Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 263

263. Battle of Songhua River (2)

While a fierce chase and search for I Manju and Mentemu’s whereabouts unfolded, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lee Maeng-gyun boarded a ship bound for Shandong Province.

“Full speed ahead! Get to Beijing as quickly as possible, no matter what it takes!”

“Yes, sir! You lot! Hurry up!”

At Lee Maeng-gyun’s shout, Captain Han Song-ro responded loudly and urged the crew on.

The ship Lee Maeng-gyun was on was the largest and fastest among those operated by private merchant guilds.

* * *

Among the warships operated by the navy, the only fast ships besides the Challenger-class and Haeung-class were the Gwaeseon (fast ships). However, these Gwaeseon had a capacity of only about ten people.

Therefore, the delegation, including Lee Maeng-gyun, chartered a ship from a private merchant guild to head to the Ming Dynasty.

Ships built with capital from private merchant guilds were weaker than Panokseon [a type of Korean warship], but faster.

This was similar to the situation before Hyang intervened. In the late Joseon period, after entrusting water transport to private merchant guilds and handing over construction rights, the resulting ships were similarly evaluated.

Based on these reports, the navy even considered plans to create new warships based on these merchant ships.

Many were interested, but the plan fell through because ships made by merchant guilds were designed primarily for cargo transport. Converting them for combat would require a complete overhaul, which was deemed uneconomical.

And, before long, a superior alternative appeared that was no match for private merchant ships: the ‘Challenger-class.’

* * *

“We need to get to Shandong and Beijing as quickly as possible! Which ship is the fastest?”

At the words of the official from the court, the captains and shipowners gathered at the pier all pointed to one person.

“Han Ga’s is the fastest!”

“Who is that?”

Thus, Han Song-ro, who had been pointed out, reluctantly had to take the court officials on board.

“I’ll pay any price! I need to get to the Joseon trading post in Shandong as quickly as possible!”

“To do that, we’ll need additional skilled sailors and navigators.”

“Don’t worry about the cost, get them right away!”

At the official’s words, Han Song-ro persuaded other captains and shipowners to lend sailors and navigators familiar with seafaring. Of course, the cost was paid by the court on the spot.

“Do you prefer a promissory note? Or cash?”

At the official’s question, those who had suddenly been given the job all answered in unison.

“Cash, of course!”

* * *

“How long will it take to get to Shandong if we move as fast as possible?”

At Lee Maeng-gyun’s question, Han Song-ro looked up at the sky and answered immediately.

“If the wind is favorable, we can get there in seven days, but now is the season for headwinds… Even if we go as fast as possible, it will be eleven days.”

“Eleven days… That’s cutting it close. Do your best.”

“Yes, sir.”

At Lee Maeng-gyun’s words, the captain answered with a serious face.

Han Song-ro, who had stepped back to manage the crew, sought out the navigator.

“Hey, Old Man Chu. It seems like something big has happened in the court, doesn’t it?”

“Haven’t you heard the rumors? There’s been a disturbance in the north.”

At the navigator’s answer, Han Song-ro muttered a curse under his breath.

“Damn it! If we’re really late, I’ll be made a scapegoat and lose my head. I’ll have to give up sleeping comfortably until we reach Shandong!”

* * *

As Lee Maeng-gyun couldn’t hide his impatience, a subordinate official asked from the side.

“Wouldn’t it have been better to use a Challenger or Haeung-class ship?”

At the subordinate’s words, Lee Maeng-gyun glared at the subordinate official with a fierce look and growled.

“Are you not considering the time it would take to bring the ships in the East Sea all the way to Jemulpo [present-day Incheon]? And what would the Ming Dynasty think if a country that’s struggling with the Jurchens suddenly shows up with ships bristling with cannons?”

“Ah… I was short-sighted. I apologize.”

“If you’re sorry, don’t do things that make you sorry!”

At Lee Maeng-gyun’s scolding, the subordinate official turned pale and had to step back.

* * *

While Lee Maeng-gyun was urging his subordinate officials on their way to Shandong, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Ministry of National Defense, and the court were moving busily.

“The entire Huligai tribe led by I Manju is moving! The direction is northeast!”

“Mentemu’s tribe is also moving! The direction is north!”

The reports from the Jurchen scouts sent out to find the location of the two tribes were delivered to the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Hanseong [the capital of Joseon] as quickly as possible.

However, as the distance grew and the time it took for information to arrive increased, Sejong made a decision.

“The Joint Chiefs of Staff will move to Hamheung!”

“We obey the command!”

Sejong’s order was welcomed by the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

* * *

In principle, the command of the military should be the responsibility of the commander at the front line.

Even if several units were combined, it was customary to appoint a commander-in-chief and delegate authority to him.

This was the same in Joseon.

When the situation first arose, the Joint Chiefs of Staff recommended Lee Sook-myo as commander-in-chief, and Sejong approved it.

He had steadily built his career in the military since passing the military examination, so there was nothing particularly problematic about the decision.

The problem arose when more detailed information came in regarding the movements of I Manju and Mentemu.

‘Most of the tribes led by I Manju and Mentemu have left their settlements!’

The court was thrown into an uproar by the urgent information.

The reason the court was in an uproar was the size of the Huligai tribe led by I Manju.

The size of the tribe ruled by I Manju was about 10,000 households.

In the case of Joseon, the number of family members constituting one household (戶) was an average of 4 to 5 people, based on average life expectancy and other conditions.

However, in the case of the Jurchens, it was at least 7 to 8 people.

Based on this, the composition of I Manju’s tribe was a minimum of 70,000 to 80,000 people.

Of course, I Manju did not directly rule all of these people, and there were numerous tribes and tribal chiefs under him.

According to investigations, the average size of one Jurchen tribe was about 150 households, with a composition of about 1,000 people.

The problem was that about half of those 1,000 people were soldiers.

Based on that, the number of troops that I Manju could mobilize if he was determined could be more than 30,000.

* * *

“The fate of Joseon depends on this battle! We must pour all of our capabilities into it!”

Sejong, upon receiving the report, decided on an all-out war.

And none of the ministers opposed this decision. They were well aware of the seriousness of the situation and trusted the Joseon army, which had been trained as an elite force.

Having decided on an all-out war, Sejong moved the Joint Chiefs of Staff to Hamheung.

And, less than half a day later, Sejong added another decision.

“I will also go to Hamheung!”

“That cannot be!”

No sooner had Sejong’s words fallen than all the ministers began to oppose him.

“Absolutely not! If Your Majesty were to go to a dangerous place and suffer an unexpected event, the Jongmyo [royal ancestral shrine] and Sajik [altars to the gods of earth and grain] would be in danger!”

The reason the ministers opposed was only one.

‘If the king goes up and dies or gets hurt, the country will be turned upside down!’

The ministers vehemently opposed, but Sejong did not back down.

“What is the reason why I Manju and Mentemu are acting so presumptuously? It is because they look down on me! Those who only watched their eyes when Taejo the Great [founder of the Joseon dynasty] was alive are now looking down on me and the royal family! If we just stand by and watch, such presumptuous people will continue to appear! I must personally move to let those Jurchens know whose blood I and the royal family have inherited! I will not accept any opposition!”

At Sejong’s resolute appearance, the ministers had to shut their mouths.

‘That family’s temper…’

Sejong, who had silenced the ministers, turned to Hyang.

“The Crown Prince will remain in Hanseong and handle state affairs on my behalf!”

“I will go with you!”

Hyang requested to go with him, but Sejong rejected Hyang’s request.

“The Crown Prince has work to do here in Hanseong. It is your job to ensure that supplies are not cut off while we achieve great things in the north. With your usual talent, you will do well, won’t you?”

“…I will do my best.”

Hyang, who reluctantly bowed his head and answered, grumbled inwardly.

‘I thought this would happen, so I said I would go with him… Well, this is the norm, so I can’t help it.’

Hyang, who quickly gave up, grumbled about another problem.

‘By the way, even though I intervened and changed a lot, isn’t this too much? You should also think about the future test takers, Father!’

Sejong’s subsequent movements were literally lightning speed (電光石火) [dengwangseokhwa, an idiom meaning extremely fast].

“We will depart when the sun rises the day after tomorrow! Complete all preparations by then!”

At Sejong’s command, all the personnel of the Joint Chiefs of Staff had to make a fuss all night packing their bags.

On the morning of the day he set out on his personal expedition, Sejong, wearing the plate armor made by Hyang, commanded the ministers who had come to see him off.

“Help the Crown Prince to ensure that there is no deviation in the operation of state affairs.”

“We obey the command!”

“The Crown Prince will not disappoint this father, will he?”

“That will never happen!”

“I believe you!”

Sejong lightly patted Hyang’s shoulder and got on his horse.

As Sejong left Gwanghwamun [the main gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace], the people of Hanseong, who had come out after hearing the news, all bowed deeply and shouted.

“Achieve great things!”

“We pray for your military success!”

Hyang, who had escorted Sejong to Heunginjimun (興仁之門, Dongdaemun) [the East Gate of Seoul], turned around and looked at the ministers.

“Now! Shouldn’t we go and work? If we are lazy, the soldiers at the front will starve or fight with their bare hands. I believe you know what Father will do if that happens.”

“Yes!”

At Hyang’s threat, the ministers hurried back to Gyeongbokgung Palace [the main royal palace].

* * *

Sejong and the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who had left Hanseong, headed north as quickly as possible.

“It’s definitely good to have the road paved!”

“That is so!”

Thanks to the well-paved road to Wonsan, the speed of movement was much faster than before.

Even while moving, information continued to fly in from the front, and the information gathered in this way was processed through meetings held during meals or before bedtime.

“Considering the direction of I Manju and Mentemu, where do you think their destination is?”

Sejong, filling his stomach with dried rations and jerky, asked, and Choi Yun-deok unfolded a map, examined it, and pointed to one place.

“It will be north of Udigeo. Probably the Samsung area near the Mudan River.”

“Samsung…”

Sejong, who was examining the map, looked at Choi Yun-deok.

“Are they thinking of establishing a country?”

“The Samsung area is far from both Ming and Joseon, and I Manju will think it is possible with the size of the force he commands and the amount of looted wealth.”

“Hmm…”

Sejong, who had been silent for a moment at Choi Yun-deok’s answer, soon gave an order.

“Deliver my command to all the Jurchen tribes, including the naturalized Jurchen areas and the wild Jurchens. Say, ‘The descendants of Taejo the Great are trying to punish the traitors, so mobilize troops and join us.'”

At Sejong’s command, Choi Yun-deok showed a troubled expression.

“It is not difficult to deliver, but will they really follow Your Majesty’s command?”

At Choi Yun-deok’s question, Sejong smiled coldly and answered.

“Wouldn’t it be good to distinguish between friend and foe at this opportunity?”

“Ah… I see.”

Choi Yun-deok, who had grasped Sejong’s intentions, sweated coldly.

‘How many steps ahead is His Majesty looking?’

Meanwhile, Sejong, who had confirmed the report summarizing the situation, continued to check the next agenda.

“How is the unit dispatched from the Gyeonggi and Chungcheong provinces doing?”

“Yes, the organization has now been completed and is moving to Wonsan.”

“The navy has prepared the warships?”

“Yes. Due to the speed of movement, Challenger-class and Haeung-class warships are waiting in Wonsan to transport the swordsmen and artillerymen who need to be moved first. According to the calculations of the General Staff, it is expected that the number needed first can be transported if they go back and forth about 5 times.”

“What about the preparation of the carts that will carry them to the front lines?”

“It is progressing steadily. By the time the troops transported from Wonsan arrive in Onseong, the carts will all be ready.”

“I Manju and Mentemu will get a good hit.”

At Sejong’s words, Choi Yun-deok nodded. Sejong, looking at Choi Yun-deok’s face, turned his head and looked south.

“I thought the Crown Prince was being stubborn because he kept clinging to the carts, but this time we are benefiting from it.”