As Prophet - Chapter 122
Only Krnovel
Episode 122. The Master’s Craftsmanship
As soon as the leader’s order was given, two hundred people rushed forward. There were only about fifty people standing outside, but if you ran, it would be quick.
“Hit!”
“Attack!”
“Kill him!”
I heard all sorts of noises and they came running towards the school building’s walls. There were razor-sharp spears set up here and there, but they didn’t seem to care. I thought I could just sneak over to the side and that would be it.
He came running with a shout of “Wow!”
Only then did Dalcheon move.
“Strike the drum! Archers, prepare to fire!”
“Archers, prepare to fire!”
“Archers, prepare to fire!”
“Archers, prepare to fire.”
The sound of beeping was heard again, and the soldiers standing on the fence pulled their bows. With reinforcements coming, there were more than a hundred archers.
It had already happened several times. The chieftain flinched at the sound of the bowstring being pulled. But when the soldiers ran a dozen or so steps, they began to collapse. Their feet slipped into the sledgehammer hidden in the ground, and as they fell, their bodies were impaled on the wooden spears in front of them. A dozen or so people fell down, screaming almost simultaneously. It was a cruel sight. People were worse than dolls made of grass.
The men following behind avoided the hammer and turned to the side, but they stepped on the hidden sledgehammer. A rain of arrows poured down on the men who screamed and ducked.
Beep! Beep!
Beep! Beep!
Every time a sound was heard, a hundred or so arrows flew. Dalcheon looked at the military officer controlling the fire and opened his mouth wide in amazement.
“Oh, that’s good! Shoot the general too. You and I are the only ones who can protect the country. We need to shoot at least one more person.”
When I told others to shoot while I did not shoot myself, the general spoke rudely.
“Why does such a wise man remain silent?”
“I plan not to interfere in worldly affairs.”
“this.”
The enemies are running. I can’t stay still. The army got up and started shooting arrows. Dalcheon, who was sitting with his back against the back of the women’s clothing, muttered to himself.
“When we fire at the same time, we have to fire together.”
If you don’t say anything, I won’t hate you.
When they had entered far enough, Dalcheon glanced down the wall between the curtains. It was time. Dalcheon signaled to the officer behind the door.
“Raise the signal to attack the ambush.”
The military officer who received the order fired a flaming arrow. The red arrow, coated in oil, quickly burst into flames and rose high into the sky, lighting up the surrounding area.
A group of soldiers stood up behind the men who were running while being knocked down, stabbed, and shot with arrows as if attacking a castle wall. Cheolmuwoong’s cavalry, which had gone around the distant mountain ridge, began to run.
“Hit the drum!”
The military officer gave a signal and the drums rang out, ‘Dudung, dudung, dudung, dudung’, ordering an attack. The drums were already ringing when the attack had already begun, probably indicating a war of attrition. The Liu army attacked the men from behind, and the cavalry that had been sent outside came charging.
The wall began to collapse, and many soldiers fell before it could even reach half its height. But now they were attacking from behind. The enemy leader realized that he had already lost from the start. These were soldiers. Those who were good at strategy and tactics prepared for battle.
“Fight! Fight the enemy! Just kill the great army! Get over the wall!”
Before reaching the wall, countless people were falling. Half of them were caught in traps, and half were hit by arrows. They were wounded and died one way or another. The two hundred who had lined up in front became one hundred, and when there were less than fifty left, those who ran behind blocked the retreat route.
The great army, whose face was only visible above the wall, was still tempting them. More traps were set up that way. Not to mention the typical wall defenses such as hammagang, jilyeo, and necromancers, but also vine-tangled nooses that tripped people up and sharp spikes planted densely on the ground, leaving no place to step, impeding their advance.
The battle was over before a moment had passed. The cavalry shot and killed those who turned and fled. The wide ground in front of the school was filled with the groans of two hundred men.
Dalcheon called Jin Dong-hee and the three people from the training center.
“Please clear the battlefield. Check on the injured and send everyone to the Yangju County Office.”
“Loyalty!”
“The training center has caught those who attempted to assassinate Wangchin. I would like you to send them to Hanseongbu.”
“Loyalty!”
“Another person, please take care of the dead people on the mountain behind.”
“Loyalty!”
“And resignation, sir.”
“Yes, go ahead.”
“This is Yangju, but it is the Gyeonggi Provincial Office’s business. Please report to the provincial office and call in the military to handle the matter.”
The training center director shook his head.
“This many troops were moving, and a report must have come from Yangju-hyeon, but they stayed still.”
“Hmm, I see. I will wait for the adult’s judgment.”
“They must be in the same boat too.”
“Ahem, I see.”
The expression on the face of the general standing next to him changed. However, Dalcheon was delighted instead.
“Oh, that’s good! This is a chance to make a big splash.”
Different perspectives on the same issue. The prince is scared, but Dalcheon is said to have been better off.
“Then let’s deliver the news to the camp and see what happens next. Ahahaha!”
“I will send someone.”
“Please provide the format of an official document.”
“Loyalty!”
The battle was over. The soldiers were given a rest and a night meal was prepared on one side. They began grilling the remaining meat and making rice balls. Dalcheon went to the dining hall and sat down in a quiet place. Many people followed him. Training center Do-jeong Lee Ki-moon clapped his hands and praised him.
“It was truly a masterful job! Three hundred, one hundred and fifty, and then one hundred more, so you really dealt with five hundred and fifty easily, without a single casualty.”
“Isn’t that what you have to do?”
“Huh, are you humble? Or are you arrogant?”
“All strategy and tactics are rules for victory.”
“That is why I wanted to entrust you with the training of the training center. With dozens of generals with such strategic capabilities, this country will not be in danger from any foreign invasion.”
“Oh, go north and see the Jurchen cavalry fighting and report back. These people were untrained. No matter how well they wield their swords, they are helpless against the tactics of the army. This is natural. Don’t give me unnecessary praise, but give me some advice on how to handle this matter.”
“It’s already over. It happened, and there will be those who will blame the tragedy. They are the ones who are exactly on the opposite side of the Grand Duke.”
“I don’t know what to do anymore. If they came out to the battlefield with swords, I could just sweep them away, but I don’t know what to do with those who hide and use their wits.”
“How humble… … . I thought you were going to say something earlier.”
“Are you advancing on Hanyang?”
“Yes. Isn’t that a good cause?”
“We have to fight against thousands of troops and palace guards.”
“Yes. Then why did you say that?”
“I thought that at least among those who were doing this, there would be someone who was a ringleader.”
“But isn’t there any?”
“I haven’t looked into it closely, but it doesn’t seem to be there.”
“Hmm, that’s a bit tricky.”
“I want you to think about this. Tonight might be your only chance.”
Dalcheon, who thought he wouldn’t be able to give an answer right away, was about to turn around when Dojeong Lee Gi-moon grabbed his arm and stopped him.
“Do you really want to do that?”
“Yes. I want to finish quickly and return.”
“We are glad that the real person is here… … .”
“I don’t want to stay in this mess any longer.”
“If you, my lord, will stay, I will tell you the plan.”
“… … Yes? Hoo.”
Since the words were not simple, Dalcheon showed interest. Hanyangseong’s affairs will probably have a broader perspective on Dojeong.
Dojeong took Dalcheon to a place where there were no people and whispered.
“We need to interrogate them and find out where they should return to. We’ll fake the head of the Grand Prince’s army, say we’ve caught him, and then return home in glory.”
“Oh my, what kind of golden homecoming is that?”
“Listen to me. Take the prisoners and the disguised men and pass through Hanyang, arrive at the departure point, and report. Then they will come to check the supply. Your Highness the Crown Prince will probably come. Strike and set things right.”
“Oh.”
Dalcheon, who heard Dojeong’s plan, became deeply lost in thought.
“You didn’t intend to do that? Can you say you defended yourself when this happened? Do you understand that it was a one-sided massacre? Did you think the Hanyang court would just sit back and do nothing?”
“okay.”
Dalcheon praised Dojeong’s insight and immediately called a meeting. He explained that they would disguise themselves as those who attacked Yangju Academy and pass through Hanyangseong, put the heads of the disguised army in a ship, and use their leaders to their advantage. It was quite a distance to Hanyangseong. They were short on horses. They could only make 30.
The solution was given by the Grand Prince. It was to utilize the horses of the Forbidden Garden. He gave thirty cavalrymen to Mukhyeong and told them to immediately prepare the horses.
* * *
The army felt a great conflict at the sudden suggestion of the Hanyangseong attack, but it was impossible to turn back the flow of water. It was his suggestion to rescue the horse, and Mukhyeong had already gone to Geumwon to get the horse. Did I have a stake in it as much as I suggested?
Although he had a different mother, he had not yet resolved the current situation where he had to kill his brother and possibly even his father. His future overlapped with the image of defeat that appeared in history. He also thought that if he was going to live, he should end up saving his life, and that going further than that would be another greed.
Watching the generals discussing the Hanyang invasion, I felt grateful on the one hand, but on the other hand, I trembled at the thought of the disaster this would cause. Most of the discussions were about military matters, so there was no room for the Grand Prince to get involved. When the discussion was settled as to what to do and what to do, the Grand Prince took a deep breath and asked Dalcheon.
“Is there no way to do this without killing my brother or plotting against my father?”
Indecisive people are always the problem. Dalcheon shook his head with a pitiful expression.
“Instead, there is the option of dying, or finishing up here and waiting for the next ambush. However, the training center and the Yangju government office that mobilized the army may suffer damage. I think it would be helpful if you first say what you want to say. Now, what are you worried about?”
“I know the history of those who changed the throne through rebellion. Some led the political situation with strong royal authority, while others were swayed by the rebellion’s meritorious subjects and just watched their reactions. It would be impossible to discuss happiness on a history filled with blood that was obtained by killing parents and siblings. Honestly, I wish things could be fixed without doing this.”
I think I know the mind of the Grand Prince. He has a tendency to avoid adventures and is afraid of the arrows of criticism that will be returned to him.
“It is also a method to do nothing and disperse here. It is not too late even now. Please decide the will of the Great Military Mother. Although there is little damage now, someone fought with his life on the line. Because of my social reputation, the soul of someone with the same value is disappearing from the earth.”
“I want to think about it.”
“I guess you need some time alone. I’ll leave the seat for you.”
The crowd came out, leaving the grand prince alone in the large hall. The silent exit weighed heavily on the air in the hall. Dalcheon, who had come out, shook his head.
There is nothing easy about the world. When you step back, it is very objective, factual, and not something to worry about, but the reality that is immediate to you is a series of inescapable confusion. We may look back and decide, but in the end, we make the mistake of choosing anything. I hope that the future chosen in this way is not a big mistake, but we cannot know in advance before time passes.
I understand the prince’s worries, but I feel frustrated because now is not the time for it. It is difficult to say anything because it is not my job. It is flowing under my own name.
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