King Li Ho of North Korea, who once again moved north to Pyongyang, did two things as soon as he settled down: first, he sent an envoy again to implore the Ming Dynasty to quickly send troops south to help North Korea resist and fight back against Japanese pirates; second, he immediately received Li Shanhai.
There is no need to elaborate on the matter of sending envoys to request reinforcements for the time being, but it is said that as soon as Li Shanhai saw Li Shanhai, he stepped forward and clasped his hands and said, "It's great that Mr. I am uneasy, sir, please use your experience and wisdom to help me again."
Li Shanhai rarely saw the mean and ungrateful Li Huo behave like this, and he felt a little moved. He asked: "The situation of the war is now out of control. I'm afraid it can only be left to the Ming army for coordination. The veteran knows that this statement is in the imperial court No one among them is willing to say it, and probably no one dares to say it, but this is the reality, and the king must also be able to see it. Your Highness, the veteran boldly asked: Are you worried about how the court will deal with it after the war?"
Li He let go of his hands and sighed: "This is God's will. In the year of Renchen, the Ming army helped us in North Korea and almost wiped out the Japanese pirates. As a result, the whole court refused to delegate power to the Ming army, causing both sides to become alienated. After that, the Ming army was no longer willing to do so. They really did their best, but they just did their part and forced negotiations with the Japanese pirates. The result is the current situation.
I have been thinking about it carefully recently. This time the Ming army stopped in Dandong but refused to move even half a step south. I am afraid that this is still the problem. If North Korea still refuses to hand over the leadership to them, I'm afraid... even if the country is destroyed, they will have to stand still.
As a result, even if North Korea has always been in control, it will be defeated again and again on the battlefield, and the front line will retreat all the way. If this continues for a long time, we will not even be able to stay in Pyongyang. I am afraid we can only ask for Ming Dynasty to be included... or even even I don’t even know if it can be approved by His Majesty the Emperor! If things really develop like this, what is the use of this dominance now? "
Li Shanhai said solemnly: "Your Majesty, the current situation is exactly like this. In the past, the sage Han Feizi said: A small country is not humble, a small country is not afraid of the strong, a rude person insults his neighbors, a greedy person is a poor friend. , can be destroyed. Looking at the North Korea in the Renchen year... Although the old minister is reluctant to say it, he can't help but say it: This is what Han Feizi said. "
Li Hao nodded repeatedly and said: "It's true, it's true! It's just like this now. How can we convince those die-hards in the court?"
"Why does the king want to convince them?" Li Shanhai said slowly with a serious face: "Everyone in the world can surrender to the Japanese, but the king cannot surrender. Doesn't the king know this truth? Knowing this truth, if the Japanese pirates overwhelm North Korea, who will die? Who can worship south?"
Li Hao's face changed greatly and he murmured: "Of course I will die, and of course those courtiers will turn to the Japanese pirates!"
Li Shanhai didn't speak anymore, but Li He walked quickly for a while and suddenly said: "From now on, all affairs should be handled by reliable people. Do you understand what I mean?"
Li Shanhai cupped his hands to show his understanding, and asked Li Huo to rest assured.
The news about Li Shanhai's return to the imperial court quickly spread throughout Pyongyang, and Li Hengfu also informed the current leader of the Western People's Party, Yi Dooshou, about the matter. Yi Dooshou couldn't help lamenting the resumption of party strife.
Li Hengfu said: "Since Mr. Exi parted ways with the Prime Minister, the Eastern Party has split into the north and the south. Mr. Exi is the leader of the Northerners. This time he is able to return to the court. The Northerners are all happy and excited, and they will definitely make trouble."
Idoushou didn't think so: "It's not the northerners who set off the strong wind, but the king who caused the storm, and then handed the fan to the northerners. The king's choice among the Westerners, Southerners, and Northerners, I have always switched at any time according to my own needs, but this time...it seems that the king intends to use Beiren to accomplish something."
Li Hengfu was shocked to realize that the North Korean king's actions were aimed at Liu Chenglong and the Southern People's Party. Yi Dooshou said: "You are right, the king asked Exi to return to the court just to prepare for the national disaster. The Prime Minister may have trouble in the future. A great disaster. I have served the King for thirty years, but the King’s heart is like a nine-fold mist, making it difficult to guess. I don’t know what the King’s intentions are this time.”
Yi Dooshou asked Li Hengfu to remind Liu Chenglong to be more careful, and Li Hengfu took the order and left.
A storm is brewing within the Korean court, but the war will not stop. Before the Japanese army attacked Nanyuan from the left, Kato Kiyomasa, the vanguard of the Japanese army on the right, arrived at Yangshan from Nishioura. Hidemoto Mouri, the leader of the right, led Kuroda Josui, Kuroda Nagamasa and his son, Nabeshima Naoshige, Yoshikawa Hiroie, and Ikeda Hideji. , Nakagawa Hidenari, Nagasogabe Motochichi and others led the main force to join Kato Kiyomasa.
The Japanese army was preparing to march towards Changning, but the Korean volunteer general Guo Zaiyu was stationed at Huowangsan Fortress one mile east of Changning. Maori Hidemoto said: "I heard that Guo Zaiyu is extremely brave and cunning. He brought us many mistakes during the Battle of Munroc It has caused great trouble to him. The seventh division and the ninth division have failed to eliminate Guo Zaiyou during multiple raids. If he is really such a person, should we eliminate Guo Zaiyou first and then worry about it?"
Kato Kiyomasa said loudly: "Why should you worry about this! Guo Zaiyou only has so many troops at Fire King Mountain, but they are just a bunch of rabble, and they will collapse at the first touch! I think if you have any scruples about Guo Zaiyou, then just attack Fire King Mountain directly. If Guo Zaiyou sticks to it, , I will take his head!"
Kuroda Nagamasa also agreed to attack, saying: "This Guo Zaiyu is called the Red General from Heaven by the Koreans. He is very prestigious in Korea. He responds to hundreds of calls. He is also well versed in the art of war and fights bravely. He disappeared during the Battle of Munrok, making Gyeongsang Province extremely unstable. , if they are not wiped out this time, we will definitely be harassed by them on the way to Changning. Father, what do you think?"
Kuroda Rusui said calmly: "I don't think Guo Zaiyou will pose much of a threat to us. During the Battle of Munrok, our main forces were in Gyeonggi Province to confront the Ming army. Guo Zaiyou took advantage of this to harass the mountains and countryside of Gyeongsang Province. , raided and robbed the grain road.
However, most of his tactics are sneak attacks, and if we really count them, we won't actually lose much. Later, after negotiating peace with the Ming army and our army retreating to Gyeongsang Province, Guo Zaiyou could no longer find an opportunity to take advantage of it. Of course, this was considered self-awareness. As for this time, our army is marching, how can the weak Guo Zaiyou dare to attack?
At present, there are no Ming troops stationed in North Korea. The North Korean defenders along the two armies on my left and right are already thin and vulnerable. Therefore, the current plan is to advance quickly and meet up with Ukita Hideie in Jeonju as early as possible to attack. Entering Zhongqing Road and heading straight down to Hanyang, we consolidated our advantage before the Ming army arrived for reinforcements. Therefore, I think there is no need to waste time in Fire King Mountain City, ignore those clowns, and just keep going. "
What he said was both domineering and reasonable, and everyone had to agree after hearing it. In this way, the Japanese army passed through Changning and turned west to Caoxi, passing through Shaanxi and Chuanchuan and then attacked Anyin. The Korean guards stationed in Anyin fled. After the Japanese army occupied Anyin, they prepared to surround Huangshi Mountain City.
Huangshi Mountain City is located two miles northwest of Anyin. The terrain is steep and the location is critical. It is the throat of Gyeongsang and Jeolla Province. The guards of Huangshishan City will be Anyin County Supervisor Guo Xiong and his sons Guo Luchang and Guo Lvhou. In addition, Bai Shilin, the envoy of Jinhai Prefecture, and Zhao Zongdao, the former Xianyang County Governor, are also here to help. North Korea leads a total of more than 2,000 troops.
In order to guard Huangshi Mountain, the generals discussed matters. Guo Xiong took the lead and said: "My father and son led the soldiers and civilians of Anyin to withdraw to Huangshi Mountain. Thank you for taking them in. I often feel ashamed. Now that the Japanese pirates have pursued us here, my father and son will swear to the death and never retreat." One step! The land under our feet is Korean land. If we retreat again and again, where can we retreat? My father and son have firmly believed that we will fight the Japanese pirates to the death!"
Bai Shilin, the envoy of Jinhai Prefecture, was also filled with emotion and said: "I admire County Supervisor Guo's sentiments of killing the enemy and serving the country. As the envoy of Jinhai Prefecture, when Jinhai fell, I also led the remaining soldiers to retreat here, and I also suffered from it all the time. I have We have requested the imperial court to send reinforcements, but no news has been received so far, and the number of Japanese pirate troops in front of us is at least 40,000 to 50,000. I wonder how we can hold on to Huangshi Mountain City?"
Guo Xiong said: "Huangshi Mountain is an easy-to-defend but difficult-to-attack place. With our military strength, we naturally cannot compete with the enemy. We can only rely on the terrain to strengthen the city defense, and then stand firm and wait for help. There is no other way. Envoy, where are you from? The aristocratic family has been in the army for a long time, if there are any deficiencies in the city defense, please feel free to give me some advice!"
Seeing this, the former county governor Zhao Zongdao suggested: "In this case, it is better for the Guo County Supervisor to defend the south and west of the city, and the Baifu envoy to defend the north and east of the city. I will lead the troops to respond when the opportunity arises, and I think it should be able to last for a while."
Although this proposal is not outstanding, it does not seem to be a big problem. Therefore, Bai Shilin, the envoy of Jinhai Mansion, immediately issued an order: "As ministers of North Korea, we must defend the country with all our strength on North Korea. But whether we can hold Huangshi Mountain City? It all depends on whether there are reinforcements. He immediately sends a messenger to the court to request reinforcements, and urges the court to put aside the battle of face and immediately ask for reinforcements from the Ming army.
County Supervisor Guo, please take up the important task of strengthening the city's defense. We must inspire the morale of the people in the city, call on the people to join us, and defend Huangshi Mountain City with us. I will also reasonably deploy defense for them. This is my duty. ...In any case, there is a huge disparity in the strength of the two sides. In this battle, we may only place our hope on destiny and hope that God will show mercy. "The generals take orders.
Guo Xiong led his son to call to the people in the city: "Fellows, the Japanese pirates are about to pursue Huangshi Mountain City, and the imperial army is also on the way to rescue, but we must first hold on here until reinforcements come to rescue us! We can't run anymore, If we continue running, one city after another will only fall into the hands of the enemy, the entire country will perish in the flight, and we will eventually become the dead souls of the Japanese pirates!
Fellow villagers, I, Guo Xiong, swear here that I will stick to the end. I also ask you to work with me to strengthen the city defense and distribute food. Huangshi Mountain City occupies a strategic location. As long as it is properly defended, it will be able to withstand the Japanese pirates' attack! As soon as the imperial army arrives, it's time to take revenge on the Japanese pirates! We must never give up! "
After Guo Xiong's call, the people in Huangshishan City became enthusiastic and immediately followed the Guo family and his son to invest in the construction of strengthening the city defense.
When the Guo family and his son were reinforcing the fortifications, Guo Xiong's eldest son Guo Luchang asked: "Father, these Japanese pirates are so numerous that it is unclear whether Huangshi Mountain City can be defended. I wonder, father, how much do you know about the envoy of Jinhai Palace? Is he a trustworthy person?" ?”
Guo Xiong said: "Bai Shilin, the envoy of Jinhai Prefecture, comes from a family of military officers. His daily behavior in Guanqi can be said to be fair and strict. The hopes and morale of the soldiers are pinned on the envoy of Jinhai Prefecture. I am also willing to obey orders. As for you, I haven't done it yet. How can you be dejected before starting a war with Japanese pirates? You will definitely not be able to defend Huangshi Mountain City if you do this, so cheer up!"
Guo Luchang was still worried about the war: "But the Japanese pirates are indeed extremely powerful, which is why we withdrew to Huangshi Mountain City. Father, my son is not afraid of the enemy. It's just that based on the actual situation, although this city is easy to defend and difficult to attack, it is difficult to attack. I'm afraid it will still be useless in front of tens of thousands of Japanese pirates."
Guo Xiong immediately interrupted him and sternly admonished him: "Don't think wildly. The right way depends on people. Since ancient times, there have been countless examples of battles in which less defeats more. Why can others do it but we can't? You must concentrate on fighting. Don’t be distracted.”
Guo Luchang asked again: "Tell me, father, when will the rescue troops from the imperial court and the Ming army arrive?"
Guo Xiong replied: "This is unknown, but I know that Jeolla Province is related to the overall situation. After Huangshi Mountain City, it is not far from Jeonju. If Jeonju is lost, Jeolla Road will not be protected. Since we want to protect Jeonju, So we must finally stop this group of Japanese pirates, and the imperial court and the Ming army will definitely come to the rescue.
As usual, your sword skills are usually good. This is a good opportunity to show your bravery. You can't just chopping melons and vegetables. Luhou, how are you doing? "
Guo Luhou said: "Father, I practice every day, but I still feel a little uneasy. This knife has been waiting to kill a few Japanese pirates, but I don't know how long the child can last? The child is timid and has been feeling uneasy recently. , please forgive me father."
Seeing that he was honest, Guo Xiong comforted him and said, "You are just on the battlefield for the first time, and you just practice martial arts on weekdays. It is not uncommon to feel uneasy. Everyone has it, so don't worry too much. In fact, as a father, I am also very uneasy. You might be shot to death by a Japanese pirate before you even take a few steps, you might be able to cut off a few Japanese pirate heads before dying, or you might be able to repel the Japanese pirates and return home in glory...
But these are not important. What is important is that we must not escape. No matter what, you and I have to cut off a few Japanese pirate heads to avenge Anyin's father and elders, right? We must strengthen our beliefs. At this point, we have no retreat. "
Guo Luhou asked: "I heard that the Japanese pirates were all armed with blunderbuss, which were extremely powerful and would kill them if they were shot. If this is true, wouldn't we be killed by the blunderbuss before we even get close to the Japanese pirates?"
Guo Xiong then passed on his experience to his son: "Don't worry about this. We are defending the city, and we are in a condescending position, protected by city walls and fortifications. When fighting, you can first use bows and arrows to fight back, and then engage the enemy when the Japanese invaders board the city. That’s it.
Although the Japanese muskets are sophisticated, they are useless in close combat. However, you should be careful about being hit by the muskets outside the city during the battle, so you must always use a bunker to fight and do not expose your whole body easily. As long as this is the case, it will be difficult for the cannon to hurt us. "Guo Luhou took the order.
August 13, night. The Japanese army has arrived outside Huangshi Mountain City and held a military meeting overnight. Maori Hidemoto said: "The Ukita Hide family and others should be attacking Nanyuan now. The Ming army originally stationed there left a lot of firearms for the Koreans. It may take a few days. It may not be possible to attack the inside. And this Huangshi Mountain City has not been garrisoned by Ming troops, and it probably does not have many powerful firearms, so I decided to launch an attack immediately starting tomorrow. Master Rushui, what do you think?"
Kuroda Rusui had already become a monk at this time, so Mouri Hidemoto called him a master. Kuroda Ruishui analyzed the military situation and offered advice to Maori Hidemoto: "Huangshi Mountain City is strategically located. If a large army attacks by force, the losses may be considerable. Although our army is strong, we must not only be prepared to deal with the Ming army in the future, but also say that if we attack the Ming army at present, It's really a huge loss, and I won't be able to show off my face.
As far as I know, most of the Korean guards here are from famous families. Most of these people are mediocre and incompetent, greedy for life and afraid of death. I suggest that the Huangshi Mountain City be surrounded on three sides starting tomorrow, and the whole team gradually approach. They can only defend but not attack within two days. This is coercion.
Since the garrison in the city had poor intelligence, we were able to release the news at the same time, indicating that the army was coming across the sea to help. Our army also cooperated with this strategy and detached a detachment to pretend to fight, which aroused the hope of others to hold on.
Then they spread the flags widely to build momentum. On the third day, half of the nearly a thousand farmers captured along the way were killed in the formation every day as civilians, while the other half pretended to be defeated Ming troops and beheaded them all. Hang your head high and shock your heart.
As a result, the North Korean defenders must be terrified, and the North Road is not surrounded at this time... Under the huge disparity in military strength, but if they have a way to survive, they will have the desire to escape. Then North Korea's morale will collapse, and for us, it will be extremely difficult. Greatly reduce casualties. "
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Thanks to the book friend "Iron-Blooded Army" for supporting me with 10 monthly tickets, thank you!
PS: My son’s elementary school will be closed for a week starting tomorrow and will switch to online classes at home. It is not yet clear whether it will affect the update progress next week. I would like to inform readers in advance. If there is any delay or reduction, please bear with me.
