Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 264

264. Battle of Songhua River (3)

Sejong, recalling the argument over the carts and the Crown Prince’s stubbornness, once again discussed matters with Choi Yun-deok, the map spread between them.

“Do you think Yi Man-ju or Muantu would have anticipated Joseon moving this quickly?”

Choi Yun-deok answered Sejong’s question immediately.

“They probably did not expect it.”

* * *

Choi Yun-deok’s words were partly right and partly wrong.

Yi Man-ju and Muantu had heard rumors that Joseon’s communication system had become much faster than before.

Therefore, they began to move their tribes north while simultaneously attacking Jurchen and Joseon villages near the border.

However, what they did not anticipate was that Joseon’s communication system had become not just ‘much’ faster, but ‘very’ fast. They also didn’t expect that the Joseon army had forward-deployed troops to the north in preparation for a potential Jurchen invasion during the spring famine, and finally, that the Joseon army’s movement speed was very fast.

* * *

Choi Yun-deok did not forget to point out the problems.

“Thanks to the communication system developed by the Crown Prince, we were able to find out quickly, but there are also great disappointments.”

“Disappointments? What is it?”

Sejong asked, his eyes gleaming at Choi Yun-deok’s remark.

“We cannot use light-based communication outside the territory of Joseon. The problem is not the existence of communication facilities, but the inability to use pre-determined communication codes is the biggest reason.”

“Hmm….”

Sejong nodded at Choi Yun-deok’s point.

* * *

Joseon’s communication system had become very fast, but it was only half successful.

For situations that could be anticipated, such as diseases or foreign invasions, it was possible to quickly transmit information using the numerical codes developed by Hyang.

More than 100 codes were assigned to the Jurchen people. However, most of these codes were assigned to the major and minor tribes under Yi Man-ju and Muantu, and the areas where they resided.

Therefore, from the moment Yi Man-ju and Muantu left their residences, almost 70% of the codes assigned to the Jurchen people became useless.

Another important issue was the problem of selecting which words to encode.

There were more than one or two military and administrative terms.

If all those terms were made into codes, the situation would be over while searching through the codebook in a situation where communication had to be sent urgently.

Therefore, the selected terms were only those with the highest risk, such as diseases, natural disasters like floods and droughts, and invasions and the scale of Jurchens or Japanese pirates.

Therefore, in many respects, most communications had to rely on traditional methods—express messengers.

* * *

Choi Yun-deok, who pointed out this part, concluded with a face full of regret.

“The light-based communication network is very useful not only administratively but also militarily, but in the current situation, it is crippled. We need to solve this problem. But to do that, we have to change those numerous terms into codes, and then we won’t even be able to use them at all, so I am filled with regret.”

“General, where do you think that problem started?”

Choi Yun-deok answered Sejong’s question immediately.

“It’s because of the letters. Chinese characters are ideograms [characters representing ideas or concepts], so you can immediately understand the meaning when you see them, but you have to assign different codes for each of those characters.”

“That’s right….”

Sejong, who was nodding, cautiously brought up the topic.

“I see those Westerners using phonetic characters [characters representing sounds], what do you think about that?”

“Phonetic characters… Ah! I met the Westerners in Area 51 because of the telescope problem, are you talking about the letters they use?”

“That’s right, they write down the sounds they speak as letters.”

“Hmm….”

Choi Yun-deok fell into thought at Sejong’s words. After thinking for a moment, Choi Yun-deok answered immediately.

“Since the number of pronunciations that people use in conversation is almost fixed, phonetic characters seem like a good idea. However, looking at their sentences, it seemed like it would take a lot of time to learn. It seems like it would take a long time to get used to using it. In that case, I think it would be better not to use it in the military.”

“That seems right.”

With that conversation, the meal ended, and as soon as the table was cleared, Sejong and the people from the General Staff Headquarters got back on their horses.

While riding, Sejong muttered to himself.

“It has to be easy to learn and easy to use, right? And if the military supports it….”

* * *

It took six days to get from Hanseong [old name for Seoul] to Hamheung.

This was a new record. Even though they detoured through Wonsan, it only took six days.

‘It’s almost 1000 li (about 400km), but it’s only been six days… Even if we only moved on horseback….’

Sejong, who was doing this and that calculation, lowered his head.

Looking at the well-paved road, Sejong turned his head and looked south.

“I’m seeing the Crown Prince’s virtue again.”

Sejong smiled slightly as he recalled Hyang’s insistence that the roads throughout Joseon should be properly maintained, and then turned to Choi Yun-deok.

“What happened to the disposition of the Jurchens who defected from Yi Man-ju and Muantu?”

“Yes. We have dispatched cavalry units from the reserve forces in Hwanghae-do and Gangwon-do. They will arrive within the next two days.”

“Is that so….”

Sejong nodded at Choi Yun-deok’s answer.

* * *

As soon as it was determined that Yi Man-ju and Muantu were the main perpetrators of the attack, the units that departed from Pyeongan-do and Hamgil-do immediately dispatched cavalry units to the locations where the two tribes were located.

The mission given to the cavalry unit was simple.

‘Beat them as much as they hit us! And when the perpetrators come back, tie them down!’

When the cavalry unit that received the order arrived, what they saw was an empty base.

After confirming that the tribes under Yi Man-ju and Muantu had left their base, the Joseon army cavalry unit immediately began to pursue them.

Not long after the pursuit, the Joseon army cavalry unit was able to meet the Jurchens who raised a white flag. The Jurchens, seeing the Joseon army cavalry unit, desperately waved their white flags and shouted.

“We will defect!”

“Huh?”

“All troops stop! Stop!”

The Joseon cavalry unit, which was about to charge with their long spears, had to stop their horses urgently.

The Joseon cavalry unit disarmed all the defecting Jurchens and immediately sent a report to Hanseong.

The General Staff Headquarters in Hanseong immediately dispatched the cavalry units belonging to the Hwanghae-do and Gangwon-do armies, which were in charge of defending Hamgil-do and Pyeongan-do, to the north as a reserve force.

* * *

“Hmm….”

As Sejong nodded at Choi Yun-deok’s report, a group of officials came into view.

“Who are they?”

“It’s Governor Hwang Hee.”

“I see.”

The officials, led by Hwang Hee and Kim Jong-seo, wearing cheollik (military robes) and jeollip (military hats), all saluted with discipline.

“Chung!”

“Huh? Oh? Good work….”

Sejong, who returned the greeting with a bewildered expression, walked down from his horse and walked towards Hwang Hee.

“The officials are very disciplined.”

“I’ve been working in Hamgil-do for a long time….”

“Is that so?”

“Most of them have been with us since we started developing the Northeast.”

“Is that so?”

Sejong looked at the officials with a fresh expression.

The posture of the officials, who fixed their eyes on him, was not that of a civil official, but of a military officer, an old general who had experienced all kinds of battles.

Sejong, looking at such officials, turned his head and looked at Choi Yun-deok and muttered softly.

“I knew it….”

In Choi Yun-deok’s eyes, looking at the officials, there was an undisguised desire.

“Let’s go in.”

As Sejong turned around and entered the Hamheung government office, the officials and the people from the General Staff Headquarters also began to enter.

Choi Yun-deok approached Hwang Hee with quick steps.

“Hey, Governor Hwang….”

“No way. However, I know this area well, so I will only help with that part.”

“Tsk….”

Choi Yun-deok had to smack his lips at Hwang Hee’s attitude, which cut him off right away before he could say anything.

* * *

That evening, numerous Jurchen tribal chiefs flocked to the temporary Haenggung (traveling palace) created in the Hamheung government office.

Sejong, who received the report, asked the military officer a question.

“I already met the defecting Jurchen tribal chiefs during the day, who are they?”

“They are tribal chiefs from the wild lands.”

“Really? Let’s meet them.”

Sejong got up from his seat and went outside.

“His Majesty the King is here!”

The Jurchen tribal chiefs, who were huddled together in the front yard of Dongheon (the main building of the government office), immediately knelt on the ground when Sejong appeared.

“We meet the King!”

“Long live, long live, long long live!”

Sejong, seeing the tribal chiefs shouting long live according to etiquette, opened his mouth in a calm voice.

“Who are you from and who are you?”

“We are the Udige tribe!”

“Udige? You have come from a very far place. Did you see the letter I sent?”

“Yes! According to Your Majesty’s order, we have brought soldiers!”

“Thank you so much! It is a time of war, but we cannot just let it pass. Hey! We will hold a simple banquet, so prepare it!”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

Thus, on the first day of Sejong’s arrival in Hamheung, a meeting was held between the chiefs of the Udige tribe and Sejong.

* * *

The next day, the chiefs of the Udige tribe, who met Sejong, left Hamheung with their subordinates and went north.

It was to join the Joseon army, which was advancing north.

“10,000 cavalry… That’s reassuring.”

Hwang Hee immediately responded to Sejong’s words.

“Everything is thanks to Your Majesty’s virtue.”

“It’s not my virtue, but the majesty of King Taejo [King Yi Seong-gye, founder of Joseon Dynasty].”

It was Sejong who made a cold assessment.

That’s because that’s what the Jurchen tribal chiefs said in unison at the banquet the night before.

-The military discipline of the soldiers is so strict that it reminds me of when the Great Elder was here!

In the end, the reason they listened to Sejong’s orders was not because they were afraid of Sejong, but because of the shadow of Yi Seong-gye.

Anyway, with 2,000 cavalry from the defecting Jurchens and 10,000 cavalry from the Udige tribe, the power of the Joseon army was further strengthened.

Sejong, having confirmed the situation, looked at Choi Yun-deok.

“Now, all that remains is to choose a suitable place and eliminate Yi Man-ju and Muantu.”

“That is correct.”

* * *

Meanwhile, as Sejong settled down in Hamheung, communication with the front lines became more active.

On the third day after Sejong arrived in Hamheung, a communications officer entered the conference room.

“Urgent report from the Pyeongan-do army! They have caught up with the moving Yi Man-ju tribe! They have informed us that they will begin the annihilation operation from now on!”

“Finally!”

As soon as they heard the urgent report, the conference room was filled with murderous intent.

After a tenacious pursuit, they finally caught up with Yi Man-ju’s fleeing Hooligai tribe.

Not long after, more detailed information came in.

“The location where the Pyeongan-do army caught up is here, Meihua Estuary. It is about 180 li (about 72km) away from the Pajeo River.”

“When did they start, and they haven’t even gone that far yet? I don’t understand.”

Choi Yun-deok answered Sejong’s question immediately.

“Although there are those who remained and defected without leaving, it will not be fast because almost 10,000 households are moving. And they will be at the very end.”

Sejong nodded at Choi Yun-deok’s explanation.

“That’s right. Then the burden on the Pyeongan-do army will be reduced a bit. Because we can defeat them individually.”

“That is correct. If we are careful of ambushes, we can easily defeat them individually. And General Yi Sun-mong, who commands the Pyeongan army, is a prudent man, so he will do well.”

Sejong, who was nodding at Choi Yun-deok’s words, continued with the next question.

“Then, have you found the whereabouts of Yi Man-ju and Muantu, who started the work?”

“Yes. They are currently continuing to move north in the Daedun area.”

“They are slow too?”

“Yes, it seems like they are waiting for their tribes, along with the problem of moving the looted goods.”

Sejong, looking at the map while listening to Choi Yun-deok’s explanation, looked at Choi Yun-deok.

“Can our army block them?”

“It is definitely possible. We have already decided on a place to meet them.”

“Where is it?”

Choi Yun-deok pointed to one place on the map.

“Right here, Jilin.”