1592 The Empire We All Dreamed of - Chapter 326
Only Krnovel
1592 The Empire Everyone Dreamed of (326)
Ideal and Reality
Jiwoo came out of the country.
Prime Minister George Go and his officials saw him off.
“Please take a look, Your Majesty.”
“The gods will carry out Your Majesty’s command with their lives.”
Jiwoo laughed heartily.
“Save your lives. You will still have a lot to do after you retire. For example, nurturing future generations would be a good example.”
“Oh, thank you very much, Your Majesty.”
“I am so sorry.”
It was a statement acknowledging their worth, but on the other hand, it also openly meant that they would overwork them, so my feelings became complicated.
Han Moon-geuk, who came out to see me off, said with a smiling face.
“This morning, a royal decree came down from Hanyang.”
“Really? That’s faster than I thought.”
Jiwoo glanced over the document that Hanmungeuk had handed over.
“Gando Military Commissioner?”
“The force was reduced to 2,000 cavalry and 3,000 infantry.”
“Well, that’s not too bad. If it’s not enough, just pick more. You can also try to persuade some useful prisoners.”
Hanmun Geuk blinked.
“Aren’t you just telling me to do whatever I want?”
“Yes. Now you know how much I trust you, right?”
Hanmun-geuk nodded his head for a moment and then prostrated himself.
“God will never betray Your Majesty’s trust.”
The courtiers who had been observing the situation also followed suit and prostrated themselves.
“The gods will always strive to carry out Your Majesty’s will without any shortcomings.”
“Okay, everyone get up. It’s going to be dark soon.”
Soon, Jiwoo, who had mounted his horse, looked down at the castle. Many people were digging the ground and laying bricks to make a road. A stone foundation was built on the palace site.
“This is a message from the Ministry of Construction. Uh, ‘We will show you the results.’”
“That is indeed the case with Oh Jong-gil.”
Jiwoo turned the reins.
About 100 escorts took the lead, while the remaining 400 or so surrounded Jiwoo and went down the hill.
Drumroll, drumroll.
The significantly smaller force moved nimbly.
“Shouldn’t we increase the number of escort troops?”
“Even if the number of people increases, it will become dull. Now is the perfect time.”
Now that the front has moved south of the Yellow River, there is no longer any threat nearby.
“But just in case.”
“Humans never do anything that harms them.”
Anyone who harms the founding king who united the North will become an enemy of all. What good will it do to kill yourself and create chaos?
Those who are worthy of doing so are currently busy settling down in Shandong Province.
“Shall we go for a run for a bit after a long time?”
“I will serve you.”
“ha!”
Hehehee.
As Jiwoo stepped forward, Kim Myeongseop followed. Then, the guards who had formed the battle line retreated in a hurry.
Doo doo doo doo.
“Haa! Haa!”
The meadow in May (June in the solar calendar) was warmly sunny.
Two horses galloped across the grassy ground, followed by an escort of cavalry.
Doo doo doo doo.
“Whew, whoosh.”
The harsh wind cooled the heat emitted by the horse and rider.
When they were tired from running for half a day, the cavalry that had been in the vanguard waited and joined them at the side.
“There is a river ahead. It is 10 jang (30 m) wide and knee-deep.”
“Slow down.”
“Yes, my lord.”
As Kim Myeong-seop fell back, the escort’s speed gradually slowed down.
After a while, Jiwoo arrived at the stream and rode his horse into the water. Myeongseop, who was following behind, also jumped into the stream leading his escort.
Splash splash.
Hehehee.
“Oh, it’s refreshing. Oh my.”
Jiwoo, who was soaking wet all over, poured water on his horse.
“I will do it.”
“It’s okay. It’s nothing more than this.”
The stream meandered gently down the hill into the forest below. The surrounding area was a series of meadows, forests, and open spaces.
A soldier handed me a spruce branch he had broken off.
“Write this.”
“Thank you.”
The horse grunted happily as I swept its back and combed its mane with fir branches.
Purrurr, purrurr.
“Woah, woah. Hold on. Isn’t it refreshing?”
After washing the horse and crossing the stream, there was once again a series of meadows, hills, and forests. When I turned my head, I could see a mountain range shrouded in mist to the south.
“I’m taking a break for half an hour.”
“rest.”
The guard lay down in the shade and the horses grazed.
“I’m going to close my eyes for a moment.”
“okay.”
Jiwoo leaned his back against the tree stump. Then, his eyes once again turned to the vast grasslands and rivers. This was the area where Geonjuwi and Haeseo had once fought over territory.
“There is no more war on this land.”
The presence of forests and the growth of grass means that if you sow seeds, you can harvest them. When security is secured, people settle down.
“What we need now is strong law enforcement and equal opportunity.”
He closed his eyes tightly.
The wind blew past my ears, and I heard a soft snoring.
Because it was a small project, the speed was fast.
Jiwoo and his party, who had been advancing east at a speed of 200 li (80 km) per day, arrived at Haeranbu five days after leaving Gungnaeseong.
Crops grew luxuriantly in the vast farmland surrounding the castle.
“The soybean fields are endless. There’s more than enough to feed the Haran family.”
“yes?”
Jiwoo’s upper body was tilted on the horse.
“I see people waiting in front of the gate. Oh my, it looks like all the residents of Haeranbu have come out.”
“It’s a hassle, but I’ll accept it. Relax.”
“Everyone, straighten your backs and relax your expressions!”
Warm, warm.
The nobles of Haeranbu were lined up outside the wide open gate.
“I, Gobur Ahabchul of the Mokra tribe, congratulate you on your victory.”
“Toman Dokroul congratulates Your Majesty on his victory.”
“The people of Goryeo bow to His Majesty the King… … .”
Jiwoo got off his horse while the old men in power prostrated themselves.
“Smile, everyone stand up.”
“I am embarrassed.”
Gobur Ahabchul stood up, shaking his knees.
“I have prepared a small dinner for you, so please go.”
“I was already hungry. Let’s go.”
As Jiwoo walked, the heavenly tigers of the East followed him.
“The King of Goryeo is coming.”
“Where, where?”
“Hey, don’t push.”
As we passed through the wide open gate, the residents of Yeondo raised their hands and cheered.
“Wow! Long live His Majesty the King.”
“Long live the great Goryeo Dynasty.”
As Jiwoo raised his hand to answer, Kim Myeongseop and the escorts looked around for any possible danger.
“Wow, may Dangguri protect Goryeo for eternity.”
“May you live long and prosper.”
The enthusiastic cheers seemed to wash away all my long-standing worries. I arrived at the official residence and unpacked.
A banquet was held as the escort took over security of the official residence.
Slurp.
Gobur Ahabchul, who had been pouring wine with both hands, stepped back and said.
“I never imagined that I would be able to see the founding of a nation during my lifetime. This land is no longer divided into tribes fighting each other, and this is all by Your Majesty’s grace.”
“I appreciate your foresight in readily responding in the past.”
“I am so grateful. This is all according to Dangguri’s will.”
Jiwoo picked up the bottle of alcohol with a satisfied expression on his face.
“In honor of your dedication, I’ll pour you each a drink.”
“What an honor this is. I am so touched.”
Those who stood up in a hurry bent their backs and held out their glasses.
“I advise you to put aside your formalities and come in comfortably.”
“Hahaha, I will follow your orders.”
Soon the musicians came in, took their seats, and began to play.
“With this, wars have disappeared and no one is hungry, so everyone says that heaven has come to the world.”
“When I think back to the time when we were desperate to kill each other, I feel deeply moved.”
People who had become excited before they knew it began chatting and reminiscing about the past.
“It was the same when Your Majesty first appeared. Weren’t we all plotting to stab each other in the back of the head with an axe?”
“Hahaha. I was in my prime back then.”
Friendly words were exchanged and good food and drink were enjoyed.
It was a good time, as always.
“stop.”
It was Jiwoo’s one word that broke the mood.
The musicians stopped playing, quietly packed up their instruments and retreated.
“Have you all heard the saying, ‘New wine in a new glass’?”
“… … ?”
As Jiwoo waved his hand, a new bottle of alcohol was placed.
Slurp.
The way he poured wine into a new glass looked almost like he was offering a sacrifice.
“My ideal is a world where everyone is happy. But the reality is that there are too many people who want to rule.”
“Ideals and Reality.”
Gobur Ahabchul reflected quietly.
“Thank you for your hard work. As a way of showing my gratitude, I’ll show you Solbin.”
“That is… … . What do you mean?”
Tomuan’s Cheonho Toman Dokroul put down his glass.
“That’s true. Why don’t you hand over your position to the younger generation and enjoy your old age?”
“Your Majesty.”
The room was in an uproar.
Some people were bewildered and didn’t know what it meant, while others understood the meaning and looked into what was behind it.
There was only one person enjoying his drink alone.
The eyes of the soldiers surrounding the banquet hall shone coldly.
* * *
Macau’s port is under siege again.
It was the second lockdown following the nightmare of three years ago.
Ding ding ding ding.
An officer came running up the stairs amid the noise of bells ringing all around the harbor.
“The enemy. The enemy has invaded.”
“What’s going on, Gomez? Tell me calmly.”
Macau Governor Bruno Felix calmed the panicked officer.
“About 70 galleons, 80 large junks, and 20 medium-sized junks surrounded the port. And… … .”
“What the hell.”
The governor, who had hurriedly run out onto the terrace, opened his eyes wide.
An unidentified fleet surrounded the harbor coast in a pitch-black manner, and the highlight among them were the huge battleships with their ports exposed at the very front.
The governor, whose ears were ringing repeatedly, shouted loudly.
“What is that? Was there a galleon that big?”
“I’m seeing this ship for the first time too. There are 12 ships in total.”
“oh my god.”
Governor Bruno Felix took a step back, seemingly embarrassed.
“Give the order, Governor. First, activate the coastal batteries.”
“That’s right. Hurry up and take the soldiers to the coastal battery… … .”
“Yes, Your Excellency the Governor. And to the fleet docked in port.”
“Cancel, where is Cancel? Hurry up and bring Admiral Juan.”
“The Admiral has gone to the Balant Sea to give his testimony.”
“ah.”
Bruno Felix, Governor of Macau, lowered his head.
“You’re wrong.”
“Yes? Your Majesty!”
The governor’s eyes filled with despair.
“What can you do with three coastal batteries when the fleet cannot operate?”
He was a coward and corrupt, but at least he wasn’t stupid.
After the humiliation of three years ago, he increased the number of galleons to 30 and paid attention to supplying the fleet. This was not for war, but to suppress the weak and be treated by the strong.
“A boat with a white flag is approaching.”
“I guess I can figure out what the situation is. Let’s go out and see.”
“I will do it.”
Just as I was about to leave the office, a messenger came running and reported.
“The Admiral has disembarked from the boat. He is now ascending the stairs.”
“Admiral Juan? Then who are they?”
“Thank goodness, we weren’t surrounded, Governor.”
The governor closed his eyes, made the sign of the cross, put his hands together and prayed.
“Oh, Lord. Holy Father, Holy Mother, Holy Son… … .”
“No. That’s a siege.”
Admiral Joao Fernando entered the office.
“Admiral. Thank you for your hard work. By the way, what did you just say?”
“They are going to punish us for violating the Macau Treaty.”
The haggard-faced admiral collapsed onto the sofa.
“oh my god.”
“Oh my God.”
The staggering governor turned his gaze toward the terrace. Hundreds of ships were surrounding him, their gun ports open.
Still, I asked the question just in case.
“Has the Admiral heard anything else? For example, something about compensation?”
“They told us to choose between surrendering or dying.”
Admiral Juan shrugged his shoulders wearily.
“What are you going to do?”
He turned his gaze towards the terrace.
“As you can see, we are not capable of dealing with 30 galleons.”
“ha.”
Governor Bruno Felix lowered his head.
After a while, a white flag was raised over the Governor’s residence on the hill.
A table was set up in the square and disarmed soldiers gathered.
And then time passed again.
“I am sorry to see you like this.”
“It’s been a while. Why did you change ships out of nowhere?”
As Yan and the Zealandia side sat down, the Macau side sat across from them.
“First, will you accept our demand of unconditional surrender?”
“We once again regret that this has happened. Macau acknowledges its breach of the treaty and agrees to unconditional surrender.”
“Tsk, at least you made a wise decision this time.”
They abandoned their ideals and chose reality, but they were wrong. The Macau side could not raise its head.
“Please show the winner’s generosity.”
The logic of power shortened the extremely difficult process.
“Our Admiral Lee wants to end the fight quickly. As luck would have it, that would give you an opportunity.”
Jan leaned over and pushed his face in.
“How about a way out of captivity?”
“… … !”
With the addition of 30 Portuguese galleons, the fleet grew to 217 ships.
The next day, as always, the supply fleet arrived.
They delivered information about Spain through the merchant ships, along with supplies such as gunpowder and shells.
And another day passed.
A fleet of 217 ships, including 19 battleships, 12 ships of the line, 100 galleons, and 86 panokseons, sailed south. The target was Manila, Philippines.
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