Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 265

265. Battle of Songhua River (4)

With the battlefield chosen for the confrontation between Yi Manzhu and Mentemu, the temporary palace in Hamhung buzzed with activity.

Among all the hustle, those responsible for supply logistics were the busiest.

In the supply meetings, Hwang Hui’s officials were working at a fever pitch.

“The most pressing issue is supplying the Pyeongan Province army, which is now engaging Yi Manzhu’s tribe,” a young military officer from the General Staff Headquarters pointed out.

Everyone in the meeting room nodded in agreement. At least among the Joseon army commanders of this era, no one underestimated the importance of logistics and supply.

* * *

As the Joseon army’s primary weapons shifted from cold steel like spears and swords to firearms using gunpowder, the significance of supply grew exponentially.

Consequently, those who passed the military examination and demonstrated exceptional administrative skills were immediately assigned to the supply corps.

This also presented an opportunity for rapid advancement.

As a result, many individuals who sought to avoid the intensely competitive civil service examination opted for the military examination and entered the supply system, leading to the rapid establishment of a robust supply infrastructure within the Joseon army.

Naturally, Hyang was involved in various aspects of this process.

“The surest path to victory on the battlefield is paved with steel!” Hyang declared.

Not only Choi Yun-deok but all the commanders present nodded in agreement. Choi Hae-san, son of Choi Mu-seon and the foremost artillery expert in the Joseon army, nodded so vigorously he seemed in danger of snapping his neck.

* * *

With no objections raised, the military officer continued his presentation, using a pointer to indicate locations on the map.

“Therefore, supplies for the Pyeongan Province army will first be transported to Uiju. From there, they will be moved along the Yalu River to a suitable point and then distributed by land. We’ve identified two potential secondary supply bases: Chosan Fortress and Manpo Fortress. The advantages of each are…”

“Hold on a moment.”

Just as the military officer was speaking confidently, an official from Hamgil Province stepped forward to interrupt.

“Speed is crucial for supply. But are you suggesting we send everything to Uiju and then back up the Yalu River? That’s a waste of precious time. How about this approach?”

The official took another pointer and indicated various points on the map.

“First, we gather all supplies from Hanseong [modern-day Seoul] and the south in Wonsan. Then, we transport them to Hamheung via sea and land routes. From Hamheung, we establish supply lines to Manpo Fortress and Hyesan Fortress. We send supplies and reserve troops to Manpo Fortress for the Pyeongan Province army and to Hyesan Fortress for the Hamgil Province army heading towards Jilin.”

“That route is certainly shorter,” Sejong observed after listening to the explanation.

The official bowed his head in response to Sejong’s favorable assessment.

“Indeed, Your Majesty.”

However, another military officer from the General Staff Headquarters voiced his opposition.

“While the route is shorter, the problem is that it requires traversing the Gaema Plateau. The Gaema Plateau is notoriously rugged and teeming with wild beasts. Your Majesty, even in Hanseong, a densely populated area, tiger attacks occur. Attempting to cross the Gaema Plateau, which is infested with tigers, bears, leopards, and wolves, is simply not feasible! The soldiers will be constantly exhausted from guarding against wild animals!”

The military officer’s objection was reasonable.

* * *

Joseon, with its abundance of mountains, was also known as a ‘land of wild beasts’.

Joseon’s villages were often nestled among mountains.

The mountains closest to the villages were often barren due to deforestation for firewood and construction, but just beyond the village limits, the mountains were densely forested.

And these forests were home to a variety of wild animals, including tigers, leopards, bears, and wolves.

To make matters worse, these mountains formed continuous ranges throughout the Korean Peninsula.

As a result, a constant struggle between humans and wild animals played out in this terrain.

‘For half the year, tigers hunt people, and for the other half, people hunt tigers.’

‘During the day, people catch tigers, and at night, tigers catch people.’

In Joseon, these sayings were not mere jokes.

And even within Joseon, the Gaema Plateau was the most notorious region.

* * *

Despite the opposition from the General Staff Headquarters, the officials from Hamgil Province smiled confidently.

“The traffic route on the Gaema Plateau can be guaranteed safe, at least for Joseon people.”

“What?”

“Huh?”

Not only the commanders of the General Staff Headquarters but also Sejong expressed their doubts, prompting Hwang Hui to step forward and explain.

“Your Majesty, do you recall the large quantity of wild animal hides presented to you starting in the second year of the Northeast Frontier Command’s development?”

“I remember. There were quite a lot.”

“That represents less than half of what these men have caught.”

“Huh?”

Hwang Hui’s explanation caused Sejong to look back at the officials with surprise.

Hwang Hui elaborated on the situation.

* * *

As the development of the Northeast Frontier Command progressed, the officials were overwhelmed with work. The area to be managed was vast, and there were insufficient personnel.

Consequently, the officials had to become skilled horsemen, and their encounters with the troublesome Jurchens turned them into proficient marksmen and archers.

Faced with a heavy workload and limited manpower, they needed to find the most efficient routes for travel.

The Gaema Plateau presented a significant challenge.

To safely traverse the rugged terrain filled with wild beasts, military escorts were essential, but it was impossible to secure support whenever needed.

Ultimately, the officials armed themselves with long rifles, horse-mounted rifles, and bows and took to their horses.

“Damn it! Whether I die from overwork or get eaten by a wild beast, it’s all the same!”

Whenever they had a day off, the officials would venture onto the Gaema Plateau in groups, hunting wild animals.

As a result, the wildlife on the Gaema Plateau began to suffer. And the officials’ marksmanship and archery skills improved rapidly.

Initially, it took more than ten shots to bring down a tiger, but in less than a year, they became capable of killing a tiger with a single shot.

* * *

“…So, we collected the best-quality hides from the animals we hunted and presented them to Your Majesty.”

Hwang Hui’s explanation left Sejong and the military officers of the General Staff Headquarters speechless.

“Oh my…. Oh my….”

Even Sejong was stammering, looking troubled, when Choi Yun-deok, recovering his composure, asked Hwang Hui.

“Then, have the wild beasts on the Gaema Plateau been completely eradicated?”

Hwang Hui shook his head.

“Not entirely. It’s just that these animals have learned to recognize and avoid Joseon people. The strange thing is, they don’t react the same way to Jurchens. So, it only applies to Joseon people.”

“Can the governor reliably guarantee the safety of that transport route?”

“As long as you stay with the main group, you don’t have to worry about being attacked by wild animals.”

Hwang Hui’s answer prompted Sejong to consider the various possibilities.

‘Hwang Hui is not one to lie. Then….’

Sejong reached a decision.

“Since speed is paramount, the route will pass through the Gaema Plateau!”

“We obey your command!” Everyone responded in unison to the supreme commander’s decision.

* * *

While this decision was being made in Hamheung, the first battle between the Joseon army and Yi Manzhu’s Jurchens was about to commence 15 li [approximately 6 kilometers] northeast of the Maeha River.

“Khan! The Joseon army!” Tribe leader Agutai, who had dismounted to rest, shook his head in disbelief at the warrior’s cry.

“There’s no way the Joseon army could have moved this quickly! Are you mistaken?”

“No, Khan! It’s the Joseon army!”

“Really? Not those auxiliaries attached to the Joseon army, but the actual Joseon army?”

The warrior insisted, “It’s the Joseon army! The real Joseon army!”

“Damn it!” Agutai cursed as he remounted his horse and asked the warrior, “Where are they?”

“They’re to the southwest!”

“Giddy up!” Agutai spurred his horse and rode to the top of a nearby hill.

“They’re over there!” Agutai turned in the direction the warrior indicated and involuntarily cursed again.

“Damn it….”

A massive cloud of dust was rising in the distance. The glint of metal flashing within the dust cloud was unmistakable.

‘Boiru said we wouldn’t encounter the Joseon army until after we joined up! But they’ve already caught up to us!’

Agutai, alarmed by the unexpected situation, quickly turned his horse and raced back towards his tribe.

“It’s too late! All that’s left is to fight!” Agutai shouted to his tribe members, who were moving with carts laden with their belongings.

“The Joseon bastards are chasing us! Everyone, prepare for battle!”

Agutai ordered the warrior who had followed him, “Sound the trumpet! Tell the patrol to return!”

“Yes, Khan!” The warrior quickly blew the horn.

Boo-ooo~. Boo~

The sound of the horn echoed across the landscape, and warriors who had been out on patrol in the distance began to rush back.

People wearing armor and preparing weapons emerged from the moving procession.

The ages of these individuals ranged from young boys just beginning to grow facial hair to old men with wrinkled faces.

Agutai addressed the assembled group, explaining the situation.

“The Joseon army has caught up to us faster than expected. We have only one option. We will strike the Joseon army with all our might to delay them, then retreat and join up with the other tribes! Understood?”

“Yes!”

“You all know what will happen to our families if we fail to stop the Joseon army here, right?”

At Agutai’s question, the men nodded silently.

The rumors circulating about the Joseon army were ominous.

There were tales of entire tribes vanishing after crossing the border into Joseon, thinking it would be as easy as before.

In fact, one of the tribes Agutai’s tribe had been in contact with had disappeared in just such a way.

When engaging the Jurchens, the Joseon army was even more ruthless than the Jurchens themselves.

Unlike the Jurchens, who would spare some to enslave them, the Joseon soldiers killed everyone.

Therefore, all the men of the tribe were on edge.

Just as the warriors returning from patrol arrived, Agutai gave the order.

“Intercept the Joseon army as far away as possible! Let’s go!”

“Let’s go!” With a resounding cry, more than 1,500 cavalrymen spurred their horses towards the approaching Joseon army.

* * *

The Joseon army quickly detected the Jurchen warriors advancing to intercept them.

“General! The Jurchen bastards are coming! There are about 1,500 of them!”

“Distance?” Yi Sun-mong asked curtly.

The scout immediately replied, “About 10 li [approximately 4 kilometers]!”

“Hmm….” Yi Sun-mong considered the information.

Based on his experience, they wouldn’t be charging at full speed from that distance.

The properly made armor worn by the Jurchens weighed around 30 geun [approximately 18 kilograms].

They usually wore lighter leather armor, but even that weighed 20 geun [approximately 12 kilograms].

“About 1 gak [approximately 15 minutes]?” Yi Sun-mong estimated the Jurchens’ arrival time and immediately issued his orders.

“Prepare for battle! Form a single line! Maintain the trained arrangement!”

“Yes!” Messengers raced off in all directions as Yi Sun-mong’s orders were relayed.

Soon, shouts echoed from all around as the Joseon army began to form its battle line.

The cavalry took their positions in the front, arranged in three horizontal rows, followed by the spear and sword soldiers, then the riflemen, and finally the artillerymen.

Yi Sun-mong’s command post and the reserve unit of riflemen were positioned at the rear.

The formation of over 15,000 soldiers took approximately 10 minutes. Yi Sun-mong was pleased with the speed and efficiency of the maneuver.

“Our training is paying off!”

“Indeed,” the staff members accompanying Yi Sun-mong agreed, wearing similar expressions of satisfaction.

The Joseon army, transformed through Gyeongjang [military reforms], was truly worthy of being called elite.

Furthermore, they had anticipated this battle and had been moving with all their weapons at the ready since catching up with the rearguard of the Hūligai tribe.

Yi Sun-mong, confirming that the formation was complete, gave his final instructions.

“I’ll reiterate, their primary objective is to delay us. Therefore, they will likely target the cavalry. That’s why I’ve placed the cavalry in the front. When the Jurchen bastards come within range, the cavalry will fire a single volley and then move to the left and right of the line. Has this been clearly communicated?”

“Yes!”

At the staff members’ confirmation, Yi Sun-mong mounted his horse with a satisfied expression.

“Then let’s have some fun.”

“Yes!”