1592 The Empire We All Dreamed of - Chapter 324



Only Krnovel

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1592 The Empire Everyone Dreamed of (324)

Fortress of Valant

“I have prepared a small gift for you.”

“… … ?”

As Jiwoo gestured, adjutant Kim Myeongseop placed a wooden box on the table.

thud.

“It looks heavy.”

“The higher-ups say there are 2,000.”

When Kim Myeong-seop opened the box, pencils neatly packed in a box appeared.

“This is a pencil.”

“This precious thing, so much.”

Pencils were a major trade item at the top of the Solbin clan and were traded at high prices in the Ming. They were also a familiar item to those who were once the highest class.

“I like practical things. It’s a hundred times better to take a break and watch the sunset while you’re eating.”

“Please keep in mind that the time given to us is limited.”

For a moment, a strange light appeared in Jiwoo’s eyes.

‘Well, they’re smart, so they probably figured it out to some extent.’

I didn’t intend to just use them. I would firmly punish them for building up power, but I also intended to take care of them until they were old. The next thing was the ability of their descendants.

“Devotion will be rewarded. I will reveal this to all when the palace is completed and the cabinet is officially launched.”

“Your Majesty’s grace is like the sea.”

“Then I will now withdraw.”

After showing their relief, they left the tent.

He didn’t have to interfere in everything, but he had to set standards. That was the kind of monarch he thought he should be. Jiwoo sighed deeply.

“Is there just one thing left to do?”

“Yes. Looks like he’s coming over just in time.”

When they met George and his party, they bowed to each other and bowed respectfully to Jiwoo. When Jiwoo gestured, they approached him in the same bowed posture.

“It’s uncomfortable. Can’t you do something about this courtesy?”

“Please issue a separate order to the Ministry of Rites.”

“Okay. I’ll have to call you separately before I leave. Write it down.”

“yes.”

While Adjutant Kim Myeong-seop was writing in his notebook, a man in a saddle approached him and prostrated himself.

“Solbin Sangdae Andong (Dandong) branch manager Kim Gaedong will meet His Majesty the King.”

“Stand up. It seems like everyone wants to do something like that once. The one who has to receive it is bored and frustrated to the point of going crazy.”

Kim Gae-dong, who had brushed off his knees and stood up, bowed again.

“I never thought about that. Who has ever been a king?”

“Haha, I see.”

After a while, Jiwoo opened his mouth heavily.

“Whew, it’s something that has to be done sometime and it’s something I have to step up for. Are you done with the tally?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Kim Gae-dong took a piece of paper out of his bag and unfolded it.

“As of now, half a year after the end of the war, the casualties of the Goryeo army have been tallied at 845 dead and 1,311 seriously injured.”

“… … .”

Jiwoo closed his eyes.

“The missing were included in the death toll, and the slightly injured were excluded after it was confirmed that they had fully recovered.”

“A total of 2,156 people? If it’s a lot, it’s a lot, and if it’s a little, it’s a little.”

Adjutant Kim Myeong-seop spoke quietly from the side.

“I am ashamed to say this, but the damage is extremely small compared to the price of victory.”

As he said, it may have been a small loss considering that the emperor was captured and Beijing was occupied. However, the family lost everything, so they should not speak carelessly.

“What will happen to the treatment of Solbin’s fallen soldiers?”

“The pension will be paid for 30 years, and the widow and children will be exempt from taxes.”

At Kim Myeong-seop’s answer, Ji-woo turned his gaze to Kim Gae-dong.

“It’s a little over 20,000 seats per year. What do you think? Can Solbin take care of it?”

“I will gladly accept it.”

Since it was a project to honor those who sacrificed for the country, it was not something that could be calculated in monetary terms in terms of contributing to the status of the top.

“Okay. The order has changed, but I appoint you as the head of the Solbin upper domestic affairs department.”

“Your kindness is truly infinite.”

The distribution network of the upper class was optimal for identifying and providing stipends to the bereaved families scattered across the vast north.

The Solbin Group had 57 branches throughout Northeast Asia, 23 of which were north of the Yalu River. In a way, it was a supranational organization that was out of step with the times.

Today, the organization added one more branch.

“Recommend a successor to the Andong branch.”

“I recommend Nam Shin-seok, the branch manager.”

Andong was an important base for the distribution network of the country, so communication was important. Although the scale expanded, stability was maintained by taking into consideration the existing hierarchy.

“It’s a proper greeting.”

At Jiwoo’s gaze, adjutant Kim Myeongseop took out a notebook and wrote something down.

“Are there any special problems with branch installation?”

“The Minister of Construction is paying special attention to this.”

The construction of the upper part, which started first, was directly reflected in O Jong-gil’s design. This was because the construction department’s big picture and the detailed division of the upper part matched the practicality of both sides.

Kim Gae-dong bowed after finishing his business.

“Then I will leave now.”

“Go ahead and take a look. I’ll get some rest too.”

Kim Myeong-seop stared blankly at Kim Gae-dong as he turned around with a hearty laugh.

“Once upon a time, the highest aristocrats of the Ming Dynasty, the Joseon military, and Solbin’s construction department and the upper class, it was a truly complex combination.”

It was a euphemism for ‘can things go smoothly without a center?’

“I know what you’re worried about. Humans are creatures that destroy themselves through selfishness.”

“I know it may be presumptuous of me to ask, but I am truly worried.”

Gulp gulp.

Jiwoo took a big sip of water and stood up.

“I feel stuffy. Should I get some air?”

“I will serve you.”

Adjutant Kim Myeong-seop inspected the weapons and lifted the command tent.

From the hill where the command tent was erected, one could look down on the palace site, the Yukjo Street, and the Amnok River to the south.

Civil engineering work, especially sewage work, was currently in full swing. The pits dug lengthwise and crosswise were being finished with bricks and tiles, and some sections were already covered with dirt.

“What do you think? Isn’t it cool?”

“To say it’s wonderful is not enough. These days, I often imagine the completed building in my dreams.”

“ha ha ha.”

Jiwoo burst into a loud laugh, seemingly satisfied.

“Who wouldn’t feel a sense of accomplishment in front of this magnificent monument? A sense of accomplishment in having helped build this empire, and the prosperity of the clan overlapping with the sight of the developing capital city.”

“Is it the Empire…?”

“Did I do that?”

Jiwoo scratched his sideburns.

“Anyway, they will be united by greed. They will cooperate in the hope of prosperity for themselves, their families, or their clans.”

“The saying that both prosperity and destruction are ultimately due to human greed is the same.”

‘Humans are the absolute evil of the world.’

Jiwoo’s perspective on humans was cold. However, he never expressed his inner thoughts.

“Of course, we must kick out those who play foolishly. That’s the job of a monarch.”

“I understand what you mean by giving orders but monitoring them thoroughly.”

Jiwoo chuckled and shook his index finger.

“But that’s surprisingly difficult.”

“When you look at Joseon, which came back from the brink of death, and the Ming Dynasty, which collapsed despite its power, it seems that way too.”

Jiwoo smiled, satisfied with Kim Myeongseop’s answer.

“Please continue to give me advice without hesitation.”

“I will follow Your Majesty’s orders.”

For a while, the two admired the domestic city that had become a huge construction site.

In Gando, about 20,000 Koreans from 1,300 households and many more indigenous people were reclaiming the land. At the center of this, the reconstruction of the country began with 150,000 prisoners of war.

It was anticipated how the administrative group of the fallen nation, Joseon’s security forces, and Solbin’s construction and logistics economy would come together.

“It’s time to leave now. Let’s leave the rest to them.”

Jiwoo raised his arms and stretched them out.

The spring breeze was warm.

* * *

What the wind carried was the smell of gunpowder and the pungent smell of blood.

“Fire!”

Chijijik.

Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom.

The smoke that had filled the hold soon dispersed in the sea breeze. As the same thing happened again, the number of people standing decreased. An officer with half of his face wrapped in a bandage raised his sword and pointed it outside the port.

“Do not be afraid. Whether this battle will end in victory or death is up to God to decide. Fire!”

Chijijik.

Boom, boom, boom, boom.

Land, tatadang, land, land.

It was already a boring sound. And the result was the same.

Crunch, crack. Crunch.

“Ugh.”

“Eww.”

They exchanged fire, but one side’s shells bounced off, leaving the other side defenseless. The Eastern Fleet’s casualties continued to mount.

Kkukkung, gurgling.

Soon, one of the galleons tilted over, belching black smoke.

Danny Gerrard shouted with a pitiful face.

“The Chesfield is sinking.”

The bad news continued to pour in.

“The Ulverston’s bow has been blown away. She appears to be out of action. Ah! The white flag has been raised now.”

It was unknown whether he would withdraw from the battle or whether the opponent would show mercy.

“Speed ​​up, the other side of the enemy ship is made of wood like ours.”

“It’s too much. The coastal batteries are doing their part, so it would be better to fall back.”

“If we fall, the coastal batteries will also fall silent.”

Blood flowed from Admiral Walter Haines’ cracked lip.

Even when the odds were against him and he was on the brink of death, his will did not go out and burned brightly. His beast-like roar continued.

“Now is the time to stand up. No one should back down.”

“Wow, for Your Majesty!”

Despite the deafening noise of the battlefield, his shouts were heard by the soldiers of the Eastern Fleet, and the warriors who had destroyed the Invincible Fleet gained strength again.

“Go! Cheer up! Victory is at hand.”

“For England!”

As the officer fell, the artilleryman senior took hold of the flag.

“Powder loading, stand back. Shell loading, check?”

“check.”

“Fire!”

Chijijik.

Boom, boom, boom.

At the end of April (May in the solar calendar), Yi Sun-sin’s fleet, which had destroyed the English Eastern Fleet, continued its momentum and attacked Haenam Island.

Although the difference in power was overwhelming, 30 ships to 189 ships, the battle was not easy.

The Balant Fortress was a port with a bay formed by a hill jutting out from the coast. Two islands 20 li (8 km) from the coast formed a natural defense wall.

Here, on two islands and on a protruding hill from the coast, coastal batteries were installed.

Peeweeee, peewee.

with a splash.

Purbuck, Woozikkun.

The shells fired in a curved direction, causing water spray and some of them penetrated the deck and caused damage.

Artillery fire was fired, but there was no response.

“The terrain provides solid concealment.”

“General, how about we fall back for now?”

It was not difficult to establish a blockade with overwhelming numbers. However, the cost was terrifying as the supply fleet had to travel back and forth from the headquarters to a place 6,000 li (2,400 km) away.

Besides, the real rainy season started about a month and a half later.

The National Assembly has taken a step forward.

“If you give me the Panokseon, I will silence you with the Jincheonrye.”

“Jinchonryo?”

Incendiary grenades are powerful on land, but they are useless underwater, so they are nearly useless in naval battles. However, it is different when attacking land from the sea.

“The Jincheonrye’s firing range requires it to get close to the island, so a flat-bottomed ship is needed to do so.”

Yi Sun-sin glanced at his adjutant.

“Is there anyone nearby?”

“There is a leaflet from Manho in Namhae-do.”

“Go to the store. Go there and tell the story.”

“Yes. Okay.”

As the flagship made a sharp turn and slowed down, the national secretary and general left the flagship and boarded the short-range gun.

Clang, thud.

The waves that the battleship passed through drenched the Kookmin Party.

After a while, a short-ranged ship and a long-ranged ship joined the panokseon.

“I’ll be in your care for a while.”

“If it’s like this, then of course.”

Namhaedo Manho Lee Un-ryong handed over a towel.

“Thank you. Do you have any yellow cloth?”

“Wait a minute, hey, bring me an extra sail.”

with a splash.

The shot flew in, sending up a spray of water.

Meanwhile, under the command of Kim Deok-yun, an adjutant of the National Assembly, a cannon was deployed on the deck. Then, a rolled-up yellow sail was hoisted.

“Cover the gunpowder box.”

“The yellow sails are used to block the sea water from coming in as much as possible.”

I wiped my face with a towel, but it quickly became wet. Perhaps it was fortunate that the hull of the panokseon was high.

Amid the noise of the battlefield, the people’s voice shouted loudly.

“The maximum firing range of the gun is 2 ri (800 m), so you have to get close to the shore.”

“2 lira is amazing.”

Lee Yun-ryong expressed surprise for a moment at Jincheon-roe’s range.

“Turn the ship around. Stick to the island shore on the port side.”

“Pull the sail to the right.”

“Now is the time. Row.”

Ding, ding, ding, ding.

The mobility that was unique to the Panokseon, which was based on human power, shone through.

Choaak.

Pfft, slurp.

Lee Yun-ryong’s column advanced at a rapid pace, breaking through sporadic artillery fire.

As we got closer to the coast, the attacks from the coastal batteries became less frequent, due to the nature of the cannons which could not lower their muzzles.

Soon the anchor was lowered from the ship and the bombardment began.

“Estimated distance of 1 ri and a half. First shot fired.”

Chijijik.

Bang.

Phew.

“Check the distance. One and a half guns of gunpowder.”

“firing!”

Chijijik.

Bang, bang.

A shot flew from the four-door cannon. Follow-up shots continued in a long curve of smoke.

Gulp, gurgle.

There was a loud noise and after a while, black smoke rose.

“All right. Stop firing.”

“Cease fire. Cover the Huangpu.”

As Gukmin Seo nodded, Lee Woon-ryong headed towards his next goal.

“Raise anchor. The next island is ten li ahead.”

“Row with all your might.”

Ding, ding, ding.

Lee Yun-ryong’s flyer split the waves.