Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 576

576. Going to War! Turtle Ship Assault (8)

“Conscription is possible up to 10 million, but the losses would be too great. Three million is the best option.”

Emperor Seonduk responded firmly to the Minister of War’s words.

“At least five million are needed.”

“Conscripting five million will take a long time. Also, supplying weapons to those conscripted soldiers will be too much for us.”

The Minister of War advised against the excessive plan, but Emperor Seonduk scoffed.

“Humph! Isn’t that the same for three million? Most of the conscripted soldiers will be armed with spears or swords anyway! Fill the ranks with five million without question! If we conscript from all over the Central Plains [historical region of China, considered the cradle of Chinese civilization], it won’t take long! Fill the ranks with five million and send them north!”

“Conscripting as Your Majesty commands may not be a big problem! However, training those gathered and sending them to the battlefield is the problem! With the facilities currently prepared, three million is the best we can do. And that would still take at least a year!”

The Minister of War risked his life to oppose the plan with all his might.

“Minister of War, can you not see the crisis we are in now!”

At Emperor Seonduk’s rebuke, the Minister of War felt a surge of anger.

‘Who created this crisis!’

Forcibly suppressing the words that were about to burst out, the Minister of War informed Emperor Seonduk.

“This humble servant is well aware that we are in a crisis! However, proceeding with more than we are capable of is recklessness!”

“You scoundrel!”

“I beseech you with my life! Three million is the best we can do!”

“You!”

Emperor Seonduk’s cheek twitched as he gritted his teeth at the Minister of War’s advice.

He wanted to order the Minister of War to be dragged out and beheaded right away, but he was an official who had done his best to carry out his orders.

Moreover, the Minister of War was in charge of managing both the military households and the military register. While the Left and Right Chief Military Commissioners and the Five Military Commands were in charge of supervising the training, operations, and command of the soldiers, the Ministry of War was in charge of managing the mobilization system for them.

For the head of such a department to declare it impossible meant it was truly impossible.

In the end, Emperor Seonduk had no choice but to step back.

“Fine! You said three million is possible, so mobilize three million! If you fail, I will cut off your head!”

At Emperor Seonduk’s threat, the Minister of War clasped his hands and replied.

“I will complete the task with my life on the line! I am truly grateful that you have listened to my loyal advice! Long live, long live, long long live!”

Having settled the matter, Emperor Seonduk waved his hand at the high and low ranking officials.

“I am tired. I need to rest for a while, so leave.”

* * *

After leaving Emperor Seonduk’s main hall, the Senior Grand Secretary of the Cabinet grabbed the Minister of War.

“Do you have a few spare lives, Minister?”

“I have to say what needs to be said, even if my head is cut off. Five million is impossible. More than anything, there is no time. No time….”

“Why is there no time?”

At the Senior Grand Secretary of the Cabinet’s words, the Minister of War closed his mouth tightly.

“Look here! Why is there a lack of time!”

“You will find out later.”

With those words, the Minister of War separated and returned to his office.

* * *

Returning to his office, the Minister of War opened the windows and doors wide and looked around.

After confirming that no one was around, the Minister of War finally let out a long sigh.

“Hoo~. It’s tough, it’s tough… How could His Majesty wage war against Joseon….”

The Minister of War was convinced that it was Emperor Seonduk, not Ju Gijin, who started this war. No, not only the Minister of War, but all the officials were coming to a similar conclusion.

As Joseon’s capabilities grew stronger, Emperor Seonduk’s interest in Joseon became close to paranoia. The problem was that it was not the initial favor he had shown, but a very hostile attitude.

“Of course, it’s not that I don’t understand….”

Just as there cannot be two suns under the sky, the center of the world had to be the Central Plains. Therefore, the emergence of a strong competitor was not a welcome thing.

The problem was that he chose the extreme method of war as a way to suppress this competitor.

“Is it because of his health?”

Anyone could see that Emperor Seonduk’s current condition was serious. His illness was so severe that it would not be strange if he died tomorrow.

Since his ascension to the throne, he had shown an excessive sense of responsibility, his health was deteriorating, and he distrusted everyone around him.

“Hoo~.”

The Minister of War sighed again and muttered softly.

“This war… is lost. The problem is how to endure the situation afterwards.”

The Minister of War was convinced of defeat with a gloomy face.

The biggest cause of defeat was that everyone in the Ming Dynasty court, starting with Emperor Seonduk, had underestimated Joseon.

Of course, everyone expected that Joseon, which had become stronger, would have hidden claws. The problem was that there was more than one or two hidden claws, and all of those claws were fatal.

“The land forces投入 [tōnyū – Chinese term meaning ‘invested’ or ‘committed’] into the war with Joseon should end with the 800,000 that have already been投入. Even if we lose, there should be no reinforcements. The 3 million we are gathering now must be prepared for what comes after.”

The Minister of War muttered, looking at the map of the world hanging on the wall of his office.

“The problem is that the northern Tartars and the Japanese pirates are too quiet. These guys are as cunning and quick-witted as wolves. The fact that they haven’t touched Joseon so far means that they can’t touch Joseon, not that they aren’t touching Joseon. That means that these guys are aiming for our Ming and waiting for the right time. Hoo~.”

The Minister of War stopped talking and sighed. He could hear the desperate screams of the people who had been attacked by the Japanese pirates and the Tartars.

“Hoo~.”

The Minister of War sighed again and took out the military registers that had been piled up on one side and moved them to his desk.

“Thanks to the fact that more people than expected have flocked to the cities to live, we can quickly fill up to 3 million.”

As Ming’s economy prospered, the movement of leaving the countryside and heading to the cities swept across the country. In addition to the traditional cities, new cities emerged as transit points for canals and railroads. As rumors spread that people had made a fortune in those cities, many people left their farms and moved to the cities.

The Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War struggled to organize the registers of those who had left their hometowns, but there were also unexpected gains. As many people gathered in the cities, it became easier to conscript manpower.

“Next, we will train and arm them while buying as much time as possible. Since Joseon has seized control of the sea, this war can only end in defeat. We must never send them to Liaodong [region in northeastern China]. We must hold on to them as much as possible to endure what comes after….”

As he thought about the future, the Minister of War poured himself some tea and moistened his throat.

“From now on, time is the biggest enemy. Time….”

Seven days after Emperor Seonduk’s decision, another tragic news arrived for Emperor Seonduk.

‘Japanese pirates attack (倭寇襲來) [Wakō shūrai – Japanese term for Japanese pirate attacks]’

The Minister of War closed his eyes tightly as he heard the tragic news.

“We’ve been had!”

* * *

The Joseon navy fleet leading the Japanese fleet was attacking Qingzhou (靑州) [coastal city in Shandong province, China].

Located on the northern indentation of the Shandong Peninsula, Qingzhou was a natural harbor thanks to its topography.

Therefore, the headquarters and branches of Joseon trading posts established by Joseon, as well as the giant traders of Ming, were concentrated there.

Because of this importance, Qingzhou was also home to the largest naval base in Ming.

Deeng~. Deeng~.

Ting ting ting ting!

Amid the ringing of large and small bells announcing the emergency, soldiers ran around shouting.

“The bandits are coming!”

“The Japanese pirates are coming!”

Following the soldiers’ shouts, the commanders’ shouts and trumpet sounds followed.

“Everyone, get on the ships!”

“Hurry to the ships!”

“Raise the anchor!”

“Row! Raise the sails!”

Bbuuuuu! Bbuuuuu!

Amid the chaos, the warships that had safely returned from the previous battle rushed out to sea.

The commanders leading the soldiers to the sea all had the same thought.

‘Cover the fault with merit.’

After suffering a crushing defeat at the hands of the Joseon navy, the Ming naval commanders were living in constant anxiety. It would not be strange if they were held responsible and beheaded at any time.

In such an anxious situation, the Japanese pirates’ attack was rather welcome news.

The Japanese ships that had come to Shandong for the licensed trade still looked weak, and the armament of the Japanese on board was only spears and swords.

‘In the old days, we had to engage in close combat with those spears and swords, but now it’s a cannon battle! Victory is ours!’

“We may have lost to Joseon, but we can’t lose to the Japanese pirates!”

“They’re just mere Japanese pirates!”

The Ming army on board the warships shouted bravely from the commanders to the lowest soldiers and rushed towards the Japanese ships.

However, it was good that they rushed out with such courage, but the problem was what came next.

They underestimated the Japanese pirates and formed the fleet in a disorderly manner.

This happened because there was no one to properly control the warships since the new commander had not yet been appointed.

Seeing the Ming warships rushing in with such strong fighting spirit, the Japanese ships hurriedly began to turn their bows.

At that sight, the Ming navy became even more spirited.

“I don’t know where they heard the rumors, but they must have thought we were all dead! But it’s too late!”

“Row! Chase the bandits!”

Doom doom doom!

With the loud sound of drums, the Ming warships became even more spirited.

At that moment, warships with familiar sails began to appear in the place where the Japanese ships had quickly turned their bows.

“Hiiiik! It’s the Joseon bastards!”

“It’s the Joseon bastards!”

“Damn Haeung!”

“The Challengers are behind them too!”

After confirming the appearance of the Haeung-class warships and Challenger-class warships of the Joseon navy, the Ming navy hurriedly began to look around.

“No way… no way…. Please….”

The Ming navy, who were looking around with earnest wishes, screamed as they saw black smoke rising in the distance.

“It’s the Black Dragon!”

“It’s the Black Dragon! Run away!”

“Turn the ships around!”

The Ming warships, having confirmed the existence of Maeng Jinho, hurriedly began to turn their bows.

However, before long, the Ming navy fell into a state of pandemonium.

Not only did they rush into battle without forming a proper formation, but they also turned their bows at will to escape, causing all the ships to become entangled.

“Get out of the way! Get out of the way!”

“We’re going to crash!”

Crash! Crack!

In such a mess, the large Fuksun ships [large, multi-decked Chinese sailing ships] and medium-sized ships that chose to flee moved ruthlessly, destroying the small ships in their path.

The small ships that were hit by the large Fuksun ships and medium-sized ships, which were several times larger, were split in two or capsized, and many soldiers fell into the sea and struggled.

“Save me! Save me!”

“Oof! Oof!”

The allies who fell into the water desperately requested rescue, but the Fuksun ships and medium-sized ships, which were in a panic, ignored them and rowed with all their might.

In the end, many small ships had to scatter in all directions to avoid not the enemy, but their allies.