Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 715

715. The Second Battle of the Yellow Sea (13)

Less than three days after the Imperial Army initiated the invasion of Nantong, detailed information—the size of the Imperial forces, the situation in Nantong, etc.—was delivered to Emperor Gyeongtae.

“The news arrives faster than from Beijing.”

Emperor Gyeongtae, who had become somewhat desensitized to the continuous stream of dire reports, was surprised that the urgent message from Nantong, over 600 li [approximately 240 km, a traditional Chinese unit of distance] away, had arrived in just three days, faster than expected.

The Chief State Councilor bowed his head and responded to Emperor Gyeongtae’s surprise.

“Although traveling against the river’s current presents challenges, the message arrived quickly because the Yangtze River provides a direct route. The use of beacon fires also significantly contributed to the speed.”

“Is that so….”

Emperor Gyeongtae nodded at the Chief State Councilor’s explanation.

* * *

After the defeat in the previous war and the relocation of the capital to Nanjing, Ming embarked on a major overhaul of its communication network.

In addition to the traditional beacon fire communication lines connected from the northern Great Wall, beacon towers were built along Ming’s eastern and southern coastlines.

Through these beacon fires, urgent reports could be delivered more quickly than before.

However, Emperor Gyeongtae and the Ming military considered this only a partial success.

The initial plan for the reconstruction of the communication network included establishing communication lines using light-emitting communication devices similar to those of the Empire [referring to Joseon’s advanced technology].

However, this required a large number of soldiers who could read and write for the light-emitting communication network to function smoothly, and the high illiteracy rate among Ming soldiers became a major obstacle.

“The soldiers of Joseon can mostly read and write, even the lowest-ranking soldiers. Is this our shame!”

Emperor Gyeongtae was furious upon receiving the report, but anger alone couldn’t solve the problem.

This was due to the deeply rooted anti-military sentiment among the Chinese people who had lived in the Central Plains for generations, not just in Ming.

-Good iron is not used to make nails, and good talent does not become soldiers.

The perception of the military was so poor that such sayings were openly circulating, and the quality of the soldiers suffered as a result.

And the vicious cycle of various incidents caused by these poorly trained soldiers further worsened the public’s perception of the military.

In the end, Emperor Gyeongtae and the Ming military had no choice but to build an emergency communication network using traditional beacon towers instead of light-emitting communication.

* * *

“If rapid communication was possible thanks to the Yangtze River, wouldn’t those Joseon bastards be able to come up the Yangtze River?”

Grand Commandant Woo stepped forward to answer Emperor Gyeongtae’s question.

“We have established defensive lines along the Yangtze River in preparation for that possibility.”

“Will that defensive line really do its job properly? Tianjin, as well as Weihai and Qingdao, were all defended by strong coastal artillery batteries, yet they fell.”

Grand Commandant Woo immediately replied to Emperor Gyeongtae’s concerns.

“Those naval ports were directly facing the open sea, making it easy for the Joseon forces to concentrate their attacks. However, if they come up the Yangtze River, their forces will naturally be stretched out. If that happens, it will be difficult for Joseon to concentrate their firepower, and it will be easier for us to concentrate our own.”

“Is that so? Are you confident?”

“I will do my best.”

“Only do your best….”

Emperor Gyeongtae, as well as the Chief State Councilor and other officials, had darkened expressions at Grand Commandant Woo’s cautious answer.

After the annihilation of the Two-Headed Flame Dragons [an elite Ming military unit], who had been confident of certain victory, the military never made guarantees. No, they couldn’t afford to make guarantees.

In particular, after the major naval ports in the Yellow Sea, which had been considered impregnable with their strong coastal artillery batteries, were reduced to ashes, military officials were hesitant to make bold pronouncements.

In a situation where the future was uncertain, Emperor Gyeongtae eventually sighed.

“Hoo~. I see. Now, all we can do is wait for the soldiers’ best efforts to yield good results.”

“We will do our best.”

And the Ming army did their best.

They immediately expanded the defensive lines along Nanjing and the Yangtze River, and sent troops that could move separately to Nantong.

However, the troops sent in that way were gradually whittled down by the Imperial Army that had seized Nantong.

Meanwhile, the Imperial Army was injecting more and more troops into Nantong to strengthen its forces.

* * *

As time passed, Emperor Gyeongtae, as well as the Ming officials and soldiers, all felt a sense of bewilderment.

“Why aren’t these bastards moving?”

This was because the Imperial Army, which had seized Nantong, was only strengthening its forces and not advancing.

“Why?”

The Chief State Councilor, pondering the reason why the Imperial Army was doing this, soon arrived at a possible explanation.

“It seems that those Joseon forces are trying to intimidate us.”

“Intimidate?”

“They are signaling that they want us to come to the negotiating table on our own terms.”

“Why?”

Emperor Gyeongtae asked, genuinely puzzled.

“In the last war, as well as in this war, Joseon’s power has overwhelmed us. I apologize to the Ministry of War and the Commandery, but if Joseon is determined, they could reach the outskirts of Nanjing in a matter of days, couldn’t they? But, they are staying put in Nantong and forcing negotiations? It doesn’t make sense.”

The Minister of Rites stepped forward to address Emperor Gyeongtae’s point.

“In my opinion, this is likely due to Joseon’s own limitations.”

“The limitations of Joseon? What are those?”

“They are facing a manpower shortage. Joseon’s population has only just exceeded twenty million. However, among them, five to six million are Jurchens in Liaodong and native peoples in other regions. These groups, who have not been fully assimilated, cannot be reliably used as soldiers. In other words, Joseon has expanded the territory they need to defend, but they lack the manpower to do so effectively. In this situation, their intention is likely to avoid unnecessarily expanding the war and losing more troops.”

“I’ve heard something similar before.”

Emperor Gyeongtae muttered to himself at the words of the Minister of Rites. He was reminded of what Jinwi had told him previously.

-What is overwhelmingly advantageous for our Ming over Joseon is the population. This is an advantage that Joseon will have difficulty overcoming, even over time.

“Hmm….”

Emperor Gyeongtae, pondering over Jinwi’s words, voiced his thoughts.

“Then, how about preparing for a long-term war?”

At Emperor Gyeongtae’s suggestion, the officials fell silent and began to consider the possibilities.

“It seems that we might have a chance of winning if we commit to a long-term war.”

“The situation will be difficult for a while, but it seems that we will be able to prevail in the end.”

Before long, starting with the Minister of Rites, many officials began to express their support.

“Absolutely not! If we engage in a long-term war, we will be ruined! Absolutely not!”

However, this wave of approval was blocked by the fierce opposition of the Minister of Revenue.

Emperor Gyeongtae, unable to hide his displeasure at the Minister of Revenue’s vehement objection, asked directly.

“What is your reasoning?”

The Minister of Revenue immediately explained his concerns to Emperor Gyeongtae.

“It is because Joseon has taken control of the Yangtze River.”

The Minister of Revenue argued that a long-term war was impossible for the following reasons:

-With Joseon controlling the Yangtze River, Ming must be seen as having lost control of the area north of the Yangtze River.

-If Joseon advances to Nanjing, the imperial family will be forced to flee. However, for the reasons stated above, they would have to retreat further south or inland.

-Whichever direction they move, the Joseon army will inflict significant damage south of the Yangtze River. If Jiangnan, Ming’s largest granary, is devastated, the situation will become uncontrollable.

“…Therefore, a long-term war is absolutely impossible! I beg you to reconsider!”

Emperor Gyeongtae, listening to the Minister of Revenue’s passionate speech opposing a long-term war with a sorrowful expression, turned to the Minister of War and the Commanders.

“What are your thoughts?”

The first to respond to Emperor Gyeongtae’s question was the Minister of War.

“I believe the Minister of Revenue is correct. As he stated, if Joseon controls the Yangtze River, we must abandon the area north of the river. If we engage in a long-term war, we will have to endure enormous troop consumption, but the area south of the Yangtze River has its limits.”

“Isn’t there a large population in the area south of the Yangtze River, given that it is a granary?”

The Minister of War immediately replied to Emperor Gyeongtae’s question.

“Many men are needed to farm effectively. Of course, farming is possible with only women and children, but it is impossible to produce as much as when men are working properly.”

Following the Minister of War’s words, the Left Commander continued.

“The changing nature of warfare is also a problem. In the past, even possessing a spear, sword, and helmet could make one a formidable force. However, guns and cannons have become central to war. Manufacturing and supplying guns and cannons, as well as producing and supplying gunpowder, bullets, and cannonballs, requires many skilled artisans. And it’s not just the artisans that are the problem, but also the supply of raw materials. If a long-term war breaks out without addressing these issues, we will suffer not only defeat but also irreparable damage.”

“Does that mean that if we enter a long-term war on our own, without external assistance, we are destined to lose?”

“….”

The Left Commander remained silent, effectively confirming the grim assessment. At that, Emperor Gyeongtae turned his head.

“What do the Minister of War and the Right Commander think?”

“….”

“….”

Both remained silent, and Emperor Gyeongtae looked back at the Chief State Councilor with a pleading expression.

“What do you think, Chief State Councilor?”

The Chief State Councilor spoke with difficulty in response to Emperor Gyeongtae’s question.

“Negotiation is the best option we have left.”

The Chief State Councilor’s answer was the final blow. Emperor Gyeongtae leaned weakly against his chair and waved his hand.

“Organize a negotiating team as previously ordered. And send an envoy to Nantong to inform them that we wish to negotiate.”

“I will follow your orders.”

* * *

‘I want to negotiate.’

The Imperial Army, which received a personal letter containing the above message through an envoy sent by Ming, immediately forwarded it to Seoul.

“I will inform you as soon as His Majesty sends a reply.”

“Then, does this mean a truce in the meantime?”

Commander Jo Jinwoo of the West Sea Fleet sneered at the envoy’s question.

“Humph! Why would it?”

“But, for the sake of negotiation….”

“We will continue to fight until His Majesty orders us to stop. That’s the first rule of our Imperial Navy!”

Consistent with Jo Jinwoo’s declaration, the Imperial Army, which occupied Nantong, thoroughly neutralized the major facilities of the city.

In addition to the headquarters of the Nantong naval port, which was being used as the temporary headquarters of the Imperial Army, major facilities—defensive batteries, shipyards, etc.—were systematically destroyed using large quantities of explosives, and the walls of Nantong Fortress were also torn down.

“It would be cheaper to build a new naval port from scratch than to rebuild this place.”

The destruction was so complete that the Imperial soldiers who finished the work made this assessment.

And, a few more days passed, bringing the end of the 9th year of the Imperial calendar. The negotiating team sent by Ming arrived in Nantong.

The negotiating team included Kim Jongseo as the head, along with Han Myeonghoe, among others.

Kim Jongseo’s expression was grim on the ship traveling up the Yangtze River. Observing Kim Jongseo’s expression, the young officials spoke in hushed, respectful tones.

“He is the great Lord Jeoljae [Kim Jongseo’s title], who is said to hate leaving Seoul more than death itself, yet he shows a completely different side when it comes to dealing with Ming!”

“I know, right! That’s why His Majesty the Emperor cherishes him so much!”

“He always says, ‘Be thorough when working! And have fun when playing!’ We should follow his example!”

While the young officials were having this conversation, Kim Jongseo was muttering to himself inwardly.

‘Finish this as quickly as possible and get back to Seoul! It’s cold, what a miserable ordeal!’