Chapter 715

Episode 715: Second Battle of the Yellow Sea (13)

Less than three days after the imperial army began its invasion of Nantong, detailed circumstances – the size of the imperial army and the situation in Nantong – were delivered to Emperor Jing.

“News comes faster than from Beijing.”

Emperor Gyeongtae, who had become completely aloof from the continued news of the sad news, reacted with even greater surprise that the urgent news sent from Nantong, over 600 ri (about 240 km) away, was delivered three days earlier than expected.

In response to Emperor Gyeongtae’s reaction, the Cabinet Secretary bowed his head and responded.

“Although there were difficulties in coming up the river, we arrived quickly because it was connected to the Yangtze River. “Bonghwa’s help was also great.”

“Is that so...”

Emperor Gyeongtae nodded at the words of the Assistant Cabinet Secretary.

* * *

After the defeat in the last war and the transfer of the capital to Nanjing, the Ming began a major overhaul of its communication network.

In addition to the traditional beacon communication lines from the Great Wall in the north, beacon stations were built along the eastern and southern Ming coastlines.

Through this signal, urgent information could be delivered more quickly than before.

However, in the eyes of Emperor Gyeongtae and the Ming military, this was only half a success.

The initial plan for the reconstruction of the communication network was to build a communication line using light-emitting communication devices similar to those of the Empire.

However, in order for this light-emitting communication network to operate smoothly, many soldiers were needed who could read and write, but the high illiteracy rate of Ming soldiers was an obstacle.

“Most Joseon soldiers, no matter how low-level, can read and write. What a disgrace!”

Gyeongtaeje got angry when he heard the report, but it was not a problem that could be solved by getting angry.

This was due to the deeply rooted anti-military ideology not only among the Ming but also among Chinese people who had lived in the Central Plains for generations.

-Good iron does not make nails, and good talent does not become soldiers.

The quality of the enlisted soldiers was very poor because the perception of the military was not so good that such words were widely circulated.

And a vicious cycle was repeated in which the perception of the military got worse due to various incidents and accidents caused by such poor enlisted soldiers.

In the end, Emperor Gyeongtae and the Ming military had no choice but to build an emergency communication network using traditional beacons rather than light-emitting communications.

* * *

“If quick contact was possible thanks to the Yangtze River, wouldn’t the Koreans have been able to come up on the Yangtze River?”

Governor Wu stepped forward and responded to Emperor Gyeongtae’s point.

“To prepare for that problem, we have built a defense line along the Yangtze River.”

“Will that line of defense actually do its job? Tianjin, as well as Weihai and Qingdao, were all defended by strong coastal batteries.”

Governor Wu immediately responded to Emperor Gyeongtae’s words.

“Because that military port was right on the sea, it was easy for the Koreans to concentrate their power. However, when you come along the Yangtze River, it naturally becomes longer. If that happens, it will be difficult for Joseon to concentrate its firepower, and it will be easier for us to concentrate our firepower.”

“Is that so? “You’re saying you’re confident, right?”

“I just do my best.”

“Are we just doing our best?...”

At Governor Woo’s answer, the expressions of not only the Minister of Economic Affairs but also the Assistant Cabinet Secretary and other ministers darkened.

After the annihilation of the two-headed flame dragons, which were confident of a sure victory, the military never made any guarantees. No, I couldn’t tell.

In particular, as major military ports in the Yellow Sea, which had been confident of being defended by powerful coastal batteries, were reduced to ashes, military personnel did not dare to open their mouths.

Emperor Gyeongtae eventually sighed in a hopeless situation where he could not see an inch in front of him.

“Whoa~. Right. “Now we have no choice but to wait for the best outcome for our soldiers.”

“I will do my best.”

And King Ming did his best.

The defense line was immediately expanded near Nanjing and along the Yangtze River, and troops that could move separately were selected and sent to Nantong.

The first person to answer Gyeongtaeje’s question was Sang-seo for illness.

“I think Hobusangseo’s words are correct. As Hufushangshu said, once Joseon takes control of the Yangtze River, the area north of the Yangtze River must be abandoned. “If we go into a long-term war, we will have to endure a huge expenditure of troops, but the area south of the Yangtze River alone has its limits.”

“Isn’t the area south of the Yangtze River so densely populated that it is a granary?”

The Minister of Byeongbu responded immediately to Gyeongtaeje’s point.

“It takes a lot of men to farm. Of course, farming is possible with just women and children, but it is impossible for them to produce as much as if men worked properly.”

Following the words of the sick person, the left governor continued.

“The form of war that is different from before is also problematic. In the past, you could be powerful with just a spear sword and a helmet. However, guns and artillery became the center of war. Many skilled artisans are needed to make and supply guns and artillery, as well as to make and supply the gunpowder, bullets, and bullets to be used for them. No, it is not only the craftsmen who are the problem, but also the supply and demand of materials. “If this becomes a long-term war without measures in place, not only will we lose the war, but we will also suffer irreparable damage.”

“Does that mean that if we enter a long-term war on our own without the help of anyone else from the outside, we will inevitably lose?”

“....”

The left governor answered by keeping his mouth shut. Emperor Gyeongtae turned his head at that sight.

“What do you think of the sick report and Governor Wu?”

“....”

“....”

Both of them answered in silence, and the Gyeongtae Emperor looked back at the Cabinet Secretary with an earnest expression.

“What do you think of Subo?”

In response to Emperor Gyeongtae’s question, the Cabinet Secretary opened his mouth with difficulty.

“Negotiation is considered the best alternative.”

The Cabinet Secretary’s answer was the decisive blow. King Gyeong-tae weakly leaned forward in his chair and waved his hand.

“Organize a negotiation team according to the orders I gave you before. Then send a messenger to Nantong and tell them that you want to negotiate.”

“I follow your orders.”

* * *

‘I want to negotiate.’

The imperial army, which received the above-mentioned letter through a messenger sent by Ming, immediately sent it to Seoul.

“I will let you know as soon as your Majesty sends me the answer.”

“Then is it a ceasefire for the time being?”

In response to the messenger’s question, Inland Sea Fleet Commander Cho Jin-woo snorted.

“joy! Why us?”

“But for negotiations...”

“We will fight until His Majesty gives the order to stop fighting. “That is the first rule of our Imperial Navy!”

Like Cho Jin-woong’s answer, the imperial army that occupied Nantong clearly neutralized Nantong’s major facilities.

Except for the headquarters of Nantong Military Port, which was used as a temporary headquarters for the imperial army, all important facilities – defense batteries, shipyards, etc. – were completely destroyed using large quantities of explosives, and the walls of Nantong Province were also destroyed.

“It would be cheaper to build a new military port than it would cost to rebuild this place.”

The destruction was so thorough that the imperial soldiers who finished the destruction gave this assessment.

And a few more days later, the end of the 9th year of the imperial calendar. The negotiation team sent by the township arrived in Nantong.

It was a negotiating team headed by Kim Jong-seo and including Han Myeong-hoe and others.

On the boat going up the Yangtze River, Kim Jong-seo’s expression was solemn. Looking at Kim Jong-seo’s expression, the young officials spoke with voices full of respect.

“You are a great admiral who hates leaving Seoul more than dying, but when it comes to the Ming Dynasty, you show a completely different side!”

“That’s right! “I guess that’s why His Majesty the Emperor cherishes it!”

“’Definitely when working! They say, ‘And be hot when you play!’ I have to follow that example!”

While the young officials were having this conversation, Kim Jong-seo was muttering to himself.

‘Finish as quickly as possible and return to Seoul! It’s cold, so what trouble is this!’