Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 10

Extradition 10. 1592 Southern Sea War. (10)

As Admiral Yi Sun-sin’s Third Mobile Fleet sped south from Wonsan, the Japanese air force, returning from striking the Second Mobile Fleet off Jeju Island and the airfields in southern Honam, radioed in.

-Enemy resistance significant, additional attacks needed.

Shimazu Yoshihiro, after assessing the situation on Jeju Island, messaged Maeda Toshiie, the supreme commander of the Japanese attack force, who then consulted Kuki Yoshitaka, commander of the Combined Fleet.

“When is the first carrier strike force due to arrive at Jeju Island?”

“They’re timed to hit Jeju Island as the land attack force returns. No issues expected; no unusual reports received.”

Maeda Toshiie looked pleased.

“So, the skies over Jeju Island belong to Japan.”

“Correct.”

Maeda Toshiie and Kuki Yoshitaka exchanged satisfied glances.

However, the staff officers present were inwardly concerned.

‘It was a surprise attack, yet the resistance is significant?’

‘We signaled ‘Tora’ [Japanese code word for “attack” or “surprise attack”] three times, indicating they were defenseless. Why is resistance significant?’

The number of times the surprise attack code ‘Tora’ was sent by Shimazu Yoshihiro also had meaning:

-1 time: Attack successful. The battle is fierce, but our forces are superior.

-2 times: Surprise attack successful. Enemy resistance is strong.

-3 times: Surprise attack successful, the enemy is completely defenseless.

Based on Shimazu Yoshihiro’s message, the situation was:

-The Japanese forces on Jeju Island were caught off guard but are responding surprisingly quickly.

-Despite the surprise, their will to fight is strong.

The staff officers were surprised, but quickly refocused.

‘Still, the situation favors us! The surprise attack worked! This will be a short war! We just need to cripple their navy to achieve our goals!’

‘Just accomplish the objectives! The higher-ups will handle the rest!’

The commanders of the Japanese attack force were relatively young.

Maeda Toshiie, commanding the army and navy, was 53. Kuki Yoshitaka, the naval commander, was 50. Most other commanders were in their 30s and 40s.

“This… they’re awfully young,” Toyotomi Hideyoshi remarked upon seeing the list, causing the Imperial Headquarters chief of staff to bow his head.

“They have sufficient experience. Their energy and proactive nature make them ideal for this operation.”

Hideyoshi frowned, muttering inwardly.

‘They’re passing the buck [shifting responsibility].’

-If it succeeds, they’ll claim credit for selecting the best talent.

-If it fails, they can blame the younger officers.

Hideyoshi realized the personnel selection was a self-preservation tactic, but accepted it.

‘No time to change it now; forcing it would worsen things. I must trust these volunteers, but…’

Hideyoshi glared at the chief of staff and senior officers, his eyes filled with murderous intent.

* * *

Regardless of the politics, the field commanders did their best.

As Kuki Yoshitaka promised, the carrier strike force hit Jeju Island almost exactly as the first attack force withdrew – a difference of about five minutes.

Later, Imperial army analysts would marvel:

“They left the skies over Jeju Island empty for only five minutes? How is that possible?”

“They did it, didn’t they?”

“Hmm… we need to improve our training.”

This efficiency would later cause much grief for Imperial army pilots.

However, the incoming Japanese pilots were met with furious Imperial soldiers.

“Our planes are ashes! Anything that flies is a Jap! Wipe them out!”

“No need to identify friend from foe! Kill them all!”

Bang, bang, bang! Tu-ta-ta-tang!

The surviving warships’ anti-aircraft guns and land-based batteries opened fire on the incoming Japanese planes.

However, they were too few. Most of the Second Mobile Fleet’s warships were critically damaged in the first attack, and over two-thirds of the anti-aircraft batteries were neutralized.

The surviving batteries were mostly spared because they were far from Seogwipo’s military port.

The Imperial army’s will was strong, but their numbers were too small, limiting the damage to the Japanese attack force to an acceptable level.

In the end, the surprise attack succeeded for Japan.

Meanwhile, a bloodbath was unfolding in Seoul.

* * *

The Minister of National Defense, upon receiving the ‘Jeju Island Surprise Attack’ report, rushed to the Ministry of National Defense building without even dressing properly.

A Naegeumwi [royal guard] officer greeted him as he exited his car.

“His Majesty orders your immediate presence at the palace.”

“…Understood.”

The Minister of National Defense re-entered the car, looking grim.

He was taken to a conference room in Gyeongbokgung Palace’s air-raid shelter.

Yi Ju was already seated, passing through a corridor lined with unusually grim-faced Naegeumwi soldiers.

Officers and eunuchs hurried back and forth to the communications room, delivering messages to Yi Ju in real-time.

“Y-Your Majesty…”

“Shut up and sit down.”

At Yi Ju’s sharp command, the Minister of National Defense sat down immediately.

The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Army and Navy Chiefs of Staff, and other officers arrived and did the same.

They sat in silence, watching.

Yi Ju ordered the officer beside him.

“Read the incoming communications in order.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The officer organized the messages chronologically and read them aloud. As the contents unfolded, the heads of the Minister of National Defense and the others sank lower and lower.

But when Yi Sun-sin’s telegram was read, their heads snapped up.

“Thirty minutes after the first telegram, the Third Mobile Fleet commander transmitted: ‘The Third Mobile Fleet is immediately deploying.'”

Before the officer finished, the Minister of National Defense and others began to speak.

This was a clear violation of military law. Imperial Army regulations forbade fleet commanders from independent action, even in dire situations.

As the Minister of National Defense started to object, Yi Ju cut him off.

“I have already issued the order. Silence.”

The Minister of National Defense closed his mouth, staring at the floor.

The word ‘finished’ echoed in his mind.

‘I’m done for.’

Everyone present, including the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, sensed their careers were over.

‘If only it ends with dismissal.’

Eventually, a message arrived announcing the Japanese attack force’s withdrawal.

After confirming it, Yi Ju asked the communications officer.

“Any communication from the Second Mobile Fleet commander?”

“Not yet.”

“Not yet? Has he been killed in action?”

“No such report.”

“If a mobile fleet commander died or was injured, it would be reported immediately. What is he doing?”

“I’ll check.”

“Do so immediately.”

“Yes.”

Ten minutes later, a report on Won Gyun arrived.

“The Second Mobile Fleet commander has ordered the detention of all Japanese people on Jeju Island. He is also directing fleet repairs and reports they will sail as soon as repairs are complete.”

“Ha!”

Yi Ju exclaimed, a mix of admiration and disbelief.

“Why is he issuing orders that the counterintelligence unit should be giving? And sailing with a destroyed fleet? This madman…!”

Unable to contain his anger, Yi Ju shouted.

“Order the Imperial Army’s counterintelligence unit on Jeju Island to immediately arrest and imprison the Second Mobile Fleet commander and staff officers! Prohibit Japanese residents from leaving!”

“Yes!”

“Ah, no! Tell them to escort the commander and staff officers to Seoul once the situation stabilizes!”

“Yes!”

The Chief of Naval Operations, horrified, spoke up.

“Y-Your Majesty! Victory and defeat are commonplace in war! This…”

“I told you to be silent!”

“Y-Your Majesty! But!”

“Naegeumwi!”

As the Chief of Naval Operations continued to object, Yi Ju summoned the royal guards.

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

“Strip him of his uniform and imprison him immediately!”

“Y-Your Majesty!”

At Yi Ju’s order, the Chief of Naval Operations was dragged away by the Naegeumwi soldiers, his uniform torn off. The Minister of National Defense and others stood in shock, but Yi Ju remained firm.

“Carry it out!”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

The air in the conference room froze.

Yi Ju continued in a murderous voice.

“‘Victory and defeat are commonplace in war’… True, but it’s not a Danseocheolgon [a royal warrant guaranteeing immunity].”

Danseocheolgon was a kind of indulgence that exempted meritorious subjects from serious crimes unless they committed treason.

“Emperor Yi Hyang didn’t punish battlefield losses either, because the war’s victory, not the battle’s, was the goal. But even he said not to forgive generals who lost due to carelessness in guarding the border or failing to supply properly. What have you and Won Gyun shown today! Creating this situation, and then saying ‘Victory and defeat are commonplace in war’? Have I ever seen such killable bastards!”

“Please kill us!”

Everyone, including the Minister of National Defense, begged for forgiveness.

However, Yi Ju’s reaction was unexpected.

“Don’t worry. I will kill you.”

“Y-Your Majesty!”

Whether they were horrified or not, Yi Ju continued.

“After Yi Sun-sin’s report, I was uneasy despite your assurances. Why? Because of ‘what if’. Emperor Yi Hyang also said, ‘There is no 杞憂 [groundless worry] in national defense!’ But you dismissed it as 杞憂! Eunuch! How long have I been here?”

“Since last night, Your Majesty.”

Those who heard this closed their eyes tightly, bracing for what was coming.

“But among those holding their positions, not only the Minister of National Defense but also the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Chiefs of Staff were absent! Even though today is a holiday, not one of you came to hold your posts! Even though there was a warning that today, Christmas, was dangerous! And you think you can rule the Imperial Army!”