In Chinese history, Yue Fei was an outstanding general during the Southern Song Dynasty, who led the Yue Army to achieve numerous victories in the anti-Jin War. However, in the Shunchang Battle, Yue Fei hesitated to send troops, which aroused widespread concern and discussion. Why did Yue Fei refrain from deploying troops in this crucial battle? What were the underlying reasons? Let's unravel this mystery through historical context.

The Shunchang Battle occurred in the ninth year of Shaoxing (1139), when the Jin army launched a large-scale attack on the Southern Song Dynasty, and the situation was extremely critical. Yue Fei, as one of the main generals of the Southern Song Dynasty, was entrusted with great expectations by the imperial court. However, when the Shunchang Battle broke out, Yue Fei did not immediately deploy troops but chose to wait and observe. This move left many people confused and disappointed.

There are various explanations in history for why Yue Fei hesitated to deploy troops. One view is that Yue Fei was waiting for a better opportunity. He understood that the outcome of a war depends not only on the number of troops but also on the application of strategy. He might have been waiting for the Jin army to penetrate deeper into the heartland of the Southern Song, depleting their troops and provisions, and then choosing a favorable moment to counterattack. This strategy reflects Yue Fei's wisdom and caution.

Another view is that Yue Fei refrained from deploying troops because he was constrained by the imperial court. At that time, there were rival factions within the Southern Song court, the hawks and the doves. As a representative of the hawks, Yue Fei might have been obstructed and restricted by the doves. They might have delayed Yue Fei's deployment for various reasons to achieve their political goals.

Still another view is that Yue Fei refrained from deploying troops because he lacked confidence in his troops. Although the Yue Army had performed well in previous battles, the scale and difficulty of the Shunchang Battle far exceeded previous ones. Yue Fei might have been concerned that his troops were not capable of handling this decisive battle, thus choosing a conservative strategy.

In summary, there may be multiple reasons why Yue Fei hesitated to deploy troops in the Shunchang Battle. He might have been waiting for a better opportunity, constrained by the imperial court, or concerned about his troops' combat capabilities. These factors worked together to cause Yue Fei to refrain from deploying troops in this crucial battle. However, regardless of the reasons why Yue Fei hesitated to deploy troops, we cannot deny his significant contribution in the anti-Jin War of the Southern Song Dynasty. His loyalty and bravery set an example for later generations, making him a hero in people's hearts. The Shunchang Battle also became an important decision in his life, demonstrating his wisdom and courage as an outstanding general.

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