Chapter 682: Summoning the Generals

The place of the secret discussion was not the Watch-Star Pavilion, nor the usual hall for handling state affairs.

In the northwest corner of Huangcheng there is an inconspicuous independent courtyard named the Quiet Lodge.

White walls, gray tiles; only a few cold-resistant old pines were planted in the courtyard, snow pressing on the branches, making it even more solemn.

This place is normally managed by the Imperial Clan Court, rarely used, yet it is where Chen Wen and the few core members discuss top-secret matters.

The main hall of the Quiet Lodge is brightly lit.

Inside the hall there is no incense, the air is cool and clear. A huge square table lies there, covered with plain-colored cloth, upon which an extremely detailed map is spread, covering the terrain from the Chen Dynasty's borders to the vast region west of the Light Curtain.

People arrived quickly.

The five ministers arrived first: Zhang Cheng, Zhao Lao Nian, Shi Dun, Qian Gui, and Wang Ru. Though dressed in ordinary clothes, their steps were steady, and in their exchanged glances lay a tacit understanding formed over many years.

Then came Yue Fei.

He wore no armor, a deep blue cotton robe, his waist straight as a rod, bearing the sternness washed clean by the wind and frost of Bei Jing. Yue Yun and Zhang Xian followed half a step behind him, equally solemn in expression.

Finally came Lin Chong, Wu Yong, and two leaders who had performed outstandingly and accumulated sufficient merit when crossing the Light Curtain before—Guan Sheng and Hu Yanzhuo.

Twelve in total.

Plus Chen Wen makes thirteen.

Though few in number, they are already the core layer upon which the Chen Dynasty's military, strategy, technology, finance, intelligence, and even a kind of Fortune Momentum depend.

Chen Wen stood at the head seat, not sitting down.

His gaze swept over each face—some already weathered by wind and frost, some in their prime—but deep in their eyes lay the imprint left by struggling against this age and that formless enemy.

"Everyone is here."

Chen Wen spoke, his voice not loud, yet it stilled even the faintest rustle of robes in the hall.

"Tonight I have summoned you all for only one matter."

He lightly pointed his finger on the map; the point was not the Chen Dynasty's territory, nor the former lands of the Northern Yuan, but west of the Light Curtain, in the Huai Xi region.

"That cluster of 'Star Fire' in the west has already been ignited."

"But the one who lit it was not entirely acting of its own will."

Yue Fei frowned slightly, staring at that point: "Your Majesty's meaning—does the Iron Crow Army also intervene?"

"Not intervention."

Chen Wen shook his head, his tone certain.

"It is 'guidance'. Using a series of seemingly coincidental environmental changes, information infiltration, and even displays of military threat, they try to push this nascent force onto the track they have set."

Wu Yong's eyes flashed slightly; he habitually held his folded fan closed, pondering: "The set track—you once said the Iron Crow Army's actions seem to follow a fixed 'script'. Is this their intention to have this 'Star Fire' follow the old path?"

"Exactly."

Chen Wen said.

"What this track is does not matter for now. What matters is that this nascent force is out of the ordinary; it has sensed the anomaly and is resisting."

He paused a moment, letting everyone digest this information.

"Resistance means a variable. It means the Iron Crow Army's methods based on 'maintaining the set track' have a gap. But it also means their strategy must adjust."

Qian Gui twiddled his fingers, murmuring: "Either increase the force to straighten it by force, or… shift to strengthening other pieces to check or even extinguish this 'fire'."

"Lately in Liao Dong, yu energy has gathered abnormally, and the Jurchen tribes are active frequently." Shi Dun's voice was coarse and heroic, carrying the air of battlefield slaughter: "It looks like that bunch of black crows has taken the second road, and even added a stake."

"So we don't have much time."

Chen Wen moved his finger from Huai Xi on the map, slowly sweeping toward the Chen Dynasty's territory, finally landing on the position of Xijing.

"The Iron Crow Army has its pieces; we must have our cornerstone."

"To contend with those who tamper with history and manipulate fate is not a matter of a day or two; it may take decades, even centuries."

His gaze turned sharp, sweeping over everyone again.

"Human lifespan sometimes ends; bones, muscles, qi and blood will wither. This is heavenly decree, and also our greatest limitation."

The hall fell silent.

Everyone vaguely guessed what it was, and their breathing unconsciously tightened.

Yue Fei's eyes suddenly brightened, like a cold star in a snowy night.

"Your Majesty… could you have already found a way to break this limitation?"

Chen Wen nodded slowly.

"It can be called the 'Consolidate Foundation and Nurture Origin' technique."

"But this method is not ordinary medicine or martial art; it requires the vast Fortune Momentum as a guide, a special ritual as a bridge, to go against heaven, and the cost is great."

"Tonight I summon you here merely to inform you."

His tone became exceedingly solemn.

"Three days later, in the secret hall of Huangcheng, perform the great rite of 'Consolidate Foundation'."

"Those twelve present are the first to receive the grant."

Although there had been some foreboding, when Chen Wen spoke it himself, the hall still echoed with a suppressed intake of breath.

"Prolong Life? Consolidate Foundation?"

This is already akin to the methods of legendary immortals and gods!

Wang Ru drew a deep breath, suppressed her shock, and asked the crucial question: "Your Majesty, what is the loss to the Fortune Momentum from this move? Will it affect the state foundation? And will it… harm you yourself?"

She, who oversees internal surveillance and part of the imperial household affairs, is more thorough in her considerations.

Chen Wen looked at her, his gaze calm.

"Loss is inevitable. But in recent years our state power has flourished, the Bei Jing has won great victories, variables often arise opposite the Light Curtain, and the Fortune Momentum our dynasty has gathered far exceeds the past, enough to support this ritual."

"As for me…"

He paused briefly.

I am both the conductor of the ritual and the pivot of the nation's destiny; some consumption is no harm to the foundation.

Though he spoke plainly, everyone present knew that conducting such a heaven-defying act, the so-called 'some consumption' was certainly no mere casual remark.

Zhang Cheng stepped forward, bowed, and said: 'Your Majesty, this grace and virtue outweigh mountains. Yet what we worry about more is what comes after the ritual. The Iron Crow Army will not idly watch as we strengthen our foundation, and the western sparks must swiftly establish contact, lest we be picked off one by one.'

Indeed.

Chen Wen gestured that Zhang Cheng need not stand on ceremony.

After the ritual, you must swiftly adapt to your new forms; northern border defense, domestic military reorganization, and the advancement of Fortune Momentum technology all rely on you.

And the west...

He once again looked at the point of Huai Xi on the map.

When the ritual is complete and the Fortune Momentum fluctuations are at their strongest, it is also the moment to send a clearer message to them.

Zhao Lao Nian.

Here! Zhao Lao Nian replied immediately.

Prepare the resonance stations, encrypt and attach the known partial characteristics of the Iron Crow Army's 'guidance' means, as well as warnings of its connections with yin energy and the northern barbarians (the Jurchen).

When the great Fortune Momentum tide triggered by our ritual sweeps past the light curtain's rift, send it along as well.

Yes sir! Zhao Lao Nian's eyes flashed with a hint of technical excitement.

Yue Fei, Lin Chong, Guan Shou, Hu Yan Zhuo.

We are here! the four replied in unison, clasping their fists.

After the ritual, northern border defenses must not relax; Jurchen movements require doubled vigilance. The upcoming officer training at the Martial Academy must also instill the thought of resisting 'fate manipulation,' and this task falls to you, Pengju.

We take your orders! Yue Fei replied in a deep voice, his eyes holding both battle intent and contemplation.

Chen Wen finally looked at everyone.

This 'consolidating the foundation' technique is not for clinging to life and fearing death.

It is to buy time.

For the orthodoxy of Huaxia, for the aspiration of Northward Aspiration, and also for the moment we may someday stand shoulder to shoulder with like-minded westerners, we strive to gain enough time.

I hope you all cherish it, value it, and make good use of it.

As the words fell, the candles in the hall seemed to pause for an instant.

The twelve men's faces turned solemn; they all bowed deeply to Chen Wen.

There were no more words.

All resolve had been voiced in this quiet and solemn atmosphere.

Chen Wen raised his hand.

Everyone, go prepare.

In three days, at midnight, outside the Chengtian Hall, someone will come to guide.

Everyone bowed again, then left the quiet chamber one by one in silence.

The cold wind swept in and then dissipated, leaving only Chen Wen alone in the hall with the flickering candles filling the room.

He walked to the map, his finger once again pressing on the location of Xijing.

Then he slowly clenched his fist.

It was as if he grasped the light of a hundred years to come, and also grasped the first heavy hammer to break the shackles.

It was time for it to fall.