Chapter 658: Taking Root

Ten days later, the Military Lecture Hall.

Yue Fei stood on the high platform of the drill hall, looking at the over two hundred officer cadets below.

The chief instructor of the Military Lecture Hall introduced from the side of the platform:

"This is the Military Affairs Advisor of the Privy Council's Bei Jing region, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Bei Jing Governor's Office, General Yue Fei."

"General Yue Fei has rich practical combat experience, especially skilled in field warfare and city attack and defense."

"Today I will lecture on the Essentials of Responding to Encounter Battles in Field Warfare."

Below, they all clasped their fists in unison: "We have seen General Yue!"

Yue Fei returned the salute.

He walked up to the sand table, which simulated hilly terrain.

"Today we discuss how to respond when encountering an ambush."

He pointed the wooden stick at the valley entrance.

"Assume I lead three thousand infantry marching here, when suddenly ambush troops appear on both sides, a rain of arrows presses down, the front road is blocked, and the rear road will be cut off——"

He looked down at the audience.

"What should we do?"

A young commander-in-chief rose.

"Reporting, General, we should immediately form a circular defensive formation and at the same time send elite troops to seize one side's high ground."

"What if the high ground has already been seized by the enemy?"

The young commander-in-chief was at a loss for words.

"Sit."

Yue Fei gestured.

"When encountering an ambush, the primary importance is to stay calm."

"If the officers panic, the entire army will surely collapse."

He moved the wooden stick on the sand table.

"First step: within ten breaths, determine the scale, troop type, and deployment of the ambush forces."

"Estimate the number of archers from the density of arrow rain, estimate infantry from the shouts of battle, and judge cavalry from the sound of hooves."

The officers below took notes.

"Second step: find the weak point."

He pointed the wooden stick toward the left gentle slope.

"An ambush must have a weak point—either insufficient forces or unfavorable terrain."

"Find it."

"Third step——"

He emphasized his tone.

"At any cost, tear open a breach."

"In a breakout battle, do not count casualties."

"Hesitate for a moment, and casualties will increase tenfold."

He put down the wooden stick.

"When I was in the False Song, I led eight hundred cavalry and was ambushed by three thousand Jin soldiers."

"I ordered two hundred death warriors to fiercely attack the left gentle slope; they suffered over half casualties, but tore open a gap."

"The remaining six hundred cavalry were able to break out."

He paused.

"Of those two hundred death warriors, fewer than fifty survived."

"But if we did not sacrifice those two hundred, all eight hundred would have died."

The drill hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

"War is cruel, and decisions are even crueler."

Yue Fei scanned the crowd.

"The Military Lecture Hall teaches tactics, methods, and formations."

"But the most crucial thing is to teach you, at the moment of life and death——"

"how to make choices."

After class, the cadets gathered around to ask questions.

"General Yue, what if the ambush troops have heavy crossbows?"

"Heavy crossbows are slow to reload, usually firing only one volley. Seize the gap to launch an attack."

"What if we encounter a fire attack?"

"Cover mouth and nose with wet cloth, charge toward the weaker wind side; do not flee downwind."

He answered each question in turn.

The bell rang, and the cadets dispersed.

The chief instructor walked over.

"General Yue's lecture was thorough."

"The art of making choices cannot be learned from books."

"These are lessons bought with blood."

Yue Fei said.

"The Chen Dynasty's military system is sound, its equipment is excellent, that is an advantage."

"But the battlefield changes in an instant, accidents can happen at any time."

"At this moment, rely on officers' decisions."

"Exactly."

The Chief Instructor nodded.

"From now on, on the fifth, fifteenth, and twenty‑fifth of each month, please have General Yue give three lessons."

"The curriculum is self‑determined."

"Good."

Leaving the Military Lecture Hall, afternoon.

Yue Fei went to the Privy Council.

Bei Jing Regional Commander's Office affairs room.

Shi Dun was discussing border defense reform plans with the officers.

"Marshal Yue's arrival is timely."

Shi Dun gestured.

"Take a look at this."

On the table lay a map of the Bei Jing defense line.

Hundreds of miles of the border line were marked with dense symbols.

"Although the Northern Yuan has collapsed, the various grassland tribes still pose a raiding threat."

Shi Dun traced three lines with his finger.

"First line: forward outposts, one every twenty li."

"Second line: garrison forts, one every hundred li."

"Third line: the main passes."

Yue Fei looked at the map.

"The garrison forts are spaced a hundred li apart—is that too far?"

He pointed to the blank space between the two forts.

"Cavalry can reach it in half a day."

"If one spot is ambushed, can reinforcement arrive in time from the other?"

"That is exactly the problem."

Shi Dun said.

"We have calculated that from receiving the alert to deploying troops takes at least half an hour."

"Cavalry galloping a hundred li takes another half hour."

"A besieged fort must hold out for one hour."

"Can it hold?"

"It depends on the scale of the attack."

Shi Dun had the staff officer bring up a thick volume.

Yue Fei opened it.

Offensive‑defensive deductions under various attack scales.

The data are detailed.

"Under the current plan, if a garrison fort is attacked by a thousand men, the chance of holding for one hour is sixty percent."

"Too low."

Yue Fei closed the book.

"At least eighty percent is needed to be usable."

"So it needs improvement."

Shi Dun looked at him.

"Marshal Yue, what do you suggest?"

Yue Fei walked to the map and fell into thought.

"Garrison forts need not be evenly distributed."

He pressed harder on several key routes with his finger.

"These are the routes the grassland tribes must take when moving south."

"Here we will add forts to shorten the intervals."

"At non‑key locations, we can relax the spacing."

"But the defensive line will have gaps," a staff officer said.

"Use scouting cavalry to make up for it."

Yue Fei said.

"Form light cavalry patrol units of a hundred men each, patrolling the gap areas twice daily."

"If they encounter a small group, annihilate it; if a large group, give early warning."

He paused.

"When I defended Huainan for the False Song, I used this method."

"A defensive line cannot be everywhere strong; therefore we focus on key points and use mobility to fill gaps."

Shi Dun's eyes lit up.

"Scout unit organization, patrol routes, response mechanisms——"

He quickly recorded it.

"General Yue, could you elaborate?"

"Sure."

Yue Fei sat down.

"Bring paper and brush."

This discussion lasted two hours.

When the sky outside darkened, the plan initially took shape.

Shi Dun looked at the densely packed notes and let out a long breath.

"Today's harvest is quite abundant."

"General Yue's 'focus on holding key points, mobile replenishment' idea, combined with the Chen dynasty system, could become a new system."

"Such talk of experience needs to be tested in actual combat."

"There will be."

Shi Dun collected the notes.

"By the way, there's a seminar tomorrow at the Bureau of Heavenly Crafts regarding the upgrade of equipment countering Fortune Momentum and Yuneng Pollution."

"Zhao Lao Nian will preside, and he specifically requested your participation."

"Upgrade?"

"Yes. The momentum interference device previously used to clear Yuneng-polluted land—you know about it, right?"

Shi Dun said.

"Now we must base on that technology to develop a new model that can directly counter living Yuneng fields."

"You have fought the most against the Yuneng Shadow Unit and the transformed beasts; combat data is crucial for them."

"Understood."

Leaving the Privy Council, the city lights were just lit.

Yue Fei walked back to his residence.

Passing Xishi, he heard people telling stories.

"Speaking of that General Yue, on the city walls of Luoyang, he saw the Yuan troops surge in like a tide——"

The storyteller spat as he spoke.

"He shouted loudly: 'Soldiers, behind us lies Huaxia!'"

"The three thousand soldiers replied in unison: 'Fight to the death, never retreat!'"

The common folk listened, entranced.

Yue Fei paused for a moment, shook his head, and left.

The story has been transmitted until it's unrecognizable.

But the common folk love to hear it.

Returning to the residence.

Zhang Xian, Wang Gui, and Yue Yun waited in the main hall for him to have his meal.

"Father, we've been waiting for you."

The four of them sat down.

"How was the lecture hall today?" Zhang Xian asked.

"Not bad."

Yue Fei gave a brief summary.

"And you?"

"We looked at the armory."

Wang Gui said.

"The Chen dynasty's crossbow bolts, armor, and firearms are standardized and well maintained."

"They are far stronger than the False Song."

"We inspected the city defenses."

Zhang Xian said.

"The structure of Xijing's city walls and the arrangement of defensive equipment are particular."

"Especially the 'linked crossbow cart,' which fires twelve bolts at once, covering a hundred paces."

"Its defensive power is great."

Yue Yun scratched his head.

"Today I went to the drill ground with General Guan Sheng to compare horsemanship with the forbidden army."

"I lost more than I won."

"The Chen dynasty's warhorses are stronger than ours used to be."

"Then let's learn."

Yue Fei said.

"We are here not merely as guests."

"We must study, we must use, we must truly become people of the Chen dynasty."

The three solemnly nodded.

After the meal, Yue Fei returned to his room.

Several documents lay on the desk:

The Martial Lecture Hall's teaching schedule for next month.

Initial draft of Bei Jing's border defense renovation plan.

Invitation to the Heavenly Craft Institute's symposium.

Also, 《Chen Dynasty Military System Evolution》.

He opened the Military System Evolution.

From the militia system at the founding, to later recruitment system, to now a professional standing army.

Each reform had detailed background, implementation process, and effectiveness evaluation.

The Chen Dynasty's army was gradually perfected over the past 180 years.

There were successes, there were failures.

But it has always been moving forward.

He closed the book.

He walked to the window.

The night in Xijing was quiet.

But this quiet no longer made him anxious.

Because he knew, beneath this quiet——

This country was operating.

Jun Ying was training.

Artisans were crafting.

Officials were planning.

The common folk went about their lives.

And he, too, had become part of this operation.

«Taking root…»

He repeated it softly.

The roots had already taken hold.

Next, growth.

That same night.

Imperial Palace Study.

Chen Wen and Chen Zhong sat opposite each other.

"Yue Fei is teaching at the Martial Lecture Hall today, and the response is excellent."

Chen Zhong said.

"The officers all said, practical combat experience is precious."

"He's willing to teach, that's a good thing."

Chen Wen said.

"Have you seen the Bei Jing border defense renovation plan?"

"I have."

Chen Zhong nodded.

"Shi Dun's proposed plan incorporates Yue Fei's suggestions."

"The focus on fixed defense plus mobile patrols is more reasonable than the previous uniform deployment."

"I have approved."

"Then that's good."

Chen Zhong hesitated a moment.

"Grandfather, there's something I'm not sure whether I should ask."

"Speak."

"Although we rely heavily on Yue Fei and others, there is still some discord in the court."

Chen Zhong said.

"Some feel they are ultimately 'outsiders'."

"Holding military power risks causing trouble."

Chen Wen laughed.

"Are you afraid?"

"No."

Chen Zhong shook his head.

"I can see they truly wish to work for China."

"But people's hearts are hard to fathom, over time…"

"Then we'll constrain them with institutions."

Chen Wen said.

"The Chen Dynasty's military system features divided command, independent provisions, and strict oversight."

"No one, including myself, could ever solely command the army."

"This is a rule I set when I founded the state."

He paused.

Yue Fei and they understood.

So they proactively joined the system, instead of setting up another stronghold.

Chen Zhong pondered.

The grandson understood.

Use them, and also confine them with the system.

Both unleash their talent and ensure controllability.

Yes.

Chen Wen rose.

It's late; you should rest early.

Morning court tomorrow.

Grandfather should also rest early.

Chen Wen left the Imperial Study.

Not leaving the palace, he went to the Ministry of Works Office.

The Heavenly Craft Institute's lights were still on.

Zhao Lao Nian was at the test field, watching artisans debug an improved momentum resonator.

This device is bulkier than the previous model for clearing land pollution, with copper pipes arranged more densely on its surface, and the crystal stone slots flickering with faint light.

Lao Nian.

Your Majesty.

Zhao Lao Nian turned around, his complexion largely recovered.

You're still not resting this late?

Come see the progress of the second‑generation resonator.

Chen Wen approached to observe.

Based on the previous technology for clearing yuneng pollution?

Exactly.

Zhao Lao Nian nodded.

The first‑generation machine can only neutralize the static yuneng residue that has seeped into the land.

After the battle at the Bei Jing Mother Nest this time, we analyzed the characteristics of the living yuneng field of the Shadow Unit and the Transformed Beasts.

He pointed to the resonator's core.

Here we made a major improvement—it can identify and interfere with dynamic yuneng fields, especially those carried by living beings.

In theory, activating it can weaken the Shadow Unit's combat power by over thirty percent, and greatly reduce the Transformed Beasts' carapace defense.

Test data?

We ran simulations using the remains of Transformed Beasts brought back from Bei Jing.

Zhao Lao Nian handed over the records.

Effective. But the actual effect against a complete yuneng field still needs combat verification.

There will be an opportunity.

Chen Wen said.

Tomorrow Yue Fei will attend the meeting; his combat experience can help you optimize the parameters.

Great.

Zhao Lao Nian's eyes showed anticipation.

Especially the Shadow Unit's pattern of fluctuating energy strength, I need a detailed description.

Chen Wen patted his shoulder.

Don't stay up too late; your wounds need to heal completely.

I know.

Leaving the Heavenly Craft Institute, it was near midnight.

Chen Wen walked alone on the palace road.

Moonlight fell on the blue stone slabs, casting a cold glow.

The System Interface appeared.

The breakthrough opportunity seemed within reach, yet separated by a thin veil.

He was not in a hurry.

Because he knew——

When Yue Fei and they truly take root and grow in the Chen Dynasty.

When the collision of the two worlds becomes inevitable.

That moment will naturally arrive.

And now.

What must be done is to let the roots take hold deeper.

Let the tree grow taller.