It Became a Symbol of the Bronze Age - Chapter 297



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Episode 297. Sweet Black Horn Island (1)

It is said that a human subspecies called the ‘Minatomo Man’ lived in Ryukyu during the Paleolithic Age.

However, they did not leave any descendants. The island was small, and they even practiced cannibalism, so it would have been difficult for them to live long.

And in the Neolithic era, new settlers arrived on this empty island: Austronesians who arrived from Taiwan and South China via the Senkaku Islands.

Those who later crossed over to the archipelago and remained in Kyushu became Hayato and Kumaso, and those who crossed over to Honshu and mixed with North Asians from Sakhalin became Jomon. Later, they mixed with the immigrants and became the current Japanese, Yamato.

In this context… In the 21st century, China emphasizes the ethnic and linguistic connections between Ryukyu and China.

-In the past, most Okinawa residents came from Fujian, Zhejiang, and Taiwan Islands in mainland China, and their language and systems were the same as those in mainland China!

It’s like this.

Wow, doesn’t it look so familiar?

-Most of the residents of Balhae in the past were from the Jurchen people who founded the Qing Dynasty, and Balhae’s system was similar to that of mainland China!

… That’s right, it’s historical fairness.

Chinese historical engineering is not only carried out in Korea.

Japan is also subject to this process.

‘It’s because of the Senkaku Islands dispute.’

The Senkaku Islands, which are under Japan’s effective control, are geographically closer to Taiwan than to the Japanese mainland.

That’s why China and Taiwan want to get their hands on this and spread propaganda like this.

No, it’s more than that.

They are simply trying to incorporate Ryukyu itself into Chinese history.

Of course, this claim has been vehemently refuted by numerous scholars. It is not because the basis is wrong.

The idea that people from southern China entered Ryukyu and formed a prehistoric culture is an established theory that is difficult to refute.

The problem is… by 21st century standards, Taiwan and South China are by no means ‘Austronesian’ countries. You guys chased them all away, and now?

Even that one-eyed mustache said, “Austria is Germany because it’s the land where the Germanic people live!” He didn’t say anything like, “Germany is the land that the Germanic people obtained long ago after they drove out the Celts… But since the Celts lived there in the past, shouldn’t the UK and the US where the Celts live be our land?”

This is such an absurd thing that even Hitler would say, ‘Hmm, that’s a bit much?’ This is also similar to what our country is going through.

‘Since Manchuria is now Chinese territory, isn’t Goguryeo and Balhae, which existed in Manchuria in the past, also part of our history? The Manchurian people (Malgal at the time) had a large part in Balhae, right?’

Wow, if someone were to hear this, they would think that it was not China but the Korean Peninsula that destroyed Manchurian culture during the Xinhai Revolution and the Cultural Revolution. It’s ridiculous that they destroyed it and now they claim it’s theirs.

And Japan is also ridiculous.

While they are also worried about the Senkaku Islands issue, they continue to make a fuss about Dokdo.

Why do they do the same thing to our country when they know it sucks because they’ve been through it themselves?

Even during the Senkaku Islands dispute, Korea sided with Japan, supporting the term “Senkaku Islands” over the Chinese term “Diaoyu Islands.”

Huh? If we were to say, “Japan is currently in effective control of the islands, so Senkaku and Ryukyu are Japan’s,” shouldn’t you also acknowledge that Dokdo is under the effective control of the Republic of Korea?

… Phew.

I was a little excited.

Due to the nature of the history department, there is no choice but to serve as a drinking snack or to be a Chinese-Japanese history scholar.

“I can see the island! Everyone, move to your seats!”

Meanwhile, the ship was busy.

At the shout of the sergeant, people moved to their designated positions. Some went to the oars, some to the deck, and some climbed up to the makeshift watchtower on the deck and took up their bows.

In addition to Line 1 led by Geoguru, similar things happened in Line 2 led by Adallah and Line 3 led by Jingo. However, there were also things that happened only in Line 1.

“…Oh, man, I have to go get that.”

Five or six crew members from Ship No. 1 headed to the most secret space underneath the ship.

“We’ll be strong, right?”

“Isn’t it made of Asadal’s iron? Don’t worry.”

They took something out of the bottom of the boat. Through the covering, brightly shining eyes could be seen.

-Krrrr… .

And soon, a grumble of irritation and hunger that had been trapped for a long time, and anger at being woken up, came out.

-Keuhung! Keuhung!

-Coooo!

It soon turned into a huge roar. Six wild beasts captured from all over Seorabeolbu raised their voices and let out a loud roar at the ‘prey’ in front of them.

BAM-! BAM-!

The iron cage shook as if it would break, but it did not break. This is also the greatness of Asadal steel.

Only then did the soldiers relax somewhat.

“Ah, sir! Stop barking!”

“How do you do that?”

“…That makes sense too.”

“…Damn, they said track 2 was loaded with wooden ones, so why are we carrying real bears and tigers?”

“Hey, cover yourself properly. Those eyes are so scary, I can’t live….”

Despite their grumbling, the soldiers carefully moved the cages containing the bear and tiger using the pulley as they had been trained to do, keeping their steel bows firmly in their hands so that they could respond at any time if the cage broke.

But fortunately.

That didn’t happen until these beasts came on deck.

***

Ryukyu Islands.

A collection of islands in the Pacific Ring of Fire, the largest of which, Okinawa, is only two-thirds the size of Jeju Island.

Even Okinawa is not tightly packed like Jeju Island, but rather feels long and thin, so the population has not been that large since ancient times.

and.

The place Asadal is going now is also ‘Okinawa Island’. This is because of Asadal’s military characteristics.

“It’s better to start with the big ones and then eat the small ones.”

Do the big things first, then the small things.

This is Asadal’s military rule.

‘… It’s the same as if I made it.’

In fact, this was not a strategic concept from the beginning.

It was a tactical concept.

So, when the battle starts, you start with the strongest Black Horn, then the cavalry, then the shells, and finally the infantry… that’s what it felt like.

As someone who served in the 21st century military, this was something I had heard over and over again. First, shoot a claymore, then throw a grenade, then shoot a gun… that’s it.

So, this concept of ‘starting with the big one’, which started out as a ‘tactical concept’, at some point… developed into a strategic concept of ‘when we are strongest, we aim for the opponent’s heart first.’

This is a little satisfying.

It’s also a little bit because I’m the founder of grand strategy.

Because it provides the foundation necessary for that concept.

‘You have to be strong.’

Only a strong army can use this strategy. It is a grand strategy that requires the confidence that you can break the enemy’s heart in one go.

This is also something I am proud of.

It means that a nation that was once a tribal group has grown into a force that can use the strategy of strong self-confidence.

“Sir, I’m ready. Please say something.”

“okay.”

I looked at the masts. A Phoenician merchant ship had two masts, one forward and one amidships.

If you set sail with only one sail, the mast is likely to break. The first sail helps to share some of the shock.

And that’s not all.

‘… ropes.’

Between the two sails hang numerous ropes. They are strong ropes made from oiled rattan imported from the country of Wu.

This rope connects sails to sails to disperse the shock, and is also connected to the bow and stern of the ship to minimize the shock to the sails.

Originally a method that was developed in Egypt around 2,000 BC and did not exist in East Asia, this method of supporting sails using ropes was spread by the people of Sur who were imported this time.

This is how the Phoenician merchant ships were able to maintain their huge sails. I stood in the middle of the shadows of those ropes.

“What do you see in front of your eyes?”

“It’s Heukgaek Island!”

“What should I do?”

“It’s a battle!”

“Wrong.”

I shook my head.

“If a battle breaks out, it will be a failure. What I want… is to subjugate that island without a battle.”

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The soldiers understood what he meant, for they too had seen the great beasts.

“However, not everything ends with just beasts. You must make your expressions as fierce as possible. Look at the position of the sun, and make your weapons shine as brightly as possible. Look as intimidating as possible. This battle is not about swords and spears, but about crushing your opponents with intimidation. Do you understand?”

As soldiers, they are not bad. It is not good for them to kill people. It is not a matter of conscience or morality, but rather, if I can kill others, it means that others can kill me.

That is why, unlike in dramas, novels, and movies, warmongers are not common in history.

Of all the historical figures I know, the only one who could be called a ‘warmonger’ who loved war itself is… George Patton.

Hmm, surprisingly he is a modern person.

Anyway, these words are not bad for the soldiers either. This is not the Central Plains, and they don’t award merit based on the number of heads they have received, and there are no idiots who look down on soldiers for not receiving heads.

‘Because the supply and demand system was abolished a long time ago.’

Rather than eliminating it, I just didn’t create it.

We know all too well the evils of the ration system. There is no need to even mention the story of the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, when prisoners of war had no choice but to turn into rations because of the ration system.

Look at Joseon.

Isn’t there a famous anecdote about a warrior with the surname Won who went around doing all sorts of stupid things to get money, and a famous general with the surname Lee almost fainted from stress-related gastrointestinal disease?

That is why Asadal prioritizes rewards for achievement of strategic and tactical goals over supply and demand… For Asadal soldiers, it is not a bad thing to earn merit without swinging a sword even once.

The soldiers did not answer, “Understood!”

They answered as they were trained.

“Asadal!!!!!!!!”

“Asadal!!!!!!!!!!”

“Good! I like it!”

I raised the golden axe, the symbol of the commander.

“People of the future will say: The wise soldiers of Asadal! Without shedding a single blood! They succeeded in obtaining the richest shipping route! Today, we will write history!!!”

and.

I shouted.

“Asadaaaaah! Ouch!”

There was a bang.

Fortunately, however, the soldiers shouted at the right time, so it seemed they weren’t caught.

Oh my.

Almost got scammed?

***

By 21st century standards, it may seem like a small area even for an administrative district, but things were different at the time.

Three strong tribes and two weak tribes.

And here, dozens of clans that can’t even fit in are huddled together on an island two-thirds the size of Jeju Island, cooperating, fighting, or both.

By around the 12th century, they had become military leaders called ‘ajis’, but… they had not developed a political system to that extent, so they were still just chieftains or clan heads.

And they don’t call Okinawa Okinawa, of course. They just call it ‘the big island.’

By the standards of the Asadal people, it is a smaller island than Honshu or Kyushu, let alone Jeju Island… but by their standards, it is the largest island.

And the chiefs of that narrow large island gathered in one place in an instant. Using canoes, it was possible to gather all the chiefs in just one day.

There is one reason why we gathered here today.

“Hey, there are three huge ships coming!”

“Three times!”

Fortunately, all of these people were able to communicate.

If you think it’s natural to be able to communicate on an island… that’s a 21st century way of thinking.

Just looking at Kyushu, there are several languages ​​spoken due to the mix of people from the Korean Peninsula and Southern China… If you go all the way to Honshu, there are even people from Northern Eurasia, so the language literally changes every time you cross a river.

This unification occurred after the arrival of the Doryun people, who were an agricultural and cavalry force, and the Yamato power that grew based on the Doryun people expanded its influence into Japan.

Fortunately, however, Okinawa is not like that.

Because it is a small island and can be easily connected by canoe, language assimilation has occurred easily.

It’s easy for Asadal.

Because I can handle things at once.

“Our people have come!”

“Our people?”

Asadal first sent out a small boat with people. Some chieftains recognized them.

“You, you went missing 10 years ago… Are you alive?”

“Yes! I drifted to that distant island on the black current! However, it is a bit too early to say goodbye!”

A common characteristic of nomads and sailors, which distinguishes them from agricultural peoples, is that they are crazy about speed.

Because they are people working in a profession where they cannot survive if they are slow. Their language, their lifestyle, and their conversation style are all like that.

That’s why they just cut out the context and got to the main point.

“They are Asadal and they want you to surrender. If you surrender, we won’t kill you. If you don’t surrender, you’ll all die.”

“Are their soldiers that strong?”

“The soldiers are strong, but they will not die from being struck by spears or swords, but will die as prey in a very horrific way.”

The man spoke excitedly, and his speech became faster and faster.

“In their land live huge beasts called tigers and bears. Bears tear people apart and tigers bite people. You must surrender immediately. And that’s not all. They have weapons that breathe fire, and the beasts of Asadal also breathe fire. If you get hit, your stomach will be shattered. That’s what I came here to tell you. Surrender is the only way to survive. Surrender. Never surrender again!”

The tribal chiefs who heard that… .

It was ridiculous.

“You don’t seem to be in your right mind.”

“Yes.”

A ship that can carry 100 people at once?

A bow that can hit an enemy a hundred paces away?

A man-eating beast?

Just hearing this makes me speechless.

A fire-breathing weapon?

No, a fire-breathing beast?

To use an analogy to the 21st century.

It’s like a private who went missing 10 years ago suddenly running up to the Army Chief of Staff and telling him that a 150km long aircraft carrier powered by psionic technology is approaching and that he should surrender immediately.

“…The only thing I can trust is my boat.”

“The ship itself is big. It looks like it could hold 100 people. However, the speed is… too slow. It’s like a whale.”

“It’s a whale. If it’s a whale, I can hunt it.”

“I think so too.”

“No, we can’t. We have to surrender. If we fight, we have no chance of winning. We’ll all become whale food.”

Of course, it is unfair for a man.

What he said was the truth, without even an inch of falsehood.

However, it cannot be denied that this truth seemed excessively false.

The expression ‘whale food’ was like that from the beginning. Since there is no word like ‘tiger food’ on this island, whales had to be brought in to describe the beast that eats people. There is not even a word for it.

“That’s ridiculous. Get the ships ready right now. We’ll harpoon those slow ships. No matter how big they are, if the bottom is broken, what’s the use?”

“It’s the same even if you break through the floor. Their floor is a bulkhead structure called a watertight bulkhead, so even if you break through the floor, it won’t flood!”

“You’ve gone completely mad. What kind of ship can you find that doesn’t sink if you break the bottom? So keep your mouth shut. If you lower morale before the battle, I’ll have no choice but to kill you.”

like that.

Numerous tribes had dragged canoes ashore, filling the horizon. And by then.

“…I see a red line!”

In the distance, enemy ships began to appear.

Surprisingly, the enemies were singing.

Asadala could not understand, but the melody itself was good. The Ryukyu chieftains asked the drifter.

“What does that mean?”

“That’s a song spread by their leader, Poongbaek. The title is , and if we translate it….”

The man said.

“The day they see us, the enemy says, ‘We want too much.’ No, I only want one thing, a port. Sweet Black Horn Island!’”

“What?”

“Besides, there is a saying that if you hesitate for even a moment, the island will catch fire….”

At those words, the chief let out a sigh.

Unlike the calming melody, aren’t the lyrics quite scary?

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