1592 The Empire Everyone Dreamed of - Chapter 224
Only Ranovel
(224)
Liaoxi (遼西)
The northwest wind swept across the sunset meadow.
It was a spectacular sight to see the meadows waving in the cool breeze.
Another spectacular sight was the human procession lined up, with numerous troops and carts lined up in a long line heading south.
However, if you look closely, it was a disaster. The sight of soldiers with broken pieces and blood-stained cloth wrapped in various places was miserable.
The main force led by Lee Yeo-baek and the remnants of the defeated soldiers were the ones who survived after a month-long battle.
As a result, the large army that came from Shandong Province was unable to use its strength. After suffering from small cavalry attacks day and night, it reached the point where it collapsed without being able to reach Gwangnyeongseong Fortress.
And finally, Jian Juwi’s Bo army surrounded Gwangnyeongseong Fortress.
‘It’s the enemy’s reinforcements. The east is full of enemy troops.’
‘The enemy is surrounding the north and east gates.’
Lee Yeo-baek, suffering the same fate as before, decided to retreat.
‘Rather than risking everything, take the path of preserving everything.’
I thought back to my father’s advice again.
Afterwards, we collected the remnants of the defeated soldiers and headed to Jinjuseong Fortress.
The plan was to wait for the conscripts from Shaanxi and Hanam who would arrive later from Jinju Castle. If we train hundreds of thousands of them and turn them into full-fledged soldiers, we will have another chance.
“General, the sun will soon set. “Please stay here.”
“What about the enemy’s pursuit?”
“The scouting party is returning without any problems.”
“Build a camp and summon the commanders.”
“Yes, general.”
The adjutant who performed the military ritual turned the reins and walked away.
Tap, tap.
Lee Yeo-baek, who had turned the reins and climbed onto the hill, got off the horse.
He handed over the reins to his guard and looked at the camp. The soldiers were busy setting up tents and lighting fires.
Poseok.
Suddenly, I turned my attention to the sound of something breaking.
When I put my foot away, what I saw was a weathered human jawbone.
“Truly, every place in the world is a battlefield.”
The place he chose as his camp was also a battlefield. Whether it was a real battlefield or a person who went hunting in the distant past suffered misfortune, the truth that life is war does not change.
A cold wind swept across the meadow.
The next day we continued south. So I walked 300 ri (120 km) and arrived at Jinju Castle.
“He is a musketeer. “Open the gate!”
Adjutant Eom Gyu-seung shouted towards the castle wall. Then, a moment later, a military officer came down from his line and checked on Lee Yeo Baek.
“insect! “Chief Inspector Xu Kawei meets the Liaodong Musketeers.”
As Lee Yeo-baek silently held out his hand, the military officer turned around and shouted.
“The Yodong Musketeers have arrived. “Open the gate!”
“Open the gate.”
Sure.
Tap, tap.
Lee Yeo-baek passed through the gate, surrounded by guards.
After that, 40,000 troops entered the country with flags in front.
Lee Yeo-baek’s soldiers were both large and orderly, and were not at all like defeated soldiers. This seemed to foretell an endless war of attrition.
“Where is the Lord of Liaodong?”
“I’m sorry to tell you, but you’re lying down.”
I couldn’t help but sigh when I saw the unusually empty Jinju Castle building.
“You said you were in bed? Tell me in detail. “Why is Anger so desolate?”
“Well, that is…” … .”
Preceptor Seo Ga-wi could not raise his head as if he had no face.
“Fifteen days ago, wild men invaded and dragged away the residents. “The Lord passed out after crying that day and has not yet woken up.”
“Did the wildlings kidnap the people?”
“Right now, not even a shadow of a person can be seen in about 10 nearby villages, including Xishui Forest, Jiyi County, and Linghe Village.”
“You mean you were just watching that?”
“It is too much for the 200 police officers of the county office to protect Jinju Castle, so I apologize.”
Jinjuseong Fortress was an earthen fortress made of compacted earth and reinforced with wooden fences, making it more like a fortress than a castle. In many ways, it was different from Gwangnyeong Castle on the front line of Liaoxi.
“This is not an apology I should hear for retreating even after leading a large army.”
Seo Ga-wi noticed Lee Yeo-baek’s bitter smile and changed his mind.
“I will guide you to the Gyeonggyeok first.”
“I know. Eom Gyu-seung!”
“Yes, general.”
“The troops will pass through the south gate like this and be stationed at the former camp.”
“I will follow your orders.”
Adjutant Eom Gyu-seung disappeared towards the castle gate and Lee Yeo-baek headed to the official residence with the guards.
So the war went into a lull for a while. However, it seemed clear that the battlefield had changed from Liaodong to Liaoxi.
* * *
The square in front of Gwangnyeongseong’s official residence was crowded with people.
In the middle of the square, there was a wooden structure measuring 9 feet (3 m).
On top of it was placed the chair where the Liaodong Fusiliers sat.
An older-looking man with beef jerky in his mouth grunted.
“I was wondering what they were making, and it turned out to be a throne.”
“What is a throne?”
“The seat where the King of Liaodong sits.”
“Liaodong King? “Where is the King of Liaodong here?”
The man who asked the question looked around. His field of vision was filled with the heads of people gathered together.
“Is there a law that says there must be only that king? “The Great Khan is also a king.”
“Ah, so does the large space around the gun sit?”
“Someone is coming out there.”
Among the people heading to the podium, Jiwoo was at the front.
Gaarab walked behind him on his right, and Kookminseo walked on his left. Nurhaci and Builers followed.
They stopped in front of the podium and only Jiwoo went up the stairs.
Finally, Jiwoo sat on the throne.
From the top of the podium, thousands and tens of thousands of people could be seen at a glance. Then, the shouts of the People’s Book rang out in the square.
“Salute!”
Nurhaci bowed first, followed by the Builers.
This was clearly witnessed by a large crowd.
“Stand up!”
Nurhaci slowly stood up and gestured to the side, and Rickan approached holding a silver tray. A square seal made of jade was placed on the tray.
“I, Aishingiro Nurhachi, proclaim to Gojiu, Great Khan of the East Sea, that I will move quickly and offer the National Seal as a token.”
The crowd was agitated.
“The Great Khan of the East Sea? “Is Nurhaci quick?”
“What do you mean by that?”
In the confusion, only the National Seal shined beautifully.
“Oh my god, such a big jade is so beautiful.”
People’s attention soon shifted to the beautifully shining National Jade Seal. The idea was that no matter who ruled, as long as taxes were not raised, everything would be fine.
Jiwoo stood up.
At this moment, he was a shining being in the highest place.
“I, Gojiu, gladly accept Aishingiro Nurhaci’s request and allow him to enjoy everything he has enjoyed in the future. Now there will be no more fighting among Manchurians.”
“I will keep this in mind again and again.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Nurhaci and the Builers answered in unison.
Gaarab raised his arms.
“There is only one Great Khan in Manchuria! Long live the Great Khan!”
Next, Nurhaci and Builers raised their arms and shouted.
“Long live the Great Khan!”
“Waaah, long live the Great Khan!”
In August 1601 (September of the solar calendar), Nurhaci officially surrendered to the East Sea.
The price was great, and Jian Juwi was able to escape from a desperate crisis and form a sphere of influence all the way to the Liaohe area.
‘Now Liaoxi is in front of you.’
Nurhaci, who came back from the dead, strengthened his fighting spirit.
This news spread quickly and reached the Ming Dynasty and Joseon Dynasty. However, the value of Nurhaci’s name was still high, so except for a few, the rumors were dismissed as nonsense.
The Ming court, which was particularly shocked by the disastrous war situation, regarded it as a ploy by Nurhaci to inflate its power.
The Ming court continued to gather supplies and troops. This allowed the Ming to maintain two fronts, including the rebellion in Sichuan and Nurhaci in Liaodong.
It was the beginning of a war of attrition that replaced people and materials.
The next day, Jiwoo ordered to return.
This included not only Ga-Arab cavalry but also rifle battalions.
Then Nurhaci, with a surprised expression, came running.
“Please station artillerymen.”
“… … .”
Jiwoo, who shook her shoulders in silence for a while, raised her head. He stared at Nurhaci with cold eyes.
“You helped me find a house, and now you want me to keep it? “Are you going to send my soldiers to war?”
“Well, that’s not it.”
Nurhaci winced at the gaze that seemed to be looking into his heart.
“Bowing down for a moment to gather your strength is commendable. “But it seems a bit pathetic that he’s running away because he can’t even protect his own home.”
“I was not careful. Please forgive me.”
“The reason I saved your face is because I am Aisingiro Nurhaci and no one else. “Let it live up to its name.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Jiwoo’s eyes looking at Nurhachi were still cold.
“Just because you are you doesn’t mean you didn’t think of gunpowder weapons. “Why did you give up?”
“It was important to ignore the power of the matchlock gun, but more importantly, there was no way to use gunpowder.”
“okay. Then let me ask you one more question. How much gunpowder do you think the rifle battalion has consumed so far?”
Jiwoo continued as if she wasn’t really expecting an answer.
“We used 320 geun (192 kg) of gunpowder in 7 battles. How much is this worth? “There are 10,000 men per year who have to stick together for a year, so if you put it in perspective, it’s 60,000 seats.”
“Hmm.”
I looked around roughly, but I thought it would be worth it.
Jiwoo’s voice softened somewhat.
“The piece of steel I brought will be able to stop a bullet within 100 paces. “Produce armor with it.”
“My thoughts were short as the Great Khan already gave me the answer.”
As Nurhaci bowed, Jiwoo turned around without saying a word.
“Minseo, bring my horse.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Soon, about 1,800 cavalry, including rifle battalions and the Ga-Arab SS, lined up in the square.
Tap, tap.
Jiwoo rode the horse and inspected them.
“You guys have no intention of losing at all. “How can you be so selfish?”
“Fuhuhu.”
Jiwoo glanced at Gaarab and turned the reins in the opposite direction.
“Good job. Since I survived today, I will write a history of victory until the end of my life. “Now let’s go home.”
“Wow!”
“Victory! Victory! Victory!”
“Long live the Great Khan!”
Soldiers raised their guns on horseback and cheered. The passionate cries of thousands of people were like roars, and in the end, even the life of the battlefield could be felt.
Lee Chae looked young in the eyes of the Builers who came out to see him off.
‘Weren’t they soldiers hiding behind and shooting guns?’
‘Well, you have to shoot without being swayed by the cavalry’s pressure.’
Gaarab rode in front of the SS.
“Start with unit 1! ”
“depart!”
“The main unit departs in 15 minutes. The 2nd and 3rd units will be with the main base. Afterwards, shifts occur at one-hour (2-hour) intervals.”
Everyone moved in unison, which was different from the somewhat free-spirited cavalry of Geonjuwi.
“Depart from the main unit!”
“Start from the right row!”
The Builers, including Nurhachi, took the example.
“good bye.”
“Please take a look.”
Jiwoo nodded and left Gwangnyeongseong Fortress without any regrets. Thus began the not-so-short journey through Shenyang and Haeranbu.
As time passed after they passed, the dust settled.
The Buillers fixed their gaze without moving until Jiwoo and his group disappeared into the horizon.
Murhaci cautiously opened his mouth.
“Is it okay like this?”
“I have crossed the Liao River, a long-held dream. “Now that Liao Shu is in front of you, how can you not be happy?”
Nurhaci did not take his eyes off the direction where Jiwoo disappeared.
“but.”
“Is it because I kneeled down? He is strong. In the past, Li Seong-ryang was strong thanks to the power of the Ming Dynasty, but look, the Great Khan of the East Sea stood tall only on his own.”
“Are you saying that you bowed to the Great Khan of the East Sea just as you bowed to Lee Seong-ryang?”
“Do you think so?”
Nurhaci turned and stared at the Builers.
“There is no fight in the world where you just have to win. So overcoming defeat is the first step toward victory. “We are indebted to the Great Khan of the East Sea.”
“I admit it.”
Murhaci reluctantly agreed.
“He is a strong man. Bowing to the strong is the way of the world.”
“Okay, that’s true too.”
Nurhaci smiled broadly.
“So let’s focus on the opportunity in front of us. The Liao Book is in front of you. The combined population of Liaodong and Liaoxi is well over 1,000,000. “It will become the greatest power in Manchuria.”
“Then then… … .”
“Aren’t you excited? We were revived. Plus, I have a strong backing.”
As the Great Khan of the East Sea said, the area around Qian and the East Sea was between ‘teeth and gums’, so there was a clear belief that supplies and troops would be provided in times of danger.
“So, have a grateful heart. Until the day when we make that castle completely ours. Do you understand?”
“Yes, brother.”
Nurhaci relaxed his hold on his back and took a step forward.
“Anyway, how are Surhachi’s wounds?”
“It has improved a lot since the doctor who came with the Great Khan took care of it. “The doctor said that I would recover after about a month of recovery.”
“Tsk, I hope you break your habit of showing up unnecessarily after this incident.”
“Ugh, I’m not looking forward to it.”
“Hehehe.”
Hyo-woong, who was revived, once again laid the foundation for a leap forward. He had nothing to fear from tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of Ming soldiers on the plains, so the terrain in front of him was a land of opportunity.
And war was his destiny.
