Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 817

817. Siege of Tenochtitlan (3)

Starting with the Tlaxcaltecs, the expeditionary force grew formidably as more native tribes, harboring their own grievances against the Mexica [the dominant ethnic group in the Aztec Empire], joined their ranks.

“What’s the approximate size now?”

“About 60,000, including both our forces and the native allies.”

“When we first reached the bridgehead, it was over 30,000, right? And after we pushed through the jungle and regrouped, it was around 20,000?”

“That’s correct. Roughly 40,000 have joined us since then.”

“The increase in numbers is certainly welcome, but…”

Yi Jing-ok stroked his thick beard, his concern evident.

“Supplies aren’t the problem, but everything else is…”

Thanks to the Tlaxcaltecs, a relatively powerful group, and the subsequent addition of other sizable tribes, provisions were no longer a major worry.

Most of the tribes joining the expedition brought their own food and weapons, easing concerns about the most critical areas: sustenance and armament.

* * *

The native warriors who joined were keenly observing the logging axes used by the expeditionary forces and the earlier defectors.

They coveted these axes because they were far more effective than their own macuahuitl [a wooden club with obsidian blades].

A single swing could cleave a wooden shield in half, and the results were similarly devastating against an unshielded person.

While the macuahuitl could also inflict serious wounds, especially against those without shields, it required significantly more force. The logging axe, on the other hand, could deliver deeper wounds with less effort.

The expeditionary force leadership, well aware of the natives’ fascination with the logging axes, as demonstrated by the earlier defectors, strategically used them as a political tool.

They presented logging axes to the commanders and leaders of the newly joined native tribes, starting with the Tlaxcaltecs.

These recipients, receiving pristine logging axes, never before used, with sharpened blades and custom leather scabbards—adorned with splendid patterns crafted by skilled soldiers—beamed with gratitude.

Interestingly, the logging axes presented by the expeditionary force quickly became symbols of authority.

This was because they weren’t simply handing out axes indiscriminately; they were presenting them with carefully crafted scabbards and considerable ceremony.

The commanders who received the logging axes proudly displayed them to their subordinates, and the leaders did likewise.

“Behold! These foreigners have offered this to me as a sign of respect!”

* * *

The biggest challenge facing the suddenly enlarged expeditionary force was the confusion in distinguishing friend from foe, and the complexities of the command structure.

Among the Mexica warriors, those who had captured prisoners wore the cuaeshtecatl [a type of warrior costume], elaborate full-body suits dyed in vibrant colors like red, yellow, blue, or green.

Warriors who accumulated more merit and became Jaguar or Eagle warriors, or rose to the ranks of officers or Quachicqueh [a high-ranking warrior society], wore even more elaborate decorations on their backs.

However, warriors who had not yet distinguished themselves wore only simple white quilted vests, short cloaks, and loincloths.

Initially, when fighting only the Mexica warriors, this wasn’t a major problem.

Most of the warriors from the defecting tribes wore only loincloths and were barefoot. The expeditionary force addressed the identification issue by providing them with uniforms from their own supplies.

However, this solution became untenable as natives joined in large numbers.

The Tlaxcaltec warriors, like the lower-ranking Mexica warriors, wore similar attire: white quilted vests, short cloaks, and loincloths. The primary difference lay in their headbands and headdresses.

“In one-on-one combat, we could easily distinguish them by their headdresses, but the problem is the sheer number of forces mixed together. We can’t tell if the group targeted by the artillery or hwacha [a Korean multiple rocket launcher] is friend or foe.”

The commanders nodded in agreement with Yi Jing-ok’s assessment. Yi Jing-ok stroked his beard and continued.

“Giving orders is also a problem. We technically have command, but it’s practically useless since we can’t effectively communicate.”

This language barrier had been a concern from the very beginning, during the expedition’s planning stages.

However, there was only one viable solution.

-Actively utilize the defectors and their tribes.

This decision stemmed from the fact that, while the defectors’ tribes were distinct, they seemed capable of communicating with each other to some extent.

-When the expeditionary force’s command issued an order, the defectors would interpret and relay it.

-As the number of allied tribes increased, the defectors would be solely responsible for interpretation, with warriors from the defecting tribes acting as messengers.

This was the initial plan. However, the actual number of natives who joined the expeditionary force far exceeded expectations.

As the scale grew far beyond what was anticipated, the language problem became even more acute.

Although based on the same Nahuatl language family, each tribe spoke a distinct dialect. While they could communicate to some degree, accurately and quickly understanding the precise meaning was often impossible.

Without a solution, they risked turning a potential easy victory, given their numerical and firepower superiority, into a narrow win, a stalemate, or even a defeat.

“Of course, there is no such thing as a draw in war. But an unnecessarily prolonged conflict is unacceptable. Let’s find a solution.”

At Yi Jing-ok’s command, the staff and commanders began brainstorming.

“Armbands won’t be sufficient…”

“Nor will helmet crests. They might work in close combat, but they’re useless for long-range artillery engagements.”

“Still, armbands are necessary. We can’t avoid close combat entirely.”

As various opinions were exchanged, Kim Soo-jik, one of the staff members, stepped forward.

“How about using ‘kkokkomma’?”

“Kkokkomma?”

Kkokkomma [a type of tassel or ornament] had been used since ancient times to identify friend from foe and to denote rank, attached to soldiers’ bongeoji [a type of Korean hat], military officials’ jeollip [another type of Korean hat], and helmets.

This tradition continued in the Imperial Army, with kkokkomma adorning helmets and military caps, as well as the Imperial Navy’s dress caps. However, as gunpowder weapons became prevalent, the kkokkomma on helmets became small, simple black tassels. In contrast, the kkokkomma on military caps and dress caps remained elaborate and ornate.

“Kkokkomma… That’s not a bad idea…”

While Yi Jing-ok and many commanders nodded in agreement, some raised objections.

“It’s a good concept, but it’s still difficult to see kkokkomma clearly from a distance. And obtaining enough feathers for kkokkomma will be a challenge. Look at the natives out there. Many tribes don’t even have feathered headdresses and only wear headbands.”

“Of course, feathers would be a problem. That’s why I have a different approach in mind.”

Kim Soo-jik explained his vision for the kkokkomma.

-Bend light and elastic branches into a circular ring shape and attach a handle. The ring should be about the size of a person’s head.

-Wrap the circular branches with cloth and dye them.

-Insert the handle of the dyed kkokkomma into the back of the natives’ headbands.

“… Dye them with dyes that are readily available here, and then divide the natives’ groups based on these colors. Since the kkokkomma are large, they can be identified from a distance, especially from the air. If the air force can clearly identify them, command will become much easier.”

After hearing Kim Soo-jik’s explanation, the commanders exclaimed in unison.

“That’s the perfect solution!”

And so, the native warriors who joined the expeditionary force began wearing large kkokkomma on the back of their heads.

* * *

The expeditionary force headquarters divided the joined natives into four main groups.

The largest contingent, 10,000 Tlaxcaltec warriors, were split into two groups of 5,000 each, and the remaining tribes were consolidated into the other two groups.

These four groups wore kkokkomma dyed in green, red, yellow, and blue, respectively.

“It’s definitely easy to see at a glance!”

The expeditionary force, having finalized the organization of the natives, began training them to move to the beat of drums.

Based on the drum signals used by the Tlaxcaltec warriors, who formed the core of the native forces, the expeditionary force created four distinct signals.

Advance, retreat, turn left and advance, turn right and advance.

“If they just listen and move properly, there shouldn’t be any problems.”

As Yi Jing-ok predicted, the native warriors quickly adapted to the drumbeats.

Once the native warriors began moving in unison to the drumbeats, Yi Jing-ok summoned his subordinate commanders again.

“Let’s slowly go and mess them up now.”

“Yes, General!”

* * *

Ten days later, the expeditionary force and its native allies arrived at Tenochtitlan.

“I knew they’d be waiting.”

Yi Jing-ok, on horseback and surveying the scene with binoculars, muttered calmly.

To defend Tenochtitlan, situated in Lake Texcoco, countless Mexica warriors had established a defensive line and were awaiting the arrival of the expeditionary force.

After confirming the Mexica warriors preparing for battle with their backs to the city, Yi Jing-ok issued orders to his subordinates.

“Today is not an auspicious day for battle. It’s already late, and the soldiers are fatigued. We’re still some distance from the enemy’s base, so we’ll establish a camp here for the night.”

“Understood.”

“Ah, there will undoubtedly be a night raid. Ensure that preparations are made accordingly.”

“Yes, General.”

Following Yi Jing-ok’s instructions, the allied forces prepared for a potential night raid and began constructing a campsite.

The allied forces pitched tents, ate dinner, and then divided their forces into shifts for rest and guard duty.

However, the anticipated night raid never materialized.

The Mexica warriors were not in a position to launch a night raid themselves.

* * *

Akon, having narrowly escaped the expeditionary force’s crossfire, returned to Tenochtitlan with haste.

After raiding nearby villages to satiate his hunger along the way, Akon reported the defeat to Montezuma [the Aztec emperor] and the other leaders.

“You lost?”

“I did! The plan was sound, but…”

Akon desperately sought to justify his failure.

“The primary responsibility for the defeat lies with Atrucut! He mismanaged the command and failed to create an opportunity for our forces to strike!”

Shifting the blame to Atrucut, who was presumed dead since he hadn’t returned, Akon frantically made excuses.

“The plan was indeed well-conceived…”

“Yes, it was.”

Whether Akon’s excuses were convincing or not, Montezuma and the other nobles, as well as the priests, did not hold Akon further accountable.

“Then, what course of action should we take moving forward?”

Akon immediately responded to Montezuma’s question.

“Negotiate.”

“Negotiate?”

“Yes. The foreigners’ weapons are superior to our own. We must acknowledge this reality. However, they have traveled a great distance to reach us. A prolonged war will be difficult for them. If we can achieve a decisive victory just once, then we negotiate!”

Montezuma accepted Akon’s proposal and began preparations for the final battle.

Akon was reinstated as the commander to lead this crucial engagement.

“Once again, I am granting you one last opportunity.”

Akon gritted his teeth and responded to Montezuma’s warning.

“I will give it my all!”

‘Defeat is death!’

Whether his heart was extracted as a sacrifice or he was vanquished by the expeditionary force, the consequence of defeat was death.