Joseon Needs a Coup - Chapter 263
Only Noblemtl
#263. Surprise Gift (1)
“Commander, this is ridiculous! Do you know how rough the sea is around Ulleungdo, especially in the winter?”
To attack Ulleungdo directly was crazy.
Lee Dong-hwi jumped up and looked straight at his superior, the naval commander who claimed to be a direct descendant of the renowned Joseon navy.
I couldn’t figure out what the hell he was thinking.
It seemed much more rational to attempt to intercept the Japanese transport convoy attempting a large-scale landing.
And since all of this was so absurd that it sprang from the mind of the emperor who was living in the palace, Lee Dong-hwi’s opposition was no different from an established fact.
However, Vice Admiral Jang Gi-ryeom, who had a rather rough nickname of “disloyal navy” and did not hide his open discontent with the emperor, decided to think about this a little differently.
Instead of gathering the fleet and attempting a useless naval battle, they decided to do something that would repeatedly kick the blankets off the Japanese and provoke a sore spot.
“So the enemies wouldn’t have expected it either. Especially Ulleungdo in the winter… It’s impossible to describe it as rough. You can only enter Ulleungdo if the sea permits.”
As he said, there were more days when I couldn’t go to Ulleungdo than days when I could.
The Japanese who came to the island for logging purposes also said the same thing.
Even if you enter the island by steamship rather than wooden ship, the sea does not accept you so kindly when you come to the island.
“It’s too risky. If we destroy the telegraph facilities and watchtowers on Ulleungdo, we will have more room to maneuver, but…”
“In addition, it can crush the pride of the Japanese Navy, which prides itself on being the strongest in Asia.”
“If you are attacking us for that simple reason, I will decline. Besides, there are not only Japanese soldiers there. Our people are also living there.”
Since the early 1880s, the number of Japanese who came to Ulleungdo to take advantage of its lush forest resources increased significantly, but the number of locals who still lived there was also considerable.
Of the total population of about 1,700, except for about 100 Japanese, they were all Koreans. If they attacked them carelessly, it was obvious that they would only cause harm to the Japanese military and fellow Koreans.
“If they attack telecommunications facilities and fire cannons and all, but end up killing our people, how can we look at that? How can the Korean Navy, which is supposed to protect the country and people, harm the target it is supposed to protect just to hurt the enemy’s pride?”
“That’s why I brought you into the Navy. The Navy needs people like you, people with a certain sanity.”
“yes?”
“You can’t destroy the telegraph facility with a cannon. To destroy it, you’d have to bring in the big guns operated by the Russian Navy. But with the 75mm guns on our destroyers, it would take all day to fire.”
And the stock of shells wasn’t that plentiful.
Although the Russian Navy was replenishing them little by little, the stockpile of 75mm naval gun ammunition was significantly reduced compared to just before the outbreak of war due to frequent departures for the purpose of destroying trade and engagements.
“But if we land, it’s a different story. If we can quickly subdue a small number of Japanese troops, take out the telegraph facilities and watchtowers, and then withdraw, it will be possible in a very short period of time.”
“It’s impossible to take sailors who aren’t trained for ground combat.”
“That’s why I brought in the expert. It’s almost time for him to come.”
As soon as Chief Jang Gi-ryeom took out his pocket watch and spoke, a sound was heard from outside.
The sound of the soles of their boots hitting the floor echoed throughout the corridor leading to the war room, accompanied by the sailors’ thunderous salute.
Looking at Lee Dong-hwi, who couldn’t hide his surprised expression, Chief Jang Gi-ryeom opened the door very naturally and spoke.
“Greetings, I am Hong Beom-do, the former 3rd Brigade Search Company Commander who scattered the Japanese soldiers like fallen autumn leaves on Gyeongin Island and Juansan Mountain.”
***
Lee Dong-hwi asked, as if he was saluting or not.
“No, are you cooperating with the Army?”
“To be precise, it has changed from the Army to the direct command of the Yangseo Sunmuyeong. Our Navy is also now under the command of the Sunmuyeong in principle.”
As Jang Gi-ryeom said, the Navy was currently under the command of Sun Mu-yeong.
Of course, this was only the case in principle, and in reality, the Navy’s operational entities, missions, and battlefield environments were completely different from those of the land forces, so it was closer to operating separately with the consent of the chief of police.
“Since His Majesty the Emperor has been making such unreasonable demands lately, I have been thinking about it for a few days. How can we shock and terrify the Japanese that the Emperor wants, while at the same time minimizing our damage? So this is the conclusion I have come to.”
“So that’s why you called me.”
“That’s right, Hong Jeong-wi. I explained the situation to the commissioner and got you and your unit out.”
Hong Beom-do, the senior secretary, sat down under the guidance of Chief Jang Gi-ryeom.
He was already famous in the Hamheung Marshal’s Office and the Tongyeong Army Headquarters.
After a week of desperate fighting on the Gyeongin Highway, he received the brigade flag from the deputy of the fallen brigade commander and successfully led all the surviving members of the search company to Pyongyang.
I heard that they also brought foreign correspondents along during the process.
In any case, thanks to them, we were able to clearly estimate the damage the 3rd Brigade had inflicted on the enemy, and it was a great help in gaining a detailed understanding of the situation in the metropolitan area and Hwanghae-do.
“I heard the commissioner was very sorry that I and my unit were being drafted.”
“Hmm, isn’t it you who feels sorry?”
Looking at Hong Beom-do, who had a very daunting expression, Chief Jang Gi-ryeom made an expression that said, ‘He is a troublemaker who is truly needed in these troubled times.’
A general, and an officer of mere rank of lieutenant, was so bold in front of a three-star general. He was someone who would become great in the future.
With that thought in mind, Jang Gi-ryeom immediately stood up from his seat, carried his luggage behind his back, and looked out at the port.
All six destroyers were anchored for the first time in a long time, repairing damage sustained in the previous battle.
New torpedoes were being loaded into the empty torpedo tubes, which had exhausted all their ammunition, and the sailors and officers were busy preparing for the next voyage without rest.
“To be honest, yes. If I had stayed in Pyongyang, I could have killed the Japanese without any trouble together with the military commander, Commander.”
Anger and hatred seemed to burn in both of his eyes.
Indeed, among the soldiers currently fighting on the front lines, there were few who did not harbor such feelings.
It is a time when we must swear to drive out all invaders and traitors from this land and to re-establish the national flag in each city that has been taken away.
They say that in the rear, they are fighting a guerrilla war, called the second front.
“Yes, we need that kind of spirit. There, we can certainly send countless Japanese to their graves as you wish. But if we do it my way, we can leave our enemies with a scar that they will never forget.”
“With my limited brain, I don’t quite understand the strategy of the commander’s subordinates.”
“Okay, let’s look at this map together.”
He had a map spread out on the table, with red and black lines running along the entire east coast.
There were signs indicating watchtowers that the Japanese military had installed, watchtowers that were scheduled to be installed, and a fairly intuitive Japanese naval telegraph network connecting Ulleungdo, Seokdo (Dokdo), Oki Island, and Sasebo.
“Currently, the Japanese Navy is constructing surveillance towers and wired and wireless telegraph stations along the east coast to interfere with our and Russian naval operations.”
He kindly taught Hong Beom-do one by one.
“The watchtowers observe our fleet departing from Haesamwi (Vladivostok) and Hamheung, and immediately report to the Japanese naval base in Sasebo. What will happen then? Of course, the Japanese fleet will try to intercept our fleet. And that is the reality these days, with such incidents becoming more frequent.”
The number of watchtowers being built by the Japanese military along the Gyeongbuk coast had already increased significantly.
Since the 3rd Fleet alone cannot stop the ROK-Russia combined fleet, they are likely trying to properly intercept it by increasing their surveillance network on the ground.
“Besides, His Majesty the Emperor seems to think that one more ‘relief victory’ is necessary. That is why I intend to destroy the Japanese military telegraph base on Ulleungdo.”
“Hmm···.”
Telegraph posts connecting the northwestern and northeastern parts of the island, as well as a watchtower in the southeastern part, were noticeable.
Hong Beom-do, who had been watching this closely along the east coast, realized at a glance that Ulleungdo was extremely important to the Japanese.
“Commander, you are trying to blind the eyes and ears of the Japanese fleet.”
“That’s right. Ulleungdo is the advanced part of the enemy fleet connected to Sasebo. There’s no denying that they have excellent tactical and strategic insight. Now, can’t you see Seonginbong here? If the weather is good, the lookout can see 80 li around here. Do you think that’s all?”
He spoke as he brought the long-range guns, marked with fleet symbols, to the vicinity of Tsushima Island and the Korea Strait.
“If we can control this place, we can monitor and control all the ships going from the East Coast to the South Coast. And this damn telegraph line is also connected to Jukbyeon in Uljin. Because of this, our fleet’s operational efficiency is greatly reduced. Lee Dong-hwi, isn’t there a Japanese fleet in Jukbyeon too?”
“All the guys who should have gone to Wonsan are gathered at that port. Because of that, we are the only ones who will die.”
After hearing their explanation, Hong Beom-do stroked his chin for a moment.
In the end, if only the Japanese military telegraph bases and watchtowers on Ulleungdo were destroyed, it would inflict a great blow to their naval strategy and create something they could tease for a long time.
“The thrill of killing the enemy is fleeting, but a general who gives the enemy an unforgettable nightmare will be remembered forever. How about it, Hong Jeong-wi? Could you lend our navy your talents for a moment?”
“Well, either way, I don’t think it’s a bad choice for me···.”
Hong Beom-do continued speaking while adjusting his military cap. With a very faint smile.
“But I would rather you be remembered by your enemies as a nightmare forever. What can we do for you?”
As if he had been waiting for that answer, Jang Gi-ryeom burst into laughter and began discussing detailed plans.
***
“Yes? Are you saying we should give up Pyongyang? Commander, please reconsider. The enemy has retreated to Gaeseong, and now is the time to discuss whether or not to pursue and fight, so how can you say we should retreat?”
“Commander, we have put in so much effort to defend Pyongyang, and now you are giving up? This is ridiculous!”
After some delay, I concluded that there was a gradual withdrawal from Pyongyang.
Despite having defeated the Japanese elite 1st Army in succession at Jinnampo and Hwangju, most of the staff and commanders in Sunmuyeong strongly opposed the idea of retreating.