Joseon Needs a Coup - Chapter 329
Only Noblemtl
#329. Terror on the Sea (2)
“Eventually, we have to go to Vladivostok. The facilities there are inadequate, but at least they have facilities for emergency repairs and combat-ready maintenance.”
“If you avoid combat right now… there are three paths.”
The staff spoke as they looked at the expected maneuver routes on the map.
One was to go through the Korea Strait, which was the shortest route, the next was to go through the Soya Strait between Hokkaido and Sakhalin, which was the longest route back to Vladivostok, and the last was to go through the Tsugaru Strait, which was a complete circle around the Japanese archipelago.
However, the 2nd Pacific Fleet, which had sailed a whopping 28,800 km, was extremely exhausted, and since it was virtually impossible to resupply coal immediately after leaving Cam Ranh Bay, the route through the Soya Strait, which would have been the longest distance, was naturally abandoned.
All that remained was to break through the Korea Strait and the Tsugaru Strait, and Admiral Rozhdestvensky was contemplating the former.
Since the Japanese Combined Fleet was too weak to block all of these anticipated routes of attack, both sides were being forced into a gamble that was tantamount to death.
“It seems that going against the east coast of Japan is too dangerous. We are tired, but the fleet’s power will be a problem.”
Several coal supply ships continued to provide supplies, but it seemed that even the shortest distance would be difficult to reach with this alone.
This is why the Admiralty was desperate to secure naval bases in the Far East, but was heartbroken by its failure to do so.
Of course, even if it had existed, the Anglo-Japanese Alliance would not have left it alone.
“If the order comes from the home country, we have no choice but to obey. We will attempt to break through toward the Korea Strait. We will order the entire fleet to set sail.”
Anxiety and resonance coexisted, pounding on Rozhestvensky’s chest.
If they failed this time, their victories in Mukden and Korea would have completely faded away.
He sighed quietly, knowing that the responsibility resting on his shoulders was enormous.
Responsible for the lives of 28 ships, including seven battleships, 26 transports, and a massive crew of 14,000 men, he believed that the most rational choice would save them.
He gazed at the blue cross of St. Andrew, white and fluttering from the masts of the fleet.
Just as Saint George protected the brave men of Mukden, so Saint Andrew could only hope to look down on the brave sailors who followed him.
***
Even after recapturing Hanseong, I was still very busy, not even having time to open my eyes.
If things continued this way, the army would achieve a complete victory, but it was clear that the Russo-Japanese War would ultimately end at sea, and they were taking steps to prepare for this.
The Records Investigation Office had already mobilized all of the intelligence networks in the Samnam region to estimate that the main force of the combined fleet was stationed in the Jinhae area.
Information was sent out very urgently, every second.
Fleets set sail in large numbers from major naval bases in mainland Japan, including Sasebo, and it was widely predicted that their routes would mainly be towards Busan, Jinhae, or Masanpo.
And finally, the news that the main force of the combined fleet had entered Jinhae in large numbers starting in late September, just before the recapture of Hanseong, was enough to send shivers down the spines of the branches of the records research office in that area.
Their goals and intentions were clear.
“The combined fleet has set sail···.”
“I reported that they are the ones who entered Jinhae, Commissioner. Our forces are currently on the offensive and attempting to approach the outskirts of Jinhae, but it seems that they are not having success.”
“Of course. The defense there will be several times stronger than other places.”
Rather than being as thrilled by the news as others, I was more worried.
In actual history, despite the defeat at Fengtian, the Russian Empire continued the war, relying on the power of its large fleet, including the Baltic Fleet, but after their defeat at Tsushima, they suffered irreparable damage and gradually collapsed.
In the end, this led to the process of the Korean Empire becoming a complete Japanese colony, and Russia was left reeling from the aftereffects, leading to enormous chaos such as Bloody Sunday.
Of course, since we had won a great victory in the ground war, things would not go as they did in the original history, but there were still many things to worry about.
Japan’s overwhelming victory at Tsushima resulted in it becoming the greatest nation in Asia and a great power overnight.
If that happens, Japan’s influence will only grow stronger in the future negotiation process, and our position will become weaker, which could lead to a more difficult time than expected.
“By the way, is there anything concerning this, Commissioner?”
“I’m just worried about what to do from now on.”
At the adjutant’s words, I sighed in a corner of the messy Gyeongbokgung Palace, my luggage on my back. I could have guessed what was going to happen, but the problem was the Russian military command.
The current situation was that the Japanese army had suffered a great defeat and had just won the victory at Fengtian. Therefore, in St. Petersburg, the Baltic Fleet also wanted to completely defeat the Japanese army through meaningful military action.
“In the end, the outcome will be decided at sea… The Japanese fleet in Jinhae is the problem.”
“I see you have some concerns. Please talk to the person in charge.”
“Then is there any way out?”
“Well, at least it’s better than the chief of police struggling alone. It might be better to at least bring up the subject and decide what to do next.”
The new palgyun department spoke while trembling.
I wish I could be that optimistic, I thought to myself, and told him the stories that had been bothering me.
Frankly, the biggest question right now is how reliable the Russian military authorities are in the information we have.
“If we are to achieve a complete victory and secure a clear guarantee of safety in the armistice negotiations, the North Sea fleet must win. However, their current situation makes it difficult to guarantee their survival, let alone victory.”
“That’s the conclusion. What should the North Korean command do to get the governor to believe the claims, or not?”
“Yes, that’s right. Even though I am a high-ranking commander in our military, the Russian fleet is a completely different entity. I don’t think they will listen to me… I don’t know if I can even convince the Manchurian Army Headquarters.”
It was said that the ship had already been anchored in Cam Ranh Bay, French Indochina, several weeks ago, so it was clear that it was almost ready to set sail by the time the Battle of Fengtian ended.
There was little time left. The only question was whether the Baltic Fleet would be annihilated or whether I could use my knowledge to lead them into a new phase.
“What’s so difficult, Commander? The hypothesis has already been proven. If you have the information, why don’t you pass it on to them and save the fleet?”
“You make difficult things sound easy.”
“You thought it was difficult for the chief of police, so now you should make it easier for him by using the staff under him. Our army is not just comprised of chiefs of police. There are countless people who help chiefs.”
Only then did my head feel a little clearer.
Indeed, we have been fighting battles while operating a huge staff organization called the Sunmuyeong for times like these.
“That’s a very good idea. Then I will give the order.”
I quietly ordered the Sunmuyoung staff to gather together, especially those who could speak Norwegian.
I was determined to run until the end, sweating profusely, to achieve a complete victory and, through it, to ensure the complete safety of the Korean Empire.
***
“···What is this?”
“This is an urgent telegram from the Office of the Marshal of the Korean Empire. It is about the Second Pacific Fleet.”
“···? What do you have to say about that?”
Kuropatkin and Gripenberg received urgent telegrams from their headquarters, which was far outside Mukden.
The commander of the Korean army that recently recaptured Seoul said that he had urgently sent telegrams because of problems with his country’s navy.
The battle in the Lushun area was going on so quickly that they were having a long discussion about whether to repair the captured Japanese 280mm siege gun a little and deploy it or not.
There was a slight sense of bewilderment within the Manchurian Army headquarters as they were a bit puzzled by the telegram coming from a place that seemed completely unrelated.
“So what does it say?”
“They actually sent me to tell them not to pass through the Korea Strait, which was the expected route of the 2nd Pacific Fleet.”
“Huh, it seems they know the Navy better than we do.”
Gripenberg clicked his tongue as he thought of the commander of the Baltic Fleet, the ‘Mad Dog’ Rozhestvensky.
This was because he, as a typical commander of the Imperial Navy and a traditional conservative, believed that there was no way he would accept the demands of the Korean Empire, which they considered to be subordinate to them even though they were allies.
Of course, I don’t know if their information can meet the condition that there is accurate information or a valid reason that can completely convince him.
“···So the main fleet of the Japonskis is in Jinhae?”
“They say that the Korean Empire’s intelligence agencies found out. Seeing that they have agents directly on site, it seems quite credible.”
But even this was doubted by the leadership.
There was no such thing as obvious information on the battlefield.
There was always something distorted, and as it grew flesh and bones, it often created monstrous shapes of bizarre forms.
In that way, the history of many wars points to one thing as the factor that determines countless victories and defeats.
For military commanders, especially generals who had to cover entire campaigns, it was always a blood-soaked piece of advice to be skeptical and scrutinize all information.
“If this information is true, our Second Pacific Fleet is certainly in great danger, but it’s a little strange. While the Japanese army is being annihilated throughout the Korean Peninsula, they’re pushing their main fleet to the south.”
“They say that a cavalry unit led by Anisimov will soon be approaching the outskirts of Busan. Should we wait a little longer?”
“That would be best. Ask the Korean commander for more solid information. This alone won’t convince that ‘mad dog’ right now.”
“All right.”
Kuropatkin was already in a state of confusion as the recapture of Lushun was difficult and the supply of supplies was slow.
They immediately put aside the telegram from Korea and began discussing further operational plans.