Joseon Military Officer, Establishing Balhae - Chapter 323



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Episode 323

Negotiation (2)

The 3rd Corps Commander, Lieutenant General Kang Dae-gu, and the 4th Corps Commander, Major General Lee Wi, were riding side by side through Sungshinbang, located outside Dongdaemun Gate in Hanseongbu – the area around Anam-dong and Shinsol-dong in the future Seoul.

“The Northern Corps seem to be flying around, but our Southern Corps is a bit… not so good. I heard they all achieved great feats. They won every battle and killed many enemy generals. Needless to say, they gained more territory.”

Kang Dae-gu felt embarrassed about his major, which he had established so blandly.

The cavalry first occupied Hanyang, and then the units that were on the move in the north also entered, bringing Joseon’s Hanyang into the arms of Balhae. His 3rd Corps performed brilliantly, but he was ashamed because it was something he had gained for free.

“I can’t believe that I have obtained the capital city of Hanyang. When I first raised an army in Gyeongheung with King Giha, I thought that it would be fortunate if I could just defeat the Japanese army and properly defend my territory.”

Yiwi’s eyes became hazy. He, too, was filled with emotion as he recalled the past events. He was not a military officer, but a general who had been a soldier in Gyeongheung. He had been through many battles, and had achieved great and small feats, and before he knew it, he had become a division commander. Although his position was not high at the beginning, he was one of the proud founding fathers who had been with Taegeon from the beginning.

“I was like that too. Who would have thought that we would enter Hanyang without bloodshed? I expected that we would face tremendous resistance. I really didn’t know that things would work out this easily. Now I realize why King Giha told us to wait until the time was ripe.”

The group of Joseon rebels who had been moving south from the northern part of Gyeonggi Province were annihilated as expected. Only the executives went to find the group of Neungyang-gun who had fled south, and most of the soldiers returned home. And those who had admired Balhae surrendered to the Balhae army that had been pursuing them from the north.

“But the 24th Division was pushing forward really well.”

“I heard that they occupied Samcheok, Gangwon-do.”

“No. I just got a new report. They’ve already gone all the way to Uljin-hyeon, Gangwon-do.”

The current Uljin County was part of Gangwon Province. The future Uljin County was divided into the current Uljin County and Pyeonghae County.

“Haha! You’re really going strong.”

“It can’t be helped. We don’t have any troops to stop the Balhae army, and since the people are very supportive, we can just move along the coastline and as much land as we want will become ours. Furthermore, we don’t have to worry about supply routes along the east coast. Since there are so many ports, we can just transport them by ship.”

Originally, the southernmost port in Balhae territory was Goseongpo in Goseong. However, now they could use quite good ports such as Daepohang in Yangyang, Samcheokpo, and Uljinpo.

The people of the East Coast region had a more favorable view of Balhae than those of other regions. Because they were isolated by the Baekdudaegan Mountains, they were more influenced by Balhae than by the Joseon Dynasty.

“Then, are you going to occupy Dongnae-bu and Busanpo as well?”

“That’s right. I heard that the people of Ulsan and Dongrae also wish to be incorporated into Balhae. It’s because we helped them a lot by participating in the last Imjin War. Furthermore, I heard that since it’s close to Tsushima Island, a lot of Balhae goods are smuggled in.”

“I’ve heard that story a lot too. You said that Joseon merchants would come to Choryang by boat and buy a lot of goods?”

Kang Dae-gu said with a pitiful expression, while being glad that he had just had a good talk.

“Even though the sea route through the Strait of Joseon is very dangerous, they are so eager to cross it that they risk their lives. They are causing our navy a lot of trouble. We take turns going out to look after them in case they get shipwrecked, and even though they have worked so hard, we cannot punish them for smuggling, so we just turn a blind eye to them.”

“Hahaha! Well done. I think I would have done the same thing if I were a naval commander.”

“Just to see these people, we need to expand our territory to Dongrae-bu this time. In order to keep pace with the 24th Division’s advance, I plan to send one of the divisions belonging to our corps gathered here in Hanseong-bu to Wonju.”

“Then please send our 4th Division.”

“I wonder?”

“Haha! Thank you, Commander.”

“Then, we will pass through Wonju, occupy Jecheon and Chungju, and head towards Mungyeong Pass.”

“Yes, that’s right. I guess they plan to start by putting pressure on the Yeongnam region.”

“That’s right. Okay?”

When he heard people shouting from afar, Kang Dae-gu turned his gaze forward.

“Hahaha! The people are out on the street.”

“I know.”

As we got closer to the crowd, their voices began to be heard clearly.

“Long live the Balhae army! Long live!”

“Long live King Taewang of Balhae! Long live!”

The people heard from the Balhae army that had entered Hanseong that the unit led by Kang Daegu was the main force and came out to welcome them. They already knew that Balhae was the country that had declared itself the emperor.

“Did the units that entered first send them?”

“Haha! Look at their expressions. Are they forced to come here?”

“Oh, I see.”

Kang Dae-gu and Lee Wi smiled awkwardly and raised their hands. Then the people’s cheers grew louder.

* * *

In fact, not all the crowds that came out to greet the Balhae army came out to welcome the Balhae army. Some came out because they felt the need to look good to the occupying forces, and some came out to satisfy their curiosity. Of course, there were quite a few who came out of pure desire to welcome the Balhae army because they were fascinated by the Balhae culture.

“Wow! The Balhae army is definitely different.”

“Hasn’t it already been nearly 20 years since King Taewang of Balhae left for the north? It’s been quite a while since the country was founded. So the clothing and customs are bound to be a little different from our Joseon.”

“That’s right. The military uniforms are very simple. It’s hard to see them as armor. But there really are a lot of people with guns.”

“I heard that the Balhae army was originally famous for using a lot of gunpowder weapons. That’s why they were strong.”

These two middle-aged men chatting away were working at Hanyang City Hall, and if I had to categorize them, they were the type who came out of sheer curiosity.

“But they all have such large bones. Is it because their bloodline is a little different from ours? They say that even barbarians are part of Balhae.”

“Oh my! You can’t call me barbarian anymore. You should call me Donghae people.”

“How did you know that?”

“I read it in the Balhae newspaper. But there aren’t that many of them. The majority are people like us who came over from Joseon.”

“But you still have such a good physique?”

“It’s because you ate well.”

“I see. I heard there’s a lot of grain left over there.”

“That must be true. Didn’t you say that most of the land that could be cultivated has yet to find owners? And the soil is so fertile that you don’t even need to fertilize it; just spread it and weed it well and the crops will grow well.”

“If that’s true, then those people must be living in a different world. How many of our Joseon people have starved to death?”

During this period, the climate of Northeast Asia was not very good, so famines frequently occurred in Joseon. However, thanks to relief crops, Joseon did not suffer as much damage as it did in real history. However, it could not completely escape the shackles of famine. On the other hand, Balhae had vast granary areas in the south and north, but it was relatively small in population, so it always had a surplus of food. In addition, since livestock farming and fishing were also active, there was no shortage of food.

“People really like it. Now they have to live as Balhae citizens, not Joseon citizens. I guess they don’t feel anxious even though their fate has completely changed.”

“There is no reason to be anxious. Who do you think suffered the most in the regions Balhae occupied?”

“Yes, he is a nobleman.”

“That’s right. Since we don’t recognize the slave system, we must release them unconditionally.”

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“I heard that instead, they will recognize the property as is?”

Although he was not as knowledgeable as the man who secretly obtained and read the Balhae newspaper, he had also heard many rumors here and there.

“That’s right.”

“Then, apart from the nobles and slaves, there will be no difference for people like us?”

“No. It’ll be a lot different. Especially taxes and military service.”

“how?”

“I heard that you only have to pay 10% of your produce as taxes. You only have to serve in the military for 3 years.”

“If I pay 10%, it’s over?”

Because Joseon suffered from such heavy taxes, Joseon people would praise Balhae when they heard about the 10% tax and 3 years of military service. So the man on the other side quickly understood why the Balhae people lived in abundance.

“I guess that’s why everyone likes it so much.”

“They’re going to Heunginmun. Should we follow them?”

The two men stopped talking and followed the Balhae army procession.

* * *

The long-awaited call came. Hong Taiji smiled brightly and headed straight to Taegeon’s tent. There was a large operational map there, and the current location of the Balhae army was marked. Taegeon was standing in front of it, drawing lines on the map with his own hands.

“Giha! The prince of the Golden Kingdom has arrived.”

When the secretary of the Taewangbu reported this, Taegeon turned his head and looked at Hong Taiji.

“Come in.”

Hong Taiji greeted Taegeon respectfully.

“I heard you called.”

“I called you. You are very persistent. You did not turn back and followed our Balhae army.”

“It is thanks to His Majesty the King’s consideration.”

“Haha!”

Taegeon just laughed.

Hong Taiji turned his head slowly and looked at the map.

“How much do you know about the current situation?”

“I heard that the Balhae army occupied Liaodong Castle.”

“They say messengers from Golminala keep coming and going.”

“Yes, it is because His Majesty the King did not intervene.”

“What is there to be gained by cracking down on them?”

Hong Taiji smiled faintly. Judging from Tai Jian’s attitude, he felt that his hostility toward the Later Jin was not that great.

“They also occupied Joseon’s Hanseongbu.”

“Then Joseon too.”

Taegeon nodded.

“Balhae’s power is truly terrifying.”

“Do you know that Golminala is under siege?”

“yes?”

“It’s almost like we’re surrounded. Our forces moving from the north are moving so quickly.”

Hong Taiji was still unaware of this fact.

“We’ve blocked the western route. What about the south?”

“Ah, the Balhae army that occupied Yoyang Castle must be moving north.”

“We should have taken over Gaewon by now. We’ve passed the Wiwon Bridge and arrived at the Guha River basin.”

It was a tributary of the Yeoha River.

“Oh… the south is blocked too.”

“That’s right. But I heard that the Khan of the Golden Kingdom has not left Golminala yet.”

Hong Taiji understood to some extent why Nurhachi made that decision.

“It must be because of the people.”

“Or maybe you want something from me.”

“Whew! Honestly, yes.”

“Can you put it all down now?”

“I can’t make that decision on my own, but I’m sure your Majesty would want it that way in these circumstances.”

“Haha! Then shall we start talking for real? First of all, I gave Geumguk a gift.”

“yes?”

“I have instructed you to just surround Golminala and hold off on attacking. If our army starts attacking, the damage will be too great.”

“Oh, thank you.”

Hong Taiji was sincerely grateful.

“As you know, we fight mainly with firearms. There is no need for soldiers to go through the trouble of climbing over the castle and fighting. We just have to rain down powerful firearms until the enemy can no longer endure and surrenders. Then, when they open the castle gate and rush out, our riflemen and archers will deal with them.”

Hong Taiji had already experienced the power of the Balhae riflemen, so he felt goosebumps when he heard Taegeon’s explanation.

“Why such a gift…….”

“So as not to destroy gold.”

“ah…….”

When Hong Taiji heard Taegeon’s true feelings, he finally let out a sigh of relief. He even shed tears. If Golminala had been surrounded, it would have been as good as the end of the Later Jin. But now a ray of light had appeared.

“If we must fight, it must be against Ming. Why did you become enemies of us, Balhae?”

Hong Taiji was speechless at Taegeon’s stern reprimand and lowered his head.

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