elite squads to infiltrate northward, scout the Yuan forces' movements, and, if necessary, conduct harassment and sabotage to slow their consolidation and southward advance."

"At the same time, continue to contact and integrate all available anti-Jin and anti-Yuan forces in this realm, strengthen our army's presence, and divert enemy attention."

Wu Yong added: "We also need to strengthen monitoring of internal movements within the False Song court. The Qin Hui faction's deep collusion with the Iron Crow Army means its movements may reflect the Iron Crow Army's next step in this realm."

"Exactly." Chen Wen nodded.

He looked toward Wang Ru.

"The liaison channel is of utmost importance."

Wang Ru understood, took out an ancient-style token neither metal nor wood, and placed it on the table.

The token's front bore a simple landscape pattern, while its back had a tiny, almost invisible indentation.

"This is a 'Directional Resonance Talisman'."

Wang Ru explained.

"Specially crafted by Minister Zhao, this is the only pair."

"The lord holds the mother token, the marshal holds the child token."

"When the child token is activated in a specific way, the mother token will, for a period of time, emit a continuous, uniquely directional faint resonance."

"The resonance itself conveys no specific information."

"But its very activation signifies that Luoyang faces an extreme emergency that must be brought to the lord's attention."

At that time, Your Majesty can roughly judge the severity of the situation based on the direction and intensity of the resonance.

Conversely, if Your Majesty has an extremely important warning that need not be kept secret, it can also be sent via one-way activation of the mother token, and the child token will sense it.

Yue Fei picked up that child token; it felt slightly cool to the touch.

In other words, this is just a 'warning lamp'?

Yes," Wang Ru affirmed, "it cannot convey complex messages, but its advantage lies in absolute concealment, making it hard for the Iron Crow Army's detection means to intercept or decipher. Do not use it except in matters of life and death or involving fundamental strategic changes.

All right," Yue Fei carefully put away the child token.

Finally, there is 'Ability Granting'.

Chen Wen again took out several newly made star-pattern tokens.

After I return east, I will no longer be able to grant seals to you in person.

But remote granting can still be carried out.

He looked at Yue Fei, Lin Chong, Wu Yong, Zhang Xian, Wang Gui, and Yue Yun.

Before I leave, I will perform a 'deep reinforcement' on your core child tokens.

The effect lasts longer than ordinary sealing, and the basic amplification is more stable.

When I am in Great Chen, if I sense that you have activated your child tokens and are facing a major battle, and conditions permit, I will attempt an 'ultra-long-distance directed granting'.

The distance is extremely great, the consumption huge, and the effect will decay with distance, increasing uncertainty.

But at a critical moment, it could become a surprise force to turn the tide of battle.

Lin Chong clenched his fist: 'Having something is better than nothing!'

Chen Wen continued: 'Furthermore, I will leave some blank star-pattern token embryos.'

Wang Ru knows the basic activation method.

If you discover new, trustworthy, and formidable core cadres in this realm, you may report them to Wang Ru for preliminary review, then attempt a minimal 'basic granting' (2x) to strengthen our mid-level forces.

But remember, better to lack than to abuse. This token concerns the foundation of the system and must not be given lightly.

Understood," Yue Fei replied solemnly.

All major frameworks have been basically decided.

Next come the more specific details.

Wu Yong spread out paper and brush, beginning to quickly record and refine.

Regarding Chen Wen's specific route eastward, disguise identity, and rendezvous points.

Regarding the troop allocation and supply of provisions and armaments after the adjustment of Luoyang's defense.

Regarding the personnel composition, mission objectives, and contact methods of the northward infiltration reconnaissance squad.

Regarding contact strategies with Heiyun Village, the Hebei and Henan rebel armies, and other forces that could be won over.

Item by item, point by point.

Under candlelight, they were repeatedly examined and gradually became clear.

There were no grand speeches.

Only pragmatic calculations, calm weighing, and contingency plans for the worst-case scenario.

Until the sky outside the window darkened again.

The secret discussion only then drew to a close.

Wu Yong put down his brush and rubbed his sore wrist.

The paper was already filled with dense small characters.

The rough outline has taken shape," Wu Yong said, "the specific details will be refined later by us.

Yue Fei looked at Chen Wen.

Your Majesty, is there anything else you wish to instruct?

Chen Wen fell silent for a moment.

His gaze swept over Yue Fei, Lin Chong, and Wu Yong in turn.

Once we part, mountains high and waters long; we may not meet again for an unknown time.

The False Song court is nothing to fear; the remnants of the Jin state are already spent forces.

The real threat is the 'Yuan' in the north, the shadow power that the Iron Crow Army could directly commit.

We must be cautious.

If we preserve the people but lose the land, both people and land survive; if we preserve the land but lose the people, both people and land are lost.

This principle, General Yue understands better than I.

He paused, his voice growing even lower.

If the matter cannot be done… preserving oneself to await the future is not cowardice.

Remember, your very survival is the greatest negation of the Iron Crow Army's 'script'.

Yes… a spark.

Yue Fei took a deep breath and nodded heavily.

I, Yue, will keep your teachings in mind.

And please, Your Majesty, take extra care in the Northern Frontier.

When the day comes, may good news be passed across the curtain, and east and west raise their cups together!

Chen Wen firmly patted Yue Fei's shoulder.

Everything remains unsaid.

Since it is thus…

He put away his own outline of the plan.

Tonight at midnight, I will set out.

Wang Ru will accompany me to the entrance of the Commoners Mountain Passage.

General Yue, Luo North... I entrust it to you.

Yue Fei clasped his fists and bowed.

I respectfully see you off, my lord.

I wish you, my lord, smooth sailing and a swift pacification of the northern frontier!

Lin Chong and Wu Yong also performed the salute together.

Chen Wen said no more.

He turned around.

Together with Wang Ru, he disappeared into the shadows outside the secret room door.

To prepare for that battle that spans two worlds and rushes to another bloody battlefield of fire.

A solitary journey.

The secret room door slowly closed.

The candlelight flickered.

Yue Fei straightened up, walked to the window, and gazed at the dark night outside.

In his hand, that "Directional Resonance Talisman" was cold and hard.

On his shoulder, the burden named "Steadfast" and "Fire Seed" weighed as much as a thousand jin.

But his eyes were clear, showing no fear.

He merely whispered to Lin Chong and Wu Yong behind him:

Pass the order down.

According to the newly devised plan, begin preparations.

The true test...

Is coming.