Joseon Military Officer, Establishing Balhae - Chapter 346



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Episode 346

Return (2)

The flagships of the 21st Squadron of the 2nd Fleet, the Bukcheong and the Aoji-class Pungsan entered the Saharan Strait again and headed toward Cape Crillon.

It was late autumn, and the wind in the Saharan Strait was already very cold. The Bukcheong was a ship that required many sailors to operate, so there were quite a few crew members on the upper deck, and they all felt the cold to the point of buttoning up their coat collars.

Meanwhile, a big change had come to the crew members’ hairstyles. They all had short hair, cut into topknots. The same was true for the 21st Squadron Commander Hamgyul.

“What do you think? It looks great with the topknot cut?”

Hamgyul asked the new captain of the Bukcheong ship, Jin Su-hwan.

“I honestly love it. Isn’t it refreshing?”

“That’s right. It’s the result that quite a few people wanted, so I think it’s a good thing.”

The order to cut hair in the Navy was not a unilateral order from above, but was something that was done voluntarily. For Navy crew members who had not washed properly for a long time and lived on ships in the ocean, the existing hairstyle was very uncomfortable. So some people started to cut their hair short because their hair was too messy due to the topknots and braids, and naturally this became a problem in the barracks where uniformity was valued. Then, many people petitioned to have it established as a military order, and the order to cut hair was issued.

“I heard there’s someone in the Marine Corps who wants to be one too? They often spend a long time on ships. Plus, the guys who work in the hot south must be having a really hard time.”

“It really seems like people’s way of thinking is changing so quickly. It seems like only yesterday that parents were not allowed to touch their own bodies because they were called “body-shaming parents,” but in that time, values ​​have changed so much.”

“That shows how open-minded the Balhae people are. We value practicality more, don’t we? That’s how it is since the beginning.”

“That’s right. I wonder if the Army will come out and say it will cut short its hair.”

“I think so. I think you want to spend at least the rest of your military service like that.”

Hamgyul looked back at the map of Haedo and Saharan. He tilted his head and looked at the two maps alternately.

“Is there anything that concerns you?”

“My memory is hazy. I once circled the southern half of Saharan to make the first map, but I’m not sure if I’ll be able to find a good place for the third settlement this time.”

The ship was sailing on a mission to develop the third settlement on Saharan Island, which had been ordered by the Navy. So, the Bukcheong and Pungsan ships also had Marines on board.

The Half Moon Bay is a large bay located in the southern part of Sakhalin Island, and was the future Aniva Bay. The bay was named Half Moon Bay because its shape resembled a half moon, which was of course a new name given by Taegeon, who remembered the shape of the future Sakhalin Island.

“But the shape of the coastline isn’t that complicated.”

“It may look like that on the map, but it’s not like that up close. So we have no choice but to rely on the compass and sextant.”

As soon as the Cape of Heaven came into view, Hamgyeol immediately ordered a change of course. They had now entered the waters of Banwol Bay.

“Change course to 015 degrees. And maintain this course as much as possible. There is no terrain that could be an obstacle in the way, so you can proceed straight ahead.”

“Yes, Captain.”

Now, the Bukcheong and Pungsan ships sailed north-northeast, cutting across the sea in half-moon shapes. After a few hours, land finally appeared.

“Let’s take a look around first. If it matches the map, we’re on the right track.”

“yes.”

The terrain they were looking for was at the top of a terrain that appeared to be bent at a 90 degree angle.

“This seems right.”

“I see. This is definitely a place where a port could be built. That’s exactly what I thought when I first came here.”

The reason this place was chosen as the third settlement was because of the harbor terrain. There weren’t many places on the southern coast of Saharan where a good harbor could be built. So this place was to serve as the gateway port for southern Saharan.

“I see. But the coastline here is also hilly, so it doesn’t seem that different from the settlements in the west. Hmm, I think it’s a bit gentle.”

“It’s much better than Jangjin or Marijin in the west. Even if it’s not, we must take this place. Otherwise, we won’t be able to advance to the central part of this island. So we should establish a naval base and port here as soon as possible.”

“Yes, I understand.”

The place where they dropped anchor was the future Russian city of Korsakov, the second largest city on Sakhalin Island. Of course, now there were only a few Ainu settlements here and there.

“We should land first, make a temporary base, and then explore the north. Well, that’s the Marines’ responsibility, but let’s go along the coastline a little.”

“Yes, I will do that.”

“I think the name of this place was Pyeongsanpo?”

“Yes, we decided to name this place Pyeongsanpo.”

“It suits the terrain perfectly. The gentle, flat shape of the hills.”

Their landing led to the birth of Pyeongsanpo, the third settlement in Sakharan. If you continue north along the coastline, you will come across Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, a large city with a population of 300,000, the center of the future Russian Sakhalin.

Knowing this fact, Taegeon also planned to make that place the center of Saharan. It was a land with a wide plain and many uses. It was possible to farm, but considering the climate conditions, it was a place where people who were good at livestock farming and those who would later develop resources could be attracted, and it was a place where it could sufficiently grow into a city.

* * *

As the train carrying Taegeon and the King of Joseon entered Dongmun Station, the people who came out to greet them erupted in cheers.

“Wow! Is that an iron horse?”

“Who said it was a train?”

“It’s a train. And I heard that the thing at the front spewing smoke is a steam locomotive.”

He was someone who had been consistently going to construction sites, asking questions and gaining knowledge, and he pretended to know everything.

“Oh my gosh, what a wonderfully shaped eating utensil.”

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“They say that if you use that, you can travel a thousand miles in a day?”

“Hey, that’s nonsense. How can I travel a thousand miles without talent?”

“It’s true. They say it goes over a thousand miles.”

It was not wrong to say that a distance of 1,000 li, or about 400 roses, could be covered in half a day at a speed of 45 roses per hour. However, due to the limitations of a single-track railway line, it was inevitable that stops would be made repeatedly, which would inevitably take longer.

“Is that true?”

Ryu Mong-in, who was eavesdropping on the residents’ conversation, asked Lee I-cheom.

“That’s true. Even I, who had ridden that train, couldn’t believe it. When I got there, I could only laugh in vain.”

“Haha! Those ignorant people know much more than I do.”

Ryu Mong-in burst into laughter as he realized his own situation of being ignorant of new civilization.

Soon, the Balhae troops got off the train ahead of the VIPs. They came out to the open space in front of the station, secured a wide space in front of the pre-made platform, and began to take up a guard formation. In addition, the guards and attendants came out and quickly arranged the chairs on the platform. Their movements were so fast that in less than 30 minutes, a magnificent event hall was created.

Soon, the military band that was on the same train entered the venue, took its place on the left side of the stage, and soon began playing Balhae’s national event music.

“The instrument is truly unique. I am familiar with some instruments, but this is the first time I have seen one like it.”

Ryu Mong-in pointed to Western instruments such as the trumpet, violin, and lute and asked Lee I-cheom.

“I heard that it is a Western instrument, or rather, a Namman. It is said to be a country that takes more than a year and a half to reach by sea. I heard that their culture was brought in through the Namhaebu and that Balhae utilized it. How does it sound?”

“It has a soft yet lively feel. It also goes well with our instruments.”

Not only them, but the people also watched the music performance out of nowhere, completely lost in their laughter. Not only the train, but also this kind of performance was a sight they had never seen before, so much so that even the murmurs died down.

But then suddenly the music stopped, and the secretary of the Balhae Taewangbu went up to the stage and shouted loudly.

“Balhae’s King Giha and Empress have come to visit! Everyone, please pay your respects.”

As soon as he finished speaking, another song started playing.

“Oh! Is that the King?”

Ryu Mong-in asked in surprise.

Taegeon appeared in the square in front of the station with Hong Eun, wearing a ceremonial dress similar to a modified hanbok with elaborate decorations. Lee Ha-ryun and the King of Joseon followed Taegeon and his wife side by side. It was obvious to anyone that Lee Ha-ryun and the King of Joseon were of equal rank.

“Yes. Do you still look young?”

“Didn’t you say he was in his late 40s? Hehe! He looks to me like he’s in his 30s. He definitely has the face of an emperor.”

The people surrounding the venue bowed deeply to Taegeon in amazement. Some even prostrated themselves on the ground in accordance with the old customs of Joseon. However, surprisingly, the merchants from Balhae bowed their heads respectfully and soon began to cheer. Some even shouted “Manse!” It was a habit they had developed in Seoul.

“Wow! Welcome, Kiha!”

“Hahaha! Your Majesty is here!”

Some people were jumping up and down, demanding attention.

“Long live King Taewang Giha!”

“Viva!”

Ryu Mong-in tilted his head at this scene. In the past, the people of Joseon would politely bow to the Taewang, who was not even a king but was on par with the emperor, but the Balhae people who came from the north showed such a lively reaction, which was very surprising.

“Haha! As expected, Balhae is very different from Joseon.”

“That’s right. Their example may seem presumptuous, but their cheers are sincere, so they don’t seem so bad.”

Even as he said this, Lee I-cheom shivered as if he was getting goosebumps. After seeing this event, he finally realized how different Balhae culture was from Joseon.

“I’m more surprised that I agree with that idea. That strict boundary can be broken down so easily.”

Taegeon smiled and raised his hand in return. Hong also smiled shyly and raised his hand. Of course, Lee Ha-ryun smiled brightly enough to show his white teeth. The atmosphere was so awkward that the Joseon king just walked away without saying a word.

As Taegeon ascended the stage, the voices of the Balhae people from the north grew louder, and the Joseon people of the past who were influenced by this also began to shout “Manse!”

Tae-Geon raised his hand, and the secretary-general came forward and made a loud gesture, and soon the cheering began to die down.

The secretary shouted again.

“A very important guest has arrived today. He is King Yongmu, who has just been granted the title of King. Please welcome him.”

Everyone was surprised by the chief secretary’s shout. They thought that the King of Joseon and King Gyeonghye, Yi Ha-ryun, would come out after Taewang, but suddenly an unfamiliar figure called King Yongmu was introduced.

Now the music changed to a powerful military tune. At the same time, an old man wearing the magnificent military uniform of Balhae slowly came up to the stage. The people who did not know his identity continued to stir.

“who?”

“Who is it?”

“I see. King Yongmu?”

As he stood on the podium, the flag of the flag bearer standing behind him unfurled from top to bottom, revealing his title and name. Of course, it was in Korean, so most of it was readable.

“Balhae Kingdom’s King Yongmu Lee Sun… God?”

“Ugh!”

“S, no way…….”

There was silence in the venue. The music that had been playing had stopped. Everyone’s expressions were the same. Their eyes were incredibly wide and their mouths opened on their own.

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