Chapter 85

Chapter 85

After the battle was over, Lim Gyeong-seok and his men prepared to move to the rear with the few surviving villagers, livestock, and the corpses and spoils of the Jurchens tribe loaded onto wagons. One of his subordinates, with a pitiful expression, spoke to Lim Gyeong-seok as he watched the survivors board the wagons.

“All of them are just children.”

“That’s because the only things worth money are the children.”

The faces of Lim Gyeong-seok and the cavalrymen were somber as they exchanged words.

The Jurchens tribe’s raiding strategy was essentially hit-and-run.

In order to quickly escape after attacking and plundering frontier settlements and small villages near the border, adults were cumbersome.

Moreover, the Ming merchants who bought the captured Joseon people also preferred children.

Children were less likely to resist, easier to handle, and some Ming people preferred young girls or boys over adult women.

“The burial work is all done.”

“Is it?”

Lim Gyeong-seok looked at the two mounds that had risen prominently between the burnt-down houses. The mounds were where the Joseon people killed by the Jurchens tribe were buried, separated by gender.

Bowing his head briefly in silent prayer toward the mounds, Lim Gyeong-seok mounted his horse.

“Let’s return!”

“Let’s return!”

Including the horses taken from the Jurchens, the expanded troop of Lim Gyeong-seok began to move slowly toward their garrison.

* * *

“Your Majesty, a report has arrived from Pyeongan-do1.”

“A report?”

“It says there has been a raid by the Jurchens tribe.”

Hastily, Sejong reached out for the report and untied the knot.

“Oh my... this.”

With trembling hands, Sejong read the contents of the report and handed it to the Chief State Councilor.

“Read it.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

After the Chief State Councilor, the other officials took turns reading the report.

Once all the officials had read the report, Sejong opened his mouth.

“The victims of this calamity were settlers who opened firefields without permission, but it is certain that they are our people of Joseon. The General deployed in the area requested a punitive expedition, and the Pyeongan-do Military Commander also requests permission. How do you all feel about this?”

In response to Sejong’s question, Hwang Hui asked Kim Ye-ji, the Minister of Military Affairs,

“Which tribe of Jurchens did this to the village?”

“Based on the decorations on the saddles of the dead and the way they tied their hair, it seems to be the Dong tribe2.”

“The Dong tribe is quite large, isn’t it? Is it possible with the currently deployed troops?”

In response to Hwang Hui’s question, Kim Ye-ji briefly answered.

“It’s not about facing the entire Dong tribe, and considering the power difference shown in this battle, it is sufficient.”

“Hmm...”

“If we delay further, the rainy season will begin, making suppression difficult.”

The Minister of Military Affairs advocated immediate suppression. However, Sejong was hesitant to make a quick decision.

“People have said that when you get a good sword, you want to swing it. Isn’t it foolish to move hastily and alert the snake in the grass?”

At Sejong’s point, Kim Ye-ji immediately answered.

“The Jurchens are like old foxes, taking us lightly if we don’t respond properly and continually attacking, but bowing their heads and asking for trade if we go strong. Showing them their place is a good strategy for the future.”

After hearing the Minister of Military Affairs, Sejong, who had been stroking his chin beard in thought, made a decision.

“Very well. Tell the Pyeongan-do Military Commander he has permission. However, the current troop strength seems weak, so command the General Staff Headquarters to select appropriate forces that have received new guns and cannons from the training centers and various camps in Pyeongan-do to join them. Also, tell them they are not allowed to stay across the Amnok River for more than a month.”

At Sejong’s command, the Minister of Military Affairs bowed deeply and answered.

“I accept the order!”

After ordering the military, Sejong turned his gaze to the civil officials.

“Civil officials, listen.”

“We shall listen to Your Majesty’s words!”

“The act of crossing the border to hold the Jurchens accountable is true. Since the Ming may make a fuss about this, prepare an appropriate response and send an envoy to Ming.”

“I accept the order!”

So, Operation ‘Retribution’ was activated.

Many military officers at the training center volunteered and stepped forward when it was mentioned that troops would be organized to subjugate the Jurchens.

“Send me, sir!”

“No, send me, sir! I will risk my life to make the operation a success!”

“I will surely avenge you.”

At the leader’s words, Tung-han’s face struggled to shake its head.

“Don’t do it. The Joseon... people...”

Struggling to continue speaking, Tung-han’s voice trailed off, and he stopped breathing.

Putting down Tung-han’s hand that he had been holding, the leader looked back at Master Wang.

“What on earth...”

“I heard that the Joseon army used cannons.”

“Is that so?”

“Not just cannons, it seems they even used guns.”

At Master Wang’s words, the leader examined Tung-han’s bloody body. Shaking his head at the bullet-riddled body, he said,

“Guns? I’ve seen them. They can’t even hit properly... Bad luck, I suppose.”

“Guns aren’t common, so it could have been unexpected, couldn’t it?”

“Haah~.”

At Master Wang’s response, the leader sighed.

“Beiru.”

Master Wang, who had stopped the leader from leaving, warned him in a quiet voice.

“I heard that the Joseon army is retreating. Do not act rashly. I don’t want to live as a slave to another tribe at this age.”

“...I understand.”

Exiting Master Wang’s house, the leader kicked a stone on the ground with all his might.

“Damn it! Such a dog-like situation!”

Meanwhile, after sending the leader away, Master Wang picked up a bowl and examined its contents.

Inside the bowl were small blood-soaked steel balls and fragments of iron.

“These bullets are too small for guns... And these iron fragments, what on earth...”

What puzzled Master Wang were fragments of a bomb.

Facing an inscrutable dilemma, Master Wang furrowed his brow. He was haunted by the words of Tung-han, who had died in confusion.

“What does it mean that Joseon has obtained the power of the dragon......”

* * *

After completing the operation and crossing the Amnok River, the Joseon army immediately sent a report to Hanyang.

Reading the report, King Sejong rejoiced.

“Ha ha ha! Our Joseon soldiers have achieved a great victory! A great victory! Has there ever been such a joyous occasion?”

As Sejong rejoiced, his officials bowed their heads and shouted in unison,

“Congratulations!”

“Thank you, thank you very much!”

Raising his hand in acknowledgment, Sejong summarized the situation.

“With this expedition, we have punished 12 tribes, including the insolent ones who crossed our borders and plundered. This should keep the area around the Amnok River quiet for a while, right?”

At Sejong’s question, the Minister of Military Affairs replied with a bow,

“They won’t even dare to cross the Amnok River for a while.”

“That’s right. However, if we let our guard down, we could be hurt at any time, so give orders to strengthen surveillance at the border.”

“As you command.”

“And have preparations been made for rewards for those who distinguished themselves in this operation and compensation for those who were killed or injured?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Those who distinguished themselves will be promoted in rank considering their merits, and those who were killed or injured will receive monthly grain and wealth according to the newly established law. In addition, support is planned for those among the bereaved families who wish to take the literary or military examinations.”

Nodding at the reply of the Minister of Military Affairs, Sejong added, “Care for the casualties is a given, but also pay attention to their livelihoods. They have met such a fate fighting to protect this Joseon, so they must be treated adequately. That way, others will also be willing to risk their lives, won’t they?”

“I will keep it firmly in mind.”

Sejong, who never forgot to admonish until the end, moved on to the next subject.

“The Jurchen tribes around the Amnok River will be quiet for a while, but what about the eastern or western Jurchens?”

Hwang Hui stepped forward at Sejong’s question.

“As time passes, word will spread to them, so they will not act rashly.”

“I would like them to be frightened if possible... then they will listen well when called in the fall, won’t they?”

“That’s true, Your Majesty.”

Sejong firmly admonished his ministers.

“The matter with the Jurchen tribes is just the beginning. Proceed step by step with certainty so that our Joseon’s ‘eastward expansion’ is carried out without hindrance. Do not forget that this is a grand plan that our Joseon must accomplish.”

“I will keep it firmly in mind!”

Pyeongan Province, was one of the eight provinces during Joseon. Situated in the northwest of Korea before the split of the Korean peninsula[↩]Also known as Yejeok people of Mohe or Malgal tribes (ancestors of the Jurchens). Originated from northeastern China.[↩]Mongols of the north[↩]