Tidings from the Sea
"What the hell is this?"
I widened my eyes.
Na Dae-yong proudly pointed to the back of Hyeonmu No. 3. Where smooth iron plating should have been, a square wooden box riddled with holes like a beehive was strapped on.
"A fire chariot."
"Fire chariot? You mean the one that launches Singijeon rockets?"
"Exactly. The black powder you brought is so damn potent. Strap a powder canister to the back of those large arrows and fire 'em off—range hits at least two ri, over a kilometer easy."
Na Dae-yong fiddled with a scrap of metal.
"Hyeonmu charges in while we rain arrows from afar first. Then we smash 'em while they're still reeling. What do you think?"
"You're insane. In the best possible way."
I gave him a thumbs-up. A mobile missile launcher. Like slapping rocket pods on a tank. Leave this guy alone, and he'd whip up intercontinental ballistic missiles next.
"Ammo supply good?"
"Seo Baek-seol's been hauling in bamboo and paper. We've been cranking 'em out all night. That Mi-ryeong kid measures the powder loads like a wizard."
In one corner of the inn, women were packing powder canisters. The air reeked of gunpowder, but no one complained. They knew this was the stuff that'd keep them alive.
Everything was falling into place smoothly. But the inn's atmosphere hung heavy.
Hands busied themselves with powder, but mouths stayed shut. The only sounds were deep sighs now and then.
Not a good vibe.
We'd won at Ichi Pass and the supply raid, but the world out there was a shitshow. We'd heard long ago that Hanseong had fallen and the king had fled.
The real problem came after.
"Heard the king straight-up crossed into Yodong—in Ming territory?"
"Abandoning the country for foreign soil? What about us? We just get left behind?"
Vicious rumors. Word was King Seonjo had crossed the border begging for exile. To the people, 'the king fled' and 'the king abandoned the nation' were worlds apart. The latter meant the end of the state itself.
And worse rumors piled on.
"South coast got breached too. Japs' ships numbered in the thousands—couldn't even see the sea."
"Gyeongsang naval forces didn't fight, just scuttled their ships and ran? Jeolla's fleet can't be any different."
False info and defeatism spread like poison mushrooms.
In the corner, Choi Ga hunched like a whipped dog, scraping at the dirt. The loudmouth was dead silent for once.
"Hey, Choi Ga. You look like you need a shit. What's with the face?"
I nudged him. He looked up, face crumpling.
"Boss... we really gonna be okay?"
"What?"
"We fight 'cause we trust you... but everywhere else is losing. King's running, officials are running... even if we win here, won't we just get surrounded and slaughtered?"
His words drew soldiers slinking closer. They all thought the same. Isolation. The loneliness and terror of being the last ones standing.
"Stupid talk."
I gripped his shoulder hard.
"Isolated? I've got your back."
"B-but..."
"Listen up. World can go to hell—Damyang won't fall. I'm hunkered here in iron plating. Who breaks through? The Japs? Bring it. I'll feed 'em all to Mi-suk."
I laughed loud on purpose.
"King gone? So what. We're the bosses now. You ask permission to defend your own land?"
"N-no, but..."
"Then shut it. Don't pussy out. I've got you, Hyeonmu's got me, and behind that..."
I pointed to the kitchen.
"...is damn good food. We endure on rice power."
Choi Ga's face eased. Simple guy—food talk always worked.
But the bigger issue lurked in the women's quarters.
Seo Baek-seol sat staring blankly at her ledger, hands trembling faintly.
"Seo, we in the red?"
I joked as I entered, but she didn't smile.
"Not about money."
She murmured weakly.
"I'm scared."
"Of what?"
"Everything. Spending like this, gathering people, busting our asses... what if it's all for nothing? Japs roll in, burn it all, kill us—what was the point?"
Merchant through and through. Quick with numbers, quicker with grim futures. Betting her fortune on a 'sure-lose gamble' was crushing her.
Mi-ryeong sat beside her, eyes puffy and red.
"Uncle... we really won't die?"
She clutched my hem. Black Mountain bandit trauma flaring up again. War rumors set her shaking every time.
I sighed, sat between them.
"Baek-seol, gimme your hand."
"Huh?"
I grabbed it anyway. Ice cold. Wrapped it in my massive, callused paws, sharing warmth.
"Your ledgers never wrong, right?"
"Of course. Who do you think I am?"
"Then this bet pays off too. Your investment with me? No losses. When have I ever lied?"
Mi-ryeong giggled, shakes easing.
I stroked her head with my other hand.
"Mi-ryeong, check this bicep."
I rolled up my sleeve, flexed veiny forearm.
"Tree trunk or iron pillar?"
"Iron pillar!"
"Damn right. Iron pillar holding the line—what's to fear? Bandit scum got smashed; Japs no different. They come, Uncle bats 'em away like baseballs... nah, like shuttlecocks."
"Promise?"
"Don't leave me."
"Promise. Where would I go without you? You're getting married someday. Gotta keep my word."
"U-uncle!"
Mi-ryeong blushed beet red. Seo Baek-seol shot a playful glare: "Oh, you little..." Mood lightened.
I looked at them, vowed silently. Easing those anxious eyes—that was my top battle now.
"Trust me. Just me. Sky falls? Hole appears. Country crumbles? We survive."
Then—
"Clear the road! Express dispatch! Urgent!"
A frantic shout from the village entrance.
Hooves thundered. Yiho Army men in the yard grabbed weapons, tense. Seo Baek-seol and Mi-ryeong's faces hardened again.
What now?
I scooped Mi-suk and headed out.
A foam-flecked horse burst into the inn yard. Rider covered in filth, face gaunt from exhaustion.
"Huff... huff..."
He tumbled off. Uniform: Jeolla Left Naval Station.
Left Navy? Yeosu? Admiral Yi Sun-sin's turf.
Murmurs rose.
"Navy guy."
"Sea breached too? Then we're fucked..."
"Aigoo, nowhere left to run..."
Everyone imagined doom. Land in ruins—why would the sea fare better? Despair etched their faces, assuming defeat news.
Na Dae-yong rushed out from work.
"Hey! What happened? Left Navy okay?"
The messenger yanked a letter from his bosom, hands shaking. Gulped dry, then bellowed.
"We won!!"
"......What?"
"Our navy... Admiral Yi Sun-sin! Smashed the Japs!"
Silence crashed. Time froze. No one trusted their ears—only 'falls,' 'defeats,' 'flees' till now.
"Off Okpo! Sank 26 enemy ships! Drowned 'em all!"
He choked up shouting.
"Our losses? One wounded! Perfect victory!"
26-0. Miracle score. Imjin War's first win—the Okpo sea battle that saved Joseon.
"Waaaaah!!"
Cheers exploded. Some screamed manse, others collapsed sobbing.
"We won! We actually won!"
"Aigoo, God, Buddha—thank you!"
Seo Baek-seol grabbed my arm, jumping.
"Hear that? We won! Sea's safe!"
Tears streamed down her face. Relief. Hope of survival.
"Yeah. I heard."
My fist clenched unconsciously. He did it. The admiral did it. History unchanged, but that ironclad history saved us this time.
Na Dae-yong shook the messenger.
"Ships! Panokseons intact?"
"Yes! Untouched! Theirs burned and shattered—ours without a scratch!"
"Hahaha! Knew it! Panokseons are king! Pine's toughest—leagues above their cedar tubs!"
Na Dae-yong danced a jig. Not his build, but he knew Joseon's shipcraft and panokseon superiority best—pure pride.
Not just a win. Shattered 'Japs invincible.' Proof 'we can do this.' Sea secure meant their supply lines cut—we weren't isolated.
I stepped forward.
"You hear that?!"
All eyes on me. Sparks reignited in their gazes, roaring to life like oil on embers.
"Hanseong falls? Fuck it! King runs? Fuck it!"
I pointed south.
"Sea lives! Yi Sun-sin's guarding our rear—what's to fear?!"
"Right! Kim Deok-ryeong forever! Yi Sun-sin forever!"
"Admiral holds the sea. Time we earn our keep? Who's holding the land?"
"We are!!"
Yiho Army raised spears and matchlocks, howling. Choi Ga wept and laughed.
"That's it."
I thumped Mi-suk on the ground.
"Japs? Nothing special. Drowned at sea, smashed on mountains. Joseon soil's their grave."
Fear vanished. Isolation gone. We weren't alone—knowing a stronger ally held the southern sea surged courage through us.
I glanced back. Seo Baek-seol and Mi-ryeong beamed. Finally at ease.
"Seo, prep the feast."
"Huh?"
"Drain the vats today. All the dried fish out. Get shitfaced guilt-free."
"Got it! On the house tonight!"
Seo Baek-seol whooped. No ledger in sight.
That night, Damyang didn't sleep. Hope's wingbeat from despair's pit.
Songs rang, dances swirled. Na Dae-yong grilled the messenger on battle details over drinks; Choi Ga bragged he was "Admiral Yi's kid brother."
I sat on the porch, sipping, watching.
Admiral. Well done.
Couldn't see him, but pictured the saintly hero wiping bloodied blade somewhere on the southern sea.
My turn now.
Sea intact, their supplies starve. Hungry Japs crawl inland.
I eyed the Hyeonmus parked in the yard. Iron plating gleaming moonlight, Singijeon fire chariots mounted atop.
Ready.
I patted Mi-suk.
Tomorrow: Geumsan Castle. Kobayakawa Takakage's main force eyeing Honam. Time to show these bastards true Joseon spice—and the terror of pincer strikes.
May 1592. Victory winds from the southern blue sea howled fierce through Honam's ridges.