As Prophet - Chapter 139
Only Krnovel
Episode 139. Meeting for Two Victories
When Yoo Seok-do tried to persuade them with the way of a true man, the three nodded and agreed.
“However, the people’s suffering is truly painful. Why would I help Your Majesty? I have never received a single penny in return, so why would I help Your Majesty?”
Questions touch people’s hearts more strongly than explanations. The answers are difficult, but I have already felt that they transcend the petty interests that we value more than our lives.
“This is my opinion, but I think you think that helping Your Majesty is the way to serve the people.”
“You thought this was the way to serve the people.”
He finished by pressing down hard on the table as if he was hammering a nail into it.
“And I believe I am not entirely wrong. I have been away for a long time and do not know the situation in Hanyang very well, but I have glimpsed a world that has become more chaotic than before. I completely trust the judgment of the true man.”
After Yu Seok-do finished speaking, the room became quiet. No one has ever heard such a story. We cannot hear about the true man, the worldly being, or going beyond the realm of the flower world. Since these are stories from legends and myths, there is no reason to make them an important purpose of my existence. We live in a world where it is no problem to push their stories into the swamp of meaninglessness.
But when he spoke of the world of truth and non-action right next to them, the people present were speechless.
The early summer sunlight poured down brilliantly on top of the pitch-black silence. I couldn’t even swallow my saliva because I thought I could hear the sound of someone swallowing the saliva that was filling my mouth.
Dalcheon, who had been listening quietly, swallowed hard and turned around.
“Whew! It’s better to just leave Grandpa alone than to give him medicine for no reason and expose his true nature.”
That’s funny. The new king laughed heartily.
“Please tell me the capital and the burden. If the people can eat well and be safe and happy, I will make it happen no matter what I have to sacrifice… … .”
No further explanation was needed. No excuses were needed, and there was no need to force a goal. The crowd was moved by the foolish old man’s quick glimpse of the world after he came to his senses.
Dalcheon stood up.
“We must win two battles. The first is a life-or-death fight against the thugs of Il-dae-gye this afternoon. They know Hanyang and the palace very well. We have thoroughly prepared for our weak points and shortcomings. We cannot keep up with them in swordsmanship. If the same number of troops were to meet in front of Gwanghwamun, we would definitely lose. They are unmanned and have trained a lot. On the other hand, except for a few elite soldiers, most of us are peasant soldiers. They came running from farming with shovels and hoes. We must avoid close combat and lead them into a firefight. In case of close combat, we must wear two or three layers of armor, and fight while blocking their approach with the shields, long weapons, and spearmen of the Peng Baesu. If we form a line, we will win, but if our line breaks, we will lose.”
The crowd swallowed hard again. No one asked questions. They were ready to take his word for it and follow his guidance.
“The second battle is with the Jurchen cavalry. Thousands have crossed the border, but they have not come up through the official reporting route. The leader of the Il-dae-gye, Yeo-ui, and their alliance have been formed. We must be on guard in all directions and send forward troops far away, but in the end, we will have to face their terrifying mobility and powerful firepower.”
The three people were surprised at the word Yeojin.
“They are not the Jurchen cavalry of the early days of the country. They are heavily armed, carry extra horses, and move in a distracting manner before suddenly attacking.”
The commander brushed away his beard and dismissed the concerns.
“Even so, isn’t that making you a savage?”
“I don’t know what the standard is for dividing barbarism from civilization, but they are experts. They don’t just come out of every household. In their society, they are a kind of nobles who can afford a lot of equipment and go on a campaign. They are not farmers who plow the fields. Their slaves do the farming. They are a group of warriors trained through hunting. The mighty Khitan Liao dynasty collapsed helplessly before the Jurchen cavalry charged. The Song dynasty’s thousands of soldiers were chased away by just thirteen men and were annihilated. They are them.”
“You are worrying too much. If they are Jurchen, they cannot come here because the border defenses are so strong.”
“The traitors within have already crossed the border with their cooperation. If you hear a report of where they are coming from, they have already passed that place. I estimate that their number exceeds several thousand.”
“What makes you think so?”
“There is a message from the mountains. Thousands of Jurchen cavalry have crossed over, and it is transmitted very quickly. Of course, the accuracy may be low, but I have received such information, and I have heard them lament at a meeting of the Great Council that they are too far away to join today’s battle.”
Hanseong Panyun was the first to agree. It could be something uncomfortable, or it could be a habit. He gently rubbed the floor with his fingertips.
“We have to admit that there is no solution to sitting here and saying that it can’t be true. It is also difficult to deny the words of someone who has infiltrated enemy territory and obtained information. I don’t think that should be done. It would be better to admit the facts and come up with countermeasures. It is a matter of making the ancestral shrine and the country a good place to live. It is a matter of continuing this good country where the people can live well.”
The other two nodded in agreement to the words of someone who was older but relatively closer to power. Dalcheon gave a light thank you and passed the floor to Yoo Seok-do.
“I would like to have the battle today under the command of Yu Gong. He has been away from his current post for a long time, so he may be losing his senses, but he was a former commander of the Royal Guard and is very familiar with the affairs of both Hanseongbu and Gyeonggi Gamyeong, so I would like to have him take charge.”
The commander tilted his head.
“I thought the real person would do it, but he didn’t?”
“I only live in the mountains so I don’t know much about reality.”
“Aren’t you one of the greatest heroes of the Imjin War?”
“I fought with the hundred or so cavalry assigned to me, and the entire battle was led by the elders, the cavalry, and the defense officers. And as someone said earlier, I must step down. I want to minimize what is done in my name. I ask for your understanding.”
The audience was secretly moved by his attitude of not trying to fight for the ball, but rather giving up the initiative and taking on a helping role.
Yoo Seok-do explained the plan.
“They are unmanned. It is a bit difficult to use conventional tactics. The real man entered their den earlier, but I had to hesitate at the entrance. It was because I could not avoid the eyes of the masters. I do not mean to brag, but there are many masters who would make me, who was called the best swordsman in Hanyang 10 years ago, flinch.”
Dalcheon interrupted briefly.
“I have confirmed that there are about twenty people.”
“What are you saying? There are twenty people who surpass Yu Gong’s inaction?”
“The royal family was in a very precarious state. His Majesty the King had already sensed it and was trying very hard to persuade me. I don’t know through what route, but I think he sensed it. It was a kind of fear.”
“His Majesty the King knew? But he didn’t show it at all.”
“Perhaps His Majesty the King knows of a person called Il Dae-gye, or rather, Yeo-ui.”
“But you refused?”
“Yes. I simply declined and left.”
Yuseokdo pressed the floor.
“The way to deal with a master is to fire a few arrows and then rush in with a large group.”
“It’s not possible in a street fight. People could get hurt.”
“I suggest a circle formation. Create several circles to block their fierce charges, and have the archers inside shoot. Oh, and the archers are cavalry. They will move in and out between the circles to neutralize them. The circle will be made up of spearmen, long spearmen, and long swordsmen. They will block with shields, block their approach with long weapons, and if they break in, the long swordsmen will attack them. Those outside the circle formation won’t be able to withstand the arrow fire. I don’t know how they’ll get there, but they have weak armor. They rarely wear it. The more confident they are in martial arts, the more this applies.”
By chance, Yoo Seok-do’s gaze turned to Dal-cheon. Dal-cheon quickly wiped his mouth with his hand and said no.
“I wear armor too. Hehe.”
Yuseokdo kept his mouth shut and then waved his hand to draw attention.
“With that, we will lead the battle in front of Gwanghwamun to victory.”
“Is there more?”
“Their forces will head towards the palace. They will attempt to assassinate Your Majesty.”
“How would you recommend doing that?”
“Same thing. Place your archers on the rooftops and walls. Those who enter the castle yard are within shooting range of the archers on the rooftops and walls. You have to make a hive.”
Jo Dong-gil asked.
“Your Majesty’s escort?”
“The guards must be well-armed and engage in close combat with them. Those who entered the palace despite such hardships are experts. They must fight the enemy shoulder to shoulder. The second group leader, please make a field of traps inside the palace, or rather, around the side hall and the bedroom. Sprinkle weeds on the ground and make a pit to fall into. Set up deer horn trees to block their charges, and shoot arrows through them to neutralize them. There is no time. Use everything we know to set traps. We must hurry. By the way, in the Battle of Yangju Academy, 200 men defeated 500 men. That was possible because we prepared in advance.”
Then the new king intervened.
“I will also wear armor and fight.”
Yuseokdo lowered his forehead.
“Your Majesty must remain in hiding.”
“If the king hides, who will fight? I am also a clumsy warrior.”
Was it awkward to say that? He glanced at Dalcheon for no reason. Dalcheon slowly turned his head away and looked away. In his eyes, he was nothing, a weak person who could not even be called a warrior. The new king made an excuse to Dalcheon.
“When I was a student at Yangju Academy, I wasn’t very talented. I didn’t work hard, so it was hard to stop one or two unarmed people. However, I didn’t have the spirit. I will fight the enemy. I will protect the people. And I will make sure that the royal shrines and temples of this country continue for a long time.”
The content of the subsequent meeting did not differ much from the outline that Yu Seok-do had mentioned. They focused on selecting the general and training him quickly, pointing out that the general who would take command of Wonjin had to be outstanding.
It was Yoo Seok-do’s decision to hand over a group of cavalry to Dalcheon, who was retreating.
“You shouldn’t think about sitting still and doing nothing. You have to do something.”
“Ahem. Sosaeng was going to do something else… … .”
“What’s going on?”
“Isn’t that how battles are originally? Isn’t it over once you capture the enemy leader? I thought that if I attacked their lair while the battle was in full swing, I could capture them.”
“You like burglarizing empty houses. It’s not too late to do that after you win.”
“Ugh. Well then… … .”
“I will attach 200 cavalry of your choice. Since it will be composed entirely of cavalry, you can disrupt their formation.”
“It seems like it would be perfect for getting hit by friendly arrows.”
“I will give you thorough instructions.”
“Whew. Instead, there may be a situation where I won’t be able to command the army, so please appoint one of the subordinates as a smart person.”
“All right.”
The one who caught him again was the new king.
“I thought you would stay by my side to protect me… … .”
“Ah, then you are saying that all my allies will die and I will remain alone to protect His Majesty and die a heroic death. I will not wait for them to come, but will sweep them away at the very front.”
“Can’t we do it together?”
“It is a kind of guerrilla force, and it will be in the most dangerous combat situation. I do not recommend that Your Majesty join it.”
It’s his way of saying it. He says it gently, but it doesn’t mean that it’s okay. He uses the expression “If you really want to do it, I won’t stop you.” The king sighed.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
