Joseon Needs a Coup - Chapter 270
Only Noblemtl
#270. The opening of the second front (4)
“Lüshun is a strong fortress. What are you worried about, sir?”
“The construction probably isn’t finished yet.”
“yes?”
“A fortress surrounding such a vast port cannot be built in a day or two. The Japanese army must know this and be heading out to attack.”
Already, the Russian officer corps, including Major General Pavel Mishenko, was showing signs of unrest.
They also knew that Lushun had not yet had any defensive forces or fortifications built properly.
If they were to land on the Liaodong Peninsula now, the defense of Dalian would virtually have to be abandoned.
Even if we fight hard, it will be difficult for the Russian army of only about 50,000 men to defend just Port Arthur.
The Manchurian Army headquarters in Fengtian was also short on troops and was in a situation where it had to ‘give up space and buy time’ and wait for the main Russian force to arrive in the west.
This was a typical Napoleonic war, similar to the domestic strategy they used during the Patriotic War, but there was an important difference.
The difference was that while at that time the Russian army had ‘chosen’ one of several methods to stop the French Grande Armée, this time it was the only strategy the Russian army had been ‘forced’ to use.
Therefore, if the internal strategy for the entire Manchuria planned by Commander Kuropatkin had failed, the Russian army would have no other strategy to choose, and would have had no choice but to suffer the collapse of the field army at Fengtian and a full-scale retreat throughout Manchuria.
“The Japanese are trying to end the war before the end of next year. Commander, should we really give up Pyongyang and retreat? Please reconsider this once more. If we retreat like this, the Japanese army will all rush to Lushun! We will never be able to wash away the stigma of giving the enemy a way out!”
“Even so, my intention to give up Pyongyang and make a strategic retreat remains unchanged.”
“Turnip!”
“How many times do I have to tell you and explain this! If we are completely destroyed here, not only Hamhung but also Vladivostok will be finished!”
bang!
I couldn’t hold back my anger at the words of Sunmuyeong’s staff members who kept repeating the same thing over and over again, and I slammed my hand holding the baton on the table.
Because of that, he had a big wound on his right hand, and blood was dripping down.
Of course, I didn’t even feel any pain, I just screamed at my staff and commanders in a voice full of anger.
“To the staff of Sun Mu-yeong and to the commanders! Come to your senses! Do you think they will end up in Lushun? No way, they will try to drive out all the Russian and Russian troops in Manchuria and Primorsky Krai, and in the process, they will invade the northeastern part of the country!”
“Soo, sir, please calm down···.”
“And this damned northeastern region has so many areas that can open up new supply lines to Vladivostok and Manchuria that we have to defend it no matter what! Do you think that’s all? If Hamgyeong-do falls, the Japanese who will head to Bongcheon will be able to expand their supply lines even further. What will happen if Jemulpo, Jinnampo, Gunsan, and even Wonsan fall into the hands of the enemy?!”
Although the major ports on the east and west coasts could not be prevented from being overrun, the moment their supply lines became fully connected with the Japanese military’s main logistics route was the end.
After the Japanese army quickly occupied Hamgyeong Province, they were busy preparing to attack Vladivostok and building a new supply line that could lead to Manchuria.
Because the supply line from Pyongyang to Uiju alone was not enough to feed hundreds of thousands of Japanese soldiers.
“If we lose half of our field army in Pyongyang, there is no way to hold out any longer. We must withdraw to Hamgyong Province, block the enemy’s supply line from expanding, and continuously attrite the enemy. That is the only way for us to survive.”
“Soo, the hand of the chief of police···.”
“So, don’t ever complain about the main office’s decision again. It’s time to muster up the courage to step back for a bigger fight!”
I turned around and went outside, watching the blood flowing from my right hand dripping to the floor.
As time went by, I felt that my personality was becoming increasingly rough.
Normally, I would be able to convince everyone, but maybe it’s because the situation is so urgent.
“older brother?”
My younger brother, who happened to be at Sunmuyeong on business, looked surprised when he saw my hand.
Judging from the fact that his already large eyes had grown as big as a bell, it seemed that there had been quite a lot of bleeding in his right hand.
“No, what on earth happened in there?”
“What the hell, I couldn’t control my dirty temper and ended up taking over the baton. Damn it, I should have held back···.”
“Brother, where are you going? Brother!”
“I’ll stop by home. I’ll see my mother too…”
“Brother, are you okay?”
“Not yet.”
I waved my hand and went outside Sunmuyeong.
Beyond the feeling of tightness in my chest, I felt like I couldn’t breathe.
Even if it was just for a little while, I wanted to go somewhere to catch my breath.
It seemed like my brother was trying to grab my shoulder, but I shook him off and left.
***
In front of the house, I was hesitating, unable to go in right away.
My mother was definitely at home, but I just didn’t have the courage to do it.
If a kid who hasn’t been home properly for years were to finally go home, how could he possibly face it?
Thanks to the cold, the bleeding had stopped, but I was wandering around with my right hand covered behind my back, which had a nasty wound. Then, just as I was about to turn around and go back to Sunmuyeong,
Someone suddenly appeared behind me and put a hand on my shoulder, and I instinctively put my hand on my waist.
“Oh, Brother? It’s been a really long time. But, your eyes are a little scary…”
Oh, it’s Loha.
I smiled awkwardly, quickly pulling my right hand behind my back.
“Oh, sorry. I guess I’ve become a bit irritable after being in Sunmuyeong for so long.”
The button on the gun holster was already half-unbuttoned.
Perhaps, if my hand had not been injured and my reaction had been much faster, a fearful feeling that did not really suit that white, cute face might have taken over.
“But why aren’t you going home? I guess you came to say hello, since you seem to be carrying something…”
“That’s because there are some circumstances. But why are you, a grown woman, running around like this? This is a battlefield, a battlefield. I defeated those Japanese in a great way, but I can come back anytime.”
“Phew, Brother is always funny. Can’t you see the armband here?”
She, whom I hadn’t seen in a long time, looked tired but smiled brightly and held out her right arm.
They were volunteer nursing assistants who had been personally recruited by the commander of the headquarters to support the shortage of medical personnel, and had a red cross symbol on their armbands.
“I’m trying to help out in a small way, hoping that I can be of some help to the country. Well, that’s how it is for all graduates of private schools.”
“······.”
Having spent so much time sitting in the command center, I had become numb to how far the war had penetrated, but seeing Roha broke that perception again.
The fierce war had penetrated deep into society, regardless of age or gender.
Men went to battlefields and industrial plants, women worked as nurses and support personnel, and children and the elderly assisted in supplying supplies for the military.
At some point, Pyongyang was filled with tragedy and sorrow instead of the liveliness and excitement it had first seen.
I lived without knowing that the sword and pistol holster on my waist and the three stars on my shoulder straps were so heavy.
“Brother, you don’t look well. Are you okay? Should I give you some elixir?”
At first glance, she seemed like a mischievous, unruly girl who pretended to be well-behaved, but she actually had a very gentle nature.
She took out an unopened bottle of Hwalmyeongsu from a military pouch as big as her body under her right shoulder and put it in my hand, a bright smile spreading across her face again.
It was a smile that was never tainted by time, unbecoming of war.
“No, give that to someone who is more urgent than me. I am the governor who leads the two northern provinces, so why would I abandon him just because he is sick?”
I also heard that production is gradually running low.
One of the most common illnesses among soldiers who were exposed to the elements as if it were their daily routine was stomachache caused by poor diet and drinking water.
At such times, military doctors and civilian medical staff would often prescribe them Hwalmyeongsu.
They were able to reduce non-combat losses by 40%, but they say that the shortage of supplies is becoming even more severe, and now not only the civilians but also the military are experiencing shortages.
“But why are you hiding your right hand behind your back? Are you… hurt?”
“Ah, no, that’s···.”
“Here, give it to me.”
How can this girl have such strong evil power?
I had no choice but to show my right hand to hers.
There was no screaming or surprised expression like the other girls.
However, Rohan simply took out a clean piece of cloth from his bag as if he was used to such things and showed the same smile as before.
“It won’t get worse because it’s winter. If it were summer, it might have gotten worse.”
“Oh, oh, I see···.”
“And as a turnip, he values his own body. Everyone in Pyongyang is looking at his eyes and mouth. They gain courage from his confident voice, and thanks to his decisions at crucial moments, those who would otherwise die are coming back alive.”
She spoke softly.
As if everyone knew exactly why I was feeling so depressed.
She said as she continued to wrap the bandage around my hand, which was much larger than her own.
“So, be a little more determined. Even if you withdraw from Pyongyang, don’t worry because many people will follow you. Everyone trusts your brother’s choice.”
“···Did you happen to know everything that happened? Did you see my brother or something···.”
“Well, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Judging by the way he answered while humming, it was obvious that it was my younger brother who was joking.
If it was him, he would have been a guy who would have done that and still left.
“Okay, it’s all done now. Come check up often because I need to change the bandage.”
“But, a little bit of time···”
“You’re already injured, so don’t let it get worse. So, please come to the field hospital.”
Perhaps he was telling me to come see him.
When I nodded silently, realizing what she meant, she grabbed the collar of my uniform and gently kissed my cheek.
When I opened my eyes wide in confusion, she spoke to me with a much brighter smile than before.
“Don’t misunderstand. In Europe, it’s a greeting between close friends.”
This is Korea.
He wasn’t usually a brash guy.
Before I could shake off my surprised expression, she quickly disappeared into the alley she had come from.
I don’t know if I was possessed by something or if I was just being manipulated by that mischievous guy, but at some point, that strangely stuffy feeling disappeared.
I took a deep breath, mustered up my courage, and entered the house.
To see my mother after a really long time.
And those steps were the lightest I’ve felt in a while.