The Seizure of the Archipelago (1)
“Heh…!”
After lowering the telescope, Yi Sun-sin let out a long sigh. No matter how he thought about it, the place where the Japanese daimyo had agreed to receive the king did not sit well with him at all.
A vast plain stretched endlessly along the branching waterways of the lower Ota River, where people farmed, yet far more fields lay abandoned and overgrown with lush reeds.
“It looks like our marines won’t be of much help.”
The Heoxin and Hyeongmyeong, with displacement over a thousand tons, could not enter the Ota River. The silt deposited everywhere made even anchoring impossible.
Yet the king had ordered them to head to the designated location.
“What on earth is he planning?”
Yi Sun-sin could not fathom it, but a reason had to exist—especially since the king had repeatedly stressed securing the territory first before advancing.
The reception site was tucked deep into a spot the telescope could barely reach. If anything went wrong, he would simply have to endure it. Even with the overwhelming firepower at their disposal, the difference in numbers was too vast. That was why he had opposed the plan, but the king had not listened. No reason had been given this time either.
“This could end badly.”
Sudden unease gripped him. The king was young, yet he knew everything. Even absurd questions from his subjects received perfectly reasoned answers. He was not just paying lip service to the people—he was actually implementing policies for their benefit. Thanks to him, smiles could be heard everywhere across the land. If such a king were to fall, Joseon would plunge into chaos.
“I can’t let that happen.”
Yi Sun-sin would never allow it. So he regularly sailed the steam paddock ships to scout Hiroshima Bay. If he spotted anything suspicious, he would demand an end to the meeting. Yet he found no trace. Or rather, he could not find any. Hiroshima Bay was simply too vast, and hiding places for a large army far too numerous. That was why he had to patrol so frequently.
“If only the word could have passed…”
He would have loved to send soldiers ashore for scouting, but even if they looked the part, the language barrier made it impossible. So he had to rely entirely on the one-sided information sent by the Mori family. That information, however, was always the same. Something was clearly there. Yi Sun-sin scanned the surroundings in frustration. Night was already falling. Gazing at the red sun reflecting on the water, he said,
“Let’s head back.”
“Yes, sir!”
The First Marine Division of the Hwaryeokgun was based on small Ojin Island, the nearest uninhabited land in the lower Ota River. Though only a kilometer long, the deep waters around it allowed the Heoxin and Hyeongmyeong to anchor there.
“What’s that?”
As the paddock ship carrying Yi Sun-sin approached Ojin Island, a second ship was already docked.
“Could it be His Majesty?”
At the aide’s words, Yi Sun-sin shook his head.
“No, that’s unlikely. His Majesty said he was coming on the newly built Heoxin Three.”
“Then it might be the flagship of the Second Marine Division.”
“Hmm… we’ll find out soon enough.”
As expected, the ship docked was indeed the Second Marine Division’s flagship. Stepping into the temporary barracks, he found Second Marine Division Commander Kwon Jun. Kwon Jun grinned widely, sprang to his feet, and reached out a hand.
“Good to see you, Commander.”
“Good to see you, Admiral Kwon.”
They clasped hands firmly, eyes blazing with the same competitive fire they had shared at the Hwaryeok Military Academy. In naval combat, neither could claim superiority. Yet their handshake was warm, like that of old friends.
“What brings you all the way out here?”
“I brought a letter from His Majesty the Chief Commander.”
“Really?”
“Here.”
Yi Sun-sin took the letter, bowed respectfully, and quickly tore it open. As he read, his grip tightened.
“Turn the tiger’s mouth into a tiger’s den… The Chief Commander is always full of surprises.”
“Of course he is!”
Even though they were younger, his subordinates revered the king. It was not out of duty to royalty, but because he surpassed them in every way.
“What about the others?”
“They’re already preparing.”
“And you?”
“I’m handling transportation and supplies.”
Yi Yeon had sent the newly recruited thirty thousand Hwaryeokgun soldiers north. He had trained them in tiger-hunting tactics to build their courage, but he did not consider them ready for the front lines yet. Instead, he sent all the Hwaryeokgun guarding the north to the archipelago. Along with fifty thousand police units. This was the perfect opportunity to wipe them out completely. But they did not have enough ships to transport everyone. So he had to call in the Second Marine Division’s vessels. Kwon Jun was in charge of that.
“Are you sure about this?”
“Sure about what?”
“You said you wanted to fight.”
“I do, but supplies come first…”
“Thanks.”
“Don’t mention it.”
Kwon Jun chuckled and replied with a playful tone. “Next time it’s my turn first.”
“Got it. Then I’ll handle supplies.”
“There won’t be a next time. His Majesty treasures you too much.”
“Is that so?”
“You didn’t know?”
“Hmm…”
No matter what was happening, the king’s face lit up with a warm smile whenever he saw Yi Sun-sin. He never summoned him or gave special treatment, but he always checked Yi Sun-sin’s answers first. Because his scores were excellent. He did the same for Jeong Yeo-lip, who finished second, but never for those who ranked lower. He always wore a worried expression when looking at Jeong Yeo-lip and sometimes pulled him aside to ask about everything. That was why Hwang Jin, the mischievous one, called Jeong Yeo-lip “the useless son” and Yi Sun-sin “the hidden son.” After a long time apart, the two sat down for dinner and discussed what lay ahead.
* * *
After departing from Ganghwa Island, Yi Yeon stopped at Mokpojin and Busanpo to handle supplies and meals before setting sail for the archipelago once more.
“Damn! Without GPS, navigation is impossible at night.”
In open ocean it might have been possible, but the western and southern coasts, dotted with islands and reefs, could not be sailed after dark. So even the Heoxin Three, which could cruise at over forty kilometers per hour with eight steam engines, took three days to reach the islands.
But there was one bright side: he could enjoy the breathtaking beauty of the southern coast, known as the Land of the Immortals. During the voyage to Shimonoseki without stopping at Tsushima, the commander of the Heoxin Three, Jeong Geol, asked with a worried look.
“Your Majesty, are we truly safe?”
“Do not worry. The commanders I trained will handle it.”
“Still, it might be better to meet after the police units have all landed.”
“Won’t that make them suspicious?”
“That’s true, but the Japanese are extremely vicious. I’m concerned.”
Having experienced the Imjin War, Jeong Geol knew the Japanese better than anyone. That was also why he had been appointed professor in charge of naval tactics at the Hwaryeok Military Academy.
“No matter how vicious they are, they can’t compare to the tigers we’re about to hunt.”
In his previous life, he had tried to restore the extinct Korean tigers, but now they were all dangerous beasts that had to be killed. Their numbers were simply too many. Reports of the Korean tigers being hunted due to rapid population growth kept coming in. Deforestation had reduced their habitat, of course. He could not forbid mountain development, though. Most mines were located in the mountains, and building roads would inevitably damage the slopes. So animals that attacked humans—tigers, leopards, wolves, bears, and wild boars—were designated as vermin and ordered to be exterminated on sight. Small herbivores like foxes, martens, and badgers, however, were never to be harmed. He posted notices across all offices warning that the entire mountain could turn into a snake pit and would face severe punishment. Yet any animal that came down to the villages was to be hunted freely. Leaving them alone would cause major harm to chicken farms and could spread unknown diseases. Especially bats, which must never be touched. They were beneficial creatures and must not be harmed. Because of this, the price of badger leather skyrocketed, and naturally the fashion for wearing clothes filled with wool or down on cotton or silk became popular. As a result, farms raising sheep and ducks multiplied overnight. Artificial hatching was also being introduced, and duck prices had plummeted. Everywhere he went, he could find shops specializing solely in duck meat.
When the Heoxin Three arrived at Shimonoseki Port, crowds of Japanese spectators prostrated themselves and shouted loudly.
“Banzai! Banzai! Banzai!”
Some wept with joy, while others sincerely prayed for the long life of the Joseon king to their own gods. Some even worshipped the Joseon king as a deity.
Yi Yeon had ordered rice sent to the area after the Mori family surrendered. The archipelago had been devastated by endless war, leaving the people without food. When the first Hwaryeokgun troops arrived in Shimonoseki, no one stepped outside. They believed the Joseon army would kill them for what they had done to Joseon. But the Joseon soldiers did not plunder. Instead, they recruited workers and promised fair pay. It was unbelievable. No one had ever heard of such a disciplined army. A few could not resist hunger and went anyway. Rumors of the rice they received spread rapidly.
“Is that true?”
“What is?”
“The Joseon army gives enough rice to eat for three days for one day of work.”
“That can’t be right.”
The occupation forces had been forced into labor, but they received nothing. Being spared was a blessing.
“Should I go and work anyway? I can’t starve to death like this.”
“I guess not.”
The next day they set aside their fear and headed to the construction site. There were already far more people waiting than them.
“What now? We probably won’t get a job…”
“We’ll die anyway. Our breasts aren’t even full yet…”
Fortunately their worries ended quickly. The Joseon army hired everyone and paid them. The rice given was more than promised—enough to eat for five days if rationed. From then on, they received the same amount every time they worked, and they were even told to seek free meal stations if short. Slowly they realized the portion was exactly one day’s ration for the Joseon soldiers.
“No wonder it felt extra large.”
“Can we grow as tall and strong if we eat like them?”
“Different seeds, though.”
“Then I’ll take the seeds.”
“That’s an idea.”
Before long, it became fashionable to dress one’s daughter prettily and send her to the Joseon army camp. In the end, the people of Shimonoseki swore loyalty to the Joseon king. He had not even ordered it.
—Thud! Thud! Thud!
Following the grand drumbeats, Yi Yeon stepped off the Heoxin Three.
“Loyalty!”
The Hwaryeokgun and police units in Shimonoseki answered in unison with thunderous voices and saluted. It sounded as if the world was about to end.
Then Jeong Yeo-lip rushed forward.
“Loyalty! Jeong Yeo-lip, Commander of the First Cavalry Division of the Joseon Hwaryeokgun, greets His Majesty the Chief Commander.”
“Good work.”
Yi Yeon reached out for a handshake, just as he had done at the academy.
“How was it?”
“Exactly as His Majesty said.”
“Really?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Seeing the new Jeong Yeo-lip, Yi Yeon smiled with satisfaction. He said,
“Then we must sweep everything clean for the Great Unity.”
“Yes! Your Majesty!”