Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 549

549. The Eve of War (2)

“Insan Fortress? Why there?”

At Ju Gijin’s question, Jo Byeongdeok pointed to the Yalu River on the map and replied.

“It’s one of the narrowest points of the river. The width between this side of the riverbank and the Korean-Chinese side is only about 450 ‘jang’ [approximately 1.35 kilometers]. The depth is similar. In the spring, which we’ve chosen as the time for the operation, it’s shallow enough to cross on horseback.”

“That may be so, but…”

Ju Gijin nodded at Jo Byeongdeok’s explanation but still looked slightly uneasy.

“The Joseon people who have suffered from the Jurchens all this time must know this as well, right? Isn’t that why they set up a garrison there?”

“That’s correct.”

Jo Byeongdeok readily nodded at Ju Gijin’s point.

In fact, this was one of the places where the Jurchens of Liaodong frequently crossed the border to plunder. Of course, thanks to Joseon’s military reforms and the strengthened local defense system, Joseon’s firepower had become stronger, effectively blocking that route.

“Although we’re concentrating our forces to break through, attacking a place that’s already heavily defended might mean taking unnecessary losses. Shouldn’t we reconsider?”

At Ju Gijin’s request to reconsider the crossing point, Jo Byeongdeok replied firmly.

“Impossible. This is the optimal location. Let me explain why.”

Jo Byeongdeok explained why he had no choice but to choose Insan Fortress.

-The biggest reason is the terrain.

There are several places with narrow river widths in the upper reaches of the Yalu River, but they have issues with depth and current speed.

Next, once you pass through Insan Fortress, the plains continue, allowing the cavalry to exert their best abilities.

Other areas require passing through the rugged mountains of Joseon. This means risking ambushes.

-Secondly, Anju, about 300 ‘li’ [approximately 120 kilometers] south of Insan Fortress, is home to Joseon’s largest steel mill.

If we occupy this place as quickly as possible, Joseon will face significant obstacles in steel supply, while we can acquire large quantities of high-quality steel.

-Finally, we can maximize the support of Hwaryongpo [a type of cannon] and other cannons.

Looking at the records of the Hwaryongpo sent by the court, its maximum range is about 5 ‘li’ [approximately 2 kilometers]. (Note 1)

Losses among soldiers are inevitable in the process of attacking solid walls. However, to minimize these losses, artillery support is essential, and for this, Hwaryongpo is necessary.

However, the sheer size of the Hwaryongpo means it takes a lot of time to move. Therefore, Insan Fortress is the most suitable place to maximize its effectiveness.

“Hmm…”

Jo Byeongdeok’s explanation made Ju Gijin stroke his chin and contemplate.

Seeing Ju Gijin’s continued deliberation, Jo Byeongdeok added.

“If you look closely at the terrain around Insan Fortress, it’s possible to encircle and contain Insan Fortress while also performing a flanking maneuver.”

“Is that so…”

Ju Gijin, who had been contemplating while listening to Jo Byeongdeok’s explanation, finally made a decision.

“We will attack Insan Fortress. Proceed as planned.”

“Yes!”

With Ju Gijin’s decision, the invasion of Joseon crossed the point of no return.

* * *

At the same time, the General Staff Headquarters of Joseon was also racking its brains.

“The most likely place is still Insan Fortress.”

At Yi Jingok’s report, Choi Yundeok asked with a serious face.

“What’s the basis?”

Choi Yundeok, who in the history before Hyang’s intervention had already died two years ago, was still vigorously showing off his old age. Thanks to his experience participating in all sorts of foreign wars of Joseon, including the conquest of Tsushima Island, he had earned nicknames such as ‘Living History of the Joseon Army’ and ‘Hidden Monster of the Ministry of National Defense’.

Thanks to the experience he had accumulated in the process of subjugating the Jurchens, he was scheduled to go to Shinji with Sejong, but in the end, Sejong decided to leave Choi Yundeok in Joseon.

-In case something happens, an experienced veteran is needed to assist the Crown Prince.

This was the reason for his remaining in Joseon, and now that decision was proving its worth.

At the question of the veteran with a long career, Yi Jingok replied with a tense face.

“It’s the optimal place to cross from Liaodong to Joseon or from Joseon to Liaodong.”

The explanation that followed from Yi Jingok was largely the same as the explanation Jo Byeongdeok had given to Ju Gijin.

“…Therefore, Insan Fortress is considered the most likely.”

“I see… But what if the enemies only surround Insan Fortress and attempt a flanking maneuver?”

At Choi Yundeok’s point, Yi Jingok pointed to the map with a pointer and immediately explained.

“For the enemy’s main force, the cavalry, to exert their best abilities, they need a well-paved road. And if they advance south along that road, they must pass through this place, Seoncheon Prefecture. We will set up a second line of defense here.”

“What’s the distance from Insan Fortress?”

“About 150 ‘li’ [approximately 60 kilometers].”

“That’s far south… The damage to the people living in between could be significant. What’s the plan?”

“We will evacuate the people as quickly as possible as soon as the war breaks out. We have prepared a railway operation plan for this and have finished coordinating with the Railway Administration.”

“It won’t disrupt troop mobilization, will it?”

“We have also coordinated on that issue.”

“Good…”

As Choi Yundeok nodded and expressed satisfaction, Yi Jingok let out a small sigh of relief.

Choi Yundeok continued to check the situation.

“When the weather warms up, the airships will be officially operational. Is everything being prepared properly?”

“Yes.”

The military had been enthusiastic about introducing airships, but as a result of operating them in the field, several restrictions were discovered.

Thanks to this, after various improvement works, the official deployment to the field began.

Choi Yundeok continued the inspection with Yi Jingok and the staff.

“Mass distribution of wire entanglement?”

At Choi Yundeok’s question, Yi Jingok immediately replied.

“It’s the optimal item for slowing down the enemy. Don’t you know?”

“That’s true.”

The wire entanglement that Yi Jingok mentioned was also an item that Hyang’s influence had touched.

* * *

Hyang, after hearing the story of the wire entanglement made by Ilcheol, who created ‘Ilmi Gyejak’ [a type of farming technique], quietly licked his lips.

“Barbed wire, huh…”

However, Hyang did not immediately challenge the production of barbed wire.

“Surprisingly, barbed wire requires automation…”

Weaving wires to make them like thorns was surprisingly labor-intensive.

This was also the case in the history before Hyang’s intervention.

“We’re already short on people, and the production of high-quality wire is also low…”

Hyang, who had retreated one step like this, became interested in barbed wire again as Joseon’s steel production increased significantly and the steam engine took hold.

“Let’s make it without barbs first…”

Using a steam engine to twist two or three strands of thick wire with a thickness of 1 ‘chi’ and 1 ‘pun’ [approximately 3 millimeters] like a braid to make wire ropes, Hyang made a wire mesh and immediately called Sejong and the ministers to introduce how to use it.

And the military immediately opened its wallet.

Although there were no barbs, the wire entanglement was definitely an excellent means of defense.

* * *

“The defense plan is good. The rest can be handled with improvisation on the front lines. Good work.”

“Thank you.”

Choi Yundeok, who praised Yi Jingok and the staff, presented another task.

“Then let’s look at the counterattack plan now.”

“Has His Majesty finally made a decision?”

At Yi Jingok’s question, Choi Yundeok nodded.

“He sent a reply through the last ship. The Crown Prince worked hard.”

As soon as the measures for the problems that occurred in Liaodong were somewhat grasped, Hyang immediately sent a report to Sejong.

-War is unavoidable. Therefore, we must use this opportunity to secure Liaodong.

Sejong immediately sent a reply to Hyang’s proposal.

-Ming (明) [The Ming Dynasty]

Sejong, who knew well that Joseon was much stronger, but still weaker than Ming, could not easily make a decision.

From this time on, liaison ships moved busily between Shinji and Joseon. Steamships carrying only Sejong’s letters, which meticulously pointed out possible problems, and Hyang’s letters containing answers to them, traveled exclusively between Shinji and Joseon. And that voyage continued until just before the Arctic Sea froze.

As time passed, Sejong had no choice but to admit that it was inevitable.

-The Emperor started this in Liaodong, meaning he intends to defeat our Joseon. Then we cannot just be defeated.

In the end, Sejong sent a short reply to Hyang.

-Approved (許).

Hyang, who received Sejong’s permission, immediately sent a letter to Sejong.

-I am pleased to finally keep my promise.

Hyang, who had obtained Sejong’s permission, immediately summoned the ministers.

“His Majesty has approved.”

* * *

As soon as Hyang’s words fell, the atmosphere in the conference room changed. The four people who were observing the meeting from one side were startled by the sudden change in atmosphere.

‘What is it? The atmosphere has changed!’

‘I smell blood somewhere…’

‘It’s hard to breathe…’

Amidst the panic caused by the sudden change in atmosphere, Han Myeonghoe muttered softly.

“Is it because they are the ones who have experienced war…”

At Han Myeonghoe’s muttering, the others also nodded.

The ministers sitting around the conference room now were those who had experienced everything from the conquest of Tsushima Island to the Horan and Giyu Rebellion caused by Imanju and Munteomu.

* * *

Hyang, who announced Sejong’s decision, immediately continued.

“If what we thought would happen happens, we will immediately launch a counterattack. Please adjust the plan accordingly.”

“I understand.”

Following Hwanghee’s reply, Heo Hu opened his mouth.

“If we advance into Liaodong, the Forbidden City [referring to the Imperial Palace in Beijing, the seat of the Ming Dynasty] may immediately raise an issue. I will prepare a rebuttal to this.”

Hyang nodded at Heo Hu’s words.

“Yes. Please prepare a solid rebuttal that will shut the mouth of the Forbidden City.”

“From the fact that they have already sent a prince and a large army to Liaodong, they have decided to start a war. I will argue about this point. The justification lies with our Joseon.”

All the other ministers nodded at Heo Hu’s words.

Looking at the ministers’ reactions, Hyang came to a conclusion.

“Now that Ming has used such tricks, there is no more serving the great (事大) [Sadae: a policy of maintaining close diplomatic and political ties with a larger, more powerful nation]. Only neighborly relations (交隣) [Gyolin: a policy of maintaining peaceful and mutually respectful relations with neighboring countries] will be possible. But that will only be possible if our Joseon decides to do so.”

Hwanghee took Hyang’s words.

“Of course. No matter how much we are a country that claims to be a subject (稱臣) [Cheongsin: a state that nominally submits to the authority of another, more powerful state], there is a duty to be observed between countries. But to use such tricks? I don’t think there is any reason to serve the great any longer.”

In this way, the liquidation of serving the great was officially decided.

* * *

Choi Yundeok asked Yi Jingok again.

“When we advance into Liaodong, Ming may launch a military response. Let’s establish a countermeasure for this.”

“Yes. I will prepare immediately. But there is something that comes to mind first.”

“What is it?”

“At least the Ming army should not think about crossing the Yellow Sea.”

At Yi Jingok’s words, all the naval officers in the room wore a bitter smile.

At least there were no those who could face Joseon in the sea.

Yi Jingok spoke to Choi Yundeok on their behalf.

“If Ming tries to intervene militarily, they will not be able to use the sea route. No, I don’t know if there will be any ships or ports left to float on the sea.”

* * *

Note 1) Slightly exaggerated based on the performance of the Basilica cannon.