It Became a Symbol of the Bronze Age - Chapter 361



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Episode 361. The Unavoidable Battle (5)

Before the battle, each of the Asadal clans received a bronze axe from Hanho.

This means that each of them has the authority to continue the battle on their own.

For example, the units of Gaji and Oi belonging to the 3rd Corps of Asadal were like that.

“Hey, those guys. They’re weird…”

They were confused when they saw the enemy. They were suddenly confused as if something had happened.

Some tried to move to the side, while others still faced forward. This was because of the Western Guard.

“Back off, back off!”

The command of the Western Grand Master was transformed into the sound of a drum.

Perhaps this order was given to the elite soldiers who were pushed back due to the inspection.

However, unlike the flag, it is difficult to give multiple commands at once with a sound command. This is the difference between the North of the Central Plains and the flag of Asadal.

This was also the reason why the Western Grand Master was unable to properly control this ‘time difference battlefield’.

“Could this be…”

“It’s exactly what Elder Poongbaek said last night!”

Oi remembered the story of Poongbaek yesterday.

-The pikemen of my country are strong when they are united. When they move as one unit with one military discipline and one force and face one enemy, the pikemen are the strongest.

– In other words, if you fight with a time difference on the same battlefield, the pikemen won’t be able to use their full strength. That’s why they use a diagonal formation.

Perhaps now was the result.

The enemies were confused because their command structure had been disrupted all at once.

That’s right. In this era, battles were basically fought by giving orders all at once.

However, Asadal split the battlefield time through the diagonal formation. In some places, fighting was in progress, while in some places, fighting had not yet taken place.

In the midst of all this, when an order came from above, the soldiers of my country seemed confused because their chain of command was tangled. Even the enemy commanders were not sure whether to follow the order from the rear or advance as planned.

The confusion was obvious to all. The position of their spears was like that. The enemy waved their spears up and down wildly, and sometimes they got entangled with each other and broke at random, like a kite striking against another.

And for the long-sworded warrior, the spear is both a weapon and a defensive device. This means that the enemy’s defense is somewhat weakened.

“All troops, take advantage of the enemy’s confusion and throw your javelins!”

At that point, the chest leading the 3rd Corps also raised an axe made of gold and exercised independent command.

“What are you doing! Throw everything at those guys with their heads turned!”

Cucumbers and eggplants did the same.

The soldiers nearby used crossbows, javelins, and slingshots, while those in the rear used bows.

The slingers quickly spun the slingshot around, picked up the stones one by one, and moved to the rear.

Kwajik!

The opponent’s head was shattered when he was hit by a rock.

The slingshot was also a ‘stone-throwing’ weapon, but had a longer range and was more powerful than the slingshot.

In this way, the enemies were confused and beaten. A single pikeman is strong, and that is why they are trained to wake up from their sleep and follow military discipline.

Even if it was the right decision, it was the same. Kang So-baek often punished those who made ‘the right decision that went against the commander’s orders’ during training.

– Even if that judgment is right, if this trend spreads to all the lords, then Jangchangbyeong is meaningless! We must die together, and live together!

Their reasoning may have told them, ‘It is right to advance now, not retreat,’ but these men, who had become Pavlov’s pikemen through long training, could never disobey the military discipline that was being handed down.

Of course, this isn’t Kang So-baek’s fault.

Jangchangbyeong actually becomes the strongest when he does it like that.

Asadal simply exploited the weakness of the long spearman.

If you’ve built something, it usually means you know how to destroy it.

***

Meanwhile, the reserve force led by Han Ho and the tank force led by Kang So Baek were literally engaged in a ‘bloody war’.

So, Hanho was fighting well. Cavalry usually tramples infantry, but they rarely engage in bloody battles.

The reason this happened was simple.

Last time, Kang So-baek, who lost three of his godfathers during the Doha operation, attempted to fill the gap in the command structure.

He decided to put three obedient men in their place, and then, when the battle broke out, he would personally command the cavalry along with the chariots. This was the only way to command two armies at the same time.

However, Asadal, who saw this, attacked the tanks first, and the tanks went wild and the cavalry formation itself was disrupted.

To say that ‘Kang So-baek was stupid’ would be too harsh on him. This is how battlefield judgments are usually made. There are cases where a person loses due to a very stupid mistake, but most of the time, this is not the case.

Let’s look at the Battle of Myeongnyang, for example.

If you look at the result alone, it was a battle in which 13 ships defeated 144 ships.

In the past, there were many stories about Admiral Yi Sun-sin driving iron chains into the current of the Ulleung Straits, or that the enemy, relying only on their numerical superiority, broke through the current and were defeated. In this case, the Japanese army could be evaluated as being ‘stupid’.

But if you think about it, it’s a bit strange.

How could the Japanese army, a war machine that had experienced countless battles on land and on the sea during the Warring States period of over a hundred years, make such a major strategic mistake?

And the research results are also consistent with this.

Admiral Yi Sun-sin did not win because of the terrain. Rather, the ocean currents and winds were more advantageous to the Japanese army.

The numbers were greater and the terrain was better on the Japanese side.

There was absolutely no reason not to charge, so the Japanese army made the best choice at the time.

If you say there, ‘We have 10 times the capital, the current is on our side, the wind is on our side, but the enemy might fight well, so should we retreat?’, that is a fool’s errand.

So, this can only be explained by the fact that Admiral Yi Sun-sin simply fought better and won.

The current situation is the same.

What Kang So-baek did was not a ‘strategic mistake’ but closer to the ‘best judgment’.

However, when the phrase best judgment is used, it is usually in a bad situation.

It was exactly like that right now.

“Hey, tanks are flying! Tanks are running over our cavalry!”

“What about our armor?”

“The enemy’s crossbow pierced our armor…!”

No matter how much bronze they were armed with, Asadal’s crossbows could easily pierce them. In the first place, the most powerful reason cited for the elimination of the weapon called ‘chariot’ in the Central Plains was the development of the crossbow.

Kang So-baek shouted.

“Get away from the tank! Now!”

In order to preserve the cavalry force, Kang So-baek quickly separated the cavalry from the chariot corps. This meant that there was a vacuum in the command of the chariot corps.

A tank is all about command. Without a commander, the tank corps would roll around among themselves and fall over.

In that way, the 40 chariots of my country fell down without being able to throw even one arrow or javelin straight, becoming obstacles on the battlefield.

Thanks to that, Jiang So-baek was able to save the 1,200 cavalrymen themselves. He had to somehow achieve results with these 1,200 cavalrymen. That is why Jiang So-baek gave an order.

“Charge! Charge and wipe out the enemy’s crossbowmen!”

The decision was quick. They bypassed the wall made of steel shields and rushed into the slinger’s main camp. However, what the slingers were best at was.

“Fry!”

It was like running away after putting down the shield. Kang So-baek looked around. The tank may be gone, but the soldiers supporting the tank should still be there, right?

‘…crazy!’

Kang So-baek gritted his teeth as he looked at the group of soldiers in the distance. Their feet had stopped.

In the first place, the army that Kang So-baek organized as a tank support force was a volunteer army that had been haphazardly gathered by Im Chi’s godfather and servants. It was a unit from which it was difficult to expect morale and discipline.

And these people, seeing the tank explode, were out of their minds. In the Central Plains, a ‘tank’ is still a symbol of power. That must be how a private feels when he sees a tank explode in front of his eyes.

And that’s not all. In the meantime, chariots had overturned, and the horses that had lost their wagons were running wild. If I tried to pass through that, I would probably get trampled by horses’ hooves and end up a ragpicker.

If only the commanders were in good health, they would have encouraged them… But all of those commanders were riding tanks. So, they too are without commanders.

Kang So-baek decided to just give up on them. It was impossible to encourage them to advance now.

“All right, just take out the crossbowmen! Just take out the crossbowmen!”

Kang So-baek led his troops in this way, chasing the fleeing crossbowmen and stabbing them in the back with his spear. Gulp! One of the crossbowmen fell down dead.

And in the meantime.

Doo doo doo doo doo-!

Asadal’s knights, who had regained their momentum, rushed forward. Geonmu shouted.

“Are you okay?”

“It’s okay!”

“Give me the order!”

“Over there, there’s Kang So-baek! Somehow, separate Kang So-baek from the enemy camp!”

“Dulguljurak, you take care of it!”

“Okay!”

Deulguljurak led the light cavalry of Sanyong and pursued the cavalry of Kang So-baek. They were iron-clad cavalry, so if they fought directly, the light cavalry would most likely be defeated.

But they can shoot arrows from a distance and keep watch. They tried their best to get Kang So-baek out of the battlefield. And, in the meantime.

“Cut the enemy’s cavalry in half! Then their flank will be completely empty!”

***

Jiang So-baek gritted his teeth. In just one battle, he had lost his entire tank battalion to the enemy infantry. Furthermore, Jiang So-baek was now completely separated from his allies.

“We have to stick together somehow…”

Wedge!

At the moment he said that, an arrow flew and passed by Kang So-baek’s cheek. In the distance, Deulgul Ju-rak and Mu-jong Oh-yu were aiming their bows.

“You bastard! Don’t even think about surpassing us!”

Ironically, it was only at this point that Kang So-baek was able to see his surroundings. At least if our main force had penetrated the enemy’s main force…

‘…what?’

Kang So-baek doubted his eyes for a moment. The main force of the friendly forces was being pushed back.

‘Master Seogwak, this guy… is he eating up my army!’

Kang So-baek thought so.

Even so, the problems didn’t end there.

“The wires… are rotating?”

As the right side of my country’s troops were pushed back, they gradually turned around. The right side was pushed back, and the left side was advancing forward. What if the battle continued like this?

The positions of friendly and enemy forces are swapped.

And this is coming soon.

‘…Surrounded? By a small number of enemies?’

The minority will surround the majority.

“What kind of nonsense is this…”

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Kang So-baek was bewildered by the sight of the battlefield. And this time, he looked at the 10,000 mercenaries.

“Kill him!”

The Gaema warriors led by Geonmu were wielding moon swords and defeating the confused volunteer army. It was not difficult for 3,000 cavalrymen to defeat 10,000 enemies.

With the chariots annihilated and the cavalry being held back by the enemy archers, there wasn’t much the infantry could do. While the infantry were holding on, the tanks that they were supposed to attack from behind and wipe out were already rolling on the ground, and the cavalry they were leading were being chased away by the archers and separated.

To turn this situation around.

There is only one way.

Kang So-baek gritted his teeth and grabbed the spear.

“Everyone, prepare to die.”

“If you are prepared to die…?”

“There, there’s Hanho. We all become one spear and pierce that bastard’s balls.”

Kill the enemy leader and turn the tide.

That was all I could think about.

***

The Golden Cavalry of my country rallied in battle formation amidst a hail of arrows. They raised their spears, tightened their helmet straps, and gritted their teeth.

and.

“Shoot—!”

It was shot like an arrow, like a javelin.

The snail moved nimbly.

“Turn around and aim for the enemy’s flank!”

Heavy cavalry is usually strong against light cavalry.

However, this is a story about ‘when heavy cavalry hidden among infantry charges straight at light cavalry that changes direction’.

Conversely, if the heavy cavalry had started to move first, the light cavalry could easily overtake the heavy cavalry. That’s what Deulguljurak did.

“Split the soldiers, let the enemy pass and shoot arrows in the flanks and backs!”

In this way, they bypassed the enemy. The light cavalry put down their arrows and hurled their javelins at the enemy. Arrows could not do much damage to heavy cavalry, but javelins could do enough damage.

“Keuhehehe!”

The golden cavalry of my country were struck by javelins and fell off their horses. Each light cavalryman usually carried two or three javelins, so each of them killed two or three people.

A thousand became a thousand, and a thousand became six hundred. But even so, they did not stop charging. Their goal was one.

“Aiming straight for the enemy leader!!!!!!!”

Kang So-baek shouted and headed toward Han-ho. The old man with the white beard. It wasn’t hard to find him. There weren’t many people with wrinkles like that on this battlefield.

“Nanga.”

And Hanho noticed the movement.

However, the enemy misjudged.

‘Asadal doesn’t need me.’

If the enemy cavalry were to attack right now, the damage to our forces would be quite enormous. However, if I were the only one to die… it would be meaningless. Every family has its own sharp axe.

“Put the flag down.”

Hanho snatched the flag from the rider standing next to him. Then, holding the flag, he rode his horse proudly and left the front line.

“Great Modal! Where are you going!”

“…to win.”

After saying that, Hanho rode his horse towards a place far away from the 2nd Corps, waving the flag.

Then, he shouted loudly.

“Kang So-baek, you little punk—! Do you want the neck of this body? Here it is! Come and take it!”

***

I saw Hanho over there in the distance.

He broke away from the formation, shouting loudly and carrying the flag.

At the same time, the cavalry led by Kang So-baek turned their horses towards Han-ho.

“You’re crazy, Brother Hanho!”

I shouted even though I knew no one would hear me.

But was it just a coincidence?

Hanho’s head turned towards me.

And then, in the chaotic battlefield, our eyes met.

It’s far away. I can’t see the expression.

I’m old too.

But still, I thought I knew that expression.

I shouted even though I knew no one would hear me.

“Don’t go! Please! Come back!”

In the distance, the pointed helmet, the symbol of Asadal, could be seen shaking from side to side. It was shaking its head.

“….!”

And after saying something, he turned his head, got down from his horse, and took up his bow.

***

Hanho aimed his bow this way.

And Kang So-baek targeted Hanho, not Asadal’s main force, through cavalry.

Is this really a ‘strategy’?

Or maybe it’s ‘revenge’.

If not, he himself did not know whether it was a ‘struggle’ to leave a plausible mark on history.

and.

“Great Modal!!!!!!! Save Great Modal!!!!!”

From a distance, they could see Asadal’s cavalry charging through their mercenary force.

‘Ha, it’s really over.’

The flanking soldiers have been annihilated, leaving the pikemen’s flank exposed. If they are stabbed there, the pikemen will be annihilated in an instant.

‘There’s no need to even mention others.’

Behind are the Asadal light cavalry, and in front are the horse riders.

For him too, it was obvious that this was the end.

But if it’s going to end, then so be it.

At least he should leave a line saying that he defeated the enemy general. Wouldn’t that be a fitting end for a person with the title of Emperor?

Doo doo doo doo doo doo-!

Kang So-baek rushed towards Han-ho.

Hanho got off his horse, looked at the sight, threw down the flag, and took out an arrow from his bosom.

Hanho also seemed to think the same way.

The two men laughed as they faced death.

‘we are…’

***

‘…will be recorded forever in history.’

Thinking so, Hanho took aim at the approaching Kang So-baek with his trembling hands and fired an arrow.

…I can’t see very well. Is it because of the dust?

Or is it because of age?

But, it’s okay. Even if you can’t see with your eyes, your hands and head remember. Besides, Kang So-baek’s appearance is different from the surrounding Golden Knights.

‘Iron armor… That’s the one that Poongbaek gave me.’

The iron armor that Poongbaek had given to Kang Sobaek 20 years ago. He was still wearing that armor while fighting Asadal. Hanho aimed at the armor and drew his arrow with gloomy eyes.

He has never been lazy in shooting thirty arrows a day.

‘The most recent one… was like.’

Sixteen out of thirty shots were hits.

‘Then roughly… the odds are 50/50.’

Hanho muttered and pulled the trigger.

My muscles rang with a “zing.” Maybe it was because I was getting older, but my black-horned bow wasn’t pulling as well as it used to.

Others called him a monster who was over 70 years old and shot a black-horned bow… but at least Hanho knew that his body was not what it used to be.

That is why he prays.

‘Oh my heavens.’

It’s funny.

Looking for the sky in the midst of all this.

‘If you were to pick the person with the least faith in Asadal after Poongbaek, it would probably be me.’

No, it’s not.

The ‘heaven’ that the Cheonsin tribe originally believed in and the ‘heaven’ that he spoke of were different. The heaven that the Cheonsin tribe believed in was something that was beyond the reach of human hands.

But now, the heaven he speaks of… is the countless companions who are watching over him from beyond that Shindansu tree. Elder Hooch, the god of farming, Yongma, the god of stories, Park Jae, the god of the sea, Hoju, the god of law, the one-eyed god of war, Jungsu… Countless names pass through his mind.

Indeed, does something called Shindansu really exist?

Will they welcome me?

‘I really wish there was.’

Then, you can proudly say, “Of all of you, I lived the best life.”

Thinking so, Hanho took a deep breath.

Strength entered the hand that was clenched.

If you think about it, this was also something that Poongbaek told you.

Did he hear the last thing I said…?

Lastly, with that thought.

Hanho is about to shoot an arrow at the approaching Kang So-baek.

“—-!”

The voice of Poongbaek, which should not have been heard from far away, was heard.

At the same time, Hanho put down his bow.

Paaaaang-!

Hanho bowed forward with a powerful bow.

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