Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 518

518. The Decisive Battle (2)

The location of Ikuta Shrine was truly a strategic point.

The sea formed a natural barrier to the south, and to the north, highlands, almost mountainous in their difficulty to traverse, stretched out.

Therefore, Ouchi’s forces had to pass through this location to reach Kyoto, where the shogunate and the Emperor resided. Conversely, the shogunate also needed to control this key transportation hub to effectively subdue the Ouchi.

* * *

The main camp of the Ouchi army was established slightly southwest of Ikuta Shrine.

Before a curtain emblazoned with the Ouchi family crest, a hastily constructed wooden command tower stood. Upon it, Ouchi Mochiyo and Morimi surveyed the opposing shogunate forces.

Morimi, who had been observing the shogunate camp with the monocular gifted by Joseon [present-day Korea], lowered it and scanned the surrounding terrain.

Examining the landscape, bordered by mountains and sea, Morimi addressed Mochiyo, who stood beside him.

“Lord, this is indeed a strategically advantageous location.”

“Indeed. By the way… they truly resemble monkeys.”

“Monkeys?”

At Morimi’s questioning look, Mochiyo raised his hand and pointed towards the center of the shogunate camp.

“They have lengthened their spears.”

Morimi, observing the shogunate camp through the monocular at Mochiyo’s words, nodded.

“Indeed, they are like monkeys.”

* * *

At this time, the spears used by Japanese spearmen were not as long as the long spears that would become common during the Warring States period [Sengoku period, a time of near-constant civil war and social upheaval in Japan from 1467 to 1615], before Hyang’s intervention in history.

The average length of the long spears carried by Japanese spearmen, including the blade, was about 6 shaku (approximately 2 meters) to 7 shaku (approximately 2.3 meters).

Considering the relatively short stature of the Japanese at the time, this was a sufficiently formidable length.

However, Ouchi had introduced the long spears used by Joseon’s spear-sword soldiers.

The primary reason for introducing these long spears, measuring 1 jo 5 shaku (approximately 4.5 meters) in length, was the influence of the Munji faction, who had studied in Joseon and subsequently returned.

* * *

The Siwisa (Capital Garrison), formed to protect Hanseong, the capital of Joseon, and the Naegeumwi (Royal Guard), formed to protect Gyeongbok Palace and the King, regularly conducted training exercises on the sandy banks of the Han River.

These regular training sessions were quite a spectacle, attracting many onlookers.

Since the King often attended these training sessions, many people, concerned about his safety, attempted to restrict public access.

However, Hyang opposed this restriction.

“Allowing the people to witness the might of the soldiers who protect them will increase their morale and loyalty.”

“The loyalty of the people, you say?”

“Wouldn’t they be less critical if they saw how their taxes are being utilized?”

“Ah!”

Thus, the people of Hanseong were permitted to observe the soldiers’ training. As time went on, people from the provinces, hearing rumors of the spectacle, began to travel to the capital to watch. Eventually, notices were posted on government office bulletin boards throughout Joseon, announcing the dates of the regular training sessions.

It marked the birth of a tourist attraction with a long history.

Although the training was open to the public, it was not entirely unrestricted. For safety reasons, the artillery soldiers’ and musketeers’ training, personally attended and supervised by Sejong [King Sejong the Great, the fourth ruler of the Joseon dynasty of Korea], was closed to the public.

What the people could witness was the training of the spear-sword soldiers and cavalry, which they actually found more appealing. The synchronized movements of the spear-sword soldiers, densely packed like porcupines with their long spears raised, and the thundering charge of the cavalry, were far more thrilling.

* * *

The Munji faction, having witnessed this training during their studies in Joseon, strongly advocated for the immediate adoption of Joseon’s long spears.

“Isn’t it just unnecessarily long?”

Morimi, who was the head of the family at the time, and the other samurai were skeptical, but the Munji faction continued to press for the introduction of Joseon-style long spears.

“The results in actual combat prove their effectiveness!”

“It is a weapon that has already been proven on the battlefield!”

“Hmm…”

Morimi, after contemplating the introduction of Joseon-style long spears for some time, finally reached a decision.

“Let’s introduce them!”

His decision to adopt Joseon’s spears was primarily due to their effectiveness in defending against cavalry.

Although the Japanese cavalry was relatively weak compared to those of Ming [Ming Dynasty China] or Joseon, their value on the battlefield was undeniable.

Furthermore, Joseon’s long spears were not only effective against cavalry. In spear-to-spear combat, the significantly longer reach provided a distinct advantage.

* * *

Thus, after overcoming initial resistance, the introduced Joseon-style long spears quickly began to demonstrate their value on the battlefield.

The combination of matchlock rifles and long spears began to yield results that the Japanese samurai had never before experienced.

The lords who were allied with both Ouchi and the shogunate, having tasted both the sweetness of victory and the bitterness of defeat, hastily began to introduce matchlock rifles and long spears themselves.

However, these lords overlooked a crucial factor.

The reason Ouchi was achieving such impressive results was due to their standing army, modeled after Joseon’s military. Ouchi’s standing army, rigorously trained, had mastered the coordinated use of different weapon types, and their achievements reflected this.

This level of military effectiveness was only possible due to the joint development of the Iwami silver mine with Joseon and the steady trade relations between the two.

Therefore, Morimi and Mochiyo ridiculed the shogunate’s long spear unit as monkeys.

* * *

The initial engagement, which began as soon as the two forces had properly established their positions, was a war of words.

The messenger dispatched by the shogunate, without dismounting from his horse even upon arriving at the Ouchi camp, raised his voice as he addressed Mochiyo and Morimi on the command tower.

“Hear me, rebels! You are now acting in concert with the rebellion instigated by the Ouchi family! His Majesty the Emperor has issued an imperial order to subdue the Ouchi family, who have initiated this rebellion! This is the imperial edict!”

The messenger produced the edict he was carrying at his waist and held it aloft.

After a moment, a samurai on horseback from the Ouchi camp emerged and accepted the edict.

Mochiyo, after unfolding the edict brought by his subordinate and reading its contents, raised his voice.

“Humph! Our uprising is not a rebellion! We have risen up because you treacherous subjects oppress His Majesty the Emperor and plunge the people into misery! Who would believe that this edict reflects the true will of His Majesty! The fact that this edict has only surfaced now proves that it is not the true heart of His Majesty! You treacherous subjects have obtained it by intimidating His Majesty!”

“The envoy sent by His Majesty the Emperor is in our camp!”

At the shogunate messenger’s protest, Mochiyo scoffed once again.

“Humph! That envoy must also be another treacherous subject in league with you treacherous subjects!”

Mochiyo, dismissing the shogunate’s claim, declared in a loud voice.

“If I have committed a crime! I will subdue all of you rebels! And go directly to the Imperial Palace to seek an audience with His Majesty! Leave at once!”

“What!”

“Be grateful that I am letting you depart unharmed!”

“Hmph!”

At Mochiyo’s final warning, the messenger had no choice but to turn his horse around and depart.

As the messenger retreated, Mochiyo looked up at the sky. Observing the red glow of the setting sun, Mochiyo issued orders to his subordinates.

“Tomorrow will be the day of the decisive battle, so ensure the soldiers are well-fed!”

“Yes, sir!”

“And strengthen the defenses in preparation for a night raid! Since they are treacherous subjects who obscure the eyes of His Majesty the Emperor, it would not be surprising if they resorted to cowardly tactics!”

“Yes, sir!”

After giving these orders, Mochiyo descended from the command tower with Morimi.

* * *

Shortly thereafter, a banquet was held in Mochiyo’s tent, attended by allied lords and warriors.

Although the table was laden with liquor and food provided by Ouchi, few of the lords were truly enjoying themselves.

“Lord, the treacherous subjects of the shogunate have presented an imperial order. Is it wise not to be concerned?”

As one of the lords voiced his concern, Mochiyo replied with an expression of nonchalance.

“You need not worry about it at all.”

“But, it is an imperial order and an imperial edict, is it not?”

At the continued questioning, Mochiyo emptied his cup and responded.

“As I stated earlier, if that truly reflected the Emperor’s will, would it not have been issued sooner? How many years has it been since we raised our army under the banner of subduing the rebels? Yet there was no word during that time, and now that we stand before the shogunate, an edict appears? What does this signify?”

The lords nodded in agreement with Mochiyo’s reasoning.

If it had been the Emperor’s genuine desire, an envoy from the Emperor would have arrived to stop Ouchi as soon as they raised their army, or an imperial edict ordering the subjugation of Ouchi would have been disseminated throughout Japan.

However, the Emperor’s edict had only emerged now, with Kyoto and Naniwa [present-day Osaka] within their reach.

Observing the lords’ reactions, Mochiyo declared firmly.

“Once the rebels have been subdued, I will proceed to His Majesty’s Imperial Palace and seek forgiveness for the offense of troubling His Majesty’s heart!”

The lords muttered inwardly at Mochiyo’s resolute declaration.

‘He is not even contemplating the possibility of defeat.’

‘Well, considering his accomplishments thus far…’

‘Go to His Majesty’s Imperial Palace? He intends to enter Kyoto (上洛) [Joukyou, to go to the capital] and declare himself the ruler of the land.’

Kyoto was modeled after Chang’an of the Tang Dynasty [the capital of the Tang Dynasty in China]. Later, entering Kyoto came to be known as Sangrak (上洛) or Iriaki (入洛) [both terms meaning to enter Kyoto]. And, in the case of the lords, it signified not merely entering Kyoto, but seizing power.

In other words, Mochiyo’s words were a declaration that he intended to overthrow the current Muromachi shogunate [the feudal military government of Japan during the Muromachi period, from 1336 to 1573] and establish a new shogunate.

Hearing Mochiyo’s declaration, the lords sank into deeper contemplation, carefully weighing the potential gains and losses.

‘Will he truly succeed?’

‘Since we are already committed, we must exert our utmost effort.’

‘How can we maximize our benefits after Ouchi seizes power?’

* * *

The next morning, as dawn broke, both armies began their preparations for battle.

Starting with Mochiyo and Morimi, the warriors and samurai of the Ouchi family assembled in Mochiyo’s tent.

It was for the final strategy meeting immediately before the commencement of the battle.

Shortly thereafter, the lords and warriors of the allied territories also gathered in the tent.

“Now, let us review the plan one last time.”

With Mochiyo’s words, the strategy meeting commenced.

The final adjustments were made regarding the assigned locations and opponents for each lord, with the Ouchi army at the center of the plan.

The process of coordinating the lords, who held varying intentions – some seeking to minimize their losses, others willing to endure losses for future gains, and still others remaining neutral, waiting for the opportune moment – was completed, and the lords and their warriors returned to their respective armies.

Mochiyo looked at his subordinates and retainers who remained in their seats and began to speak.

“Let us make today the most glorious day of our lives!”

“Ooh!”

As the warriors responded with a resounding shout, Mochiyo and Morimi walked to the Buddhist altar set up in the tent and clasped their hands together in prayer. Following Mochiyo and Morimi, the warriors and samurai prayed for victory.

After the prayer, attendants distributed cups and poured liquor for those who had returned to their places.

Mochiyo, holding a cup filled with liquor in his hand, raised the cup high and shouted.

“Let us advance!”

The people who shouted emptied their cups at once and threw the empty cups to the floor.

Clang!

Treading on the fragments of the shattered cups, Mochiyo and the members of the Ouchi family departed from the tent.

It was the beginning of a battle in which the family’s entire future was at stake.