What does the cryptic crossword clue "Make between 17 and 23 for main commander, reportedly? (4)" mean?

The definition is "Make". The wordplay uses a homophone (sounds like). A cheeky indirect homophone: KINK EARN NEWT sounds a bit like King Canute, who (depending on the version of the story) commanded the waves of the sea or “main” The answer is EARN.

Make between 17 and 23 for main commander, reportedly? (4)

Guardian Cryptic #29343 | 6 Down | 2024-03-29 flower

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