1592 The Empire We All Dreamed of - Chapter 347



Only Noblemtl

The grassland seen from the hill was vast.

To the south were fields of corn. To the west, a vast lake formed the horizon. To the north, there was only the distant horizon, and to the east, there were mountains beneath the sky.

In the middle of it all, the cavalrymen under the Ark fell to their knees.

“Captain Gaarab, I have returned after carrying out His Majesty’s orders.”

“Thank you for your hard work. How did you know I was here?”

Jiwoo grabbed Gaarab’s shoulder and helped him up.

“I heard the news as I was passing through Usuri. His Majesty has arrived in person.”

“Yeah, but the number of guards increased?”

“Oh, that’s it.”

Gaarab blushed uncharacteristically.

“Even though I ordered them to disband, I couldn’t bring myself to kick out those who followed me.”

“Well done. It’s not easy to get people to follow you wholeheartedly.”

His prowess in martial arts and his position as the king’s right-hand man were more than enough to create followers.

“Hahaha, I knew you would say that, Your Majesty.”

“How many people in total?”

“There are 1,200 people in total.”

“I will provide you with 10,000 seok of white rice and 10,000 seok of mixed grains every year. The rest is up to you.”

“Your Majesty! I will obey your command.”

In some ways, he was a suitable force for the king’s closest confidant. Gaarab, as the successor of Chahohan, also owned a ranch, so he had no problem operating that number of cavalry.

“Can I talk to you for a moment?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

As Jiwoo took a step to one side, Gaarab followed him.

There was no need for long conversations between friends.

“Don’t worry, I’ll take the kids and come back soon.”

“You must be tired, do you think you can do it?”

Gaarab glanced at his cavalry.

“What about tiredness? Where do they look tired?”

“Hoo hoo hoo.”

Today, his boasts seemed believable.

“How, should I kill them all? Or should I capture them alive? Should I kill the men and drag the rest away?”

“Do whatever you want.”

Gaarab stepped back, knelt on one knee and bowed.

“I’ll be back shortly.”

“They say there’s someone in the police force who’s good at tracking. Bring him.”

Gaarab, who got up from his seat, winked.

“My cavalrymen are all warriors and excellent hunters.”

“I see. But only the ladies should wink one eye. That’s an order.”

Jiwoo shivered and Gaarab laughed out loud.

“Hahaha. Where is Galmahun? Start tracking.”

“I will obey your orders.”

“depart.”

The five cavalry units set off first, and then the main force bypassed the hill where Jiwoo was located, and soon disappeared, raising a cloud of dust. Their appearance reminded me of the old iron tools of Nurhachi.

“Your Majesty, I have gathered the people.”

“Good work. Let’s go.”

About 100 residents gathered in the ruined village vacant lot. Some of the injured were seen lying under awnings.

As Jiwoo walked, the residents fell to the ground.

“The lowly ones come to see your Majesty.”

“Your Majesty······.”

“Everyone, stand up.”

Jiwoo looked into each and every one of the people’s eyes and comforted them.

“My heart aches for not being able to protect you. I was so busy defeating enemies from outside that I didn’t pay attention to what was inside my country.”

“Hehehe, Your Majesty.”

Those who lost their families wept bitterly.

“We will soon catch the criminal, so there is nothing I can say but to wait. The police should do their best to rescue the residents.”

“I will obey your command.”

Then he walked towards the injured. A young congressman was running around alone under the awning.

“Bring me more liquor.”

“Ugh.”

“Be patient. It’s better to be sick than to die.”

“Ugh.”

The doctor who disinfected the wound said to the person assisting with treatment.

“Just wrap it with a rag until a doctor who can suture it comes.”

“I’ll suture it. Give me a needle and thread.”

“Ah! Your Majesty.”

Soon the needle and silk thread that had been soaked in boiling water were ready.

“You’ve never done sutures before, have you?”

“I’m a medical student, and I stopped by my hometown of Usuri and came running when I heard there was an accident.”

Jiwoo skillfully threads a needle.

“That’s strange. What’s your name?”

“I am Ha-Jun Jang, a second-year student at Solbin Medical School.”

“Hold on tight.”

A crescent-shaped needle began to sew up the gaping wound.

“Just remember this. Slow and steady.”

“Slowly and accurately.”

Medical student Ha-Joon Chang recalled Ji-Woo’s teachings.

“Now apply pressure with a bandage and give me a new needle.”

Most of the injured suffered lacerations caused by sharp objects, and were treated with disinfection, suturing, and compression.

“You can judge and number them in order of urgency.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

After treating 25 patients, it was already evening. Jiwoo, who was exhausted, ate beef jerky to satisfy his hunger and went to bed. There were no deaths until the doctors arrived the next day.

And then another day passed and the Ghaarab cavalry returned.

Fifteen kidnapped women were returned to their families, and about 200 men, women, young and old knelt in a line in the village square.

Jiwoo’s verdict was firm.

“Kill all those with beards.”

About 50 people ran away from the scene.

The families of the sinners wept and the village square was filled with blood.

“The rest will be sentenced to ten years of hard labor.”

The dead cannot return, but the grudge has been avenged. The bereaved family members could comfort themselves by seeing the evil spirit’s head rolling on the ground.

“Hehehe. Thank you.”

“Long live His Majesty the King.”

The disaster that occurred in the village north of Hongkai Lake in 1606 was the beginning of a period of regular reconnaissance by the Ghaarab guards up to the Khingan Mountains.

‘The battle isn’t over. Stay alert, Go Jiwoo.’

Jiwoo’s gaze turned to the south where another battle was taking place.

* * *

As dawn began to break in the east, a group of troops climbed the mountain path.

Purr, purr.

A powerful Mongolian horse dragged a cannon with its hooves.

Rattle, creaky.

The mountain path was winding and steep, but fortunately it was wide enough for one cart to pass.

In the front walked bound prisoners and soldiers holding cannons. Behind them came a procession of cannons and soldiers.

The sight of thousands of troops and hundreds of cannons advancing looked like a writhing giant snake. In the middle of it all, an animal was riding its horse, its waist bowed.

“The scout party has returned.”

Following the adjutant’s report, a soldier camouflaged with grass covering his head and shoulders approached.

“There was a checkpoint 1 ri (400m) ahead. We are currently searching 2 ri ahead.”

“Keep up the good work.”

As the soldiers disappeared after saluting, the morning sun rose.

The bastard glanced at one of the soldiers whose hands were tied.

“Let this guy go.”

“Yes, sir.”

Soon the soldier’s bonds were released and he was set free.

“You said Mitami? Your information matches up.”

“Hi, please give me a chance and I will repay you.”

The beast burst into laughter after hearing the interpreter’s words.

“Indeed, it’s not loyalty, it’s a contract.”

From what I’ve experienced so far, the saying that ‘samurai serve their lords with their lives’ is complete nonsense. However, it is certain that they value contracts.

Mitami Kenta, who revealed himself as the 50-koku of Odacho, claimed that he was not the enemy, saying that he had lost his fief due to some circumstances and was trying to take refuge in Nima when he got caught up in the battle.

It was a long and tedious story, but what caught the attention of the sect was the information he had. Mitami, a native of Odacho, provided a lot of information, including the military situation.

“How far is the head? Is it still far?”

“After that hill, it’s a bit of a downhill and flat land.”

After a while, a watchtower standing tall on the hill came into view.

There was a corpse hanging at the top. As I got closer, I could see another corpse below. Judging from the trail of blood that continued from the road, it seemed like it had been dragged there after falling.

After a while, a scout approached and reported.

“There is a village with about 100 households 2 ri (800m) ahead, and 2 ri behind that there is a fence and a valley.”

“What are the enemy’s movements?”

“There was no special movement.”

It was strange that there was no response even after a day of staying following the bombardment of the port.

“You must have known about the commotion yesterday, but it’s strange.”

From the rapid maneuvers to the capture of the port, the gathering of information, and the march again, nothing can be perfect. Now all that remains is to push on with force.

“Is there any flat ground where I can fire cannons?”

“There is a harvested soybean field between the village and the fence.”

The open space in front of the defensive position was useful for securing the field of vision for the defenders, but it was even more useful for the attackers’ batteries.

“Good. The moment the road ends, we will spread out into battle formation. The scouts will assist in the deployment of the sniper platoon.”

“I will obey your orders.”

The adjutant turned and stepped back.

“Prepare for battle! Formation at the end of the road.”

“Keep calm. Everything is as you have trained before.”

We started marching at dawn and after covering 20 li (8 km), the noon sun was high above our heads. Considering that most of the route was mountainous, it was truly worthy of the name of mobile force.

“Shield guards, form a line!”

“Rifle Battalion, forward.”

Chuck, chuck, chuck, chuck.

The rifle battalion formed a line about one ri away from the fence. Then the artillery moved.

Hehehee, purr.

Rattle, creaky.

The process of the rifle battalion and artillery unit establishing positions may have seemed slow at first glance, but in reality it was swift and flowing.

The ox looked through a telescope and observed the enemy lines.

‘The narrow path between the ridges was blocked by a fence. It was not for defense, but more like a facility for internal control.’

It seemed like they were forcing people to do hard labor because it was such hard work.

“Is there a retreat behind there?”

“You can climb the mountain, but there is no way out.”

In response to Mitami’s answer, Chukseng gave an order to his adjutant.

“Okay. Let’s get started.”

“Yes, I understand. Artillery, fire!”

At that moment, Kenta Mitami approached me hesitantly and took a look.

“I have something to tell you······.”

“······?”

Kkukkung, piuuuu.

The first bullet flew out with a long crack.

By then there was movement even inside the fenced area.

“Block the door! Bring wood, rocks, anything you can.”

Koda Murakawa, the mine security guard, shouted loudly.

“Oozutsu (large-caliber rifle), is the Oozutsu available yet?”

“The muzzle is currently being cleaned.”

“Hey, what about the musketeers?”

“Not yet, ah! Here it comes.”

Whether it was because of the hot May sun or because it was just that way, men in training uniforms came running in, panting, holding guns in one hand and pouches of gunpowder in the other.

“Hey you guys, what about the belt with the gunpowder and bullets on it?”

“Huh, huh, let’s get ready to fire first.”

“Okay.”

Even though they were paid soldiers, they were a force made up of former retirees. Perhaps, they had done more than their share just by not running away from the enemy.

Following the 30 or so musketeers, about 30 men carrying large bows came running.

“Jump! Get a seat on the fence.”

“Put down your spear and pick up your shield. If you don’t have it, find it quickly!”

“Push a little harder.”

Squeak, rattle.

As the soldiers took up positions around the fence, those who arrived late arrived pulling a cart.

“I brought tatami (armor).”

“What about the coat (arm guard)? Is that all?”

“Just put on whatever you have. Another cart is coming.”

Although it was a bit of a mess, the 200 or so troops managed to form a defensive formation. In some ways, it was a move that was more than worth the pay.

“Okay. Is Oozutsu here yet?”

“Here it comes.”

From the warehouse, men carrying large-caliber rifles came running, groaning.

“Are we all here now?”

“Lord Mori’s troops are not visible.”

“what?”

Koda Murakawa, who had been hurriedly estimating the number of troops, became furious.

“Damn it, where are you going to hide in a place surrounded by mountains?”

“I heard that Mori’s forces were seen entering Tunnel 5 a little while ago.”

Tunnel No. 5 was the most recently dug tunnel, but mining had stopped due to a blockage caused by bedrock. The loyalty of the servants who served the ten-year-old boy who sat in the lord’s seat was truly tear-jerking.

But taking the troops was an overstepping of the line.

“Get rid of this traitor right now.”

“There’s no time for that. Get on the fence.”

“Okay.”

As Murakawa was trying to calm down, men carrying large-caliber rifles passed by.

“Gasp, gasp, gasp.”

Kkukkung.

At that moment, it seemed as if I had heard gunfire from afar. What followed was the deafening roar of a blast that pierced my ears.

Phew.

Boom, roll.

“what?”

“What is that?”

A black iron ball that fell 20 paces (10m) midway between the fence and Koda Murakawa caught everyone’s attention.

bang!

A deafening explosion occurred in an instant, followed by flying debris.

“Ugh.”

“Ugh······What is this.”

He grabbed the iron sliver stuck in the gap in his armor and pulled it out, and a stream of blood followed.

“Ugh, shit. Hey Sakada, are you okay?”

Murakawa shook the adjutant who was sitting on the floor. As his head, which had been shaking weakly, tilted back, the iron shard dug into his forehead was revealed.

“Oh my god, Sakada! Hey, Sakada!”

Murakawa was at a loss, as if he had momentarily forgotten his duty, at the death of his subordinate and friend who had been with him for over twenty years.

But circumstances did not wait for him.

Kook, kookugung. Kung, kung.

Peeweeee, peewee.

A rain of steel poured down upon his head.

End