Chapter 41: The Strategy to Defeat the Enemy

These words left Wang Yan with nothing more to say. In truth, Wang Yan understood the reasoning well enough. Even a clay idol has a hint of blood and temper, let alone a commander of the righteous army.

“General, my only concern is that if this continues for too long, it will dampen our army’s morale,” Wang Yan said helplessly.

Zhong Shidao nodded, pondered for a moment, and then spoke to Wang Yan, “Go and comfort the soldiers under your command. The time to march has not yet come.”

Wang Yan forced a bitter smile and asked, “But General, when will the right time come?”

Zhong Shidao chuckled, “I’m waiting for someone. When that person arrives, the time will be right.”

“Waiting for someone?” Wang Yan asked, puzzled.

But Zhong Shidao would say no more. He simply urged Wang Yan to look after the troops’ morale and turned away, leaving Wang Yan bewildered, unsure if Zhong Shidao was merely brushing him off.

Night fell, and though it was early summer, the deep night still held a chill. Unable to sleep, Zong Ze wandered into the courtyard, where he found Yue Fei busy with his own affairs.

“Can’t sleep?” Zong Ze approached Yue Fei and spoke softly.

Yue Fei was sketching something on paper and hadn’t noticed Zong Ze’s arrival. Caught off guard by his voice, he turned and realized who it was.

“Deputy Commander, it’s late—why haven’t you retired to rest?” Yue Fei saluted Zong Ze.

Zong Ze waved his hand. “What are you drawing?”

Yue Fei handed the rice paper to Zong Ze. “Deputy Commander, I’ve been reflecting on today’s battle with the Iron Pagoda cavalry.”

Zong Ze examined the rough sketch. Though it was but a draft, the details were meticulous. Yue Fei had drawn a warhorse, fully clad in armor. His strokes were bold and forceful, giving the steed a strikingly gallant appearance.

Knowing Yue Fei was concerned about the campaign, Zong Ze didn’t wish to burden him further. “A battle can’t be won in a day. You’re young—take care of yourself and get some rest. Whatever needs saying can wait until morning.”

But Yue Fei was too excited to rest. “Deputy Commander, I’m not tired. I’ve been thinking, and I believe there’s a way to defeat the Iron Pagoda. I was planning to report to you first thing tomorrow, but since you’re here, may I discuss it now?”

Zong Ze hadn’t expected Yue Fei to devise a plan for victory and was delighted. “Let’s hear it.”

“When I fought the Iron Pagoda today, I noticed that although their bodies and horses are covered in iron armor, the horses’ legs are left unprotected for mobility. If we cut their legs, the horses will collapse, throwing their armored riders to the ground. That’s how we can break them,” Yue Fei explained eagerly.

Zong Ze had never seen the Iron Pagoda up close, but the illustration before him made its form clear enough. He nodded at Yue Fei’s tactical insight. “This plan might work. But how do we cut the horses’ legs?”

Yue Fei pointed to a pile of weapons nearby. “Deputy Commander, I’ve just been studying these weapons. After testing, I believe the horse-chopping saber, the broadsword, and the battle axe will do the job!”

“Explain in detail,” said Zong Ze. As a civil official, he was not well-versed in weapons, but Yue Fei’s confidence convinced him, and his own voice grew animated.

“Let me show you, Deputy Commander. You’ll understand at once!” With that, Yue Fei selected the horse-chopping saber, the broadsword, and the battle axe from the heap of arms and began demonstrating as he spoke: “When facing the Jin cavalry, our soldiers can strike upwards at the riders and downwards at the horses’ legs. The Iron Pagoda is cumbersome and slow. In this way, we can surely defeat them.”

Zong Ze, a man of sharp mind, immediately grasped the concept after Yue Fei’s demonstration. He nodded. “This plan is sound. Tomorrow, I’ll call an assembly of commanders to discuss it, and then we’ll implement it throughout the army. If Jin Wuzhu sends out the Iron Pagoda again, we will use this tactic to destroy them.”

Seeing his suggestion accepted, Yue Fei was elated. Talented men are common, but true judges of talent are rare. Yue Fei owed much to Zong Ze’s promotion—every military merit was credited to Yue Fei in memorials sent to Emperor Zhao Huan, never claimed by Zong Ze himself. From this battle onward, Yue Fei’s name would become widely known.

The night passed peacefully. Having thought of a way to defeat the enemy, Yue Fei slept soundly.

At dawn, Zong Ze gathered the commanders to discuss Yue Fei’s strategy. The truly outstanding distinguish themselves through diligence and effort—none present had spent half the night devising a plan for victory as Yue Fei had.

Yet all those assembled were veterans of countless campaigns. As soon as Zong Ze presented Yue Fei’s plan, they praised it enthusiastically.

“An excellent strategy! If those Jin fiends dare come today, none will return alive!” cried Gao Chong, a hot-tempered man who, with a way to break the enemy, immediately wanted to rush out for battle. But Yue Fei stopped him.

Gao Chong was a formidable warrior, perhaps superior even to Yue Fei, and among those present, he looked down on most. Yet he had immense respect for Yue Fei’s words. He knew himself to be a fighter, not a thinker, and though he rarely heeded others, Yue Fei’s counsel was the exception.

“Don’t be reckless. Even if you could slay a hundred foes alone, the Iron Pagoda numbers in the tens of thousands—you cannot defeat them all,” Yue Fei said.

Gao Chong, knowing Yue Fei spoke true, sat down reluctantly. “Commander, give me a troop of light cavalry, and I’ll wipe out the Jin’s vaunted Iron Pagoda.”

Yue Fei patted his shoulder. “Patience. Not all our cavalry are as skilled as you, able to master three weapons after a single demonstration. Instead of fretting, why not train the soldiers so that everyone learns to wield these arms? When ten thousand light horsemen ride to battle, the Iron Pagoda will be utterly destroyed!”

Delighted by Yue Fei’s praise, Gao Chong replied with pride, “Those soldiers are not so bright. Commander, I’ll go at once and teach them how to break the enemy.”

Zong Ze shook his head, knowing Gao Chong had a child’s temperament, but did not stop him. He understood that, despite Gao Chong’s words, he treated the soldiers well.