There Is No Sejong In My Joseon [EN]: Chapter 305

Meanwhile, the diversionary force of Prince Zhao’s army, on its detour, also encountered an unexpected enemy.

“Th-th-they’re the enemy!”

“How could Jurchens be here!”

Muntamu cheered, spotting enemies he hadn’t anticipated.

“It is as His Majesty said! The enemy would cross the river!”

The Joseon army, with its clear view of the battlefield, wouldn’t miss this.

Prince Zhao’s army, about to cross the Gugang River, was greatly embarrassed to encounter the Jurchen army led by Iribuqa and Muntamu.

Moreover, the Jurchen army’s morale was unusually high.

“If you capture many rebel heads, you can return to Hanyang!”

“How much is ‘many’? Ten? A hundred?”

“I don’t know. Just cut off as many as you can! Surely His Majesty will grant us a government post!”

Driven by the Jurchen army’s fierce offensive, the diversionary force was completely overwhelmed in the shallow waters of the upper Gugang River.

Their aggressiveness was hard to fathom, even for other Jurchens.

‘What is Hanyang that makes them so frenzied?’

Is a Joseon government post that desirable?

The Jurchens, including the young Imanju, who had been forcibly conscripted, couldn’t understand the frenzy.

Of course, the Hyeonju [a type of local alcohol] they had tasted was so sweet it appeared in their dreams, but wasn’t this war ultimately someone else’s fight?

It was a natural reaction for Imanju, who had no particular feelings for Joseon, except that his grandfather Ahachoo had once paid tribute to the Supreme King of Joseon.

However, from the northernmost Tamju to the southern Hoeryeong or Samsan,

The Jurchens who had participated in the war from Joseon territory had a different kind of fighting spirit.

They moved to the next target without resting.

The flank of Prince Zhao’s main force, which was pressuring the Joseon army, was their target.

===

“Hollololo!”

“Wipe out all the rebels!”

The Jurchen army’s sudden appearance in the rain, where visibility was limited, threw Prince Zhao’s army into a panic.

The soldiers couldn’t keep their minds straight as the Jurchens rushed in, shouting strange cries.

Zhu Gohou and his troops, swept away by the storm of bullets, completely lost their will to fight.

“Our detachment sent to the other side! Where are those guys and what are they doing!”

Zhu Gohou sighed deeply, but he could easily deduce that they were stuck somewhere in the riverbed.

Instead, their flank was being attacked.

“We have been caught in the enemy’s evil scheme!”

Zhu Gohou lamented, but the path back was already blocked by the densely packed Joseon army behind them.

At this rate, there was no way to survive, let alone win.

“The enemy is firing another volley, Your Highness!”

In that short moment, the Joseon army finished reloading and pointed their guns at them.

Half of the troops who had charged in had died from the first volley, and the charge had been halted. Yet, regardless of the rain, they were preparing to fire those damn cannons again!

Zhu Gohou’s eyes shook violently.

Those who weren’t his direct subordinates were slowly backing away, leaving him behind, but Zhu Gohou didn’t even notice.

‘I was too hasty.’

He soon regretted rushing out to fight, but there was no turning back.

Well, there was probably no other choice but to go into battle in that situation.

Zhu Gohou gritted his teeth.

‘The throne was just one step away.’

If he crushed the Joseon army, seized the expeditionary force led by Prince Zhao, and captured the Crown Prince, who wouldn’t recognize him as the Emperor?

It was more than just one step, but in Zhu Gohou’s mind, it was already done.

But with one defeat, everything was gone.

This is all because of that Joseon King, Yi Je.

Zhu Gohou’s pent-up anger and hatred exploded towards the Joseon King, Yi Je.

===

‘Success!’

I clenched my fist tightly.

The flagstaff in my hand shook violently in the rain.

The firepower of the arquebusiers is literally neutralized in this rainy situation.

The enemy seemed to have grasped this fact and was advancing relentlessly, not missing the opportunity.

‘Should I wait for the rain to stop while facing the enemy?’

However, I can’t miss this opportunity when the enemy has lowered their guard and launched a massive offensive.

The crazy thought that came to my mind at that moment.

‘What if I lure the enemy to my side instead?’

I succeeded in synthesizing thunder powder [an early form of gunpowder], but the cost and time to supply it to the entire army were insufficient.

After judging that it wouldn’t be very effective to return some to the Training Command, the newly created rifles were given priority to the Royal Guards who were in charge of my protection.

If there is bait called the ‘country,’ the enemy will rush in without looking back, and then, right at close range, bang!

As the calculation was exactly right, I couldn’t help but wipe away the smile that formed on my lips.

The enemy was pierced by bullets and formed a sea of blood, and the Royal Guards, with bayonets fixed, charged at the survivors who were desolately surrounded.

“We won!”

I shouted, jumping up and down.

“The historian must record today’s battle clearly! We have won a great victory against the elite of the Ming!”

Unfortunately, not many historians were willing to follow me to the battlefield.

If there was such a crazy person, it would be Min In-saeng, who had just finished Hancom Typing Practice [a popular Korean typing tutor program].

Well, even though I don’t like him, he’s the kind of guy who will properly exaggerate and describe today’s battle, so it’s okay.

“Your Majesty, please step back!”

“Ah.”

My role is to draw aggro, but it seems I was too noticeable now.

As the Royal Guard Yi Jing-ok shouted, I quickly stepped back.

But it was already too late.

“Die, you barbarian!”

A rough Han Chinese [referring to the ethnicity] was heard from somewhere, and a blind arrow flew.

The arrow flew slowly, like in slow motion.

‘Uh-oh.’

But in reality, it was too fast for me to react.

The arrow flew right into the gap in my armor!

“Ugh!”

The pain was different from the arrow I had been hit by in Dongparcham.

Well, I had a lightning struck wood shield back then, so I only felt the impact and wasn’t hurt much, but this time, my flesh was torn apart, so it’s natural.

‘Why is the sky so yellow?’

The sky, which should be dark, was somehow bright yellow.

I rolled around, thinking such useless thoughts.

It seems that the Royal Guards who were charging with bayonets fixed noticed the sight.

“Your Majesty!”

“His Majesty has been hit by an arrow!”

“You bastards! Continue the battle!”

The generals commanded, but the Royal Guards’ agitation did not subside easily.

The Royal Guards’ mission is to protect the King.

Since I, the top priority and commander-in-chief, had fallen, the Royal Guards were in disarray.

‘This is a complete disaster.’

What if this agitation spreads to other units?

“Your Majesty! Are you alright!”

Yi Jing-ok, who was supporting me, shouted before I could say anything.

‘Does this look alright?’

I wanted to give him a scolding, but I couldn’t even speak properly because of the pain.

Min In-saeng, who was next to me, seemed flustered and rolled his eyes around.

“Hey, is His Majesty alright?”

“Your Majesty, Your Majesty!”

As other officials showed signs of approaching, shouting anxiously, Min In-saeng almost burst into tears.

What would happen if people saw me looking so unwell?

Then, the word that popped out of Min In-saeng’s mouth was completely unexpected.

“U-u-silver mirror.”

‘Silver mirror?’

Ah, I did bring it in my pocket.

‘The silver mirror reminds me of my wife.’

I should have listened to Joo So-hwa and not gone to war.

If I had, I would be at home eating tangerines with the kids right now.

Yes. This means I’m going to take out the last silver mirror my wife gave me and show it to them…

“The Queen’s silver mirror blocked the arrow!”

“?”

What the hell are you talking about?

But Min In-saeng shouted at the top of his lungs, not caring.

“His Majesty is safe! The Queen’s silver mirror blocked the arrow!”

“Oh!”

Min In-saeng shouted so loudly that my ears were ringing, but the effect was certain.

Even in the pouring rain, people around me could hear it clearly.

“The Queen’s silver mirror again!”

“There’s no one in Joseon who doesn’t know that story!”

“That miraculous silver mirror saved the King again!”

I don’t know why they’re convinced by this, but the battle resumed safely.

The troops, who had shown signs of faltering, regained their fighting spirit and unleashed their attacks on the enemy.

Min In-saeng, who had overcome the crisis with lies, shook me urgently in Yi Jing-ok’s arms.

“Your Majesty! Are you alright?”

“D-don’t shake me…”.

‘It hurts, you bastard.’

I wanted to shout that, but I could only move my mouth because of the pain.

Min In-saeng, who shook me to check if I was conscious, turned his head with an embarrassed face.

‘It’s a good thing it’s raining.’

I can hide the tears flowing down.

How embarrassing would it be if I, the King, was crying because of the pain?

I lost consciousness while thinking such thoughts.

===

As the dark clouds gradually cleared and the sky brightened, Prince Zhao’s army was defeated.

Having been devastated by the Jurchen army and witnessing the head of Han King Zhu Gohou stuck on a pole, Prince Zhao’s army completely lost their will to fight and fled.

On the other hand, the Joseon army, which had been in crisis for a while but confirmed that the King was safe, was filled with morale.

“Indeed, the Mandate of Heaven is with our King!”

They closely pursued Prince Zhao’s army, which was fleeing in disorder.

The defending forces stationed at Shanhaiguan fell into panic when they saw the fleeing remnants and the Joseon army following behind them.

“The gates!”

A frantic cry erupted from Zhu Gohou’s mouth.

“Close the gates, the gates! Quickly!”

Zhu Gohou shouted as he watched his allies pouring in.

“Your Highness! What are you saying?”

“Can’t you see over there! The Joseon army is charging!”

‘The Joseon army…?’

Prince Zhao’s soldiers looked at the Joseon army that Zhu Gohou was pointing at.

“You traitors who do not know loyalty and filial piety!”

“Tang Ban Jie, Wu Wang Fa Zhou! Receive the teachings of Master Ya Eun!” [These are references to historical figures and events emphasizing loyalty and righteousness].

The Jurchens, dressed in various costumes and scattering their braided hair as they charged.

That mixed-race appearance fueled the fear of Prince Zhao’s army.

The fleeing remnants cursed as they saw the slowly rising gate.

“You bastards! Open the gate!”

“Are you even comrades!”

As accusations filled with betrayal hit the ramparts, Prince Zhao’s army, caught between Shanhaiguan and the Joseon army, was brutally slaughtered.

Even Zhang Bo, who had been silent until then, told him to stop.

“You must save them, Your Highness. How can you plan for the world if you lose your troops?”

What Prince Zhao held was the Yongle Emperor’s expeditionary force.

Regardless of the outcome of this civil war, they are the elite who must be responsible for the north.

That’s why he avoided engaging with the Crown Prince and turned his main force to the fight against Joseon, but he’s going to throw it all away.

‘I never knew the late Emperor’s sons would be so incompetent.’

And more than that, the Joseon army was too strong.

Zhang Bo decided that he could no longer watch.

“Prince Zhao! Are you going to kill all the soldiers? Open the gates when I tell you nicely!”

Zhang Bo no longer spoke politely to Zhu Gohou, who was gripped by fear.

“What is this rudeness!”

Zhu Gohou’s eyebrows twitched.

How dare a surrendered general who reluctantly cooperated with his brother, the Han King, threaten him, a Ming prince and the commander of the army?

“Disrupting the hierarchy in the army is a violation of military law! Kneel him down!”

Prince Zhao’s order was not followed.

Among those here, there were no longer any who could subdue Zhang Bo, a meritorious subject who had served for generations, according to Zhu Gohou’s orders.

Rather, Zhu Gohou’s order only clearly showed who had the current initiative.

“Open the gates.”

Thus, when Zhang Bo’s order was given, Zhu Gohou could do nothing.

Soon, the gates of Shanhaiguan opened, and the remnants poured in.

And behind them followed the Joseon army, shouting victory.

The last gateway had collapsed.

< Total Mess (5) > End

ⓒ Pitkong