Chapter 224
Chapter 224
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 224
Chapter Title: Declaration of Expedition (1)
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Having received Kim Unhaeng's promise of the "first exclusive rights to monopolize the forbidden technology of the alien species he would plunder in the future," Hong Daeyong's ingenuity was exquisite.
On the surface, he discussed royal ordinances and classics, shared witty anecdotes from the Four Books and historical figures—things Kim Unhaeng could never do—while subtly slipping in "information" woven from intricate metaphors in between.
"Troops are setting up camps and fortifications along the Yalu and Tumen Rivers."
"Vast fields are being cultivated in the Border Garrison Army, a true transformation of the land."
"They say it's the first time they've seen so many people east of the Pai River. Dedicating themselves to the ancient kings' project of reclaiming wasteland to increase yields—how could our king not deserve praise for this?"
Wang Danmang was no fool. He bribed various low-level clerks in the governor's office for cross-verification.
And he learned that, military or not, there was indeed a noticeable population shift toward the Joseon-Qing border.
It was no wonder Wang Danmang reached this conclusion:
"The King of Joseon is increasing his garrison troops at the border!"
While An Jeongbok was fervently shouting "Anschluss," Wang Danmang immediately reported Joseon's suspicious movements to the emperor via the Shengjing Bureau.
The Qianlong Emperor fell into deep thought.
Normally, he could simply send a stern reprimand to Joseon ordering a troop withdrawal. But now, it might backfire like slapping a crying child.
Besides, Joseon's response was all too predictable:
"Lately, with disturbances in the great nation, refugees have been crossing more frequently, so we've had no choice but to repair our camps."
It was a perfect excuse. In any era, refugees slipping across for ginseng poaching never stopped.
In reality, Joseon was on the defensive. There was no massive field army assembling for a "real invasion," at least not as far as the Qing knew—and even their existence in Joseon was doubtful.
Preparing combat forces inevitably annoys locals everywhere, making it hard to hide even in this era. Joseon was just cobbling together scattered troops everywhere, enough for defense but not offense.
In this situation, where Joseon's criminal intent wasn't clear, exchanging diplomatic notes about refugees amid Qing chaos would proclaim to the world that the Qing couldn't even control its own house.
Thus, the Qianlong Emperor made the most fitting decision once again.
He ordered the Manchu Three Great Generals—the Qing's elite from the Jurchen Banner—to bolster defenses, especially by dramatically increasing visible troop numbers.
If they asked, "You pulled all our troops for rebellion suppression—how are we supposed to make more soldiers in depopulated Manchuria?" they'd lack the qualifications (to live).
Generals like Shengjing's Mingfu began turning "people not in population registers" into soldiers.
Hanjok weary of central plains life, habitually crossing Shanhai Pass, were made soldiers in exchange for the general's leniency.
The Jilin general "pacified" Han villages on standby as reserve stockades by the river.
The Heilongjiang general "requisitioned" Tungusic hunter tribes in northeast Manchuria.
Dress them in uniforms, and aren't they soldiers? The Ming even used monkeys as cavalry during the Imjin War—precedent exists.
And by February, Joseon responded faster than expected, perhaps because the king was in Pyongyang.
To show sincerity for the emperor's concerns, they announced a full withdrawal of potato garrison troops from the Border Garrison Army. Wang Danmang, trusted by the emperor, flawlessly captured the sight of troops noisily dismantling camps and heading south.
The Qianlong Emperor praised Wang Danmang's resourcefulness, justifying his reliance on close aides. Emboldened by success, Wang Danmang dove deeper into conspiracy theories.
Now, even a missing cow would be blamed on alien animal experiments.
And right then, Kim Unhaeng pinned the blame on aliens and began preparing his own livestock rustling.
The "northern garrison troops" Wang Danmang first spotted were mostly just tenant farmer refugees.
Just as ginseng fever had boomed, economic motives in this era boiled down to farming. Oil or steel wouldn't impress anyone.
Thus, Kim Unhaeng's propaganda spread in Pyeong'an-do was firmly rooted in agrarianism.
"Even in the frigid Border Garrison Army, where we couldn't rice-paddy before, potatoes grow wonderfully!"
"His Majesty is recruiting people to reclaim wasteland, emulating the ancient kings!"
"L-like in King Sejong's time? I don't want to..."
"No, they say not just anyone qualifies. You need family, sound limbs, not too old, no land ownership—tons of requirements."
This impressed those who fancied themselves clever.
Free or forced stuff looks cheap at a glance, but slap a high barrier on it, and it proves valuable.
"They just give you land if you go. Half our harvest goes to landlords anyway—worth trying potatoes over rice."
Pyeong'an tenant farmers swarmed the Border Garrison Army.
No factory runs with zero workers, no matter automation. Landlords slashing labor costs with transplanting or double-cropping panicked and tried holding them back—but it only boosted the farmers' egos.
"Give me seven-tenths of next year's yield, and I'll stay."
"This is my land—such banditry!"
"All Joseon calls Pyeong'an folk bandits—too late now. Hate it? I'm off to dig potatoes in the Border Garrison. Like it? Redraft the contract. With the king nearby, you won't forge documents and commit treason, right?"
Of course, Kim Unhaeng didn't care about local landlords. Those "garrison troops" farmed on one side and repaired Yalu camps on the other.
And when the Qianlong Emperor moved as expected, the "real troops" hidden in the Border Garrison Army—out of the envoy's sight—were pulled south all at once.
Kim Unhaeng was unmistakably planning a northern expedition.
But he never mentioned crossing the Yalu.
Excluding Yoon Pil-deok, the outsider training commander and core force, the de facto leader of this Pyeong'an garrison was former Pyeong'an Central Army's Sin Heop.
He'd received official deputy title from the Pyeong'an Defense Commandant, who lacked command skills beyond ten men (his Korean Army squad leader experience).
The 18th century was transitional: as black powder infantry lines became battlefield centers, signaling evolved.
Joseon troops trained in British infantry tactics faced the same issue: thick powder smoke obscured flags.
Thus, auditory signals—used before—gained importance.
Europe hadn't formalized military bands yet; that came later, pioneered by Ottoman Turks like line infantry.
But British forces were adopting drum rhythms for march control: not just advance/retreat, but direction and speed systematized.
This accessible advance naturally entered Muye Sinbo by Yi Hwon, "military-expert Ming ruler" per Kim Unhaeng.
With orders to withdraw noisily, the 20,000 troops now circling the Border Garrison Army toward Pyongyang sounded like the Heavenly Dynasty in volume alone.
Drums, pipes, and gongs shaking heaven and earth lightened soldiers' steps. Neglected by Pyeong'an folk, daily drunkards and brawlers—now under fierce new local officer families—marched sharply.
"One, two! One, two!"
"Who changed the rhythm on their own?!"
"My apologies, sir. Got too excited."
"These lowborn rhythms are all sloppy—such a chore to hear. This lowly officer learned yanggeum from the Qing—watch my skill!"
"Ooh, a true court official!"
In Ryukyu, they'd test stranded sailors with beats: if they danced, they were Joseon—traditional identification.
Joseon soldiers loved this "club-style march" from the West.
Half to preempt looting, half drawn by northern expedition's grand cause—local elites and folk carrying food marched joyfully.
Sin Heop chewed boiled potatoes, fondly surveying the camp.
This harmony between ranks would last. At least until reaching Samhwa County south of Pyongyang (Nampo).
He ignored the Qing tune echoing from camp center. True confidence needs no inferiority complex.
He whistled and turned. The barbarians would soon taste Crown Prince's advisor Chun-sik's exquisite scheme.
The 'Hannibal Barca's Tactics' skill remained unpuzzled.
Freely maneuvering troops or warping reality to victory? Dismissed instantly. Skills can't influence "others."
No consumption, so left on—but like "Yeon's Speed," it needed a trigger.
Thus, shelve unusable skills; I needed strategic advice from non-official military personnel.
Not just the 20,000 descending from Border Garrison—righteous armies gathered nationwide.
Wartime absent, reports reached Commander-in-Chief Wang, thus me via documents... but honestly, military ops elude me. Should've served myself.
To parse Joseon's verbose reports with geographic sense: Se-hwa, who flawlessly blocked Chungcheong from bed during Seoul spring.
With Princess Hwan's issue resolved, I missed her—and for northern prep, having her master China maps would help—so I summoned Se-hwa to Pyongyang.
Warring States' famed generals ignored family upon military orders?
That's how sons become Jo Gwal. And I'm no general.
Se-hwa arrived VIP aboard Liberation Unit assembling in northern Hwanghae—beyond envoy's sight—with just seven attendants, modest procession.
As Se-hwa entered my quarters, I grabbed the missionaries' gifted China map for her.
But she reached out, stroking my face.
"Your features unchanged, but skin roughened. No lady attending you, I see. Soldiers and clerks can't manage that."
She smiled slowly, blooming.
"Makes it harder to hold back. Forgive me."
Map later, it seems.
Old lovers' pro and con: life and love inseparable.
We chatted cozily under one thin blanket, never to be walked in on.
"So, with generals' advice, we repaired camps here—but what think you?"
"I know little of military. But per map, barbarians' path is Dongpalcham anyway. Thus, Your Highness's green barricades and trenches across seven counties from Uiju down are surely correct."
As expected, everyone's common knowledge is key.
Even genius Se-hwa can't outknow Joseon generals on defense. So, use her for "offense."
As I pondered, Se-hwa pulled my neck.
"Oh? You summoned a mere woman for harsh military talk—not missing me?"
"How could I? I treasure your wisdom. Of course I missed you. Won't leave Seoul after this."
Se-hwa stroked my head, meeting eyes.
"No. You're not so small-minded. I didn't marry to weave or boss maids in gardens. Climb to the end as promised. I'll follow anywhere."
Then kissed my one eye at equal height. My remaining eye caught her closed lashes.
And more.
Active Skill: Hannibal Barca's Tactics
[Tactical overlay activated via intimacy trigger]
Most akin to a game—no, ops room map.
Unsure where, but hyper-realistic terrain like Google Maps rose on my closed eyelids with icons and dots.
Just before Se-hwa's lips parted, I realized the densest dots clustered here: Pyongyang Governor's Office. Good it was my longest stay.
Arming Se-hwa's languid shoulder, my mind raced.
Definitely troop positions.
Grasping one's forces is basics; half a army's power is "location." Like footwork in martial arts.
But too few dots. Pyongyang hosted me, king, envoy—guards alone massive.
"Only my subordinates' troops?!"
It clicked. Hannibal's Rome wins crumbled because Carthage fell first.
He could smash foes but not control homeland politics. Knew enemy, not self.
But Hannibal was mortal before my birth.
If deployable nationwide, solutions exist.
Whatever face I made, Se-hwa gazed up half-lidded, fingers caressing.
"I love that look on you."
I love you too.
Love because helpful?
Childish question. Helpful because loved.
Washington, Independence hero, isn't tactically elite.
But this time, his strategy worked—backed by mighty fleet unlike Revolution.
Admiral Porter formed strike group: 3 ships-of-the-line, 6 frigates—led south.
Henry Porter's wand knew no mercy. As Washington told Go San-hwi, Fujian and Zhejiang ports razed by 500+ instant-death geographic spells.
Washington advanced, shoving expendable orientals into suicide riots. Ports sabotaged internally fell easily to his eastern march.
Yi Si-yo, Four Rivers Naval Commander, realized he had zero navy despite title.
Modern salarymen dream company collapse means no commute—but governors differ.
No navy didn't free Yi Si-yo; only death would.
Yi Si-yo didn't despair. Westerners erred gravely.
"These arrogant fools truly know no bounds!"
To China, navy auxiliary. Level 99 earth-attuned Daqing challenging land army? Absurd.
Yi Si-yo mobilized 120,000 ignoring laws.
Yangtze scholars crying "exterminate green demons," mixed with Han "krill-shrimp" trait.
Infinite horde all alien lords feared. Kill faster, respawn faster. West's doom: crushing.
"Barbarians aim obvious. Old smuggling Ningbo—mass all there!"
Spot-on. Britain always eyed Ningbo smuggling.
Seize Ningbo, dry up Hangzhou sole trade port, covet Shanghai, Grand Canal—predictable.
Not end. Fu Chang's 300,000 pacifiers smashed White Lotus in Shandong; Qing comms recovering.
Yi Si-yo submitted memorial painting Yangtze crisis as heavenly horse battle-scale, proposing war-ender.
Hammer and anvil, ancient—continental scale.
Qianlong loved it.
Joseon retreated under Three Generals' pressure—chance now.
"Sichuan, Shaanxi, Hubei, Henan—all pivot west to Yangtze. White Lotus handled by Zhili pacifiers. While they drool east, strike rear of heaven's Yangtze blood!"
De facto imperial mobilization.
Not instant, of course. Yi Si-yo must hold long—but momentum alone terrifies Jupiter regime.
And in spring third moon that year, as China peaked, Jeju Governor Park Jiwon arrived Pyongyang.
Jeju sent aid north via Liberation Unit pre-that—first "mainland support" from eternal welfare island—and came with Kim Unhaeng's summon.
Kim Unhaeng, hands clasped behind, skyward:
"Brother, nation's finest stylist—I have urgent request. Draft document for Majesty."
Park Jiwon swallowed "ghostwriting report dragged me north?" King present—no impertinence.
"What document?"
Kim Unhaeng didn't betray.
"Declaration of Expedition."
Kim Unhaeng resolved to become Joseon Army Commander-in-Chief.
Author's Notes
1. Ming records mention "monkey cavalry" in Imjin War, unclear if literal monkeys, agile foreigners, or propaganda.
2. Hiding troops in remote Border Garrison away from envoy eyes mentioned prior chapter.
3. Joseon castaways in Ryukyu: ambiguous topknots, language barrier—given drums, danced, identified as Goryeo folk, treated well (Yeongjo Sillok).
4. Ningbo long British/European target. Yi Si-yo's insight in Ch. 173 'Windy Jeju' part.