Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 570

Young Ming officials repeatedly warned their superiors about the potential for miscalculation by Joseon. However, their concerns were quickly brushed aside.

“Yes, Joseon has always been meticulous in their actions, suggesting they possess a degree of confidence. However, it remains a misjudgment when considering the absolute scale of our forces. The *absolute* scale!”

“Your concerns are an overreaction!”

Thus, most superiors dismissed the younger officials’ warnings. A few, however, did pause to consider their points.

“Though these are the opinions of younger colleagues, shouldn’t we at least consider them?”

But the prevailing sentiment remained dismissive.

“They’re just young and trying to find fault. It’s a way to get noticed. Weren’t we the same way when we were their age?”

“Exactly! Youngsters either work themselves to the bone or try to find fault to get ahead!”

The superiors disregarded the young officials’ concerns as mere ‘youthful folly.’

They were forgetting a crucial point.

Even when invaded and ruled by foreign tribes, the strength of the Central Plains [historical term for China, emphasizing its cultural and economic importance] always surpassed that of the invaders.

* * *

Choe Yun-deok’s Joseon army, having crossed the Yalu River, advanced steadily towards Liaodong Fortress.

The Joseon army headquarters was situated approximately 200 li (about 80 kilometers or 50 miles) from the Yalu River.

Inside the headquarters tent, Choe Yun-deok softly muttered as he reviewed reports from his subordinates.

“Not as fast as expected.”

The straight-line distance from Insan Garrison to Liaodong Fortress was roughly 400 li (approximately 160 km or 100 miles). However, the army would need to cover about 500 li (approximately 200 km or 125 miles) to bypass the hilly terrain and secure reliable water sources.

The General Staff Headquarters calculated the estimated travel time to Liaodong Fortress.

“Well-trained soldiers could cover 1 sa (舍, approximately 30 km or 19 miles) per day without excessive fatigue. The problem is that most of our troops are reservists.”

“Agreed. Even with their best efforts, they likely won’t manage more than 50 li (approximately 20 km or 12.5 miles) daily.”

“Let’s set the standard at 40 li (approximately 16 km or 10 miles), accounting for stragglers.”

“That seems reasonable.”

“Then…”

The General Staff Headquarters, having established their benchmark, calculated the time required to reach Liaodong Fortress.

– At least fifteen days from the Yalu River to Liaodong Fortress.

* * *

“Fifteen days… is that not too slow?”

“I concur. Even though the majority are reservists, they should be accustomed to long marches. Is the standard perhaps too lenient?”

When Jo Mal-saeng and Hwang Hee received the report and questioned the extended timeframe, the General Staff Headquarters explained their reasoning.

– It is a misconception that reservists are inherently used to long-distance walking. The prevalence of dangerous wildlife, such as tigers, throughout the Joseon mountains has reduced the need for long-distance travel on foot.

– Information regarding the area north of the Yalu River is limited. Therefore, a cautious approach is necessary to minimize unnecessary losses.

– It is crucial to remember that the majority of troops advancing to Liaodong are reservists. Operating in unfamiliar foreign territory is exhausting for soldiers lacking combat experience. To maintain their combat readiness, they should avoid excessively long marches.

The staff’s explanations were logical, and Hwang Hee and Jo Mal-saeng conceded. Hyang, upon receiving the operational plan, listened to the explanation and promptly approved it.

“Given Joseon’s current circumstances, we must clearly differentiate between calculated risks and outright recklessness. For any venture to succeed, the groundwork must be meticulously prepared.”

* * *

The Joseon army began its advance according to the established plan.

However, the advance proved slower than anticipated, even without engaging in any significant battles.

The primary impediment to the Joseon army’s progress was the Jurchen tribes.

Not only the tribes situated near the Joseon army’s route, but also those within a radius of 100 li (approximately 40 km or 25 miles), flocked to surrender, offering their weapons, the tribal chief’s sword, and even their flags bearing tribal symbols.

The Jurchens’ eagerness to surrender stemmed from the reputation of the Joseon army’s cavalry.

* * *

The Joseon army cavalry played a pivotal role in incorporating the northeastern region into Joseon territory.

Subsequently, the cavalry, responsible for maintaining border security, became a symbol of fear for the Jurchens.

Whenever a border incident was reported, the Joseon cavalry relentlessly pursued and annihilated the offending Jurchens.

This led to frequent illegal border crossings, both overt and covert, causing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to work tirelessly to resolve the ensuing issues.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs handles diplomacy, and we handle… well, *correcting* those guys!”

With this attitude, the Joseon cavalry pursued Jurchens who crossed the border to plunder, ultimately destroying their tribes.

Thanks to the Joseon cavalry’s notoriety, the Jurchens promptly surrendered upon hearing of the army’s approach.

* * *

“Although the advance has been somewhat slow, we should consider ourselves fortunate to have avoided the anticipated bloodshed. This has allowed us to conserve our strength,” Choe Yun-deok concluded, viewing the situation positively. The staff nodded in agreement.

Despite their defeat at the Yalu River, it was estimated that at least 100,000 Ming troops remained at Liaodong Fortress, with potentially over a million more arriving from beyond the Great Wall.

In response, the Joseon army mobilized a large number of reservists to form units and dispatch them north.

The Joseon army planned to amass approximately 500,000 troops, including existing forces, to confront the Ming in Liaodong.

The troop shortage would be compensated for by firepots [primitive grenades] and Eulshik Hwacha [multiple rocket launchers].

* * *

As the advance slowed, troop morale remained high, but the supply officers became incredibly burdened.

A large number of officials were dispatched to manage and oversee the surrendered Jurchen tribes, integrating them into the Joseon administrative system. Additionally, numerous personnel from the police station were required to maintain order.

Tents for lodging, various food supplies, military horses for transportation, and writing materials for documentation all created unexpected demands.

Furthermore, supply officers worked through the night to provide the unexpectedly large quantities of military rations needed due to the slow pace, as well as food for distribution to the surrendered Jurchens.

*Bang!*

Jo Il-seop, a supply officer suffering from overwork, slammed his desk and exclaimed, “Damn it! I’d rather be fighting on the front lines!”

Kim Cheol-soo, the squad leader sitting behind Il-seop, rushed over to restrain him.

“Hey! Please be patient! Reinforcements are coming soon, so please just hold on!”

“Please send this officer to the front lines! I’d rather fight those Ming bastards with guns and swords! What is this! They’re pressuring me from behind and complaining about late supplies in front! I can’t take it anymore!”

The cries of the overworked supply officers subsided with the arrival of reinforcements. Specifically, Grand Prince Pyeongwon, who had been granted the title of Bogong General of Jong 3 Pum [a high-ranking military title] as the general commander in charge of supply, arrived with the new personnel.

No one dared to argue in a place where Hyang’s younger brother was in charge of supply.

Grand Prince Pyeongwon, experienced in logistical matters from his time at the Ministry of National Defense, took command, and supply-related operations resumed smoothly.

If Grand Prince Pyeongwon was the solution for the administrative aspects of supply, the tow trucks solved the actual transportation challenges.

Ironically, the pontoon bridge installed on the Yalu River could not withstand the weight of the tow trucks. The depth of the Yalu River posed a problem for self-propelled crossing. There was also the risk of water entering the firebox and extinguishing the fire, and the high-temperature, high-pressure tank could rupture upon contact with the cold river water.

Therefore, the tow truck unit had to travel a long distance from the northeastern region along the north bank of the Tumen and Yalu Rivers before joining the main force.

With the arrival of the tow trucks, the logistical movement of supplies improved dramatically.

The amount of supplies transported by the tow trucks was immense, easily surpassing twice the amount carried by the carts of the Western Regions [referring to Central Asia], renowned for their strength and endurance.

The relieved Joseon army proceeded with supply operations according to the logistics system established by Hyang.

Large supply bases were established along the Yalu River, medium-sized bases were created along the advance route, and several small bases were positioned directly behind the front lines. The front-line troops received supplies by rotating between the small bases, which in turn rotated between the medium-sized bases, and the medium-sized bases rotated between each other and the large bases in the rear.

“It’s best for moving soldiers to be light. The Depot system is the answer.”

Hyang quickly implemented the system that had been refined over a long history.

Through this process, Joseon was once again called the ‘Land of Wagons,’ echoing the legacy of Goguryeo [an ancient Korean kingdom] in ancient times.

This was because they used tow trucks and horse-drawn carts to transport large quantities of goods and troops quickly.

* * *

As war clouds slowly gathered over Liaodong, they were also gradually thickening at sea.

After diplomatic relations between Ming and Joseon deteriorated, the Ming and Joseon navies constantly deployed reconnaissance ships to monitor each other’s movements.

The Haeung-class battleships were at the forefront of this reconnaissance war.

The Haeung-class battleships boasted the highest speed among both the Ming and Joseon navies, and their armaments were formidable.

The Haeung-class battleships constantly scouted Ming naval bases and tracked Ming reconnaissance ships.

In particular, after the Ming envoy’s return, the Haeung-class battleships effectively blinded the Ming navy by sinking or capturing every Ming reconnaissance ship they encountered.

* * *

Late April of King Sejong’s 30th year (1448, Mujin year).

Haeung No. 22, belonging to the Gyeonggi Naval Base, entered the base at full speed.

“Light signal from Haeung No. 22!”

At the sentry’s shout, the military officer in the watchtower jumped up.

The officer, leaning over the railing, read the flashing light signal.

“Ming… Navy… Fleet sortie…”

After confirming the signal, the officer frantically rang the bell.

*Ding ding ding!*

“Emergency! Emergency!”

Shortly after, Haeung No. 22’s report was transmitted to Hanseong via flashing light communication.

Hyang, upon receiving the urgent report, immediately made a decision.

“Tell them to destroy the Ming navy according to the plan.”

“I will follow your orders!”

Hyang’s order was immediately transmitted via flashing light communication to each naval base in Hwanghae, Gyeonggi, Chungjeong, and Jeolla Left and Right.

Finally, the prelude to the great battle between the Ming and Joseon navies began.

Author’s words.

Hello?

I’m Gukbbong, writing ‘Black Enterprise Joseon.’

Yesterday, my sister was discharged from the hospital.

Fortunately, the surgery went well, but I was told that the most important thing is to manage it well in the future because of the big incident I experienced before.

Fortunately, I was discharged well this time, so I will have to pay attention to managing it well in the future.

I think I got through this safely without much trouble thanks to the readers who were worried about me this time.

Thank you, and I will continue to do my best to serialize.