Chapter 277 Aiding Korea and Fighting the Japanese (38) Kato enters Xianjing
Not long after Yi Sun-shin set his sights on Busan, a meeting ensued in Pyongyang City. Mitsunari Ishida, a close confidant of Toyotomi Hideyoshi and who also served as the ship's commander before the start of the Korean War, came to meet with Governor Konishi.
Konishi Yukinaga was really excited when he saw Ishida Mitsunari coming in person. He held Mitsunari's hands tightly and asked each other how they were doing. As I said earlier, these two were important figures in the loyalist faction among Toyotomi's retainers, and they had always been on good terms with each other.
, so there is this feeling and this scene.
After chatting for a long time, we finally turned to the topic. President Konishi asked: "The young assistant of the administrative department also serves as the supervising ship to transport supplies. It has been a hard journey, but I don't know why I came to Pyongyang today?"
Ishida Mitsunari patted Governor Konishi's shoulder affectionately and said: "His Royal Highness Yoshitsugi Otani and I were ordered by the Taikaku. In addition to supervising the transportation of supplies, we also have the responsibility of supervising the various armies and liaising with each other.
If he feels unwell, he will stay in Hanyang and be taken care of by the general. I heard that Mr. Xiaoxi is in Pyongyang, so I came here specially to meet him."
Ishida Mitsunari's words did not actually explain the reason for coming here, but as a close advisor of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Konishi Governor was asking him something, so he stopped beating around the bush and asked quickly: "Your Majesty Ishida, does His Majesty Taikaku understand our army?"
What’s the real situation in North Korea right now?”
Ishida Mitsunari keenly realized that this question was very problematic, and his eyes narrowed: "What does Xiaonishi-kun mean by this?"
"That's the literal meaning!" Governor Konishi looked extremely serious, stared into Ishida Mitsunari's eyes, and said seriously: "Now the waterway supplies are in danger of being cut off by the North Korean navy, and Jeolla Province has not yet been occupied, and there are many Korean rebels in each road.
There are constant harassments, and endemic diseases are spreading here in Pyongyang, which can be said to be full of internal worries.
In addition, although the cavalry sent by the Ming Kingdom was defeated and retreated, the number of the cavalry was not large, and no matter how they retreated, their bones and muscles were not damaged. Considering the size of the Ming Kingdom, it is very likely that reinforcements will be sent again.
I heard that the Ming Army deployed nearly a million troops when it sent troops to Mongolia in the first half of the year. Judging from the last battle in Pyongyang, we were almost unable to withstand even a mere 3,000 cavalry. Based on this estimate of strength, that million troops...
How amazing is that? Therefore, if the war lasts too long, I am afraid that all of us will lose our lives."
Ishida Mitsunari shook his head and said: "Being separated by the sea, the battlefield is changing rapidly. Your Highness Taige does not fully understand the situation here. What are your plans, Mr. Xiaoxi? In addition, you said that the Ming Dynasty used a million troops to fight Mongolia in the first half of the year. This
Are you sure that the situation is true? Even if you are sure, do you know their final losses?"
"Even if the force of one million troops is an exaggeration, if you discount it in half, it is definitely there. As for the losses, according to the intelligence obtained by North Korea, it should not be large. My personal judgment is also inclined to accept this news, because the Ming Dynasty dealt with the war after the war.
The rewards for meritorious officials are very heavy. Needless to say, there are only two meritorious officials in civil and military affairs.
Speaking of this, Governor Konishi couldn't help but sigh: "Now that the Ming Dynasty has participated in the war, the war is no longer limited to Japan and North Korea. Korea has been defeated. Although there are rebels in each faction, they cannot affect the war situation. What will happen next is the Ming Dynasty.
The country and we will lead the war. With the current situation of our army, if we fight to the death with the Ming Dynasty, the outcome will be uncertain, and we will most likely be trapped and die in Korea."
Ishida Mitsunari frowned and asked: "Could it be that, Xiaoxi-kun, you plan to negotiate with Mingguo? What are the conditions for negotiation?"
President Konishi solemnly said: "Cut the land."
Ishida didn't know what he meant and frowned: "Cut the land? Who will cut the land?"
Konishi Yukinaga said: "The natural thing is to let the Ming Dynasty recognize our occupation of North Korea - or at least recognize that the land we currently occupy belongs to Japan. As for the intertwined land, we can negotiate, such as leaving North Korea with two roads.
.”
Ishida Mitsunari shook his head, thinking that this proposal was not feasible because neither the Ming Dynasty nor Taige would find it difficult to agree.
Governor Konishi solemnly said: "Of course I won't agree, so we must find ways, otherwise it will be difficult for us to return home. And the way for our army to preserve the results of the battle and escape unscathed is to make the Ming Dynasty admit it.
Apart from ceding territory to North Korea, I am afraid there is no other solution at the moment."
After listening to Governor Konishi's statement, Ishida Mitsunari frowned, thinking that the Ming army was powerful and the Taikaku side was too tough. As ministers, they were caught in the middle and were constrained at both ends. For a while, they had no good alternative.
At this time in Japan, Toyotomi Hideyoshi once again heard about the great victory of the Korean navy at Hansan Island and Ankopo. He was so angry that he cursed and almost fainted. After calming down for a while, Hideyoshi still couldn't help but angrily yelled: "Isn't it the only one?
Do I have to go to Korea in person to annihilate Yi Sun-shin? If that bastard had not blocked the sea route, my navy could have rushed to the west coast to join the army and completely destroy the last strength of the King of Joseon!"
But after a pause, he suppressed his anger and said gloomily: "But it's still difficult for me to go there in person... Maeda, what do you think I should do with Kuuki Yoshiro and others? And how should I deal with Yi Sun-shin?"
?”
Maeda Toshiie offered advice: "Your Highness Taikaku, I really can't understand why the North Korean naval force led by Yi Sun-shin is so powerful. However, the sea route is still under our control. Although Yi Sun-Shin won consecutive battles,
It has not yet shaken my sea transport.
It's just that you and I are not familiar with the navy. To decipher the tactics of the North Korean navy, we still need to rely on Kuuki Yoshilong and others. If they are all sentenced to death, we will be even less able to fight against the North Korean navy.
According to what I see, His Highness Taige should not severely punish the navy for the defeat. Instead, he should first reprimand and then comfort, in order to show His Majesty's mastery and to inspire the morale of the army.
The art of war states that if you are strong, avoid it. Now you should order the navy to temporarily stop fighting Yi Sun-shin at sea and defend the harbor. At the same time, order the army to support you. You must invade Jeolla Province and occupy the North Korean navy strongholds and defend the coast.
In this way, by cutting off its foundation and drawing fuel from the bottom of the cauldron, Yi Sun-shin will be no more than a lonely soul on the sea. Soon he will run out of ammunition and food, and his soldiers will be exhausted. No matter how hard it is to support the Korean navy, it will be destroyed in one battle. If at the same time, Gugui Gialong can
If you have a strategy to defeat the enemy, you will get twice the result with half the effort."
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! After hearing this, Hideyoshi felt that it made sense, but after thinking about it, he finally couldn't help but asked: "How about... temporarily transfer the new fleet to Kuki
Jialong, how about letting him lead him to eliminate Yi Sun-shin first, and then send him back to Osaka?"
Maeda Toshiie did not say whether it was good or not, but just asked: "Taiko has a deep understanding of the strength of the Kanto fleet in Misaki Castle. If they are still in Misaki Castle and refuse to leave, and the attitude of the Beiyang Sea Trade Alliance is always ambiguous,
Then Osaka City may be threatened by those ship-borne giant tubes at any time."
Toyotomi Hideyoshi shook his head and said: "I have confidence in the city defense of Osaka, but... Osaka is the city where I have devoted my life to. When I think that my Osaka City will be rained down with countless shells from such a huge cannon, I can't help it."
Let this happen." In other words, forget about mobilizing the new fleet. Osaka Castle is more important than anything else.
Maeda Toshiie did not say much. Instead, he reported to Governor Konishi that he had defeated the Ming reinforcements in Pyongyang, and briefly described the various battle situations. Of course, there were some good news but not bad news. Hideyoshi heard that the Ming army had been defeated, and he did not think much about the strength of both sides.
The gap and the difference in various situations were just ecstatic, and he immediately ordered the award to be awarded.
Back to North Korea, at this time, the Second Army Corps led by Kato Kiyomasa set off from Hanyang, crossed the Imjin River, and went northward into Hamgyong Province. The Second Army Corps captured mountain people as guides, passed through Gushan and crossed the Laoli Stream, and easily
After defeating the army led by Li Hun, the military envoy of South Hamgyong Province, they were able to enter Yongxing. But then, Kato Kiyomasa saw a notice in Yongxing that read: The second prince went north via this road.
Naoshima Naoshima, another Kyushu daimyo under his command, was quite suspicious of this and pondered: "Logically speaking, there is nothing wrong with setting up a sign where the Korean prince passed by, but at this moment, there is an article here, but I don't
It always feels like he is deliberately leaking the prince’s whereabouts to us.”
Kato Kiyomasa also felt strange, but after all, he believed that it was always a good thing for the North Korean prince to be in front, and he was still very excited. He immediately urged to speed up the journey and capture the North Korean prince alive for great use.
Prince Imhae Gun of Joseon and the child Soon Hwa Gun were ordered by their father, King Yi Won of Joseon, to go to Hamgyeong Province to recruit sergeants. However, due to the approaching Japanese army and the defeat of South Hamgyong Road, Prince Imhae was afraid and did not dare to pass along the way.
After staying for a long time, he entered Huinyeong via Motianling and sought help from Han Kechen, the military envoy of North Hamgyong Province.
When Han Kechu learned that the prince was coming, he rushed to greet him. Linhaijun traveled day and night, and was very weak and haggard. When he saw Han Kechu coming to welcome him, he was overjoyed and asked for help quickly, urging Han Kechu to send troops to resist the Japanese advance.
Han Kechu then comforted Linhaijun and said: "Prince, there is no need to panic. The cavalry in the six towns of North Hamgyong Province has been stationed at the border all year round to fight bloody battles with Hu Di. It can be called the strongest army in the world. I also know that the Japanese pirates have few cavalry to help, so our troops in Hamgyong Province
If we have all the advantages, if the Japanese pirates arrive, they will be looking for death."
Linhaijun and Shunhejun suddenly felt at ease, and then settled in Huining under the arrangement of Han Kecheng to recuperate their body and mind.
Han Kezhen immediately assembled nearly half of the elite cavalry in the six towns of Gyeonghung, Gyeongyuan, Huining, Zhongcheng, Jingcheng, and Funing in North Hamgyong Province, and headed south from Jingcheng to Motianling to stop the Japanese army. But what he didn't know was that,
Kato Kiyomasa's Second Army had already crossed Motian Ridge due to day and night travel, so the two armies suddenly encountered each other at Kaitingcang on the 17th.
Hamgyeong Road is a bitterly cold place, and it is already winter, so the Japanese army is very uncomfortable with it. The soldiers in the six towns are actually almost the only elites left in Korea today. They are good at riding horses and swords, and they have been fighting at the border all year round.
After hard training, it can be called a rare and brave army.
Taking advantage of the relatively flat terrain here, Han Kechun ordered the soldiers from the six towns to be divided into forty-eight small groups to come out one after another, scattering fire weapons, galloping and shooting, and encircling them in roundabout ways.
The elite soldiers of the six towns made full use of the vast terrain and were able to exert their mobility advantages. The Japanese iron artillery team's tactics were much more rigid than the hollow square formation created by Gao Pragmatic. As soon as the Korean cavalry moved, they had to change their facing direction, making it difficult to aim, but they repeatedly failed.
They were shot by bows and arrows, and the wooden fence erected by the Japanese army blocked the cavalry. Unexpectedly, the cavalry was agile and skillful in shooting. The morale of the Japanese army dropped sharply and they gradually became unable to support themselves.
Upon seeing this, Kato Kiyomasa hurriedly ordered the front team to cover desperately, and the rear team retreated into the Haiting warehouse first, moved out all the grain stones in the warehouse, and arranged them into a castle as a cover to resist the arrows. In this way, the entire Japanese army withdrew into the Haiting warehouse.
After arranging the valley and stone bunkers, and using matchlock guns to hold them back, the situation was stabilized.
Han Kechen wanted to take advantage of the situation and ordered soldiers from the six towns to attack twice. However, the advantage of the cavalry was lost, so they were repelled by the Japanese army. The Japanese army was on the defensive and had the advantage of matchlocks. The Korean cavalry was not good at attacking strongholds.
, Funing Prefecture envoy Yuan Xi and three hundred people were killed in the battle.
It was getting late and the two armies were tired. Seeing that it was difficult to succeed, Han Kechen ordered the entire army to retreat to the mountain and defend it, hoping to take advantage of Kato Kiyomasa's attack on the mountain the next day to annihilate him from a high position.
At night, Kato Kiyomasa wanted to attack Han Kezhi at night, so he gave Nabeshima Naoshige and Sagara Norifu a plan: "This North Korean army is really good at fighting. If we fight hard, our army will inevitably suffer heavy casualties. I heard that the North Korean army is stationed in Tunling."
There is a huge swampy area nearby that I can use...
Mr. Sagara, you lead 800 elite soldiers to attack the mountain at night, and you must lead the entire North Korean army down the mountain. Mr. Nabeshima, you can gather all the iron artillery teams on one side, and when the North Korean army comes down from the mountain, kill them with all your strength to disrupt their army.
Then I will personally lead 10,000 troops to break in and drive them into the swamp. In this way, the Korean army will be completely destroyed." Nabeshima, Xiangliang took the order and left.
That night, Sagara Sefang spread flags widely and acted as the main force to attack the mountain at night. Han Kechen fell into the trap and saw the Japanese army attacking at night, so he ordered the cavalry from the six towns to roar out and launch an assault from a high position. This kind of battle is certainly suitable for this kind of battle.
The cavalry used the terrain to charge down the mountain, making it as daunting as a tiger descending the mountain.
Sagara Norifu hurriedly led his troops to flee, and the Korean army took advantage of the situation to pursue them down the mountain. Nabeshima Naoshige saw an opportunity and ordered the entire army to fire multiple rounds of matchlocks. The cavalry was suddenly fired at intensively at night, and the position was immediately in chaos.
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! Kato Kiyomasa sent the large barrel team to fire a series of cannons. At this time, the North Korean cavalry was dense, and there were countless casualties. The army and horses were frightened and became chaotic.
Han Kechen was furious, and led his troops to attack left and right, using cover to attack the Datong Brigade. The Japanese army was hit and retreated, and quickly moved the iron artillery team (musketry team) in front, with the Datong Brigade behind, firing from far and near.
Han Kechen was about to regroup his army, but Kato Kiyomasa had already led his troops out from the flanks. The North Korean army hurriedly resisted. Although they could still fight, most of the cavalry was gradually forced into the swamp. Han Kechen secretly shouted that something was not good, and he was anxious.
The entire army was ordered to assemble on the ground to regroup, and at the same time several death squads were urgently allocated to try to contain the Japanese army and cover most of the transfer.
In order to prevent North Korea from breaking out, Kato Kiyomasa shouted for the entire army to attack. Nabeshima Naoshima led his troops to engage in the battle, allowing Kato Kiyomasa to lead the main force of the Japanese army to repair the encirclement network in a roundabout way and prevent North Korea from breaking out.
Under the all-out attack of the Japanese army, although the two armies fought tooth and nail and each suffered casualties, the main Korean force gradually fell into the swamp and had difficulty moving. Most of them died under the bullets of Japanese cannons and iron cannons.
The Japanese army immediately launched a massive siege on the remnants of the six towns. The Korean army collapsed and dispersed. Han Kechen also fled. However, after this battle, Kato Kiyomasa's troops suffered many casualties and were exhausted, so they had to rest on the spot and planned to wait until dawn.
Then continue the pursuit north to seize the land.
Kato Kiyomasa has been heading north since the battle of Kaitingcang. The North Korean side has lost all its elite troops and has little resistance. The defenders everywhere they go have collapsed and either fled or asked to surrender.
The remaining troops in the six towns of Korea were defeated due to the main force, and the whereabouts of the main generals were unknown, which led to low morale and widespread rumors. Moreover, they were scattered in various cities and were outnumbered. They were either attacked by surprise or lost their will to fight. Except for being annihilated, defeated and surrendered, the rest
They began to gather to the northwest intentionally or unintentionally and could not get out. In short, the entire North Hamgyong Province was in a state of fear.
Due to its harsh cold and remoteness, North Hamgyong Province has been a place where criminals were exiled and exploited by the court over the years. The suffering people deeply hated the royal family and the two groups of nobles. Seeing the defeat of the six towns, the garrison officials also began to think of ways to protect themselves.
The North Korean prince who stayed in Huining became their unanimous target.
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PS: After publishing this chapter today, I will go to the countryside first, but even if it is tomorrow or the next two days, there should still be an update.