1592 The Empire We All Dreamed of - Chapter 349



Only Noblemtl

Jiwoo and Gaarab left the central office.

“If you leave too, there really won’t be anyone left.”

“Hmm, I heard you and the prince are happy these days.”

Jiwoo made an embarrassed expression at Gaarab’s snort.

“That’s embarrassing, is that what the rumor said?”

“It’s a good thing that the royal family is in harmony, so don’t worry.”

“hmm······.”

Jiwoo frowned for a moment, then nodded.

“That’s how it is.”

chuck.

The sentry stood up straight with his feet together to salute. Then, the two men received the reins from the waiting guard and mounted their horses.

“Ugh, everyone’s been waiting. Let’s go.”

“The director will serve you, Your Majesty.”

Gaarab, who felt somehow excited, stepped forward and followed Jiwoo.

The 1st Cavalry Regiment was lined up in the harbor square.

On the outskirts of the square, people who had come out to do some light work and those who were taking a break before returning to work watched and chatted.

“What are those cavalrymen? They look very energetic.”

“Yeah, it looks like he’ll step on just about anything.”

The cavalrymen who dealt with those who had invaded the Honggaeho area two days ago still looked like they had not yet lost their fighting spirit, but the residents accepted them without much resistance.

“It’s the Ga-Arab Regiment. The number of people has increased significantly.”

“If you are Gaarab, then you are the successor of Chahohan?”

“He is also Your Majesty’s sworn brother.”

In addition to Solbin residents, there were also a considerable number of outsiders, such as sailors from anchored merchant ships. Reserve officers with good information stepped forward to answer people’s questions, and some interpretation was also provided.

“If he’s the king’s brother, is he a grand duke?”

“I see. It really is magnificent.”

As the crowd evaluated, the sight of horses and people lined up as one body was truly spectacular.

Warm, warm.

Jiwoo passed in front of the line with Gaarab.

“I have just appointed my brother as governor of the pioneer city.”

“oh.”

“Wow.”

The cavalrymen cheered as they once again confirmed their leader’s status.

As soon as Jiwoo raised his hand, the cheering stopped.

“The reason I am sending my brother off to Honggaeho today is to protect this land, Goryeo.”

“······.”

“The war is not over yet. My friend Wulanggeuk is in Beijing, Guksaeng is in Mukden, and Chuksaeng is in Honshu, dedicating himself to Goryeo. This is also a war.”

Warm, warm.

He rode his horse and glanced at the commanders standing at the front of the line.

“War is not just about killing enemies to survive. It is also about sacrificing one’s body to support one’s family and ensure the prosperity of one’s clan.”

Jiwoo’s voice grew louder.

“I am sending my brother to battle today, and I charge you: Protect my brother and guard the foreign lands!”

“I will follow Your Majesty’s orders.”

“Your Majesty’s command······.”

The commanders at the front of the line responded with a salute.

“Thank you, comrades. Let’s go together in the next war.”

“Wow, long live His Majesty the King.”

“Long live Goryeo.”

Jiwoo’s speech was simple and concise, and it touched people’s hearts. The square was filled with cheers, joined by the cavalry and the crowd.

Warm, warm.

As Jiwoo approached and held out his hand, Gaarab met it.

“I’m sorry for causing you trouble.”

“Don’t say such things to brothers.”

Gaarab approached the cavalrymen who had lined up, brushing past Jiwoo.

“Our lord has given us a glorious mission. Is the 1st Cavalry ready to carry out His Majesty’s will?”

“Ready!”

“Wow.”

As the shouting died down again, Gaarab gave the order to advance.

“We will pack up our reserve horses and go to Honggaeho. We will set up a temporary camp there in the territory of the old Juruga tribe.”

Hehehee.

Gaarab ordered, pulling on the reins and turning his horse’s head to the north.

“Let’s go!”

“Yes, one is leaving. Two are on standby.”

Gaarab’s gaze turned to Jiwoo.

“Chief Gaarab, I will do my best to carry out His Majesty’s will.”

Jiwoo nodded silently, and Gaarab brought his right hand to his chest, saluted, and then spurred his steps.

“Oh, haa.”

Doo doo doo doo.

Within 1,200 cavalrymen had disappeared into a cloud of dust.

The eyes of those left behind followed them.

* * *

As the moonlight was obscured by clouds, darkness fell upon the land.

Clank, clank.

At the entrance to the Iwami Silver Mine, fully armed soldiers walked at a brisk pace.

In the darkness, the whites of the soldiers’ eyes flashed and the blades of their well-maintained armor and weapons gleamed.

“It is as reported. There are no obstacles within about 2 ri (800 m) to the mine.”

“It appears that they have formed a line with their shields placed where the small fence used to be. They number about 500 or 600.”

Seiichi Oda, the lord of the Oda clan who turned 40 this year, nodded.

“The port guards and mine garrison are elite. I don’t think they were taken lightly.”

Even if the mine had been occupied, there would have been considerable damage.

‘War is about troops, battle is about momentum.’

Because of his humble status, he was unable to participate in the Bunroku campaign (the Imjin War) and it was to his advantage. During the chaotic times, he was able to avoid public attention, take over a small domain, and grow in power.

However, after Sekigahara, the shogunate banned territorial wars in Hideyori’s name. The opportunity to expand power seemed to have disappeared forever.

‘This is an opportunity to look good to the shogunate.’

If you do well, you might even be able to gain control of the silver mine.

“How long has it been since you fought in this battle? Earn merit. I will give you rice, gold, or whatever you want. When have I ever been stingy with rewards?”

Seiichi Oda continued his encouragement.

“They must be tired from fighting against the elite. Don’t miss this opportunity.”

“high.”

“The enemy is known to operate a large number of firearms. However, if we can strike in the darkness, we will win.”

Matchlock guns are not omnipotent.

There will be casualties from the blind bullets, but if you can withstand a single shot, you will be able to wipe out the bandits who are outnumbered and outgunned.

“All forces ready for battle.”

Soldiers marched through the empty village and across the fields, drawing their weapons one by one.

“Men of Oda. Take up your swords.”

“Let us punish the group that fearlessly occupied the mine!”

Soon there was a loud shout and the sound of footsteps.

“Wow, for His Highness the Shogun.”

“Charge!”

Soldiers with spears and swords galloped through the darkness. They formed a line of 100 men and charged skillfully. If it had been daytime, it would have looked like waves crashing down.

Meanwhile, the defense side was also clearly hearing that sound.

“I really can’t see it.”

The bastard who lowered the telescope caught a glimpse of the direction in which the moon would have been.

“It seems to be around 1 ri (400m). Let’s start.”

“Yes, all forces ready to fire. Fire the celebratory cannons.”

“Fire the cannon!”

After a while, a beam of light rose into the sky.

Peeweeee, peewee.

Pfft, punk.

As fireworks exploded in the sky, the world suddenly became bright. The beauty of it brought about a strange thrill.

“Wow, huh?”

“Hey, what is that?”

Thud, thud.

Firecrackers kept going off.

The soldiers who were running were bewildered by the fireworks they had never seen before. It was the frontline commanders who sensed the crisis behind the beautiful lights.

“Oh, oh …

“You’ve been exposed to the enemy. Run!”

There were no people here who took war lightly. Death was a fate for anyone who took a sword for money, so those who held their weapons tightly ran with shouts that seemed to burst their throats.

“Whoa, kill them all.”

The pressure from the enemy, numbering about 1,000, was tremendous, but the rifle battalion soldiers remained calm.

“firing.”

Chijijik.

As firecrackers exploded one after another, light and darkness intersected on the battlefield, and 600 shotguns also fired.

Lie, lie, lie, lie.

With 20 to 30 steel balls flying per shot, tens of thousands of bullets flew forward in a single salvo.

“Rush, rush in······ Ugh.”

“Ugh.”

The bullets pierced through not only the bamboo armor but also the iron armor of the commanders. Those who had bravely charged fell down here and there.

That wasn’t all. As the remaining wicks burned out in sequence, fire also burst out on the other side of the twin columns.

Lie, lie, lie, lie.

“Ugh.”

“Ugh.”

Those who were lucky enough to survive the onslaught fell.

The rifle battalion, having finished firing, put down their shotguns and each took up their secondary weapon, a bow or sword.

Piuuuu, papak.

But when another firecracker exploded, no one was left standing on the battlefield. Those who had managed to survive fell prostrate here and there. By then, the moon had cleared the clouds.

Only then did the tragedy become apparent to the people.

“What, what is this?”

Oda Seiichi muttered in disbelief.

“My soldiers, my elite soldiers that I have raised with great care.”

“My lord, my lord, you must escape quickly.”

“Where are you going? What are you going to do after losing all your soldiers?”

“We’ll summon the Ashigaru from the territory. We’ll close the gates and bide our time by holding out.”

The adjutant’s words were not continued.

A group of soldiers surrounded him and Oda Seiichi, their swords pointed at them.

“Oh, before I knew it.”

“······.”

The moon has completely cleared the clouds.

The beast carrying a load on his back stood proudly and looked down at the front yard.

“The scouts captured the enemy leader.”

“We captured 320 prisoners. This number excludes the seriously injured.”

“Eight horses and······.”

“What about the friendly damage?”

“No reports yet.”

Due to the nature of long-range combat, casualties were virtually non-existent, which directly affected the morale of the expeditionary force.

“Then I will finish organizing it.”

“There won’t be any other surprise attacks. Let’s finish this up and take a rest.”

“all right.”

Adjutant Choi Joong-yeop turned around and gathered the commanders.

“Captain, these are your orders. We are to transport the prisoners and enter the perimeter.”

“Where’s the body?”

“I’ll let those kids do it as soon as the sun rises.”

“That would be good. It would also serve as a warning.”

When the commanders who had been together since the training camp divided up the tasks among themselves, things progressed quickly.

“1st Platoon, join up with 1st Artillery Battalion and enter the perimeter.”

“2nd Platoon, transport the prisoners, strip them naked and throw them into tunnel number 5.”

“3rd Platoon······.”

“It’s about finishing the victory. Everyone, get your heads together.”

“Go forward. What? You don’t understand?”

Boom, boom.

“Ugh.”

Although they could not communicate verbally, they could communicate with their bodies. The prisoners staggered forward.

As the day gradually dawned, the whole place was bustling with the shouts of frontline commanders and the urging of soldiers leading prisoners.

The bastard sighed briefly and rubbed his heavy eyelids.

‘I took a breather. It took from two weeks to a month until Osaka responded.’

He turned his gaze to one side.

There, in the direction of the rising sun, was Osaka.

* * *

There was someone walking quickly along the corridor of Osaka Castle’s Tenshukaku.

The man stopped at the end of the hallway and caught his breath.

“Whew, Whew, it’s Urumine.”

Knock knock.

The one who appeared on the other side of the sliding door was the powerful Morias Matsui. Sitting at the head of the table was Toyotomi Hideyori, who looked to be a man of no more than 13 years old.

“Did you check? Is Oda’s report correct?”

“The garrison of Nima Port was annihilated and the Iwami mine was taken. The Oda clan lord led 1,000 troops to recapture it, but there has been no news for five days.”

“If there is no news, doesn’t that mean we don’t know the outcome yet?”

“The distance between Oda and the mine is 30 ri (12 km).”

“Okay.”

At that distance, it was safe to assume that the match was already decided.

“What else has been confirmed? What on earth are these guys?”

“They say that on that day, they heard thunder and the sound of beans roasting.”

“You used gunpowder weapons?”

Of course, those who defeated the port garrison and the mine garrison one after another couldn’t have been mere bandits. They might have received support from the Kanto people.

“The people of Nimahang say they heard a northern dialect.”

“North? You mean the Aomori guys?”

“It’s not like that’s the only thing to see, there are also people who say they’ve heard the Kyushu accent······.”

“It’s clear that he’s a pirate. Or that he instigated a pirate.”

“hmm.”

Matsui was moved by Toyotomi Hideyori’s silence.

“Please speak, my lord.”

“Rather than just waiting for rumors, shouldn’t we gather our troops first?”

“······.”

Matsui turned his head with his forehead on the floor and nodded to his confidant Urmine, who stood up with his back bent and stepped back. Then the sliding door closed.

“I dare say that war must be a last resort.”

“You are right. However, gathering troops and supplying supplies takes a lot of time, so we will have to do this at the same time as gathering rumors.”

“Ohhohoho. He is indeed my son.”

“Oh, Mother.”

Soon, the sliding door behind Hideyori opened.

There, Hideyori’s mother, Yodo-dono, was leaning against the wall.

“Meet Lord Yododono.”

“Call in the troops. What’s the problem?”

“Currently, Osaka has about 12,000 paid soldiers. If we remove them, Kanto will be exposed without any defenses.”

“Is it enough to block Kanto? Iwami Ginzan is a valuable source of funds for us.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Our soldiers are injured and the Iwami Silver Mine has been taken. It is good to be cautious, but we must show a firm stance now. Send a message to the lords.”

“I will obey your orders.”

Morias Matsui’s forehead was stuck to the floor and would not come off.

End