1592 The Empire We All Dreamed of - Chapter 325



Only Krnovel

1592 The Empire Everyone Dreamed of (325)

Fall

Lee Yun-ryong’s flagship, which cut through the waves, crashed into the white sand beach.

“Stop! Lift the oar.”

“Listen to the oars.”

As soon as the oars that had been rowing vigorously were lifted horizontally, the panokseon charged forward by inertia. Then, pushing the sand, it settled on the beach.

Choaak. Pavabak.

“Prepare to fire.”

“The hill is too high.”

“This is the best. Maximize the firing angle.”

The sea was filled with the sound of explosions. Even if a fist-sized cannonball were fired, the giant ship would not sink. However, the overwhelming number of 189 ships was implementing the laws of physics.

A scene of devastation unfolded here and there, with ear-piercing gunfire and human screams mixed together.

“1 ri away. 2 cans of gunpowder. Fire at full strength.”

“firing!”

Chijijik.

Bang, bang.

The Jincheonroe, fired at an almost vertical angle, belched a long plume of smoke as it headed toward the hill.

Even before the sound of the explosion could be heard, the instructions from the National Assembly continued.

“The specifications are the same as before. Fire!”

Chijijik.

Boom, boom, boom.

After a while, the long-awaited explosion was heard.

Kkung, gurgling. Kkung.

Urrrr.

One side of the hill collapsed, along with a huge plume of black smoke. Fortunately, no debris rolled onto the white sand.

“Wow. I did it.”

“Wow. Okay.”

As the soldiers cheered loudly, Lee Yun-ryong gave another order.

“Everyone calm down. There are still coastal hills left.”

“Get off the ship. Get the ship afloat again.”

“Put the rope down. Bring the rope.”

Soon, three panokseons approached and tied ropes. Then, soldiers disembarked from the panokseons and clung to the bottom of the bow. The whole process was surprisingly fast and skillful.

“Push! Push, push. Push, push.”

“Row, row. Pull quickly.”

Ding, ding, ding.

After a while, a taut rope pulled Lee Yun-ryong’s flagship into the sea.

“All right. Everyone, board.”

“Come on, jump.”

Splash splash.

There was no distinction between generals and soldiers. Those who ran at full speed along the beach climbed up the thick nets that the flagship had laid down.

“Turn the player around.”

“Now is the last day. The moment we put the coastal guns in front of us to sleep, we will become the masters of this sea.”

“Wow.”

Namhae-do Manho Lee Un-ryong personally held the drumstick.

“Come on, row.”

Ding, ding, ding, ding.

Choaak.

Pfft, slurp.

Sporadic artillery fire created a water spray.

However, due to the nature of the cannons, which could not lower their muzzle, the attacks became less frequent as they got closer to the coast.

Soon the entirety of the coastal battery on the harbor hill was revealed. Its sturdy appearance, reinforced with stone, seemed capable of withstanding most direct hits. However, of course, there was no sign of any preparation for curved fire.

Soon, Lee Yun-ryong’s flyer landed close to the shore.

“1 ri away. First shot fired.”

Chijijik.

Bang.

Phew.

“Check the distance. One gunpowder.”

“firing!”

Chijijik.

Bang, bang.

Soon, four Jincheon-roe shells flew. Without waiting for the results, follow-up artillery fire followed one after another.

Kkugu-kung, kkugu. Gulp.

The sound of explosions followed, which was a typical sign of a bomb blast. As if to prove it, black smoke rose up after a while.

“All right. Stop firing.”

“Cease fire.”

“There is no more gunfire or smoke.”

“We did it. We finished off Yeonggili’s coastal artillery.”

“Wow!”

Shouts of victory filled the sea.

“Turn to port. We will fall back and join the encirclement.”

“Fix the sail to starboard.”

Ding, ding, ding, ding.

The heated battle spirit calmed down and Lee Yun-ryong’s flyers, having completed their work, returned to their original mission. Their cold appearance was chilling.

Black smoke was soon seen throughout the fleet.

“The coastal batteries have stopped.”

“Are you sure?”

Yi Sun-sin looked around the battle situation through his telescope and confirmed it for himself.

Meanwhile, the shelling continued.

Kwakwang, kwakwakwang.

The battleships were concentrating their firepower and continuing their offensive while the Panokseon had widely surrounded the sea area.

“It slowly falls back.”

“Yes? I have the upper hand. Let’s just push through.”

The English Eastern Fleet was now completely surrounded in the middle of the Baltic Sea.

“The game is already decided. Give them a chance to understand the situation.”

Yi Sun-sin recalled the 32 ships he had captured in the previous naval battle.

‘About 60 ships, that should be enough to cover the cost of the war.’

Running a fleet was no different than taking care of the fleet’s finances, including the salaries of 10,000 soldiers, gunpowder, and other supplies.

The battleships that had formed the encirclement circled like a whirlpool and moved away. The gunfire gradually died down. The scene was like a snake coiling around its prey.

Eastern Fleet Admiral Admiral Danny Gerrard shouted loudly.

“The enemies are releasing the pressure.”

“… … .”

“Now is the time. We must disperse our fleet. We must find the weak points and break through the encirclement.”

“It’s all over.”

Admiral Walter Haines’s white face was as pale as a corpse. His lips were scabbed over from biting them so much that even his chest was covered in blood.

“Admiral!”

“Look. The coastal guns have been silent for a long time. The fleet is trembling. Where have all my brave men gone?”

The battlefield, where the gunfire had suddenly stopped, was quiet.

Clang, thud.

Amid the steady sound of waves hitting the bow of the ship, black smoke still rose from where the coastal batteries had been.

Adjutant Danny Gerrard gritted his teeth.

“It was my fault. I should have made up my mind at Pratas Islands.”

“Your judgment was not wrong. The enemy was just too strong.”

I never thought I would be on a three-tier battleship. I bit my lip and tried to muster up my fighting spirit, but it was not enough in every way.

“It was a clean defeat, from firepower, terrain, to the strategy that combined them all.”

Admiral Walter licked his lips.

“Raise the white flag.”

“Kuuuuuuu.”

Starting with the flagship, the other ships also raised their flags one by one.

Thus ended the five-day war. With the ambitious plans of the English East India Company also frustrated, the ramifications were unpredictable.

“It’s a white flag. The white flag has been raised over there.”

“Wow. I won.”

“Wow. The Joseon navy is a thousand years old. The military commander is a hundred years old.”

“phew.”

Yi Sun-sin sighed in relief and buried himself in the admiral’s seat.

After a while, the flagships of each squadron gathered together.

“General, congratulations on your victory. Hahaha.”

“I will reduce it.”

“Everyone worked hard. Clearing the battlefield… … .”

“I have instructed you to take care of the wounded, and the lieutenant general’s detachment is currently disarming the enemy.”

“Manho of Namhaedo is landing with the corps.”

“Heh heh heh.”

Baekyeon fluttered at Yi Sun-sin’s laughter.

Each and every one of them was a capable general capable of leading the navy of a country. It was reassuring to know that they would take care of the follow-up work on their own.

“It’s nice to see everyone giving in to the newcomers.”

“Oh my, the general’s words really hit me in the heart.”

“Hahaha, that’s right. Actually, I just find it annoying.”

“Hoo hoo hoo.”

Yi Sun-sin closed his eyes with a relaxed expression.

“fizzle.”

The right admiral, Jeong Yun, who had been escorting the flagship throughout the battle, put his index finger to his lips. Then, at his gesture, the mast tilted, creating a shadow.

“The amphibious assault force has landed.”

“Let’s start moving too.”

Ian Liang, with his handsome gray beard, waved his hand.

“Let’s stop bothering each other and see what the young generals do.”

“Well, that sounds good too.”

The generals stopped walking and took out their telescopes.

Disarmed prisoners were disembarked from the galleons that had been led into the harbor.

“It’s going.”

“Move, move.”

The surrendered soldiers moved listlessly as if they had lost all willpower. It made me wonder if they were really men who were prepared to die.

“Why is there no MacAri?”

“Everyone looks exhausted.”

“Shouldn’t we feed our children something?”

Soon makeshift huts were built here and there and fires were lit.

The meal consisted of porridge mixed with shredded beef jerky, but it was a fine feast for soldiers who had starved for a whole day. The prisoners were also provided with the same.

After the meal, allied forces and prisoners alike scattered about. However, there was one last thing left to do.

“Everyone be quiet. Shut up.”

“Line up and stand.”

A surrender ceremony was held in Ballantyne Square in the late afternoon.

The Eastern Fleet soldiers lined up unarmed as the Allied Forces surrounded the square. They all looked haggard as they stood there, looking shabby.

“The loser, come forward.”

After hearing the interpretation, the adjutant accompanied Admiral Walter to the podium.

A long table was placed on the platform, and the victorious allied generals were seated there.

‘The author is Admiral Lee.’

Admiral Walter Haines glanced at the white-haired admiral sitting at the center of the table, his gleaming scale armour giving him an intimidating look.

“Take the oath.”

“Admiral Walter Haines of the English Eastern Fleet surrenders to the Combined Fleet of Taiwan on June 1, 1605. Captain Danny Gerrard, reading from the Lord Admiral.”

Dates are written in both AD and DT.

As the adjutant stepped aside after taking his oath, Admiral Walter approached the table.

“Baron João Fernando of Portugal will stake his title on this notarization. Do both parties agree?”

“I agree.”

“I agree.”

“One, the English Eastern Fleet surrenders to the Taiwan Alliance.”

After briefly checking the reactions of both sides, Baron João Fernando continued reading.

“One, the Taiwan Alliance guarantees the lives of prisoners.”

As expected, there was no response from either side.

“One, we promise a humane release after further consultation with the East India Company.”

After the reading, Baron João Fernando signed first as a notary public, then presented the agreement to both parties.

“Please review and sign the agreement.”

Governor-General Jan Belzep and Admiral Walter Haines signed and exchanged the document, then signed it again, and exchanged copies.

Time was delayed due to the occasional interpretation. Before we knew it, the afternoon sun was calling for sunset.

“I hereby certify that the war between the two sides has come to an end. Next, there will be a ceremony to transfer the fortress.”

Everyone’s gaze turned towards the hill.

The half-built barracks and the Government-General building came into their view.

“Squad facing right.”

Chuck, chuck, chuck.

The Joseon army, led by English soldiers, advanced towards the hill.

After a while, the English flag was lowered at Fort Ballant. Then the Taegeukgi was raised.

A soldier’s trumpet playing was sad.

Yi Sun-sin silently watched the Taegeukgi fluttering in the wind.

He recalled his conversation with Jan.

‘Would you rather put North Korea at the forefront or would you rather put Taiwan first?’

‘Let you come forward.’

Yi Sun-sin put Taiwan first as if it were a given.

The court did not permit communication with the Southern Man, so they simply defeated a group of bandits. There was no need to exchange national documents with a group of bandits.

‘Goryeo is in the forefront, while Joseon is hiding. But it’s not something I can do.’

All he had to do was submit a report to the court.

‘Should we encourage discussion by scolding the adjustment?’

He shook his head inwardly.

‘The ministers are not fools. His Majesty, who is wise, will make a good decision.’

“I will now conclude the surrender ceremony.”

“Thank you for your effort.”

With this, the Taiwan Alliance defeated the English Eastern Fleet, capturing 3,000 prisoners and 60 galleons.

Baron João Fernando was about to step down when Jan stopped him.

“Wait a minute. I have unfinished business with Portugal.”

“… … ?”

Jan took out another document from his bosom and put it down.

“Taiwan and the Netherlands Union formally declare war on Portugal.”

“Oh my god, what is this?”

Baron Juan took a step back as if he could never accept it.

“Article 3 of the Macau Convention: Joint response to any threat to the security of Macau and Taiwan waters. Remember?”

“I remember. I regret not being able to ask for your understanding sooner.”

“Unfortunately, the agreement has been automatically terminated.”

Baron Joao Fernando was delighted.

“We are ready for a new agreement.”

“Shouldn’t we pay the price first? And then let’s continue.”

Jan, with Yi Sun-sin behind him, was resolute, while Baron Joao Fernando of Portugal was embarrassed. The generals of the South Sea Naval Camp had bored expressions.

“You should have just informed me. Why do I have to make you understand everything one by one?”

“Ah, I’m starting to feel a little hungry.”

The next day, the prisoners were mobilized to collect and bury the bodies of the dead soldiers floating on the sea. The Allied dead were cremated. Then, late in the afternoon, a supply ship arrived and took the prisoners and left.

Twelve half-damaged panokseons followed, and the captured galleons that were in good condition joined them.

The galleons were swelled to 70 ships and the fleet was reorganized.

Another day passed.

“General, we are ready to set sail.”

“Let’s go.”

“Let’s go. Sound the drum.”

Ding, ding, ding, ding.

A fleet of 187 ships, including 19 battleships, 12 ships of the line, 70 galleons, and 86 panokseons, advanced eastward. The target was Macau.

“How did it come to this?”

Baron João Fernando’s sigh was hollow. There was nothing he could do in a situation that was completely unpredictable.

Sweat beaded on his forehead in the hot sun.

The season has now turned into summer.