85
After the battle ended, Lim Gyeong-seok and his subordinates prepared to move the few survivors from the village, along with livestock, the bodies of the Yeo-jin tribe, and the spoils of war onto carts for transport to the rear.
One of the subordinates, looking at the survivors on the carts with a sorrowful expression, spoke to Lim Gyeong-seok. “They are all just children.”
“Only children are worth money,” Lim Gyeong-seok replied.
The faces of Lim Gyeong-seok and the cavalry were dark.
The Yeo-jin tribe's raids were fundamentally hit-and-run tactics.
To strike at frontier villages or small towns and quickly escape, adult men and women were a hindrance.
Moreover, the merchants from Ming who bought the captured Joseon people preferred children.
Children were easier to handle since they could not resist as much, and some Ming people preferred young girls or boys over adult women.
“The burial work is all done.”
“Is that so?” Lim Gyeong-seok looked at the two mounds that rose prominently among the burnt ruins of houses.
They were the mounds where the Joseon people killed by the Yeo-jin tribe were buried, separated by gender.
Lim Gyeong-seok bowed his head briefly in respect to the mounds before mounting his horse.
“We return!”
“We return!” The enlarged troop of Lim Gyeong-seok, including the horses ridden by the Yeo-jin tribe, slowly began to move towards their base.
“Your Majesty, a report has come from Pyongan-do.”
“A report?”
“It states that there has been a raid by the Yeo-jin tribe.”
Upon hearing the brief report from the Chief State Councillor, Sejong quickly reached out to take the report and untied the knot.
“Oh dear…” With trembling hands, Sejong read the contents of the report and handed it to the Prime Minister.
“Please read it.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Following the Prime Minister, the other ministers took turns reading the report.
After confirming that all the ministers had read it, Sejong spoke.
“The victims this time were the refugees who illegally cleared land for farming, but they are certainly our Joseon people. The dispatched troops in that area have requested punitive action, and the military governor of Pyongan-do is also requesting permission for this. What do you all think?”
In response to Sejong's question, Hwang Hee asked the Minister of Military Affairs, Kim Yeo-ji.
“Which tribe of Yeo-jin attacked the village this time?”
“From the decorations on the dead bodies and the ornaments in their hair, they have been identified as a branch of the Dongga tribe.”
“If it’s the Dongga tribe, isn’t that quite a large tribe? Can we handle it with the troops we have now?”
In response to Hwang Hee's question, Kim Yeo-ji answered briefly.
“We are not facing the entire Dongga tribe, and given the difference in strength shown in this battle, it is certainly possible.”
“Hmmm…”
“If we delay any longer, the rainy season will begin, making it difficult to carry out the punitive action.” The Minister of Military Affairs immediately supported immediate action.
However, Sejong was hesitant to make a decision.
“It has been said that when one obtains a good sword, they want to wield it. If we act rashly, could we not fall into the foolishness of startling the snake in the grass?”
In response to Sejong's remark, Kim Yeo-ji answered promptly.
“The Yeo-jin tribe is like an old fox; if we do not respond properly, they will look down on us and continue to attack. If we show them a proper lesson, it will be a good strategy for the future.”
After pondering while stroking his beard, Sejong made a decision.
“Very well. Inform the military governor of Pyongan-do that I grant permission. However, the current troops feel a bit weak, so order the General Staff to select units that have received new cannons and artillery from the training center and various camps in Pyongan-do to join us. Also, inform them that staying across the Yalu River for more than a month is not permitted.”
The Minister of Military Affairs bowed deeply and replied,
“I will carry out your command!”
After issuing orders to the military, Sejong turned his gaze to the ministers.
“Ministers, listen.”
“We will heed your words!”
“While we are seeking justice from the Yeo-jin tribe, it is indeed true that they have crossed the border. The Ming may have something to say about this, so prepare an appropriate response and send an envoy to the Ming.”
“I will carry out your command!”
Thus, the operation named ‘Revenge’ was initiated.
Many military officers in the training center eagerly volunteered upon hearing that troops would be formed to subdue the Yeo-jin.
“Please send me!”
“No, send me! I will risk my life to ensure the success of the operation!”
The expressions of the officers requesting assignments were filled with confidence.
Their confidence stemmed from their belief in the performance of the new weapons they were familiar with.
Furthermore, reports from the Yalu River heightened their confidence even more.
Just one unit, without artillery support and without using rifles, had annihilated twice the number of Yeo-jin without suffering any casualties.
Due to this achievement, the officer in charge, Lim Gyeong-seok, was expected to be promoted.
‘I cannot miss this opportunity!’ To seize the chance given by heaven, the officers in the training center shouted one after another, asking to be sent.
“Buiru. We’ve been hit again.”
“Where?”
“At Aguda.”
“Oh, damn! How many have we lost already?”
“Twelve Booi-gon.”
“Damn it!” With a crash, the Buiru of the Saruta tribe overturned the table in front of him.
For the Dongga tribe and nearby tribes, this Joseon invasion was like a bolt from the blue.
Six groups of Joseon soldiers, each consisting of about 400 cavalry and over 100 artillerymen, had painted the area with blood.
As the unexpected attack by the Joseon army unfolded, the leaders of the Dongga tribe prepared for defense while busily trying to understand the reason behind it.
The reason they discovered was quite simple.
“The branch Booi-gon, or rather, those unworthy of being called Booi-gon, raided about ten Joseon homes, and this is retaliation?”
“…That is correct.” The Buiru of the Saruta tribe wore a look of despair.
Since the start of the Joseon invasion, more than twelve Booi-gon had been annihilated.
These were Booi-gon of a scale that could not be compared to the ones that had caused the disturbance.
Almost every two days, one Booi-gon had disappeared.
The Dongga tribe, which had been attacked, was in a desperate situation.
They were at a time when they had to put everything into farming.
If they missed this opportunity, they would face a terrible winter.
To resolve the situation, the Buiru of the Saruta tribe and the Buiru of the Dongga tribe sought mediation from the Ming.
However, the reply from Ming was ‘not possible.’
- Joseon has already sent a letter.
This is a just act for the damage Joseon has suffered, so there is no justification.
Upon receiving the reply from Ming, the Buiru of the Dongga tribe gritted their teeth.
“What if we form a coalition now?”
“If all the men leave, farming is over.”
“If we only take some…”
“Did you not see the strength of the Joseon army? If we do not give it our all, we will surely lose!”
The Buiru gathered to find a solution, but they were struggling to come up with good ideas.
Their concerns stemmed from three main reasons.
First, as mentioned, it was the farming season.
No matter how many women and slaves were mobilized, they could not farm properly without the men.
In such a situation, they could not spare warriors for the already destroyed Booi-gon.
Second was the strength of the Joseon army.
The Joseon army was conducting operations aimed at killing as many Yeo-jin as possible.
As a result, there were almost no survivors in the areas swept through by the Joseon army.
Most of the survivors they managed to find were in a state of severe mental distress or had serious injuries and could not speak properly.
Based on the information they managed to gather, the Joseon army was actively utilizing artillery.
Few Buiru were willing to send their precious warriors against the significantly strengthened Joseon army.
The last reason was closely related to the second.
It was due to the Olanghap, which was in confrontation nearby.
The Dongga tribe and Olanghap had been in constant conflict.
In such a situation, if they lost their strength facing the Joseon army, the Olanghap would not let it slide.
“Buiru, the consciousness of Tunggeura has returned.”
Unable to contain his anger, the Buiru of Saruta quickly stepped outside.
The Buiru of Saruta headed to the house of the Ming doctor in the village.
Although he had been brought in almost forcibly, he was now respected and referred to as ‘Teacher Wang.’
“How is Teacher Wang?” Upon the Buiru's question, Teacher Wang, who was wiping his blood-stained hands with a cloth, shook his head.
“It’s tough. The opium has eased the pain, but it won’t last long. If you have something to say, it’s best to say it now.”
At Teacher Wang’s words, the Buiru hurried to the bedside.
Grasping the hand of the gasping Tunggeura, the Buiru called him softly.
“Brother, are you awake?”
“Oh, brother… I’m glad to see you before I die.”
“I will surely take revenge.”
At the Buiru's words, Tunggeura shook his head with difficulty.
“Don’t. The Joseon people…”
Tunggeura struggled to continue speaking but could not finish his words as his breath ceased.
The Buiru, who had released Tunggeura’s hand, turned to Teacher Wang.
“What on earth…”
“I’ve heard that the Joseon army used artillery,” Teacher Wang said.
“That’s right.”
“It seems they not only used artillery but also cannons.”
Upon hearing Teacher Wang's words, the Buiru looked at the bloodied body of Tunggeura.
Seeing the body full of holes, the Buiru shook his head.
“Cannons? I’ve seen them. They were things that couldn’t hit properly… I was just unlucky.”
“Cannons are not common items; it’s possible they didn’t expect it.”
“Haah…” The Buiru sighed at Teacher Wang’s response.
“Buiru.” Teacher Wang, who stopped the Buiru from leaving, warned in a quiet voice.
“I’ve heard that the Joseon army is retreating. Do not act rashly. I do not want to live as a slave to another tribe at this age.”
“…I understand.”
After leaving Teacher Wang’s house, the Buiru kicked a stone on the ground with all his might.
“Damn it! What a terrible situation!”
Meanwhile, after sending off the Buiru, Teacher Wang picked up a bowl he had set aside and examined its contents.
Inside the bowl were iron balls stained with blood and iron fragments.
“These are too small to be used as cannonballs… and what are these iron pieces…” Teacher Wang was troubled by the fragments of the explosive cannon.
Faced with a difficult problem, Teacher Wang frowned deeply.
The words repeatedly shouted by the delirious Tunggeura lingered in his mind.
“What does it mean that Joseon has gained the power of the dragon…?”
After completing the operation and crossing the Yalu River back, the Joseon army immediately drafted a report to send to Hanyang.
Upon receiving the report and reading its contents, Sejong burst into laughter.
“Hahaha! Our Joseon soldiers have achieved a great victory! A great victory! Is there such a joyous occasion?”
As Sejong rejoiced, the ministers bowed their heads in unison and exclaimed,
“Congratulations!”
“Thank you, truly thank you!”
Sejong lightly raised his hand in acknowledgment and organized the situation.
“With this invasion, we have subdued a total of twelve tribes, including those audacious ones who raided across the border. This should keep the area around the Yalu River quiet for a while, right?”
In response to Sejong's question, the Minister of Military Affairs bowed and answered,
“For a while, they will not dare to cross the Yalu River.”
“Indeed. However, if we let our guard down, we could face trouble at any time, so strengthen the surveillance of the border.”
“I will carry out your command.”
“And have you prepared compensation for those who distinguished themselves in this operation as well as for those who died or were injured?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Those who have made achievements will be promoted according to their merits, and those who died or were injured will receive monthly provisions and resources according to the newly established laws. Additionally, support will be provided for those among the bereaved families who wish to take the civil or military examination.”
Nodding at the Minister of Military Affairs' response, Sejong added,
“Make sure to take care of the treatment of the casualties and their living conditions. They fought to protect Joseon, so they deserve proper treatment. Only then will others be willing to risk their lives, right?”
“I will keep this in mind.”
Having not forgotten to give his final instructions, Sejong moved on to the next topic.
“The Yeo-jin tribe around the Yalu River will be quiet for a while, but what about the Yeo-jin from Haseo and Yain?”
In response to Sejong's question, Hwang Hee stepped forward.
“Over time, news will spread to them as well, so they will not act recklessly.”
“I hope they are frightened… That way, when we call them in the fall, they will listen well, right?”
“Indeed.”
Sejong firmly instructed the ministers.
“The matter with the Yeo-jin tribe has only just begun. We must proceed steadily and surely so that our Joseon’s ‘Eastward Advance’ is carried out without a hitch. This is a grand strategy that Joseon must achieve.”
“I will keep this in mind!”