There Is No Sejong In My Joseon [EN]: Chapter 303

< Skirmish (3) >

“The Joseon army is close, so there’s no time to rest. We must hurry and gather our forces.”

They had barely reached Beijing, but the crisis was far from over.

Grand Tutor Ju Gaosu lamented, questioning how there could be such incompetent fools who couldn’t even defend a city. However, there was nothing he could do to change what had already transpired.

Prince Han, Ju Gohuu, turned to Ju Gaosu and suggested:

“Now that things have reached this critical point, an ordinary person cannot resolve this crisis. What about seeking the wisdom of the Duke of England? He is so close to me that we share the same bed.”

The Duke of England, Jang Bo, was the son of Jang Ok, a meritorious subject and renowned general under Emperor Yongle.

He had been repeatedly involved in expeditions under Emperor Yongle’s favor, stepping in for his father, who died in battle during the Jingnan Rebellion. He was imprisoned when Prince Zhao, Ju Gosu, initiated the rebellion, but even Ju Gosu hesitated to harm him.

‘I always suspected he was loyal to the Emperor…’ Prince Zhao thought.

However, Prince Han had also suffered defeat and was now relying on Prince Zhao’s forces, effectively placing them in the same precarious situation.

‘Even Maeng Hyeon can’t devise a viable plan in this situation. He’s utterly useless,’ Prince Zhao thought, clicking his tongue in disapproval.

In this dire situation, Ju Gohuu offered to persuade Jang Bo, a proposition that felt like gaining a million soldiers to Ju Gaosu.

Indeed, Ju Gohuu approached Jang Bo, who was under house arrest, grasped his hand, and earnestly pleaded.

“You and I served the late Emperor, facing life and death together. Now, we are beset by enemies on all sides, and the turmoil is overwhelming. Please, lend us your wisdom!”

“The fate of us two brothers and the country rests on it, so the Duke of England must devise a plan.”

The two princes bowed their heads and pleaded. Jang Bo, who initially wore a reluctant expression, finally relented, saying, “Do you remember how the late Emperor fought against Yi Gyeongryong in the front and Yang Mun of Liaodong in the back?”

“He left Yi Gyeongryong alone and first crushed the Liaodong army. Are you suggesting a similar strategy now?”

“The Crown Prince is dispatching tens of thousands of troops, but their advance is slow due to the unrest in the south. However, the Joseon army has a smaller force. If we can annihilate them decisively, we won’t have to worry about the east again.

That way, we can consolidate our forces and concentrate on the battle for control of the empire. Do not hesitate; drive the army forward.”

Upon hearing Jang Bo’s words, Ju Gaosu displayed a hesitant expression.

“But the Joseon army is a formidable force that has conquered Liaodong and Liuxi [regions northeast of China] with ease. How can you claim that annihilation is easily achievable?”

“Prince Zhao, no matter how strong the Joseon army is, can they truly be stronger than our Ming army?”

Ju Gohuu slammed the table forcefully.

Ju Gaosu frowned at Prince Han’s behavior, who had become arrogant again despite his recent defeat, but Ju Gohuu disregarded his displeasure.

“Since we must confront both the King of Joseon and the Crown Prince, it is wiser to face the weaker opponent first!”

Ju Gohuu shouted boldly.

“I will lead an army and stand at the forefront, so you simply support me from behind!”

Prince Han, who had been utterly routed, was now acting as if he were the supreme commander.

‘Yes, go ahead and fight the Joseon army to the death,’ Ju Gaosu thought.

Even in his diminished state, Prince Han was still brave, making him useful in weakening the Joseon army.

Ju Gaosu turned to Jang Bo, who maintained a subtle expression, and said, “Duke of England! Now that you have decided to support our cause, please accompany us to Shanhaiguan [a major pass in the Great Wall of China] and share your wisdom.”

For a fleeting moment, Jang Bo’s face contorted, but it was so brief that Ju Gaosu didn’t notice.

“I will do so. The two princes should prepare for the expedition.”

===

However, Jang Bo harbored no intention of cooperating with Prince Han or Prince Zhao.

‘Beijing must be handed over to His Highness the Crown Prince,’ he resolved.

He had maintained a friendly relationship with Prince Han, but even in the original historical timeline, he did not assist Prince Han when he launched his rebellion. Instead, he supported Emperor Xuande.

Consequently, even after Emperor Xuande’s death, he rose to become a high-ranking minister and assisted Emperor Yingzong—though he couldn’t prevent the latter from becoming a prisoner of the Oirat [a Mongolic group].

Therefore, he had no desire to follow the foolish sons of his former lord, who had plunged the empire into chaos.

‘I once doubted the weak Crown Prince’s suitability for the throne, but the other sons are even more foolish!’ Jang Bo lamented.

Jang Bo confided in Commander Zhu Young, who was in a similar predicament.

“You should remain in Beijing under the pretext of illness. If I accompany them, the surveillance on you will likely be less strict.”

“What do you intend to entrust to this official?” Zhu Young asked.

“The Joseon army and the Uriyangkhai [Mongol nomadic group] are invading from two directions, but we cannot allow this Beijing Fortress, which the late Emperor built with such effort, to fall into the hands of barbarians.

While those two rebels are occupied fighting the Joseon army, you should thoroughly secure Beijing from within and without, and open the gates to welcome the Crown Prince’s army when it arrives.”

Zhu Young nodded in agreement with Jang Bo’s plan.

“But joining Prince Zhao’s army is like walking into the jaws of a tiger. What about your own safety, Duke of England?”

“I will assess the situation and find a way to extricate myself,” Jang Bo declared.

Zhu Young nodded at Jang Bo’s resolve.

The conspiracy was brewing beneath the feet of the two unsuspecting princes.

===

The Uriyangkhai, who had mobilized their army under the banner of ‘subjugating the rebel Prince Zhao and saving the Great Ming,’ were also achieving victory after victory.

The fake Hongwu cannons [early cannon design] exported by Joseon were not particularly effective.

However, the Ming army, caught off guard by the fact that nomads like the Uriyangkhai could utilize cannons and gunpowder to attack castles, paid a heavy price, reminiscent of the Yuan Dynasty’s [Mongol-led dynasty in China] experience.

Zhuchi not only plundered the borders of Ming but also felt a surge of exhilaration as he breached the gates.

After capturing Daining, he swiftly advanced to strike Beijing from the north.

This was partly to cooperate with the King of Joseon, but there was an even more significant motive.

‘At the end of this lies Dadu (大都) [another name for Beijing].’

It was now in the hands of the Han Chinese, but it was once the capital of the Yuan Dynasty.

Taisi Arugtai [a powerful Mongol leader] and the puppet Khan he controlled did not dare to covet Dadu.

But if he could seize Dadu while Ming was in chaos…

‘I could not only support Taisi but also rally all the hopes of the steppe.’

In fact, Taining Guard [military command] was descended from the Ogedei Khanate [Mongol empire subdivision], and Temuge Odchigin, the founder of the royal family, was Genghis Khan’s youngest brother and a member of the Golden Family [Genghis Khan’s lineage].

Why shouldn’t his brother, the commander of the Taining Guard, and himself be able to ascend to the supreme position?

“There is no need to take prisoners. Massacre them all and advance!” Zhuchi’s heart swelled with ambition.

===

Shanhaiguan.

The last gateway to defend Beijing.

Once you pass this point, you’re truly at the enemy’s heart…

“Why are all these bastards gathered in front of us?” I exclaimed in shock.

The Zhao army, which should have been blocking the Crown Prince’s army heading north, had all come out to confront us.

‘According to the plan, the two of them should be engaged in a fierce battle around the Yellow River right now, and we should be striking them from behind.’

What is the Crown Prince’s army doing, and where are they that there is still no news?

We, who had only anticipated an engagement with the Shanhaiguan defense force, were caught off guard.

Was it our fault for advancing too quickly?

So all the attention has shifted to us?

But we couldn’t afford to retreat.

‘We can’t move the army back now.’

The decision to make a rapid advance to Beijing had already been made at the military strategy meeting.

‘Our purpose is to prevent Ming from interfering with us.’

Even if this battle concludes successfully, Joseon will not be able to declare independence and act separately from Ming.

There’s no real benefit to that.

But at least to prevent Ming from projecting its power beyond the Great Wall anymore…

‘We must destroy Beijing.’

Before the Crown Prince’s army enters Beijing.

While the enemy still controls Beijing.

So that no matter what happens, the justification that it was done to subjugate the rebels will hold.

We must obliterate Beijing, the world capital and northern control center that Emperor Yongle had cultivated.

‘But what will happen to the people living there?’

I decided to suppress that thought for now.

I’m not some great humanitarian.

First, we must defeat the enemy before us.

“The enemy will come out in force,” Kim Jongseo observed.

“The rebel Prince Zhao’s true enemy is not us. He seeks to defeat us before facing enemies on both sides.”

“Then, rather than relying on the formidable defenses of Shanhaiguan, they will attempt to annihilate us.”

“That’s correct.”

The enemy was spreading out from Buksan (北山) [North Mountain] to the sea, awaiting our arrival.

It would be strange to only defend with such a large army.

“The enemy’s vanguard has been significantly weakened, but it still appears strong.”

“Aren’t they a northern army? Even if they return after suffering defeat in Gangnam [region south of the Yangtze River], their morale will be restored in their homeland.”

The army was so vast that a large cloud of dust rose beyond the pass.

The Joseon army, which had been victorious until now, also wore grim expressions.

Only a few scanned the scene with composure.

“We’ve finally come this far,” Prince Sunnyeong, Lee Ji, said, supported by those around him.

I brought him along because he insisted, but he was too old to actively participate in the command.

However, Lee Ji was the last remaining of the close aides who had navigated the turbulent times of the late Goryeo and early Joseon with Lee Seonggye [King Taejo of Joseon].

Having risen from a member of the Dongbuk Cheonho family [military family in northeastern Korea], his emotions must have been particularly profound.

“Even King Taejo, who planned the Liaodong conquest, could not have imagined coming this far.”

“That’s right.”

“But why are the generals hesitating now? Isn’t this a golden opportunity to defeat the enemy decisively and seize the mandate of heaven?”

Before Lee Ji could finish speaking, Iribuka interjected, “Your Majesty, do you truly intend to fight that great army?”

I turned to the tense generals at Irubuka’s question and asked, “Are you afraid?”

But the generals exchanged glances and shook their heads vigorously.

“I’m happy… that the day has come to fight Ming…”

“Just give the order, Your Majesty!” The spirited generals shouted, panting.

Yes, that’s how it should be.

I nodded with satisfaction and spurred my horse forward.

Those on the high walls of Shanhaiguan must have been observing me and were moving busily.

‘Kids, you’re scared.’

Are they reacting like that because they think I’m signaling an attack?

Well, it’s not just those guys who are scared.

‘Stay still, you bastard.’

Daenggu [the King’s horse] was also rolling his eyes and slowly backing away, but I forcibly grabbed the reins and pressed forward.

“Who are you?” The general guarding Shanhaiguan shouted loudly.

Of course, I didn’t come to the battlefield wearing a dragon robe, so he wouldn’t recognize me.

I urged Daenggu forward and shouted loudly, “I am the son-in-law of Emperor Taejo and the brother-in-law of Emperor Yongle.”

“Jo, King of Joseon?”

I nodded.

“I heard that my brother-in-law has passed away, so I came to pay my respects as a family member.”

“…”

He wore a dumbfounded expression at the fact that I came to pay my respects with a large army.

“But the two nephews do not treat their elders with respect, but mobilize soldiers to block the condolences. What kind of rudeness is this?”

At my stern rebuke, even the low-ranking soldiers bowed their heads in shame… that didn’t happen.

“What kind of uncle are you talking about, you barbarian! Eat this!”

As expected, it was Prince Zhao’s direct army, so they didn’t seem to be swayed by a few words.

Daenggu’s eyes widened, and before I could react, he quickly retreated.

– Kugwagwak!

‘Damn it.’

I couldn’t help but flinch for a moment when I saw the crater left by the shell.

If you guys can aim so well, what was the point of Jeong Inji [Joseon scholar] working so hard to create the firing table?

But it seemed that it was just a fluke, and the subsequent shelling didn’t even come close.

“Foolish guys! Will your insignificant cannons even hit properly!” I shouted, pretending to mock them.

“Open the door if you don’t want to die.”

As soon as I finished speaking, the gates of Shanhaiguan opened, and the enemy poured out.

Our army also moved chaotically in response.

The Battle of Shanhaiguan, which would determine the fate of both armies, had begun.

—

Thank you Bijinbu for your repeated support. Thank you… overwhelming thanks…!

< Skirmish (3) > End

ⓒ Pitkong