1592 The Empire We All Dreamed of - Chapter 327



Only Krnovel

1592 The Empire Everyone Dreamed of (327)

Battle of Manila

A large wave lifted the Panokseon.

The moment the flat-bottomed ship came down gently with its characteristic stability, the battery commander waved his flag.

“firing.”

Chijijik.

Boom, boom, boom.

The Panokseon shook violently with a loud noise. At the same time, 86 ships and 516 shells rushed toward the enemy. The smoke that followed looked like the claws of a monster.

Swoosh, swoosh.

Pak, pababak, pbagak.

“Ugh.”

“Eww, my legs.”

Those who were hit directly by the fist-sized iron rings died instantly, and those who had their limbs blown off were scattered everywhere, crying out in pain. Soon, the entire floor of the ship’s hold was soaked in blood and sloshed.

“Kuaaaah.”

“Andrea, Jose Andrea is dead.”

The soldier who confirmed the death of the battery leader put on his hat.

“You get what you pay for. Hurry up and clean the port!”

“The cleaning is complete.”

“Next, load the gunpowder.”

“Gunpowder loaded.”

“Everyone stand back. Fire.”

Chijijik.

The moment the wick burned out, the artillerymen turned their gaze to the enemy. However, all they saw were shells filling their field of vision.

Pub, pub, pub, quack.

“Ugh.”

“Kwaaak.”

Dozens of shells blasted through everything in their path. Human bodies were torn to pieces. Even the gunpowder boxes were no exception. The gunpowder scattered throughout the cabin met with sparks.

Phagectic.

The soldier, out of breath, thought of his lover from his hometown.

“Whew, whoosh. Goodbye, my dear Natalie.”

Soon the world turned white.

Kkwarung, kkwarung.

Yi Sun-sin’s fleet, which attacked Manila, drove back the Spanish fleet with overwhelming firepower.

Although they were trained through long wars, they had no way of fighting against the three-tiered warships that were twice as large and ahead of their time.

The panokseon, which was covered with armor plates, was nearly invincible in artillery battles.

Yi Sun-sin put down the telescope.

“You’re good at it.”

“I heard they were worn-out men, but I didn’t know they would so readily engage in a showdown of strength.”

“Tsk, a general should only think about war.”

Yi Sun-sin shook his head. Manila, as seen on the map, was a natural harbor. Thinking of the coastal guns in the bay surrounding the harbor was terrifying.

“It seems like they prioritized something other than war.”

“What on earth is that… … .”

He opened his mouth and stopped. He was now in the middle of a battle.

“Now is the time. Go full speed ahead.”

“Yes, General.”

Adjutant Oh Seung-ryong took hold of the drumstick.

Ding, ding, ding, ding.

The battleships that had been waiting for an opportunity all along left the astern of the panokseon.

The battle was slowly coming to an end.

In 1605, Manila was a loose confederation of colonies. Spain, which had recently reestablished its presence, was in the process of regaining control through a power struggle with the local lords.

‘There’s no benefit to seeing blood between us now that we’re short on troops.’

Admiral and provisional governor Juan Esteban refrained from fighting and focused on rallying the native forces.

‘You have to give them time and gradually apply force to make them submit.’

However, the effort to persuade those full of selfishness was slow. In the meantime, news was delivered that an unidentified fleet was passing through the Luzon Strait and heading south.

‘The fleet dispatched by Calib and Cebu is ordered to return.’

The external invasion was an opportunity to demonstrate strength both internally and externally.

‘Gather the chiefs. I promise I’ll give you a good show.’

So, they faced the enemy with a fleet of about 100 ships.

“Full speed ahead.”

“Aren’t you going to use the coastal batteries?”

“Since the opponent is a junk, it is better to fight in the deep open sea.”

“Yes, Admiral. Full speed ahead, fleet.”

When I first encountered the junks less than 100 ships in number, I had no doubt that I would win.

However, hell began the moment they were surrounded by 100 galleons that joined in after the enemy’s artillery fire.

Boom, boom, boom.

Tata dang, land, land.

“Oh my god! It bounces off the shells.”

“Oh my God.”

“Wake up. There is no ship in the world that can stop shells.”

It was certainly true. However, what the observer saw with his own eyes was outside the existing laws of physics.

Kwakwang, kwang, kwakwakwang.

“Gallions appear on the port side, estimated to be around 100 ships.”

“Don’t panic. Open both sides’ gates.”

Swoosh, bang, thud, crack.

“Eww.”

“Kwaaak.”

Gulp, gurgle.

“The Granada is sinking. It looks like an explosion.”

“The Almeria is falling back. It appears she is incapable of fighting, judging by her white flag.”

Despite the successive bad news, Admiral Juan Esteban was not discouraged.

“Get out of here at full speed. Keep firing.”

“Yes, Admiral. Hoist the sails. Full speed ahead.”

Pooh pooh, pooh pooh.

The Spanish fleet advanced in single file, with the trumpets blowing, while the two sides exchanged cannon fire.

“Fire.”

Chijijik.

Boom, boom, boom, boom.

Ttang, ttadadang, kwajik.

The number of shellings was similar on both sides, but the damage was different.

Boom, boom, boom.

Pavabak, Ujikkeun.

The Spanish fleet, having suffered unilateral losses, passed between the panokseons and the galleons.

“All right. Turn around. Hit the junk ship.”

“Yes, Admiral. Turn to starboard. Set sail… … .”

But things didn’t go as planned. The silhouette that appeared vaguely from the back of the junk ship gradually grew larger. Everyone was shocked by the unrealistic sight.

“Hey, what is that?”

“It’s the devil. A sea monster has appeared.”

It came as if it were death.

Choaack, squeak, squeak.

It was so huge that it made distance seem insignificant as it approached through the waves, and everyone had to raise their heads.

“Three, there are 12 cannons in the world, and they are on the third floor.”

“I’ve never heard of a ship like this.”

Suddenly, Admiral Juan Esteban shook his head violently.

“Wake up. Fire from the prepared batteries.”

“Fire.”

Chijijik.

Boom, boom, boom, boom.

Tata-dang, tata-dang, tang, tang.

The results were the same as before.

Ding, ding, ding, ding.

“Look over there, Admiral. There’s a junk ship.”

The junk, which thought it had caught up to them, spun around in place. In front, a monstrous battleship was charging towards the port side.

“About a hundred galleons followed at the rear.”

“What the heck is this?”

Yi Sun-sin’s fleet surrounded the Spanish side, which had been reduced to about 50 ships, in a triangle shape and opened fire. It looked as if they would spit out fire at any moment.

Time passed like that, which felt like an eon.

Finally, Admiral Juan Esteban closed his eyes tightly.

“Diego, raise the white flag.”

“Khuuuuk, Admiral.”

After a while, a white flag was raised over the fleet.

These were the words of those who claimed to be the successors to the Invincible Fleet.

“Wow, I won again.”

“South Sea Navy Camp, Cheonsei!”

“Have the lieutenant general disarm the enemy. Have Namhae-do Manho… … No, no.”

Yi Sun-sin glanced at the battlefield and buried himself deep in the admiral’s seat.

“You fools will figure it out. I just want to take a break.”

“Yes, General.”

When he closed his eyes, his adjutant Oh Seung-ryong quietly stepped aside.

It was a time when the noon sun was still shining overhead.

The fleet, having finished clearing the battlefield, arrived at the port.

“I guess I’ll be able to get back before the rainy season comes.”

“Who knows what might happen if we take our time? Let’s push the kids a little harder.”

“We’ll be docking soon. Hold on tight to anything.”

thud.

A moment later, a slight vibration was felt in the hull, accompanied by a crashing sound.

“Fix the rope and lower the foothold.”

Rattling.

The port was home to Manila’s nobles, including the governor.

“Attention, battalion!”

Crackle, crackle, chuck.

Unarmed cavalrymen in shining plate armor lined up. Across the red carpet stood local mercenaries in blue uniforms.

Clank, clank.

Yi Sun-sin, led by his generals, walked on the carpet and inspected them.

Then the orchestra began to play.

“The music is sad yet cheerful.”

“It seems to represent the feeling of going to the battlefield.”

“Everyone, maintain the dignity of a victorious general.”

“… … .”

In the center of the square, tables and chairs were set up under an awning.

The assembled Spanish nobles placed their hands on their hearts, took a step back, and bowed their waists in greeting. Their movements, which were not at all unified, seemed to be sincere.

Yi Sun-sin nodded in response.

“It is an honor to meet Admiral Lee of the East.”

“Hello, Admiral of Spain. It has been a glorious battle.”

Those who greeted each other through an interpreter took their seats.

Yi Sun-sin kept his mouth shut as if he was going to delegate all the procedures, and Yan stepped forward.

“Then, we will begin the surrender ceremony right away.”

“I will follow it without any objection.”

“Well, first. Let’s settle the unfortunate past of both sides… … .”

Both sides wrote down Jan’s opening remarks. Afterwards, documents were exchanged, each side’s language was mentioned, and the process of checking again followed.

The completed document was handed over to Yi Sun-sin.

“This is a draft of the surrender document. Please point out any issues so I can make corrections.”

“Okay. It’s up to you to take care of the formalities.”

He looked over the Dutch, Portuguese and Spanish personnel.

“Finally, all the stakeholders in the South Sea have gathered.”

The ranking of the great powers that had been competing with each other was also determined.

“Honey, now let’s start the real story. It’s about the navigation regulations of this sea.”

Gulp.

The attention of those who heard the interpretation was focused.

Now that the power supremacy has been revealed, it was time for the strong to set the rules. Perhaps it was only natural.

Yi Sun-sin’s bean-scale armor gleamed in the sunlight.

* * *

Clouds drifted across the blue sky.

It was an afternoon in June (July in the solar calendar), and the season was already heading towards summer.

“The sunlight is warm and the breeze is cool, it’s nice.”

“Wherever you look, there are soybean fields. Judging by the lush leaves, it looks like there won’t be any problems with the supply of Mongolian horses this year.”

Jiwoo moved his body in time with the horse’s movements.

Kim Myeong-seop watched those following him without letting on.

“What are you doing? If you have something to say, say it.”

“Wouldn’t it have been better to see it through to the end now?”

Behind them were 28 men of the saddle. Their muscles and skilled horsemanship, which were revealed through their clothes without the white flames, seemed to tell of their origins.

Jiwoo, who was glancing at them and the heavenly tigers in the east, smirked.

“You’re so determined, man.”

“These are the families that have been holding power and shaking things up from the safe rear. It is disgusting to leave such forces alone.”

“You talk as if you already own the world.”

Thud, thud.

The sky was clear. As Jiwoo’s horse maintained its speed at a fast pace, the clouds in the sky kept gathering and dispersing.

“Now, from Solbin to Beijing, it is Goryeo land.”

“Really? Goryeo will soon be mine, Go Jiwoo?”

“Isn’t it?”

Kim Myeong-seop was impulsive. It seemed like he thought that was loyalty.

“Your spirit is piercing the sky.”

“I’m sorry. I just.”

“Who stabilized our rear while we were at war?”

Jiwoo looked at him with an expectant expression.

Kim Myeong-seop sighed briefly as he thought about the answer to the question.

“They were the ones who had no doubt about our army’s victory, and they also provided unwavering support and additional conscription.”

“It is true that the king represents the country. However, those who support the king are those in power. The people? They are also just those who seek profit for their families.”

Jiwoo stroked his horse’s mane.

“Then shouldn’t we value them even more?”

“So you didn’t let him live?”

“ah!”

Just like Jiwoo Kookminseo, I hoped that Kim Myeongseop would grow.

“Only force can keep the peace. But the peace can be sustained through negotiation and compromise.”

“… … .”

Kim Myeong-seop forgot his duties as adjutant for a moment and became lost in thought.

Jiwoo looked at the sight with pleasure.

“There is a river ahead.”

What appeared before my eyes was one of the many rivers connected to the Tuman River. It was wide enough for a war horse to cross.

Before I knew it, the afternoon sun was setting behind me.

“That’s it for today. Let’s go over and camp.”

“Yes, everyone, come over.”

Splash splash.

“Start with a fire.”

“One unit scouts the area. The rest move on their own.”

Each man moved about, each finding his own work to do. The horses dispersed to graze, and the cavalry prepared a meal.

“Give me the reins.”

“Hehehe, that’s okay. I’ll do it myself.”

The eastern herdsmen washed their horses themselves, took out their dried goods, and soaked them in water. The soaked grains and beef jerky boiled for a while.

“Everyone listen.”

“Hehehe, I’ll eat well.”

“Eat plenty.”

The porridge, generously seasoned with pepper and salt, was full of flavor. For some, it was just an okay meal, while for others, it was a unique delicacy.

“It’s delicious. Does anyone have any alcohol?”

“This guy tries to do whatever he wants.”

Those who once walked the grasslands with an axe in their hands continued to eat and chat while reminiscing about the past.

As the sun set, the temperature dropped sharply and Jiwoo poured drinks for each of them.

Slurp.

“Just enough to get enough sleep.”

“thank you.”

“Your kindness is truly infinite.”

The Eastern Heavenly Kings lifted their cups with both hands and brought them to their lips. The bonfire crackled.

Before we knew it, we were 100 li (40 km) away from Puhai.