The Second War with the Mongols
This battle wouldn't drag on long either. Subutai knew that much. The bastard would know exactly how we fought and what we feared.
"Hmm, that should do it."
"Wouldn't it have been better to fight at the Greater Xing'an Ridge?"
I shook my head at Kim Gyeongson's words. He was saying we should seize each pass one by one, but Subutai's forces moved fast, and besides, we still needed to leave one force to guard the main base. The wagon fort formation was ultimately defensive. It didn't suit an advance.
What if Subutai saw through its weaknesses, bypassed us without engaging, and looped around to Yoyang once more? Our wagon forts would have to chase the Mongol army from behind—and collapse in the process. And if those Mongols turned back to hit us? The core of the Goryeo army could be annihilated.
"The south would be exposed then. And we don't know where or how they'll come from."
We didn't know this land as well as they did. We'd scouted it over a year as best we could, but could we match battle-hardened Mongol veterans? If there were multiple paths, the Mongols would swarm from every direction. Even if our numbers held the advantage, the Mongols weren't the type to relax just because they were outnumbered. We couldn't be certain Ugaha's army could hold them either—especially not knowing where Subutai was headed.
In that case, it was better to dig in at Yoyang and hold firm. We had plenty of artillery, and the iron cannon Byeolcho troops' morale was higher than ever. They'd mastered the 45-second three-stage volley down to their bones. These men would hold their own against the Mongols, no doubt.
"But we can't just sit idle. I'll lead them myself."
"You'll go personally?" Kim Gyeongson asked, startled.
Of course—what other choice was there?
"They're likening me to Abkai Hehe. If I go out there myself, it'll boost morale. The Jurchens will follow too."
The options open to me were slim. Since things had come to this, it was time for a decisive gamble. We didn't know where Subutai would strike, but he'd aim for Liaodong first. That meant we'd clash somewhere in Liaodong eventually. And that was the problem.
What if the Mongols cut off reinforcements marching north from Goryeo? Our morale would plummet, and if that was their plan? We couldn't be sure, but we had to prepare on every front. No matter who Subutai was, repelling this invasion solidly would stabilize Liaodong. Wherever they hit, it gave me a headache.
"General Kim Gyeongson, send a letter to His Excellency. If reinforcements are coming, have them hold at the Amnok River first."
At least stationed there, they could block a river crossing.
"You're refusing reinforcements?"
The more the better for defensive tactics, sure. The issue was facing mobile Mongol experts.
"Our army is slow; theirs excels at maneuver. And reinforcements from the capital would be infantry-heavy."
Such infantry-centric forces made prime Mongol prey. If only we could get a competent commander... but landmines like Daejipseong were out there. Even aces like Park Seo had missed the Gwiju Great Victory in this world, so they wouldn't know the Mongols well.
"Yes, in emergencies, the Northwest Regional Military Commander dispatches select northwest troops as reinforcements."
"What if the Mongols sweep down and devour those reinforcements?"
We'd stockpiled grain in Liaodong for a Mongol war. Reforms had made Goryeo far richer than the original timeline's backwater. But abundant supplies meant nothing if the army couldn't fight.
"That could happen."
"Maintain strict defenses and standoff."
We might not catch them all this time. Unless luck was on our side—or we pushed harder for total annihilation. One thing was certain: I had to lead personally this time. Was the Liaodong Governor post just for show?
"The Governor himself?!"
"Without even proper armor?!"
"I'm the Governor leading from the front—why would I hide in the back armored up?"
Armor didn't suit this busty body anyway. Layered clothes would do. Besides, if Mongols got close enough, the battle was lost, and I'd be their plaything. Better to die fighting than that.
"Maybe Abkai Hehe truly descended to this Jurchen land."
"To fight the Mongols and protect the Jurchens?"
"The Mongols will torment us Jurchens again once they crush the Goryeo army—fight with us!"
The response was surprisingly good. The Goryeo army hadn't conscripted Jurchens beyond the initial recruits, despite knowing their prowess. This was a Goryeo-Mongol war; dragging in freshly absorbed Jurchens would be unwise. Their backs were still smarting from the takeover.
Yet without even asking, 20,000 more troops materialized from the vicinity in no time. Ugaha's 30,000 would hold the southern path, while the main Yoyang force handled any bypassing the Greater Xing'an Ridge.
Tang! Ta-dang! Pffft-boo-boom!
Bullets and arrows flew wildly as Kim Jun and Kim Yunhu's Byeolcho troops and monk soldiers harried the Mongols. But the enemy was a massive host. They'd only yielded to the initial ambush; Subutai's army responded steadily, crushing the ambushers in turn.
Clang! Slash! Spurt!
The ambushers sometimes struck the Mongols directly. Trained under the Choi regime and battle-tested before, the Byeolcho troops matched the Mongols blow for blow. The monk soldiers, who'd volunteered for war, weren't to be underestimated either. Stabbing the rearguard with swords was well within their power.
Of course, the quick-reacting Mongols didn't let it drag on.
Still, the ambushes were viable.
'The Mongols aren't all that.'
The Mongols really weren't. At least compared to the young lady he'd faced so far—better to fight them. He recalled her hands trembling at news of the Mongol advance. She pretended otherwise, but she feared them. Mongols raped women and committed every atrocity. Even a strong woman in her position couldn't help but quake.
He didn't want to see her so terrified.
"Slaughter every Goryeo dog!"
"You barbarian scum dare invade our lands?!"
The clash between Byeolcho and Mongols was fierce. Honestly, wouldn't it have been better to commit the full army at the Greater Xing'an Ridge? No helping it. Goryeo had maybe 10,000 elite melee troops at best, and they'd split the forces. This ambush was only possible as a raid; a head-on fight was out.
Kim Yunhu's monks were strong too. Though this era's Buddhism wielded massive privileges and political clout, they joined national crises.
'Casualties are mounting.'
Kim Jun's Byeolcho, Kim Yunhu's monks, and volunteered Jurchen soldiers totaled 2,000 for the raid—poking Subutai's tens of thousands' tail had limits. Hitting supplies was best, but their guards were tight.
"Byeolcho Young Master! Time to pull back!"
"Are the monks ready to withdraw?"
After several raids, they fell back first. No sense dragging it out without a sure win. The goal was harassment; they couldn't linger.
"Yes. Best to disengage now."
"Right."
They retreated swiftly via the southeast mountain path, minimizing losses, but further raids were impossible. The Mongol counterattack was fiercer than expected. But the real absurdity?
Mongol engineers belatedly mining the bypassed Greater Xing'an route with landmines. Way too late.
"Engineers were laying landmines."
No wonder their advance was so swift. Kim Jun urgently recalled the frantically mining engineers.
"Engineers arriving now? Ridiculous."
"Apologies! The guide got lost circling back."
They'd looped the ridge endlessly without encountering Mongols. Lucky, but what was the point of locking the stable after losing the ox? They'd inflicted some damage, but couldn't block Yoyang. Hoped Ugaha held; his force was mostly Jurchens. Reliable? Goryeo proper knew and would send aid, but...
"Even if they'd come early, the Mongols would've slaughtered them."
"Laying mines now is pointless."
Maybe keep raiding the rear? Kim Jun rubbed his forehead. Any ideas? Probably leave it to the young lady. She was fusing Jurchens via womanly wiles and that odd Abkai Hehe cult. No betrayal worries there. But one wing needed to buy time and rack up kills—burdening Yoyang more.
Meanwhile, Subutai's army crested the Greater Xing'an Ridge. They'd suffered ambushes en route, but in small numbers. Somehow they'd predicted the main army would come this way. The supply-raiding force was just a thousand-strong.
That meant Goryeo didn't plan to end it at the ridge. Or they weren't ready. Or...
"If they knew our route, wouldn't blocking and fighting at the passes be better?"
"Likely. They might've sent detachments to delay us with raids because they weren't prepared for our arrival."
The raiders were skilled. When Mongols counterattacked, they withdrew southeast. Even the monks were no slouches.
"Do you see it differently, Marshal?"
"In the last war, Goryeo didn't defend—they devoured us in open field. It broke our national war machine. They might intend to lure us to Yoyang for annihilation if we get stuck at the ridge."
"You mean these dogs dare open battle to devour the Great Mongols?"
That's Goryeo for you. The last war couldn't be dismissed as luck. Even Liao's ace, Emperor Shengzong, invaded deep but retreated bloodied after Goryeo's casus belli gift. Xiao Baap's elite Khitan army was wiped in one battle, crippling Liao against Song too. If this repeated? They'd lost 30,000 last time; now aiming for 50,000? Though splitting into two 20,000 armies. Who was this bold Goryeo commander?
Arriving at Yoyang, Subutai finally faced the Goryeo army.
"Marshal, looks like 40,000 Goryeo dogs before Yoyang."
Subutai's son Uliangkatai reported the numbers.
"Is that the wagon fort? Impressive numbers. And 30,000 Jurchens on the south path?"
Numbers meant nothing against Mongols. Victory came from combat power and strategy.
"Shouldn't we end it quick? Their homeland knows by now—reinforcements will come."
Time for a strategy shift? Subutai's plan was luring, but if Goryeo braced for protracted war without biting... Better to sever reinforcements. But first, gauge their strength.
"Probe them a few times."
"Isn't that dead Salitai's tactic?"
Yes. But not the end. This Goryeo force differed from Salitai's time—no 100,000 mainland troops, fewer numbers overall, and Subutai had 20,000 more.
"They're a Goryeo-Jurchen mix now. Could differ, and probing is basic Mongol tactics."
They had numerical edge but inferior mobility. Larger armies moved slower—especially infantry dragging wagons.