TGACT 10

Chapter 10. Admiral Yi’s Grandson Hates King Injo

“Governor of Pyeongan, what is he doing?”

“Your Majesty, Governor Yun Hwon of Pyeongan said that it is not possible to defend Pyongyang Fortress against the barbarians, so he must retreat the army to the south of the Daedong River.”

“How can such words be spoken?”

“This is because Magistrate Yi Wan of Uiju abandoned Uiju Fortress and pulled the army back to the mountain fortresses.”

Even though the enemy had not yet shown a single hair, Governor Yun Hwon had already given up defending Pyongyang.

The present king. At last, he had become used to being called with a proper royal title instead of his old title of Prince Neungyang.

But when he saw the northern officials he had sent out running away, he became furious.

Yi Wan… yes. Everyone said that even if the army retreats for a moment, it should be to strengthen defense. Then there was no other choice.

“Dismiss Governor Yun Hwon from office, and appoint Kim Gi-jong, Lord of Yeonghae, the Governor of Chungcheong, in his place.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“And send a royal command to Uiju. An envoy shall carry my decree to Magistrate Yi Wan.”

“As you command.”

There was no choice. The north was shaking.

Prince Neungyang blamed himself for a moment, but then denied it. No, this was not his fault.

If Yun Hwon were another rebel like Yi Gwal, then he had prevented such treason.

Yes, there was no choice. A loyal subject should not resist the king’s decision.

To him, this was his natural right.

At last, success.

Uiju Fortress had exploded with gunpowder, but no one had been left inside.

The stones that flew high into the sky fell down again, tearing through the advancing Jin cavalry.

With two concentrated rounds of gunfire, the charging cavalry fell. Those who survived the bullets could not stop their own explosive momentum and were impaled.

At the narrow south gate alley, the cavalry were wiped out, blocking the road with piles of bodies.

Leaving behind the groaning survivors, I led the army across Namsan.

It was 80 li to Yonggol Mountain Fortress, but our steps were light. It felt like ten years of frustration had lifted.

“Rejoice, everyone. We are writing history right now.”

“We killed all the barbarian cavalry without a single casualty, sir. With this formation, nothing can scare us!”

“That’s right! We can slaughter those savages at once!”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, sir!”

“Then there will be no rest on the march to Yonggol Fortress.”

There was no reason to fight more here. We had broken the enemy’s momentum and gained five days. That was enough.

Besides, no one was left in Uiju, so what was the point of defending it?

The soldiers looked like they wanted to object, but could not. They themselves had just said they could kill them all—so why complain about a mountain march?

“Let’s go. We can even look at the ruins of Baengma Fortress on the way.”

“Sir… you are armed with only a single sword. For us it’s not so easy…”

“What did you say?”

“No, nothing!”

If you don’t like it, then rise in rank. Pass the military exam in your teens and cut off the head of a traitor. That’s how you succeed. Of course, you also need great ancestors and successful relatives—but mentioning that was too painful.

“Let’s go, quickly. We must eat dinner.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Army, quick march!”

“Quick march!”

The scenery and wind were good. The air even carried a faint smell of blood from across the river.

The wind seemed to lift us up. If we had wings, we might have flown.

The first knot was tied. We had blown up Uiju, but achieved something greater. If anyone with military sense judged it, we deserved reward.

I didn’t expect much, but at least the central government should send us powder and grain in exchange for what I had spent from my own pocket.

At Yonggol Fortress, though it was night, the people of Uiju came out to greet us.

Even though the officials tried to keep them quiet, the townsfolk cried and embraced us. The soldiers, being from Uiju, also wept with their families.

“Officer Yi.”

“Ah, Judge Choi.”

“The Magistrate asks for you. I will handle dismissing the troops.”

“Yes, sir. Soldiers, obey Judge Choi.”

“Yes, sir!”

Yonggol Fortress was solidly built.

Originally, the plan had been to rebuild Baengma Fortress, but this war was about blocking the road. Yonggol’s position was better, with a large well and stream inside.

When I entered the inner office, my uncle was there with Confucian instructor Yu Malsaeng.

“Magistrate, Officer Yi Wan reporting.”

“Yu, send this report quickly. Write that the Uiju office has moved to Yonggol Fortress.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Officer, come in.”

After Yu left with the report, my uncle asked:

“Are you hurt?”

“No, sir.”

“The formation you and Jun-sa worked on, was it useful?”

“Yes. Narrowing the gunfire line reduced the weakness of muskets. Shooting from 100 paces is now efficient. The spearmen also blocked cavalry well.”

“That is good.”

Then suddenly, he came and embraced me, patting my back silently.

Though I was 18, to my uncle I still looked like a child. Having no son of his own, he treasured me, maybe even considered adopting me. He was a man of war, awkward with affection, but this was his way.

After patting me a few more times, he coughed and asked me to sit.

“According to your plan, we evacuated here without major casualties. In person, I see it was more thorough than on paper.”

“Yes. I chose a place with plenty of water and made a secret east gate for communication.”

“I saw it. Already, a messenger has gone to Hanyang with a report.”

Yonggol Fortress was not as great as Namhan Fortress, built to protect the king, but it was the best we could do with all our resources. The walls were 10 meters high, carefully constructed.

We had visited Yongcheon countless times to get materials.

“The enemy has cannons. Can we hold?”

“Yes. To hit the wall requires skilled gunners, and even if struck, it won’t fall easily. But the problem is elsewhere.”

“The cannons are surely from the Ming. That means General Mao Wen-long’s weapons have fallen into Jin hands.”

“Yes.”

The cannons were Hongyipo, originally from the Netherlands, but now made in Ming. The Jin must have seized them from Mao Wen-long.

“If they turn toward Sakju or Changseong instead, it will be worse.”

“I told those magistrates to retreat to mountain fortresses if needed, but who knows if they will.”

“Why not?”

“No commander wants to abandon his post. Militarily it may be right, but in loyalty, it could be judged wrong.”

“Who thinks that way? Dying is not the only way to prove loyalty.”

It is always fools who tie loyalty to death. Loyalty is important, but if you erase the person, what use is it?

Of course, to sacrifice oneself for the greater cause is loyalty. But to say anything else is disloyal—that is stupidity.

Then came the king’s decree:

“Yi Wan, Magistrate of Uiju and Commander, failed to stop the northern barbarians, allowed them to cross the Yalu, and step on the land built by the ancestors. His crime is great!”

What?

“A general’s loyalty must be equal to his life. Did you not learn from Kim Si-min who defended Jinju with his life, or from your uncle who fought at sea?”

Was this nonsense or dung? Oh, it was Injo. Yes, Prince Neungyang, who spewed dung from his mouth.

“The barbarians are already on royal land, villages are looted, and loyalty of old is not upheld. This is truly lamentable!”

The people of Uiju laughed. My uncle embraced me, my father wept.

Those who once looked down on me for being an orphan now bowed and apologized, or at least left food and clothes secretly.

So I dreamed—Yi Wan, Magistrate of Uiju and Commander, who subdued the war. Me and my father beside him. The Yi family’s honor shining, and Injo’s filth washed away.

But it was a vain dream.

The next day, after a week through mountain roads, a royal envoy arrived from Hanyang with the decree.

As my uncle stood stiff, the officials radiated killing intent. The soldiers clenched fists in the cold.

“Therefore… although you should be punished, since the nation is in crisis and you have made some merit, your rank will be reduced from Senior Second to Junior Second. Serve with loyalty and righteousness.”

“Your grace is immeasurable.”

What? Reduce rank? For fighting barbarians and surviving?

Because I did not die?

“Bastard without father or mother.”

“What?”

A nearby official looked shocked at my whisper.

Yes. Injo was hopeless.

In this life, I could not become Admiral Yi.

Oh, Great Admiral Yi Sun-sin. I am a petty man. I cannot endure even this humiliation. How did you endure?