Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 578

578. Shattered Dreams (1)

The assault on Qingzhou Naval Port commenced with Maengjin’s Fleet taking the vanguard.

Unlike previous engagements characterized by hit-and-run tactics, this time Maengjin’s Fleet spearheaded the attack.

As the hastily erected defense lines blocking the entrance to Qingzhou Naval Port yielded slightly, Maengjin’s Fleet emerged, black smoke billowing from its stacks as it confidently advanced.

Its imposing presence instilled fear not only in the captured sailors but also in the soldiers manning the artillery batteries.

Sensing the soldiers’ apprehension, messengers scrambled to the batteries, urgently relaying the commander’s message.

“The General has spoken! The situation is undoubtedly critical! Our defense lines are crumbling, and the enemy is at our doorstep! However, they are confined to ships on the unstable sea, while we stand firm on solid ground behind robust walls! Furthermore, our cannons are larger and more powerful than theirs! Do not falter, and execute your training! Victory will be ours, and rewards will follow!”

The soldiers exchanged murmurs upon hearing the commander’s pep talk.

“Come to think of it…”

“Now that I consider it, he’s right.”

Looking around, the soldiers realized the commander’s words held truth.

The batteries they occupied were indeed fortified by strong walls. The cannons were undeniably larger than those mounted on the enemy ships.

The defensive soldiers, previously intimidated by the terrified sailors and the imposing Maengjin’s Fleet, found their courage renewed and gripped their cannons with newfound resolve.

“Alright! Let’s do this!”

“If we perform well, we’ll earn rewards from His Majesty and advance our careers!”

Thus, the battle between the emboldened defensive soldiers and Maengjin’s Fleet began.

Maengjin’s Fleet, having navigated the port’s entrance, turned its hull towards the south bay.

“What are they doing?”

“Who knows?”

“Why do you care? Just light the fuse when they’re in range!”

While this exchange occurred among the defensive soldiers, Maengjin’s Fleet reached the south bay and rotated its hull.

Soon after, the portside cannons of Maengjin’s Fleet, now facing north, unleashed a devastating barrage.

Kwakwakwang!

Moments later, massive explosions ripped through the port’s defenses as Maengjin’s Fleet’s bombardment found its mark.

The sight horrified both officers and soldiers alike.

“From that distance?”

“Don’t panic, return fire!”

“Fire the cannons!”

Under the officers’ frantic orders, the defensive soldiers hastily lit the fuses of their cannons.

Peopeopeong!

Thus began the fierce exchange of fire between Maengjin’s Fleet and the port’s defenders.

Both sides relentlessly continued their bombardment, but the tide of battle increasingly favored Maengjin’s Fleet.

The primary reason was the limited range of many of the defenders’ cannons compared to those of Maengjin’s Fleet.

Consequently, many of the fired shells fell short, splashing harmlessly into the sea.

Of course, the newly deployed advanced cannons possessed sufficient range to reach Maengjin’s Fleet, but their impact was lacking.

Kang! Kakang!

The iron balls fired by the defenders produced sharp sounds as they bounced harmlessly off Maengjin’s Fleet’s hull and superstructure.

Conversely, the shells fired from Maengjin’s Fleet tore gaping holes in the batteries occupied by the defenders.

“This is insane!”

“How can that be a ship! Is that even a ship! How can a ship deflect iron balls!”

The defensive soldiers grumbled with each ineffectual impact.

They believed that even the largest warship was vulnerable to cannon fire. Traditionally, ships were constructed of wood, and their iron balls could easily penetrate even the thickest wooden planks.

“What is that ship! Is it covered in steel or something!”

The defensive soldiers unknowingly spoke the truth.

* * *

The artillery duel between the Qingzhou Naval Port’s defenders and Maengjin’s Fleet ultimately resulted in Maengjin’s Fleet gaining a decisive advantage.

The defenders’ bombardment was intense, but Maengjin’s armor proved impervious.

From the armored bridge of Maengjin’s Fleet, Kang Nam-gil seized the speaking tube and issued commands.

“Engine room! Reduce speed further! Don’t worry! Their iron balls won’t even scratch us!”

“Portside battery! You’ve identified the batteries firing iron balls at us, correct? Target and destroy only those!”

Following Kang Nam-gil’s directives, Maengjin’s Fleet moved deliberately, selectively eliminating only the batteries that posed a direct threat.

This was to neutralize potential hazards to the approaching allied forces.

As soon as Maengjin’s Fleet completed its initial assault, the Challenger-class warships waiting offshore surged into the port.

The Challenger-class warships that entered in the second wave systematically destroyed the remaining batteries and defense installations of the Qingzhou Naval Port’s defenders.

By the afternoon, the Qingzhou Naval Port’s defenders were completely routed.

* * *

After confirming the cessation of the defenders’ resistance, the Joseon [Korean] navy signaled the Waegu [Japanese pirate] fleet waiting in the wings.

Upon receiving the signal from the Joseon navy, the Waegu fleet accelerated and flooded into the port.

“Row! Row!”

“Increase the speed!”

“If you’re late now, you’ll miss out on a fortune!”

The Waegu aboard the ships rowed with feverish excitement, their minds filled with visions of instant riches.

Soon after the Waegu fleet reached the docks, screams began to echo across Qingzhou. The expressions and movements of the Joseon sailors stiffened upon hearing the screams. The frozen Joseon sailors soon began to carry out their duties as if they heard nothing.

* * *

While the Waegu engaged in looting, the Waegu ships carrying those sent by the Ouchi clan [a powerful Japanese clan] remained outside with the Joseon navy.

Kyungsang Naval Commander, observing the scene from his flagship, inquired of Norihiro.

“This is a golden opportunity to amass wealth, is it wise for the head of the clan to abstain?”

Norihiro promptly responded to Kyungsang Naval Commander’s question.

“My lord’s command to me was to learn from and assist the Joseon navy to the best of my ability.”

“Hmm… I see…”

Just as Kyungsang Naval Commander was nodding at Norihiro’s reply, the captain reported.

“Signal! They are commencing the second operation!”

“Is that so? Then let’s move!”

Soon, signal flags fluttered from the flagship, and a group of Challenger-class and Haeung-class warships broke formation and headed south.

Norihiro asked Kyungsang Naval Commander, who was leading the fleet south from his flagship.

“I understood from the last meeting that Jinan is the target. Why Jinan?”

“To strike a blow against the Grand Canal [a major artificial waterway in China].”

“I gathered that much, but wouldn’t Qingzhou, which we attacked earlier, be a more suitable location for that purpose?”

“It is 200 li [approximately 62 miles] by land from Qingzhou Naval Port to the canal. Jinan is further inland, admittedly, but we can navigate the Yellow River.”

“Wouldn’t Qingzhou be preferable if we could deploy 100,000 soldiers?”

Kyungsang Naval Commander fixed his gaze on Norihiro and spoke frankly.

“Head of the clan, allow me to be blunt. Are those men soldiers or bandits?”

“…”

“If we deploy them as soldiers, how long do you believe they can maintain military discipline?”

“…”

“An army that cannot maintain military discipline is merely a well-trained band of bandits.”

For this reason, the Joseon navy and the Waegu were kept separate from the outset of the operation. Even the most rigorously trained elite troops would succumb to temptation if such widespread looting occurred regularly in their presence.

That would inevitably lead to the collapse of a meticulously constructed edifice.

Norihiro was left with no choice but to remain silent in the face of Kyungsang Naval Commander’s words.

Even without Kyungsang Naval Commander’s pointed remark, the elite ships of the Joseon navy that he had observed en route were incomparable to his clan’s soldiers.

The Ouchi clan’s soldiers were instrumental in establishing the clan as a dominant force. As such, they were second to none in Waegu.

Even so, they appeared as a disorganized rabble compared to the Joseon army.

However, his pride was stung by simply dismissing Kyungsang Naval Commander’s observation.

In the end, Norihiro posed a question that was half jest and half earnest.

“Still, isn’t it a bit of a waste? It was an opportunity to make a fortune, literally?”

Kyungsang Naval Commander chuckled at Norihiro’s words.

“Hah! If you’re going to seize something like that, shouldn’t you aim for something that can generate wealth more permanently?”

Norihiro’s eyes gleamed at Kyungsang Naval Commander’s response.

“Something permanent? Does such a thing exist?”

“There are many possibilities, but the most obvious would be land, wouldn’t it?”

After pondering Kyungsang Naval Commander’s answer, Norihiro suddenly bowed deeply to Kyungsang Naval Commander.

“Oh my! What’s with the sudden formality?”

While Kyungsang Naval Commander was flustered and awkwardly standing, Norihiro said with a bright expression.

“I have learned a valuable lesson!”

“Huh?”

* * *

Kyungsang Naval Commander’s fleet, having departed Qingzhou and headed south, began to ascend the Yellow River.

“Although this is the most recent data we have, the Yellow River is notoriously unpredictable, so exercise extreme caution!”

“Yes!”

Following Kyungsang Naval Commander’s orders, the warships that comprised the fleet ascended the river slowly and carefully.

Moreover, both the Challenger-class and Haeung-class ships did not rely on oars. Ascending solely by sail was impossible.

To overcome this obstacle, the ships assigned to the mission were equipped with small boats.

As soon as they entered the Yellow River, the small boats were lowered from the mother ships and began to tow the warships with ropes.

“Ah, damn it! I thought I wouldn’t have to pole anymore!”

Even while grumbling, the soldiers took turns poling and pulling the warships upstream.

The journey to Jinan that commenced in this manner was far from smooth. Ming soldiers who received reports along the way rushed to intercept them, resulting in frequent skirmishes.

“…It’s fortunate that they weren’t properly prepared soldiers, but rather more akin to county police.”

Kyungsang Naval Commander shook his head slightly as he studied the map and reviewed the route.

The Joseon army’s attempt to reach Jinan this time was a surprise attack against Ming.

It targeted neither the Jiangnan region, which had been plagued by Waegu pirates, nor the northern region, which had been troubled by the Jurchens [Manchu] or Dalzi [Mongols], but the heart of the Central Plains [China proper].

Consequently, the quality and scale of the soldiers confronting the Joseon army were significantly lower.

In addition, the soldiers of the Ouchi clan accompanying the Joseon fleet played a crucial role.

It was primarily the Ouchi clan’s soldiers who boarded the small Ming ships to attack the Joseon fleet and slaughter the Ming soldiers, or who charged at the Ming soldiers gathered on the riverbank and decimated them.

Consequently, they turned a blind eye to the fact that these soldiers were engaging in further looting.

Norihiro, who was examining the map alongside him, asked Kyungsang Naval Commander.

“Will Jinan alone be sufficient to deliver a significant blow?”

Kyungsang Naval Commander nodded at Norihiro’s question.

“If we destroy the waterways and locks of the Jishui River and the Yellow River north of Jinan, the Grand Canal will be disrupted for a considerable period. Furthermore, if the area between the Yellow River and the Yangtze River descends into chaos, starting with Qingzhou, Ming will be unable to mobilize its troops even if it desires to do so.”

“Hmm…”

Norihiro hummed thoughtfully and nodded his head at Kyungsang Naval Commander’s words.

Kyungsang Naval Commander suppressed his inner thoughts as he observed him.

‘And, Jinan has a strained relationship with Emperor Yongle [the third emperor of the Ming dynasty].’

Kyungsang Naval Commander recalled the planning sessions conducted by the General Staff Department and Hyang-i [likely a reference to intelligence or reconnaissance units] and muttered inwardly.

‘When you consider it, the Crown Prince [of Joseon] is also quite cunning.’

-The probability is very low, but if it succeeds, Ming will be unable to focus on external affairs for a significant duration!