The Japanese army had been dispatched from Busan since June and gradually approached Yangshan and Xiongchuan. Since the North Korean navy was almost completely wiped out, the coastal areas were in a defenseless situation, and the Japanese army had many options for attacking.
So the Japanese army divided into two groups, the left and right, attacking from Gyeongsang Province to Jeolla Province. The right army, led by Mouri Hidemoto, Kato Kiyomasa, Kuroda Nagamasa and others, led 50,000 troops to Huangshi Mountain Castle; the left army, led by Ukita Hideie, led Konishi Yukinaga, Shimazu Yoshihiro and others, led 56,800 troops. . In August, the Left Army captured Sacheon, Namhae, and Gwangju and marched towards Namwon.
In the original history, in addition to the Korean army stationed in Nanyuan, there were also 3,000 Liao soldiers (basically cavalry) led by Ming generals Yang Yuan, Li Xinfang, and Mao Chengxian, and a fierce battle in Nanyuan broke out.
There was a huge disparity in the strength of the two sides in this battle. The Ming and North Korean coalition forces totaled no more than 5,000, while the Japanese army numbered 56,000, which was eleven times the number of the coalition forces. At the same time, the Ming army, originally composed of cavalry, was forced to defend the city and was unable to take advantage of it, which was also a major reason for the final defeat.
However, there are different opinions on the reasons why the Battle of Nanyuan was defeated in the original history. The official and folk opinions of the Ming court and North Korea are not consistent, and it is really difficult to distinguish. Fortunately, the situation is quite different at this time, so there is no need to elaborate.
Since there were no Ming troops stationed in Nanyuan at this time, the troops stationed there were naturally all Korean troops. North Korea's Jeolla Province envoy Li Funan, Namwon Prefecture envoy Im Hyun, garrison general Kim Jinglao, Gwangyang County Supervisor Li Chunyuan, and accompanying envoy Zheng Qiyuan and other headquarters and newly recruited troops were stationed here. A total of 3,000 Korean troops were stationed here.
Li Funan, the Jeolla Taoist envoy, convened a meeting. Ren Xuan, the envoy of Nanyuan Prefecture, said: "In response to the order of the envoy, Nanyuan City has been strengthened by ten feet in the past two months, and the moat has also risen to two feet deep. It can be used for garrisoning and barricades." All the materials have been requisitioned, but there is not enough food and grass in the city, which is only enough for five days. We have asked for food supplies, but they have not been delivered yet."
The garrison general Jin Jinglao reported: "There are three Sheng-style artillery pieces left by the Ming army in Nanyuan City. (Note: If readers still remember the chapter about Gao Jingshi's childhood when the prince went to Datong to inspect ordnance, you should have some impression of this artillery classification. They are now It is an old-fashioned artillery piece of the Ming Army, so it was "cleared out of inventory" and given to North Korea). I have deployed it in the city tower. However, the Shengzihao artillery piece is relatively old, and there are no other firearms in the city. I can only hope that it can resist the enemy. The enemy is effective."
Guangyang County Supervisor Li Chunyuan also said: "People from all villages outside Nanyuan City have moved to Nanyuan to avoid disaster, but news of the Japanese pirates' arrival has spread. There are always people who want to flee among the people every day, and there are not a few. It is extremely difficult. appease."
Zheng Qiyuan, the accompanying envoy, thought for a while and suggested: "Nanyuan is short of military rations and people's hearts are in turmoil. It is located in an open plain with flat rivers on all sides. Although it is in an important location, the strength of the troops is very different. It is better to abandon Nanyuan and move to Jiaolong Mountain City ten miles away to garrison. The terrain of Jiaolong Mountain City is steep, easy to defend and difficult to attack, which is conducive to dealing with the enemy... What does Li Bing think?"
Li Funan said no, saying: "Nanyuan City is an outer vassal of Jeolla Province. Once it falls, it will endanger Jeolla Province. We are stationed here to defend Nanyuan, how can we abandon the city? Our soldiers have the responsibility to defend the territory, and this is not the case." If Chennian suffered a sneak attack like that, he would be able to defeat the Japanese pirates at the foot of Nanyuan City.
At the same time, it is necessary to immediately seek help from Jeonju. Jeonju and Nanyuan respond to each other. If Jeonju comes to help, Nanyuan can be saved. As for Jiaolong Mountain City, it must be burned down immediately! "
Jin Jinglao was surprised and asked why he burned down Jiaolong Mountain City. Li Funan said: "Compared with Jiaolong Mountain in Nanyuan, Jiaolong Mountain City has more defensive advantages, so its existence will definitely cause instability in the military morale. As long as Nanyuan City is slightly disadvantaged, they will rush to evacuate." Go to Jiaolong Mountain City and evacuate in panic. How can Jiaolong Mountain be defended?
As the saying goes, only by burning down Jiaolong Mountain City can we defend Nanyuan with all our strength. If anyone else has any doubts, they can flee on their own after I, Li Funan, die in battle. But before my soldiers die on the battlefield, if anyone dares to flee without authorization, he will die by my sword first! I also ask you to boost the morale of your headquarters. Our army will defend Nanyuan to the death! "The generals take orders.
On August 12, the Japanese army arrived outside Nanyuan Castle. General Ukita Hideie summoned his generals to arrange a military meeting to capture Nanyuan. Ukita Hideie issued a military order: "Todo Takatora and Ohta Ichiyoshi's respective divisions will follow me to attack the south gate; Konishi Yukinaga, Mune Yoshitomo, Wakisaka Anji, and Takenaka Shigetoshi will each lead their divisions to attack the west gate; Kato Yoshiaki, Shimazu Yoshihiro each led his troops to attack the north gate; Hachisuka Kasuke, Mori Yoshinari, and Ikoma Kazumasa each led their troops to attack the east gate. Do you have any other opinions?"
Mr. Konishi said: "It is reported that all the houses and temples outside Nanyuan City were burned down. We have no cover outside Nanyuan City, and there are signs of reinforcement and excavation of Nanyuan City Wall and moat. It seems that Nanyuan has already been doing this." Set up defenses, and the Ming army had been stationed here earlier, and some firearms might be left for the Koreans to use as usual, so you need to be cautious in this battle.
I think the key point is to annihilate Li Funan's troops, which are the only soldiers with some fighting strength in the South Plains. As long as they are defeated, the remaining Korean defenders will not be a concern. "
Since there was no Ming army on the opposite side, Shimazu Yoshihiro became active. He suggested: "North Korea only has three or four thousand troops in Nanyuan. Now it is surrounded by us. Although Nanyuan has an open terrain, the Korean army is not an Ming army, so it must not dare to Going out of the city to fight in the field would leave Nanyuan alone in the city.
What I am most worried about is that reinforcements will come to rescue us, so from the beginning our army must do its best to conquer Nanyuan as quickly as possible, and we must not let the neighboring North Korean troops come to cause trouble. "
Ukita Hideie quite agreed, and then said: "What His Highness Shimazu said is absolutely true. The so-called lion fights the rabbit with all its strength. Although we have the advantage in military strength, we cannot just fight to the death and attack the city. We still need to pay attention to strategy and reduce casualties.
Please remember that our target is the entire North Korea, not just Nanyuan. Wakita and Kato have always been in the navy, and today they can go out together in Nanyuan, but they must reproduce the bravery of Shigatake's seven guns. "
Kato Yoshiaki swore: "General, please rest assured, I will be the first to attack Nanyuan this time." Anji Wakisaka was not to be outdone: "We have long been looking forward to returning to land to fight, but the first one to attack Nanyuan is It will never be His Highness Kato, but I, Anji Wakisaka!" Ukita Hideie laughed and immediately ordered the entire army to attack Nanyuan.
The Japanese army invaded Nanyuan City, and Nanyuan was surrounded by troops all over the mountains and plains. Li Funan guards the east gate, Ren Xuan guards the south gate, Jin Jinglao guards the west gate, and Li Chunyuan guards the north gate. Li Funan ordered gongs to be blown and cannons to be fired, and the city was strictly prohibited from spending weapons indiscriminately.
At noon, five Japanese soldiers were ordered to persuade them to surrender at the stone bridge outside the east gate of Nanyuan. Seeing this, Li Funan ordered the Korean army to shoot him dead in the outer city. The Japanese army immediately turned to a full-scale attack. They shouted "advance" from the Qichang Temple and marched outside the city. He raised his matchlock gun and fired continuously from a hundred paces away.
The Ming Army's Shengzihao artillery acquired by North Korea had a limited range and weak power. The Japanese army suffered little damage. In addition to firing with bows and arrows, the North Korean army also fired many thunderbolts left by the invention army in response. The two sides fired fiercely for a day, and the Japanese troops retreated.
Li Funan guessed: "The Japanese pirates are coming with great ferocity. They will attack at night regardless of the cost. Ren Xuan and Jin Jinglao, you two selected capable generals outside the four gates and immediately laid out diamond iron outside Hao and used nail boards to bury them secretly at the head of the bridge." Each general will wait near the city gate. Once the enemy invades and falls into the trap, they will immediately attack and destroy them!" The two men took the order.
Li Chunyuan asked: "Why are the soldiers so sure that the enemy will attack at night? The Japanese pirates are ten times stronger than me. We can attack by force during the day. Why bother?"
Li Funan replied: "The enemy is not in Nanyuan but in Hanyang Wangjing, so we will never waste time in Nanyuan. We will do our best to attack day and night in order to capture Nanyuan as soon as possible, and we can only hold on day and night." Waiting for reinforcements, we will do our best to stop the Japanese pirates from entering Nanyuan City."
Therefore, the Korean army planted diamond iron all over the trenches, hidden nail boards at the head of each bridge, and ordered the generals to lead their troops to stand by at the city gate after nightfall. At the second watch, the leading Japanese detachment sneaked into each gate and was ambushed by Nagban Ryoshi. Upon seeing this, the Korean troops from all walks of life immediately attacked and killed them.
Li Funan ordered the four-door bridge to be evacuated, shouting and firing all night long. The Japanese troops scattered and set fire, and smoke filled the sky for several miles. The Japanese troops fired back with matchlocks after the smoke, and returned in the middle of the night.
Ukita Hideie was furious when he heard the news: "Time waits for no time, we must capture Nanyuan immediately! Urge each team to build more ladders overnight, 500! Tomorrow, Haoping Road will be filled, and the iron artillery teams from the archery tower will be dispatched to guard the city gate. Kill all the soldiers and attack Nanyuan City in one fell swoop!"
Governor Konishi advised: "General, there is no need to be so angry. Nanyuan will never repeat the defeat of Xingzhou. After all, Nanyuan is just fighting alone without strong support from outside. It will be mine within a day or two."
Shimazu Yoshihiro offered advice: "The main force of the enemy army is still there, and Nanyuan is still not easy to defeat. I heard that the Korean armies were quite dissatisfied with Imjin's defeat and thought that our army took advantage of their unpreparedness, so now they Being forced to be trapped in the city, it was inevitable that he would feel unwilling to do so.
From this I think we can lure the enemy out of the city. After we attack the city several times, we can pretend to be exhausted and retreat in complete confusion, so that the enemy thinks we have an opportunity. At the same time, five thousand ashigaru were sent to lie in ambush on the ground covered with loess. If the Korean cavalry under Li Funan were indeed dispatched, they would immediately encircle and annihilate them. In this way, all the enemy's elite troops would be lost, and Nanyuan would be able to capture them easily. "
Ukita Hideie was surprised and said: "Isn't this a ninja method? Your Highness Shimazu, how could you think of using this evil magic as a battle method? As a samurai, this is not appropriate."
Shimazu Yoshihiro said: "The method of ninja has caused heavy casualties to various daimyo many times in the past, so it can be seen that it is extremely practical. As long as we can quickly annihilate the main force of the enemy's army, we can sit back and relax. What does it matter which method is used? It's just that I haven't learned the mystery of ninjutsu. , he shouldn’t be able to be as skilled as a ninja, but he should be more than enough to deal with the Korean army.” Ukita Hideie agreed.
In the early morning of August 13th, the Japanese army encircled Nanyuan again. They built more flying ladders to prepare for the climb to the city. They filled the road under the cover of matchlock guns and sent out an archery tower to overlook Nanyuan so that the matchlock team could have a commanding position. In this way, the garrison of Nanyuan outer city was wiped out for a while, and the Japanese army took the opportunity to swarm into the city. However, they were repelled several times by the Korean army. They were exhausted and their formation was in disarray. They retreated to their base camp at noon.
Li Funan was overjoyed and said: "The Japanese pirates have been fighting fiercely for days, and our army has been suppressed by the enemy. The Japanese pirates must have believed that Nanyuan would fall sooner or later, so they attacked at all costs. I just saw that the Japanese pirates were very tired when they retreated, and their formations were in chaos. They must be exhausted and in urgent need of rest. , this is the time for a surprise attack."
Ren Xuan believes that this move is too risky and not a foolproof solution. It is better to stick to it and wait for rescue.
Li Funan refused to listen and shook his head and said: "We have been holding Nanyuan for two days, and Quanzhou has not sent any reinforcements yet. It can be seen that we are afraid of the enemy and have stopped moving. We can't count on it! When we are all killed in Nanyuan, Quanzhou will not send troops to rescue. Now we can no longer wait for foreign aid, we can only rely on us to act according to the situation, no need to say more, and carry out military orders!"
Li Funan then led all the northern cavalry out of the city to attack. His cavalry was one of the few remaining northern cavalry from North Korea's former ace army. Since they were elites in the past, and now there are very few cavalry left in the northern border, they have become a treasure in the North Korean army. Their equipment, food and pay are all being guaranteed, so their combat effectiveness is still not bad.
Seeing this, the Japanese army quickly pretended to be defeated. The northern cavalry chased across the stone bridge. Unexpectedly, the Japanese army lay on the ground covered with loess. They suddenly rose up and almost surrounded Li Funan. There were countless of them.
The Japanese general Shimazu Yoshihiro personally came to the battle formation and led his troops out with a nodachi in hand. Li Funan was shocked and ordered a retreat. The northern cavalry suffered as many as three to four hundred casualties and hurriedly returned to the southern plains. However, he retreated quickly enough that Shimazu Yoshihiro failed to completely annihilate the northern cavalry and returned cursing and angrily.
After Shimazu Yoshihiro returned to the camp, he still continued to curse. President Konishi advised him: "His Majesty Shimazu's plan is dangerous, but it is true that no ninja can use it skillfully. In addition, the northern cavalry is also quite capable in North Korea." With elite soldiers, being able to annihilate hundreds of enemies is already a good result. General, I think it is better to recruit the North Korean army to surrender, so let me persuade the general to surrender and let him sacrifice Nanyuan."
Ukita Hideie immediately reprimanded: "Konishi! His Highness Taikaku has issued a strict order not to have any further negotiations with North Korea and the Ming Army. You should know that this order is actually a warning to you, and you still dare to disobey His Highness Taikou." An order?"
Governor Konishi defended: "We are not negotiating for peace. Nanyuan is what we are determined to win, but if we can get him out of the city to surrender, we can also reduce casualties. As the general said before, our goal is the entire North Korea, and we don't have to live here. If you waste time, I will not give them time to think about it. I will ask them to reply immediately. If the enemy still resists to the end, I will just annihilate them in one fell swoop."
Ukita Hideie didn't want to argue, so he warned: "Xiaoxi, I can allow you this time, but you must not take any chances or have other intentions. I will order the army to prepare jade for baking immediately. Once the enemy does not surrender, we will Then I will blow open the four gates of Nanyuan. I will no longer entangle or show mercy. I will slaughter all Nanyuan." Commander Konishi received the order.
On August 14, Konishi Yukicho ordered people to ask the Korean army to send people to visit Yanfeng for peace talks. Li Funan ordered the interpreter to go with the Japanese army. Jin Jinglao advised: "You can't use troops. The Prime Minister has strictly ordered not to negotiate with the enemy. This must be done." Committing a serious crime! We swear to fight the enemy to the last soldier and guard the Nanyuan. Please don’t lose the big for the small!”
Li Funan shook his head and said: "What are you talking about? How could I negotiate a peace with the enemy? It's just that the soldiers are exhausted now, and the city is in a mess and they are in urgent need of rest. This will allow the whole army to take the opportunity to reorganize their troops and supplies in preparation for the war. In After we are ready, I will immediately refuse sternly. Remember, we only have half a day to cover up the enemy." Jin Jinglao accepted the order.
When the Korean military interpreter arrived at Yanfeng, Governor Konishi smiled and said: "It is really hard for North Korea to hold on to the Nanyuan this time. I have always known that the Northern Cavalry is good at fighting, and I have personally learned how to do it. I am very eager to lead the army in person and fight with the Northern Cavalry again." A decisive battle, but not in Nanyuan, but in Hanyang Wangjing.
This Nanyuan is nothing more than a remote town, and you are outnumbered. It is difficult for Nanyuan to survive another day under our strong attack. It is better to sacrifice the city and surrender or abandon the city and leave. At least you can save your life and go to surround Hanyang Wangjing. You What do you think? "
The Korean military interpreter replied: "I can't make the decision on this matter. I am just here to listen to what you have to say on the orders of the military envoy. I will report it according to the facts and decide what to do. The envoy will give you the answer. Please stop fighting and wait until the envoy responds." "
President Konishi stood up immediately and issued an ultimatum: "Why do you Koreans always answer like this? I don't have the patience to wait for your answer. Humph, there is no need for me to do this. I should be grateful for the chance of survival."
When you go back, you need to tell Li Funan exactly what I just said. Before sunset, I will send an envoy to Nanyuan to ask for an answer. If you are stopped outside the city, we will also attack the city immediately!
By the way, there must be a shortage of food in the city now, right? To show our sincerity, there are twenty loads of military rations here. If you fight again, these twenty loads of military rations will not help you. They are just a signal to Li Funan, telling him to obey orders, otherwise the city will be devastated. "
So Governor Konishi returned the message. At dusk, the Japanese envoy came again and was led to the south gate by an interpreter. They discussed it with Li Funan in the Longmen Pavilion. The Japanese envoy relayed the words of Governor Konishi: "General Konishi warned Lee Funan, the military envoy of Jeolla Province in North Korea, that the military power is now very different. The South Plains can be broken in one day, and then there will be no humans or animals left. I feel your loyalty and bravery, and I am willing to release my way out. I will compete with your army in the coming day. I advise your army to surrender immediately or abandon the city and leave. If there is no reply, it will be too late to regret."
Li Funan refused sternly and said sternly: "As a general, you should be proud to wrap your corpse in horse leather. I also ask you to tell the Japanese pirates that I will give them a chance and retreat as soon as possible to avoid being slaughtered by my long sword."
The envoy sneered and withdrew from the city to report back, and then the Japanese army attacked the city in force. Under the cover of most of the troops, the Ukita Hide family ordered the death squads to divide into four groups and rush to each gate, piling up baked jade to blow open the city gate. Under the blockage of the Korean army, the death squads' progress was slightly slow, but the east gate and south gate were still blown open. The Japanese army stepped up their attack. The number of dead in the battle of the defenders at each gate gradually increased, and they gradually became desperate.
Kato Yoshiaki and Wakisaka Yasuji each led their own troops and attacked the city several times. The people in the city ran around crying and wailing to each other. After nightfall, it suddenly rained heavily, but the Japanese army ignored it and took advantage of the darkness to attack the city again in the rain. They fought fiercely until midnight before retreating.
On August 15th, there were less than 1,000 soldiers defending Nanyuan and they were out of ammunition and food. The Japanese army invaded Nanyuan. Seeing this, Li Funan took the Nanyuan Prefecture envoy Ren Xuan and said: "Nanyuan has been defeated. The top priority is that you and I should lead our headquarters to Jeonju to join our troops there as soon as possible. Hanyang, Seongju, and Chungju will also send troops to assist us... …It’s too late, otherwise we will be killed by the Japanese pirates. Now you and I have tried our best for Nanyuan, and we can only survive to avenge the Japanese pirates.”
Ren Xuan was extremely surprised: "Why are the envoys so different from the front to the rear? In order to defend Nanyuan, the envoys have burned down all the Jiaolong Mountain City. Why are they retreating to Quanzhou now? The matter has now come to an end. As the envoy of Nanyuan Prefecture, I shall cooperate with We will live and die together in Nanyuan, and all the officers and soldiers in the army have sworn an oath, and the envoys must also fight the enemy bloody to the end!"
Li Funan urged: "The Nanyuan has been broken. No matter how hard it is to hold on, we have persisted until the last moment. Why let the soldiers die in vain? Retreating at this time is not to escape from the battle, but to regroup in the future! As an envoy, you are even more important. With heavy responsibilities on our shoulders, we should take the overall situation into consideration!”
Ren Xuanjian refused to leave and shook his head: "We haven't persisted to the last moment! Withdrawing troops now will only cause morale chaos among the troops, and the withdrawal to Quanzhou will not be stopped. I don't know whether there will be any punishment for withdrawing the imperial court at this time, but I am As an envoy to the government, if you withdraw at this time, you will inevitably die, and I, Ren Xuan, will live and die with Nan Yuan!"
After hearing this, Li Funan had no choice but to say nothing more and let Ren Xuan leave. After the Japanese army invaded Nanyuan, they turned to street fighting. Among the Korean defenders, defense envoy Wu Yingjing, garrison general Jin Jinglao, special general Shen Hao, Nanyuan Prefecture envoy Ren Xuan, general judge Li Dehui, and county supervisor Li Yuanchun died in the battle.
Li Funan led the last 500 northern cavalry in his hands, seized the west gate and rode out, taking advantage of the gap to break out of the encirclement. This breakout did not go well either. After the breakout, he only had fifty riders left, and he almost only escaped with his own life.
As for the rest of the Nanyuan garrison, they were completely wiped out, and the Japanese army did not leave them even a single person alive. The Japanese army's own losses were also very serious, with more than 7,000 casualties. Because of this, the Japanese army immediately massacred the city for a day after capturing Nanyuan to vent their anger. The Korean soldiers and civilians in the small town of Nanyuan were completely wiped out.
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