Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 770

770. A Self-Inflicted Disaster… (5)

Mok-shui, upon hearing the natives’ request to accompany the Imperial Army, immediately reported it to his superior.

Admiral Ahn Sang-soo, receiving the report that had made its way up the chain of command, pondered for a moment before making a decision.

“Since they wish to, let them come along. It seems necessary for the future.”

“For the future, you say?”

Admiral Ahn Sang-soo responded directly to his subordinate’s question.

“Either way, shouldn’t this place also become part of our Empire’s territory? But are we just going to leave those crazy bastards alone? We need to come back with proper preparations and wipe them all out. To do that, we need proper guides, interpreters, and helpers.”

“Ah…”

Only then did the subordinates nod in understanding at Admiral Ahn Sang-soo’s words. Seeing their reaction, Admiral Ahn Sang-soo added,

“Ah, you guys have never worked in the army. This is a method we used against the Jurchen [Manchu] people in the past.”

* * *

As the military system was reformed, Hyang argued for the specialization of the military. Sejong, considering Hyang’s argument reasonable, accepted Hyang’s proposal.

Until then, Joseon’s military, especially the commanders, had alternately commanded both the army and the navy. It was even common for civil officials, rather than military officials, to exercise command over the military.

Thanks to this, if one was capable, they could become a great commander proficient in both land and sea battles, but if one was mediocre or incompetent, they would become a mess of both.

And the latter was overwhelmingly more common.

Therefore, Sejong accepted Hyang’s proposal.

And Admiral Ahn Sang-soo was among the last generation to have experienced both the army and the navy before they were separated like this.

* * *

One of the subordinates nodding at Admiral Ahn Sang-soo cautiously pointed out a problem to the admiral.

“However, Admiral, it is said that birds of a feather flock together. They too may have cannibalistic customs.”

“We will have to apply the policies implemented by the Retired Emperor and the Emperor. However, those who openly practice cannibalism in broad daylight must be eradicated to set an example.”

“Ah…”

Admiral Ahn Sang-soo’s decision was relayed back to Mok-shui through the chain of command.

“…And so, ‘Ssang’ and his group will be moving with us. He’s your responsibility, so take good care of him.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“And teach him some language along the way.”

“I understand.”

“What dialect is that anyway? Or did you cut your tongue while fighting? Are you not going to answer properly?”

“I will do it properly.”

“Good work.”

Mok-shui, having received the order from the sergeant, beckoned ‘Ssang,’ who was standing to one side.

“Hey, Ssang!”

After calling ‘Ssang,’ Mok-shui pointed to himself and ‘Ssang’ with his hand, then pointed to the mountain range and said,

“Me! You! Together! Go over!”

‘Ssang,’ understanding Mok-shui’s words, nodded and returned to the natives. After a while, the natives got up from their seats and joined the procession.

When all preparations were complete, Admiral Ahn gave the order to his subordinates.

“Let’s go back! It will be a difficult journey, so be prepared!”

* * *

“This… allowing the natives to accompany us has been a great help.”

While taking a break in the middle of the mountain range, Admiral Ahn revised his assessment of the accompanying natives.

‘Ssang’ and the natives were proving to be surprisingly helpful.

They guided the Imperial Army along paths unknown even to the Aztec warriors.

Having been tormented by the Aztecs for a long time, the natives knew the tactics of the Aztec warriors well, and they also knew their routes.

Thanks to this, they guided the Imperial Army away from places where Aztec warriors were likely to ambush. Moreover, thanks to their knowledge of the nearby terrain, they guided the Imperial Army to places where the Imperial Army’s carts could move easily.

They were not only useful as guides. They also knew places where large numbers of people could stay, and they immediately found useful water sources. And they immediately obtained herbs useful for those injured in the previous battle and those injured in accidents during the journey.

At the natives’ performance, the Imperial soldiers from the mainland glanced sideways at the Imperial soldiers from the New Continent [the Americas] and muttered.

“They’re from the same New Continent, but…”

Whenever they heard such words from the mainland soldiers, the New Continent soldiers loudly protested.

“I’m just as good in my hometown!”

“Yeah, even a stray dog eats at least half at home…”

“Ssang!”

“Why are you calling ‘Ssang’?”

“Damn it!”

Meanwhile, the military doctors’ eyes lit up at the usefulness of the herbs brought by the natives.

“We’ll have a lot to ask those friends later.”

In addition to this, they were also skilled at erasing the traces of the Imperial Army’s passage, making it difficult for the pursuing Aztecs to track them.

Seeing this, Admiral Ahn Sang-soo muttered to himself.

“They must have suffered a lot.”

The admiral’s words were true.

* * *

While suffering at the hands of the Aztec warriors, the basic tactic for weaker tribes was to flee. In this process, they became accustomed to erasing traces to avoid being tracked by the Aztec warriors.

Of course, as a reaction to this, the Aztecs developed tactics to encircle and pressure with large-scale forces.

In this process, the Aztec warriors became accustomed to dividing and moving large forces, and at the same time, they became experts in communication using messengers, drums, and trumpets.

* * *

In the process of returning through the jungle and mountain range, the natives became accustomed to the Imperial language faster than expected.

In a situation where their lives were at risk with even a small mistake, and seeing the overwhelming power of the Imperial Army, the natives had to learn the Imperial language desperately.

And the one who showed the most outstanding performance was ‘Ssang.’

However, ‘Ssang’ was not entirely happy. It was because he knew that the sound that called him, ‘Ssang,’ was a curse.

“Well, it was my mistake, so it’s hard to complain… Besides, calling my name as it is seems difficult for them…”

When he said his name, which meant ‘brave and clever jaguar’ in his tribal language, the Imperials all looked embarrassed.

“Gee… I’m going to bite my tongue trying to say the name. Can’t we just go with ‘Ssang’?”

At that, another Imperial soldier next to him slyly pointed at ‘Ssang’ and shook his head.

“He knows it’s a curse.”

“We just don’t use it when we’re cursing? Is ‘Ssang’ the only curse word?”

“That’s true.”

Through this process, an unspoken rule was created among the Imperial Army led by Admiral Ahn Sang-soo.

– Even in situations where curses come out, do not use ‘Ssang.’

Interestingly, there were almost no Imperial soldiers who were uncomfortable with this rule.

“Well, it’s not like ‘Ssang’ is the only curse word…”

As the soldiers said, the Imperial Army was a place full of all kinds of curses. Curses used by soldiers from the mainland, curses from Bukjina Daeseol [a region in northern China], curses used by soldiers from other foreign countries, and even curses used by soldiers from the New Continent were added, making the Imperial Army a place full of all kinds of curses. It wasn’t a situation where they would be uncomfortable just because one ‘Ssang’ was missing.

Rather, some commanders even had other thoughts upon seeing this.

“Hmm… There have been many complaints that the soldiers are using too much profanity, which is degrading the dignity of the Imperial Army. Should we use this as an opportunity?”

No, there were even those who went beyond thinking and actually created proposals.

“This is just a brief draft for now. I would like you to review it.”

Admiral Ahn Sang-soo, who received the draft proposal they submitted, clicked his tongue as soon as he examined the contents.

“Tsk!”

“I’m sorry!”

As soon as the admiral clicked his tongue, the submitters were horrified, retrieved the proposal, and returned.

Watching the retreating figures of the officers, Admiral Ahn Sang-soo clicked his tongue and grumbled.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk… Thanks to ‘Ssang’ and his group, I’m comfortable, so I have a lot of 잡생각 [jap-saeng-gak – useless thoughts]. Do those guys have to hear the sound of the Emperor clicking his tongue in front of them to be satisfied…”

* * *

Thanks to the help of the natives led by ‘Ssang,’ Admiral Ahn Sang-soo’s Imperial Army was able to pass through the mountain range more easily and faster than expected.

This was because the natives guided them to a place where the slope was lower and a wider passage could be secured than the place led by the Aztec warriors.

Thanks to this, they had to detour considerably, but the speed of movement increased, reducing the waste of time.

“Still, it looks like it will take five more days…”

Finally, Admiral Ahn Sang-soo, who had passed through the jungle and arrived at the beach, muttered to himself.

As soon as they arrived at the beach, the Imperial Army measured their position. As a result of the measurement, the place where they were located was far south of the beachhead.

It was a simple matter of going north along the beach, but the problem was moving while finding solid ground where the carts could move.

Considering the time spent in that process, they would have to move for five more days.

“Still, it’s a relief that we’ve crossed the mountain range, which was the biggest problem.”

Admiral Ahn Sang-soo, who made a positive assessment, looked back at his subordinates.

“We’ll arrive at the beachhead if we go a little further! Move while paying attention to flank attacks!”

“Yes!”

“Woo-ah!”

At the words that they would arrive at the beachhead if they went a little further, the soldiers cheered and regained their energy.

* * *

Four days later, Admiral Ahn Sang-soo was able to arrive near the place where the beachhead was located.

“Huh? What is this sound?”

쾅, 콰아앙~. 타타타타아앙~ [Sound of explosions and gunfire].

Admiral Ahn Sang-soo’s expression, who was sitting on his horse, became serious.

This was because the sound of artillery and gunfire was heard in the distance.

“Those guys have attacked the beachhead! Everyone, prepare for battle!”

At Admiral Ahn Sang-soo’s order, the soldiers and commanders released the safety devices of their long rifles and Hwachas [rocket arrow launchers].

“Move at a quick pace!”

At the admiral’s order, the soldiers began to move at a fast pace.

As soon as they turned around the palm tree jungle that was blocking their view, Admiral Ahn Sang-soo and the Imperial Army could see the beachhead, which was engaged in a fierce battle.

Admiral Ahn Sang-soo immediately drew his pistol and shouted.

“Riflemen, form a three-row line of battle!”

At the admiral’s order, the riflemen immediately formed a three-row line of battle.

“Advance!”

As the soldiers who formed the front in a three-row line of battle slowly advanced, Admiral Ahn Sang-soo continued to give orders.

“Carts equipped with Hwachas, deploy on both flanks! Finally, arrange the 완구 [wan-gu – toys/artillery]!”

At Admiral Ahn Sang-soo’s order, the soldiers moved busily.

“Preparation complete!”

At the report that the preparations for the Hwachas and 완구 were completed, Admiral Ahn Sang-soo rode his horse to the front of the riflemen.

As the riflemen advanced with Admiral Ahn Sang-soo at the head, the Aztec warriors who were attacking the beachhead began to panic.

At the sight, Admiral Ahn Sang-soo shouted loudly.

“Fire!”

* * *

As Admiral Ahn Sang-soo’s unit, aided by the natives, moved quickly through the jungle, Montezuma I changed his strategy.

“They have chosen the road back! Go ahead of them and intercept them!”

At Montezuma I’s order, the Aztec warriors headed to the beachhead, choosing the fastest route, even though the terrain was rough.

Montezuma I, who arrived at the jungle closest to the beachhead, sent scouts to check the situation.

-The foreigners on the beach are at best around 100 people.

-The foreigners’ ships are quite far away.

After confirming the report, Montezuma I soon devised a plan.

“If we kill all the foreigners on the beach, those ships will have no choice but to leave. Then those who fled from us will be stranded.”

“However, support may come from those foreigners’ ships.”

At the point made by the nobleman commanding the unit, Montezuma I shook his head.

“Think about the number of foreigners who fled from us. No matter how big that ship is, it will only be able to send back the same number of people on the beach. We couldn’t gather soldiers properly in Tenochtitlan [Aztec capital]. But this time, we brought them properly, so we can repay the humiliation of Tenochtitlan! Return immediately and prepare for battle!”

At Montezuma I’s confident explanation, the nobles returned to their units and prepared for battle.