Chapter 588

Episode 588 Hwangryongrak (黃龍落) (3)

When Choi Yun-deok decided to step down, the senior staff immediately spoke up.

“We need to tie up the Ming army while our army retreats.”

“That’s right.”

Choi Yun-deok nodded at the senior staff member’s point.

The size of the Joseon army currently staying here was approximately 280,000. And according to the news, two late troops, each composed of 50,000 troops, were heading towards this place.

The problem was the 280,000 troops stationed here. It took a lot of time to immediately dismantle the wire mesh of the camp and defense line, finish dissipating heat, and pack up the batteries so that they could be moved again with ammunition and gunpowder ready for firing at any time.

In addition, the problem faced by the advancing Ming army, which was that hundreds of thousands of large troops could not move at once, was also the same for the Joseon army. Even if we were to prepare and withdraw without resting as much as possible, it would take at least seven days for all 280,000 troops to withdraw.

“Hmm...”

Choi Yun-deok thought for a moment and soon came up with an alternative plan.

“The cavalry should take care of this.”

When Choi Yun-deok mentioned the cavalry, all commanders present at the meeting nodded.

Among all the branches of the Joseon army, the one with the right combination of firepower and mobility was the cavalry.

If it were a cavalry unit, they could quickly and easily escape after giving a single blow to the Ming army.

“Cavalry is suitable for mobility, but wouldn’t it be better to add more troops to deliver a stronger blow?”

One of the commanders who heard Choi Yun-deok’s decision suggested adding firepower, but Choi Yun-deok shook his head.

“It doesn’t work because my feet are slow. The terrain east of the Daling River is optimal for cavalry operations, so it is better to leave it to the cavalry.”

In this way, the remaining cavalry troops were able to tie up the feet of the people.

Once the operation was decided, the Joseon army began to busily pack its belongings. Meanwhile, Choi Yun-deok summoned the cavalry commanders separately.

“I’m sorry for entrusting you with such a difficult task.”

When Choi Yun-deok expressed his apologies, the cavalry commanders responded by bowing their heads in unison.

“No.”

“Rather, I am grateful for the opportunity to run wild to my heart’s content.”

“I’ll buy it back. “I haven’t been able to fight properly because of the infantry, but this is a really good opportunity.”

“Thank you.”

Choi Yun-deok expressed his gratitude to the cavalry commanders who still showed great fighting spirit and opened his pockets.

“If you need anything, please let me know.”

“If that’s the case, please leave the iron fence behind instead of dismantling it.”

“Barbed wire mesh?”

“yes.”

“And...”

Choi Yun-deok immediately nodded after hearing the cavalry commanders’ request for supply, starting with the wire net.

“I will do that.”

* * *

From the next day, the cavalry was busy.

Lee Jing-ok, who volunteered to become the general commander of the cavalry, looked at the cavalry commanders with a ferocious smile.

“Isn’t it in your temper to just wait quietly?”

“That’s right.”

“It goes without saying.”

“Then let’s split into groups.”

Lee Jing-ok divided 18,000 of the 22,000 cavalry deployed in the Jiyeon battle into three groups.

“While the Ming army came here, these three groups took turns attacking and defeating the enemy every day.”

“6,000 won’t be able to cause much damage, right?”

“There is no need for a critical hit. By inflicting small injuries, you tire them out. “It was a method that the Yeojin guys used well, right?”

At Lee Jing-ok’s words, all the cavalry commanders smiled grimly.

Even before the Gyeongjang War, there were frequent conflicts between Joseon and the Jurchen tribe.

The main tactic used by the Jurchen people against the Joseon soldiers who went out to subdue them was hit and run.

The cavalry commanders who properly understood what Lee Jing-ok said began to use the Jurchen tribe’s methods properly.

* * *

“It’s the Joseon Army!”

“It’s the Korean cavalry!”

Following the order of the vanguard, one side of the defensive position was opened and the Ming cavalry came out, followed by a large group of spearmen.

“charge! charge!”

“Wow!”

Hee hee hee!

As the Ming cavalry advanced with shouts, the spearmen also shouted and rushed forward.

As soon as the Ming army began its assault, the Joseon army turned its head without even looking back.

The Joseon army cavalry, riding on horses that were overwhelmingly faster than the horses ridden by the Ming cavalry, instantly disappeared into the distance, and the Ming cavalry and soldiers, who were desperately charging, looked helpless and had to stop on the spot.

* * *

After that, surprise attacks by the Joseon Army cavalry continued.

“This is the problem...”

The Ming army’s vanguard, who was briefed on the situation after another surprise attack, muttered with a disappointed look on his face.

If a battle lasted no longer than 1 hour (about 2 hours) at most, the Ming army could not move for a day.

Thanks to this, the advance slowed down as time passed and the morale of the soldiers plummeted.

To prevent this situation, they mobilized all their cavalry and sent it out for advance reconnaissance, but they were caught in a counterattack by the Joseon cavalry and returned with only heavy losses.

“Is this why the Jurchen people shudder at the mere mention of the Joseon Army cavalry? “It’s as cunning, persistent, and scary as a wolf.”

Jeong Gongbeop was a vanguard who was in awe of the Joseon cavalry, which was persistent in its cunning tactics thrown far away.

“But the only answer is the Jeonggong method...”

In the end, the Ming army’s vanguard unit had to continue its advance, suffering constant losses from the persistent attacks of the Joseon army’s cavalry.

“Adam! These guys! Just try to get caught! “I’ll give you some food!”

“Pud!” “I’ll make you beg me to kill you!”

While there were some soldiers who were treated so persistently and took offense at the mere mention of the word ‘Joseon Army’, many more soldiers complained of anxiety. Soldiers who were so anxious fell into panic when they received even the slightest suspicious stimulus.

* * *

The Ming army vanguard, which moved while being hit and run by the Joseon army’s cavalry, was able to arrive at Daerunghe almost 20 days later than initially expected.

“Joseon army across the river! “This is the Joseon Army cavalry!”

“How many?”

“Up to 30,000!”

“Can’t you see any other Joseon soldiers?”

“There wasn’t one!”

Upon hearing the scout’s report, the vanguard immediately called the commander together.

“The Joseon army fled! All that’s left are those damn cavalrymen! We have to hit them before they run away! “We have to catch those guys so we can avoid trouble in the future!”

“yes!”

“Prepare for Doha!”

“yes!”

Following the command of the vanguard, the commanders and soldiers busily prepared to cross the river.

* * *

“Huh?”

Li Jingyu, who was observing the Ming Dynasty’s preparations for crossing the river from the other side of the Daling River, tilted his head.

“Are the heavy soldiers with a reputation as Tang soldiers so diligent?”

The movements of the Ming Dynasty soldiers seen through the telescope were as diligent as ever.

Lee Jing-ok, who was carefully observing the movements of the Ming Dynasty soldiers, burst into laughter.

“Heh! Even if the poison rises, it rises firmly!”

Although he burst out laughing, Lee Jing-ok’s face was serious.

Lee Jing-ok, who called the cavalry commanders together, informed them that the Ming army was very close and warned them.

“Don’t think too lightly and prepare well. “It is said that the most dangerous poison is that of a frost-bitten viper.”

“Did we make it too toxic?”

Lee Jing-ok shook his head in response to the subordinate officer’s question.

“No, you need to put more poison on it. They’re so venomous that they don’t look left or right and only chase us. “Only then can we lead them into a trap.”

After the meeting, one of the commanders who was exiting Lee Jing-ok’s military camp asked a colleague next to him.

“But wouldn’t a poisonous snake writhing in frost?”

“Why would snakes hang around outside until it starts to frost? You’re not ready for hibernation, right? “I need to fill my stomach quickly and hibernate, but I can’t, so I won’t get sick, right?”

“aha!”