Subutai's Feint
West of the Greater Hinggan Mountains, Subutai, who had taken command of the Mongol army for this second invasion, began his strategy meeting.
"That wench, Choi U's daughter, is in Yoyang, is she?"
"Yes, General."
"Choi U must not be right in the head, leaving all of Yodong in the hands of a girl."
Hahahahaha!
Of course, he couldn't dismiss her entirely. This woman named Choi Yeon was said to have joined the previous war and killed Salitai herself. Throughout history, there had been cases of women taking the field. No room for carelessness.
"But even if the enemy is a woman, we can't go easy on her! Our goal is to seize Yodong from Goryeo."
"Commander, do you have a plan in mind?"
Goryeo was different from their past foes. Whenever the chance arose, they had utterly annihilated Mongol forces. The survivors all claimed the Goryeo troops had hounded them like wolves tearing into prey, pursuing relentlessly until none remained. And they supposedly had 100,000 troops. That meant Goryeo had the capacity to commit fully and still maneuver after battle.
"Salitai fell to complacency last time, but I won't. I'll divide the army in two."
"In two?"
"My main force will bypass the Greater Hinggan and march straight in. The second force will swing south into Yodong. They'll feign an attack on Yoyang Castle to lure the enemy out, then pull back. Meanwhile, the second force seizes Yoyang. Then I'll wheel around too, smash their main army swiftly, and force the Jurchens to surrender."
Subutai's plan made him the bait himself. Though he spoke of Choi Yeon with disdain, he wasn't underestimating her. He acknowledged Goryeo's battle prowess and judged they couldn't be taken lightly.
"The enemy will defend on two fronts."
"Doesn't matter. They're not nomads like us. They've absorbed some Jurchens, but it's not stabilized yet. They won't fight at full strength. If they chase our rear instead of digging in, that's when Mongolia takes over."
From the survivors' tales, those wagons—wagon fort formation, was it? That formation was powerful only when entrenched. If it broke, Goryeo's army was nothing special.
"But what if they don't take the bait?"
His son Uryangkadai, who had followed his father into the field, asked cautiously. On the surface, it seemed a solid plan—one even Choi Yeon hadn't anticipated.
"Even if they don't, they'll try to whittle our forces somehow. They'll have to come out."
"How so?"
Simple. Goryeo feared a Mongol reinvasion. That's why they preferred exterminating invaders outright.
"They know our weakness well—and fear it."
"Pardon?"
Before coming to Goryeo, Subutai had pondered much. Why had Goryeo insisted on total annihilation, even at the cost of their own losses? Prisoners could have been useful, so why? The answer was straightforward.
The Mongol forces weren't that numerous. Yet tiny Mongolia had toppled the great Jin and now driven them to the brink. Compared to Jin, Goryeo was a minor power. For them, every chance to bleed Mongol strength had to be seized.
"We Mongols are few in number. We recruit from conquered lands, but are they as tough as true Mongols? No. They obey out of control and fear, but they're just auxiliaries. The main fighting falls to us Mongols. Annihilate us, and our range shrinks; Goryeo gets breathing room. The Jin front might even be threatened. So they slaughter rather than capture."
Mongolia's population was limited. Keep chipping away, and it spelled danger. From history, Goryeo favored finishing wars decisively when they broke out—while saving allies. They'd done it against the Khitans, curbing their expansion toward Song. Now the same against Mongolia, to weaken the front and save Jin.
"Indeed."
"If they let us go, we could drag into a long war or crush and absorb Jin before returning. Would they risk that?"
Goryeo's commanders would try pinning the Mongols down. Even without taking the bait, they'd send pursuers. If they wanted to gnaw at Mongolia, he'd gnaw back.
"Subutai's divided his army?"
The report came from scouts probing beyond the Greater Hinggan.
"Yes, Commander. His main force is bypassing the mountains and advancing."
Main army from one side, southern force from the other. Odd. Why come this way if they meant to clash at Yoyang? To split Goryeo's strength? A diversion—feint east, strike west. She'd almost missed it, but soldiers spotted it early thanks to telescopes.
Subutai bypassing Greater Hinggan meant crossing rugged terrain deliberately—to hit her off-guard with his main body. Reminiscent of Goguryeo strategies: Murong Huang splitting forces to invade. Goguryeo had its capital deep inland, but lose Yoyang and Yodong was gone. Jurchen integration into Goryeo forces wasn't complete; northern Dongjin lands still rife with rogue Jurchens.
So divide her own army too—but hold Yoyang. Field forces: 70,000. Possible? Mines were key. Assume they slowed Subutai, buying time for more prep.
"Engineers? Mines laid?"
Not just that—mines had to harass nonstop for easier decisive battle later. Iron cannon wagon forts needed numbers. This time, plenty of wagons, but more a defensive screen than the full anti-Salitai setup. Couldn't raise 100,000 again without strain; remobilizing took time. Only option: northwestern garrison marching north. Defend frontal assault, counter flanks with tercio tactics.
"Faster than expected—they'll arrive first."
"Won't the engineers get spotted by Mongols?"
Orders were given; clash early, and engineers die. Some arquebusiers placed there, but too few—mere skirmishers. Mongols would scoff. Subutai was moving smart. Needed max caution with mines.
"Commander, our victory monks will join too."
Kim Yunhu stepped forward right on cue, vowing monk troops' aid.
"You sure?"
"We lesser vehicle followers crossed to Yodong for this day. Entrust it to us."
No, you should spread Buddhism in war-torn Yodong. But yes, they'd help.
"No reinforcements to castles beyond Yodong troops—hold your walls. We'll handle it ourselves. Especially Phoenix Castle, gateway to Yodong. Guard it ironclad for contingencies."
Not fully stabilized. Castles wouldn't scrape every soul for Goryeo; show weakness to Mongols, and they'd flip. Could even aid invaders. Better crush Mongols ourselves, show strength. Difficulty spiked. Salitai no slouch, but no Subutai—the undefeated legend. And 20,000 more troops than before.
"Send word to Gaegyeong too. Enemy 50,000 incoming."
"Yes, Commander."
Father would send aid if he thought fit. 50,000 Goryeo already here, but not enough. Main army must camp before Yoyang.
"They'll split forces. General Ugaha, take assembled Jurchen Byeolcho and defend southern path."
Ugaha had some ironclad cavalry—ex-Jin heavies. If Mongols split 50,000, 30,000 enough defensively. But Mongols no pushovers; clip one wing.
"Yes, Commander."
"Their target is Yoyang anyway. No point taking other castles first—they'll head straight here. Rest of forces, pitch camp before Yoyang."
Brace for maneuver battle again. Constraint before Yodong stabilized. Pure defense and attrition irksome too. Subutai no fool—if she holed up like a hedgehog, he'd ravage Yodong countryside. Jurchens might doubt Goryeo rule and defect. Better clash midway. Win, and Yodong control solidifies.
"Miss, I'll go with the victory monks this time."
"What? Nonsense."
Reflex to Kim Jun volunteering.
"Can't know if mines succeed, but as a man of Great Goryeo, I want to stand on the field. I'll drag time at Greater Hinggan with the monks."
Mines meant to harass from entry. Now, quick ambushes at passes. But no need for Kim Jun.
"No, you guard me."
"Thousands of Byeolcho already protect you—hundred-to-one elites. Even in defeat, they'll hold till you cross Amnok. And..."
Kim Jun hesitated, mumbling.
"This guards you too. Harass so they can't touch you."
Resolve firm. Men could be so stubborn. She pressed her temple, sighing.
"Haa. Fine. Do as you like."
She rubbed her forehead unwittingly. Off to die, with that upright spirit. Typical man. Warrior mindset? Rebirth shifted her thinking, but blocking his earnestness felt petty. Plenty guarded her anyway. Still, ditching his lord? Grumble-worthy, but his way valid. Can't just be close aide—must lead by example for others. Recall Gwiju: her leading one iron cannon unit enabled feats. Daejipseong would've botched it.
"I'll attach Byeolcho. Come back alive. Got it?"
"Would I fail?"
Victory monks and Byeolcho dispatched. Mines and arquebusiers alone insufficient. Skirmish arquebusiers might not evade Mongol pursuit.
"Commander, the freed slaves—no, freemen—want to fight too."
"Freemen?"
Some already in Byeolcho. Professionals staying for pay over land. Perfect for military regime. Most took land, farmed. These volunteering to join.
Ooh, heart-stirring. Better Goryeo commoner than Mongol slave. Dongjin overworked slaves for economy; some faced Mongols already.
Train as arquebusiers? She summoned iron cannon Byeolcho officers.
"What do iron cannon Byeolcho think?"
"Marksmanship? Crash course, weeks. Battle-ready? At least a year."
Hm, too slow. Initial training took half-year for unit use.
"Then how use volunteer farmers?"
"Logistics. Or rear spear support for arquebus line. Even rearguard aux suffices."
No arquebuses, then spears.