The First Sino-Korean War (1)
Several times we had set the borders and prepared, but war started suddenly at some point.
Like the Middle East war and the Ukraine war, or the Korean War where North Korea stealthily aimed at Seoul and invaded. And this time, our opponent, the Qing, was the same.
“Near the Yalu River, there are big movements.”
They were preparing something with slow but steady movements.
“Probably to gather the troops before crossing the river at Dan-dong.”
Seo Jae-pil, who was moving dozens of puppets placed in our territory under the Yalu River, Manchu and Liaodong, said.
“Any other evidence?”
“Qing's steamships coming in and out of Port Arthur are also active.”
“Supply lines, I guess.”
While we discussed the future war with the French delegation, it was estimated that the Qing had gone all out with massive conscription and inspection of the Beiyang Army, their main force. Whether they were heading south or north.
And another evidence that the war was approaching was the active movements of bandit groups in the Liaodong area.
Clearly, the ones who used to gather in autumn and disband in spring were now constantly gathering westward without plunder.
“According to rumors, the bandits who always disturbed the Republic's borders around autumn have gathered in Liaodong. If the Qing uses them as mercenaries...”
Yang Heon-su, who couldn't keep his command stick still with a serious expression, said to me.
“Our country's borders are rough with mountains and rivers, so defense and surveillance are advantageous, but bandits are enemies focused on plunder, not combat, so if our army responds one by one, it's too late.”
“When the war starts in earnest, it means the border defense might break through.”
“They will avoid combat. And the Qing army will want that too.”
The faces of the officers in the Wolf's Lair darkened.
Although we had the elite cavalry, Hobunwi from Pyeongan Province, it was small in number. We couldn't issue unreasonable orders to face the bandits that one regiment could easily overwhelm with just one company of Hobunwi.
At that time, through the interpreter, General Dye conveyed his experience.
“I also remember the terrible operations in Georgia during the civil war when General Sherman's 'March to the Sea' was carried out by the Northern Army. If there are generals in the Qing army who can perform these feats well, it would be a big problem for the Republic.”
The reincarnation of Georgia.
It was chilling just to hear.
“Any other clever ideas?”
When I was worried, General Dye immediately answered.
“We need to accelerate the war.”
“Now?”
When I asked, General Dye, who received the command stick from Yang Heon-su, pointed at the map and explained.
“As in the outline of Operation Blue, if our army burns the border cities and villages in Manchu and Liaodong and destroys the Qing's supply lines so they can't aim for a long war, there's no more room to hesitate.”
He talked about the expected movement routes of the bandits and the supply lines of the Qing that were restricted in maritime activities because the Beiyang Fleet avoided naval battles.
“After all, maritime supply is out of the question. The Far East Squadron is eyeing that opportunity.”
“That's right.”
“Then, relying on land supply, but that has limits. As the Qing army grows, the manpower assigned to supply bases must also increase. Conversely, the number of enemy troops we face will decrease significantly.”
“Oh.”
“So, we must completely destroy the rear areas around Liaodong, Manchu, and the Yalu River. So they can't even think of advancing south.”
In other words, launch a surprise attack without declaration of war.
At that time, Seo Jae-pil opened his mouth with a hesitant expression.
“We haven't declared war yet.”
The pure Enlightenment Party member who thought the international order, the Public Law of All Nations, was truth.
But General Dye, who had grown up through the South-North War and various colonies, snorted and countered.
“Since we dispatched three regiments of volunteer troops to Taiwan, the war has already begun.”
“That's...”
But anyway, meaningless argument.
If the war had already started, it was the leader's virtue to throw everything for victory. Even if I get scolded later, it's me who eats it.
Deciding in my heart, I asked General Dye.
“Very well, then when would it be good?”
“Right now, Your Excellency.”
“Right now...?”
“Yes, Your Excellency. Please issue the operational command to the entire army right now.”
“...”
With General Dye's firm expression, an indescribable tension filled the Wolf's Lair.
It didn't seem like it would happen, but the time in the Ministry of National Defense seemed to flow quickly. Really.
“Hmm.”
I slowly opened my mouth, exchanging glances with all the officers and generals in the Wolf's Lair one by one.
“Begin the operation.”
June 6.
The First Sino-Korean War opens.
*****
The Yalu River became bustling after the Wolf's Lair's decision.
Unlike the militias and the Vanguard conscripted by the Alliance Association, the People's Army, formally organized by the Republic, had already been concentrated in northern Pyeongan Province.
The adjutant who was hosting the operational meeting explained the approximate situation.
“Our army to intercept the Qing army in Liaodong is estimated at about two divisions, around 20,000. With this level of strength, our small army can launch simultaneous surprise attacks on the border, and they will have a hard time responding immediately.”
“The enemy's cavalry?”
“The cavalry that looks like Manchu Banners has been scouted repeatedly, but both the numbers and equipment are poor.”
“Huh? Unexpected.”
Han Seong-geun, leading the 3rd Regiment of the People's Army responsible for northern defense, smoothed his forehead that was starting to sink from the reports of his subordinate staff.
Unlike the intelligence agency's information that an invasion would come soon, the entire enemy force deployed on the border was about 20,000 of the Manchu Banners, Green Standard Army, and militias in Liaodong, which felt in-between.
“Does the Qing have a famous general?”
If there is a commander who can hide the army's mobility and scatter false information in large quantities to the enemy, it would be quite troublesome.
Currently, the ones inquiring about Qing information in the Republic are three groups.
“French Far East Squadron, Intelligence Agency, Japanese traders.”
Among them, the Intelligence Agency has the highest reliability, but the Japanese traders have the most diverse and voluminous information.
The French Far East Squadron's information source is the most reliable, but the physical distance and time always made them late in sending news, which was a thorn in the side.
This time, it was the Intelligence Agency's warning through the Wolf's Lair, so Han Seong-geun, who thought it was good to believe, asked the officers.
“Have all the bridges and ferries near the Yalu River been secured?”
“Yes, General. Since yesterday, the starting point of the operation, all bridges on the river have been secured.”
“Good. Then, do it like this.”
Han Seong-geun gathered the 3rd Regiment officers in one place and opened his mouth.
“Our mission is to prevent the Qing army from crossing the Yalu River first before the other regiments deployed in southern Pyeongan and northern Gyeonggi advance north, while securing key points where the enemy is likely to cross in the opposite direction.”
After explaining to his subordinates, Han Seong-geun eventually stabbed the command stick into the area south of the river and said.
“The Hosan in eastern Dan-dong would be most suitable. It is suitable for both our advance and the enemy's reverse crossing.”
“That's right, General.”
“Unfortunately, our regiment currently has no artillery. Instead, we have the Hobunwi.”
Although at regimental level, unlike other People's Army regiments, the 3rd Regiment of Han Seong-geun had a proper cavalry company, so they could use unconventional tactics.
Moreover, the Hobunwi is elite troops. Quite so.
“Lieutenant, you have to step up until the reinforcements arrive.”
“Only give the order!”
Vigorously answering Han Seong-geun's request, the man kicked off his place and stood up.
Indeed. The Hobunwi was a kind of personal guard unit composed of Pyeongan Province's local gentry descendants.
Although pre-modern, Han Seong-geun glanced at the trusted 100 cavalrymen in full armor and mail armor waiting outside the barracks.
“First, the cavalry company waits at the Yalu River estuary, and while our militia performs reconnaissance on the entire front line to draw the enemy's attention, they will cross the river stealthily.”
Dozens of red arrows suddenly sprouted from the Yalu River into the Liaodong peninsula painted blue.
“Internal infiltration. You must carry a week's worth of portable rations and roam the enemy's rear boldly. So you can easily draw attention.”
To the lieutenant who was scrutinizing the map with a tense expression, Han Seong-geun gave a warning.
“The cavalry's goal is the location of the enemy's supply lines and bases. However, do not recklessly surprise these garrison troops. It is to accurately locate the positions and evaluate the enemy's military strength. Incidental tasks like burning and destroying supply warehouses are only secondary missions. Your Excellency is also concerned about your safety.”
“Yes, General.”
“You are a kind of bait. Our army will set up a huge encirclement south of the Yalu River, and the enemy's commanders will feel the crisis of their rear being surprised and come attacking first.”
And that was the essence of Operation Blue.
Before the Qing's main army gathered in one place and advanced south, using small forces and surprise to make the local commanders cross the Yalu River first.
Then, the 3rd Regiment lurking in Pyeongan, and the other two regiments that joined from southern Pyeongan and northern Gyeonggi, would cooperate to annihilate them.
And behind that, 50,000 conscripted Hyangbogun from across the country and 10,000 Vanguard would support and push the enemy back across the river, counterattacking into Liaodong and Manchu.
“Break the Liaodong army that will be the enemy's vanguard, join the main force, and seize Liaodong and Manchu with momentum.”
After re-confirming the approximate orders and goals, Han Seong-geun ordered his subordinates.
“The operation starts at 10 AM. From now on, Operation Blue begins!”
Thus, the battle of the warriors to catch the old dragon began.
*****
In a village in Liaodong.
A Qing soldier sprawled along the roadside in the eerily abandoned village muttered.
“Shit.”
Daiqing, a low-ranking soldier born and raised in Liaodong, was a Han Chinese Green Standard Army soldier who was loyal to the imperial court, despite his Manchu name.
Yes, Han Chinese Green Standard Army soldier. It was the lowest of the lowest in the Qing army.
“I'm starving to death, really.”
So, he was hungry. Why? Because the supply came last.
“I'm dying.”
“Then don't talk. Open your mouth or you'll get hungrier, you.”
“Sigh.”
Daiqing shook his head at his colleague's nervous scolding.
“Especially an abandoned village, what bad luck.”
Daiqing, hugging his thin belly from the three days of hardship march, frowned and grumbled.
“Stupid Joseon bastards. Why are they just sitting there, suddenly going crazy.”
This was all because of the Joseon bastards. The army instructors and commanders' scolding was annoying, but more annoying was that the eastern barbarian Joseon had sided with the French, the two-faced ones, and dared to defy the Qing order directly.
“At this time, I should be beating my wife's ass.”
The Joseon declared war. Thanks to that, Daiqing, who was idling in Liaodong watching the office collapse and stealing rice, was dragged south, and his friends who were close to him also came with blistered feet complaining.
“Aigo, it hurts.”
“...”
All the colleagues were faking it, poking at their broken feet.
Fortunately, Daiqing had a family, so his feet were less burdened with well-oiled leather shoes, so no blisters, but his colleagues and recruits were in agony on the bottom of their broken feet.
Helplessly, Daiqing took out the clean cloth piece given to him to wrap his feet with and threw it to his colleagues.
“Wrap your feet with this. You'll feel better.”
“Oh, thank you!”
The colleagues, deeply grateful for Daiqing's consideration, tearing the cloth into small pieces to share.
In this era, especially on the battlefield, all materials were precious, and even cloth pieces to use as bandages were very important.
Daiqing, watching other soldiers who had a good relationship with him getting the cloth from him with thanks, suddenly felt a sense of familiarity.
“Huh?”
Something was wrong. Why? His heart was beating fast?
Daiqing's expression twisted strangely as he was generously dividing the cloth to his colleagues, and one of the colleagues asked.
“Why, Daiqing?”
“Wait. Everyone be quiet!”
“Eh? What's wrong?”
The surrounding colleagues started talking one by one, making it even more chaotic.
The heart's pounding was faster, and his ears were filled with drum sounds.
“Ah!”
Finally, Daiqing's face turned pale as he realized something.
And he screamed and pushed his colleagues aside and started running back.
“Everyone run!”
The source of the sound was not his heartbeat.
“Thud thud!!!”
It was the Korean cavalry right away.