Huangming

Chapter 404: The Alliance Must Send Troops; One Battle Decides the Outcome
The charcoal fire crackled inside the central command tent, and the hot wine in the tin pot churned, the steam blurring Hong Ruifeng's tense profile.

He naturally understood the meaning behind Mao Wenlong's words: "wanting benefits."

Although he was unwilling, he understood that North Korea had no room for negotiation at this point.

Prince Lingyang is besieged in Pyongyang. If the Ming Dynasty does not send troops, and King Injo is defeated, King Injo will once again seize power in the court.

At that point, let alone confronting Park Hee, North Korea might even face national annihilation.

"As long as the general is willing to send troops, all conditions are negotiable!"

Hong Ruifeng took a deep breath, her eyes filled with a resolute determination, as if she had nothing to lose.

"Our Joseon has always been a vassal state of the Ming Dynasty. We were foolish to refuse the general's request to send troops before, and we now know we were wrong."

"As long as the siege of Pyongyang can be lifted, as long as the Ming Dynasty is satisfied, we are willing to agree to anything!"

Upon hearing this, Mao Wenlong's lips curled into a playful smile.

Hong Ruifeng is quite pragmatic; she's much more insightful than those ignorant and corrupt old ministers in the Joseon court.

He leaned forward slightly, but his tone became more serious:
“Since Envoy Hong knows that Korea is a vassal state of the Ming Dynasty, he should be clear that the secret dealings between Korea and the Jurchens a few years ago were not as simple as ‘being confused for a moment’.”

Ultimately, it comes down to your lack of loyalty to the Ming Dynasty.

Now that you want me to send troops, verbal promises aren't enough; you need to show real sincerity.

As he spoke, his sharp gaze swept over Hong Ruifeng, and he said:
"I have three conditions. If you agree, the Tianjin Navy can set off tomorrow to reinforce Pyongyang."

"Don't even mention three, we'd agree to thirty!"

Hong Ruifeng responded almost immediately, her expression extremely anxious.

At this moment, his mind was filled with thoughts of "saving Lord Lingyang" and "pacifying the traitor Pu".

He was willing to agree to anything, even if it meant losing sovereignty and national humiliation, as long as it could get the Ming Dynasty to send troops.

In any case, the final decision rests with the King of Joseon and Injo, so he only needs to appease Mao Wenlong first and then ask for reinforcements.

"Okay! This is what you said!"

Mao Wenlong's eyes lit up instantly, and he stretched out his finger and began to list the items one by one.

"Firstly, all of Korea's naval warships shall be placed under the command of our Tianjin Navy from this day forward."

In addition, North Korea needs to build one large ship every year, modeled after the Ming Dynasty's Fujian-style ships, which will be handed over to the Tianjin Navy for command after completion.

Hong Ruifeng nodded immediately, without the slightest hesitation:

"no problem!"

Since its disastrous defeat at the Battle of Chilcheon-ryang in 1586, the Korean navy had never been able to recover its strength for 25 years.

At present, the main warships number less than twenty, most of which are small patrol boats, and there are less than ten decent board houses.

Trading these twenty unremarkable warships for the full support of the Ming Dynasty navy is a sure win.

As for "building a large ship every year," he didn't take it to heart.

Although the Fujian ship was larger than the Panok ship of North Korea, North Korean shipbuilders were already familiar with the craftsmanship of the Panok ship and could build similar ships with slight modifications. The number of ships produced per year was not a burden for North Korean shipyards.

Moreover, as long as it can solve the immediate crisis, this "offering" is not worth mentioning at all.

Seeing how readily he agreed, Mao Wenlong became even more certain.

Korea is now like a fish on a chopping board, completely at the mercy of the Ming Dynasty.

He picked up his wine cup, took a sip of the hot wine, and continued:

"Secondly, North Korea should hand over the ports of Uiju and Busan to the Ming Dynasty navy for garrisoning, serving as supply bases for our army in North Korea."

"From now on, when Ming Dynasty merchant ships travel to and from Korea, Korea must exempt them from all customs duties and must not obstruct them."

Upon hearing this, Hong Ruifeng's expression changed slightly.

Uiju is the gateway to northern Korea, and Busan is an important port in the south. Entrusting these two places to the Ming Dynasty to guard is tantamount to handing over Korea's coastal defense to the Ming Dynasty.

Exempting Ming Dynasty merchant ships from customs duties would significantly reduce Korea's commercial tax revenue.

But then he thought again that with the internal turmoil in Korea still unresolved, it was powerless to defend its coast. The Ming Dynasty's presence at the port could actually help Korea guard against the attacks of Japanese pirates and Jurchens.

As for tariffs, as long as the Ming Dynasty can help Li Zong stabilize the situation, this loss is nothing.

And
North Korea doesn't have many tariffs to begin with.

"...I also rely on General."

Hong Ruifeng gritted her teeth, pretending to be reluctant, and agreed.

Mao Wenlong was very satisfied with Hong Ruifeng's performance.

He continued:
"Thirdly, our Great Ming will station troops in Pyongyang and Seoul. The logistics for these troops will be handled by Joseon. Furthermore, Joseon will be required to raise horses for our Great Ming and deliver 3,000 warhorses annually!"

Mao Wenlong's third condition caused Hong Ruifeng's expression to change drastically.

"The Ming Dynasty stationed troops in Pyongyang and Seoul."

Logistics are handled by North Korea.

"Three thousand warhorses must be handed over each year"

These conditions were difficult for him to accept at first.

The stationing of troops meant that the Ming Dynasty's military might would reach the heart of Korea.

Logistics were a bottomless drain, and the three thousand warhorses further depleted North Korea's remaining national strength.

Hong Ruifeng's lips moved, her voice trembling almost imperceptibly:
"General Mao... I wonder how many troops the Ming Dynasty plans to station in Pyongyang and Seoul?"

He still clung to his last glimmer of hope.

If the garrison is small, it might be barely acceptable.

However, if the military strength is too great, North Korea's sovereignty may become merely a name without substance.

Mao Wenlong leaned back in his chair, speaking casually:
"How many troops are stationed here? There's no fixed number."

If Korea can remain peaceful and stable, without colluding with the Jurchens or causing internal strife, there will naturally be no need to station more troops there.

However, if trouble were to arise again in Korea, or if anyone dared to betray the Ming Dynasty, then sending more troops would be a matter of course.

His words, ostensibly "to see how Korea behaves," actually placed the initiative of the stationed troops entirely in the hands of the Ming Dynasty, leaving Korea with no choice but to passively accept it.

Seeing that Hong Ruifeng was still hesitating, Mao Wenlong lowered his sword hilt, his tone suddenly turning cold:
"What? Didn't the envoy just say that he would agree to thirty conditions, let alone three? How come he can't accept the third one?"

His eyes were sharp as knives as he swept over Hong Ruifeng.

"Could it be that Lord Lingyang's life is less valuable than these few conditions?"

Cold sweat beaded on Hong Ruifeng's forehead. Just as she was about to speak in her defense, Mao Wenlong abruptly changed the subject, dropping an even more alarming bombshell:
"To be honest, before you, King Yi Hun of Joseon also sent an envoy to see me, also inviting me to send troops."

However, what he wanted was not just to quell the rebellion of Park Hee and Jeon Hwan, but also to have the general help him 'quell the domestic traitors'.

"Envoy, tell me, who is the 'traitor' he speaks of?"

With a "boom," Hong Ruifeng felt her mind go blank, and her face instantly turned ashen.

Who else could be the "traitor" mentioned by Yi Hui besides Prince Lingyang, who raised an army to save the country?

If Mao Wenlong were to turn around and agree to Li Hui's request, not only would Lord Lingyang be executed as a "traitor," but even he, as the envoy, would not escape death!
"General! Absolutely not!"

Hong Ruifeng suddenly stood up and rushed to Mao Wenlong without regard for etiquette, completely flustered.

“That Li Hui is incompetent and foolish. He has long been secretly serving the Jurchens. Last year, when Huang Taiji attacked Korea, he didn’t even dare to resist. How can such a person be worthy of being the ruler of Korea?”
Only my Prince Lingyang truly submits to the Ming Dynasty and is wholeheartedly committed to resisting the Jurchens for the Ming!
If the general aids Li Hui, he will be aiding and abetting evil!

Mao Wenlong looked at his panicked appearance and sneered inwardly.

He had known about the conflict between Li Zong and Li Hui for a long time, and deliberately released this news to cut off Hong Ruifeng's escape route.

Moreover, comparing prices from different vendors lets you, Hong Ruifeng, know that there is more than one option for the Ming Dynasty.

As for aiding and abetting evil...

What does Guan Daming have to do with this?
He only cares about the interests of the Ming Dynasty, his own interests!

Mao Wenlong said slowly:
"What you say makes sense, but Yi Hun is, after all, the nominal ruler of Joseon. The benefits he has promised to the Ming Dynasty are far greater than those offered to Prince Lingyang."

As a general of the Ming Dynasty, I naturally strive to secure the greatest benefits for the Ming. As for whom to help, that depends on whose sincerity is greater.

These words completely shattered Hong Ruifeng's last psychological defenses.

At this moment, Lord Lingyang is like a trapped beast. If he does not get the support of the Ming Dynasty, he will not only be unable to seize the throne, but he will also be in danger of losing his life.

Li Hui's existence was a sword hanging over their heads.

If Mao Wenlong so chooses, he can turn around and support Li Hui at any time, crushing them completely.

"General!"

Hong Ruifeng took a deep breath and suddenly knelt down on the ground.

"We agree to all three conditions! As long as the general is willing to send troops to support Prince Lingyang, Joseon is willing to comply with the conditions without any regrets!"

At this moment, he no longer cared about the sovereignty and national strength of Korea. As long as he could protect Prince Lingyang and gain the support of the Ming Dynasty, he would agree even if it meant Korea's complete subordination to the Ming Dynasty.

Seeing this, Mao Wenlong finally showed a satisfied smile.

He stood up and helped Hong Ruifeng up, his tone much gentler:

"Please rise, envoy! Since Lord Lingyang is so sincere, I will certainly not treat you unfairly."

Tomorrow morning, the Tianjin Navy will split into two groups, one of which will be personally led by the Commander to rush to the aid of Lord Lingyang.

Another force, led by the deputy general, will march straight to Pyongyang and capture it within ten days!

Hong Ruifeng finally felt relieved and quickly bowed in greeting:

"Thank you, General! Prince Lingyang and all of Korea will forever remember the kindness of the Ming Dynasty and will never dare to have any disloyal thoughts in the future!"

After exchanging pleasantries, the two enjoyed themselves immensely, as if all the previous banter had been fake.

Not long after Hong Ruifeng left the central command tent, Mao Wenlong turned around and loudly gave an order to those outside:

"Issue my order! The entire Tianjin Navy is to prepare for battle and set sail at dawn tomorrow to reinforce Pyongyang."

Three thousand infantrymen from the various garrisons in southern Liaodong, immediately prepare your armor and weapons, and advance with the navy!

The guards outside the tent responded in unison, and their footsteps quickly echoed throughout the camp, instantly turning the once quiet Yizhou Port into a bustling hub of activity.

Soldiers carried provisions and inspected cannons, while sailors adjusted sails and repaired hulls. Battle flags fluttered in the cold wind, conveying a sense of urgency, as if an arrow were about to be released.

Just now.

A guard, emanating a chilling aura, rushed into the tent, knelt on one knee, and spoke in a hurried voice:

"General! Urgent dispatch from the capital, eight hundred li away! A secret edict from His Majesty!"

He held aloft a bright yellow brocade box with dragon patterns printed on it, which was in accordance with the regulations for secret edicts exclusively issued by the emperor.

Mao Wenlong felt a chill run down his spine.

The secret edict had to be opened personally, and eunuchs were not allowed to convey it, which shows that this matter was of great importance.

He immediately waved his hand to dismiss all the servants in the tent. Only when he and his personal guard were left in the tent did he take the brocade box, check the seal with the jade seal at his waist, and slowly open it.

The red ink on the secret edict was so powerful it seemed to penetrate the paper; though only a few words were written, they caused Mao Wenlong's brows to furrow into a knot.

"Western barbarians...trade...Dutch navy..."

He whispered the key words from the secret edict.

"Resolve the Korean issue within three months. If that fails, head south and use the Netherlands as a 'warning example' to ensure unimpeded trade routes."

His Majesty's intentions are very clear.

Trade with the Westerners was a foregone conclusion, but the ambitious Dutch navy was the biggest threat and needed to be deterred by force.

Smuggling forces in Jiangnan have suffered losses due to trade disruptions and may be colluding with the Netherlands. Therefore, it is necessary to make preparations in advance. As the strongest naval force of the Ming Dynasty, the Tianjin Navy must not be bogged down in Korea for too long.

Mao Wenlong put down the secret edict, his expression becoming much more solemn.

His original plan was to take advantage of the opportunity to aid Pyongyang to completely control the military and political situation in Korea, and even support Yi Jong to establish a puppet regime, thus bringing Korea completely under the control of the Ming Dynasty.

But now His Majesty's secret edict has disrupted his plans.

Three months is not enough time to completely control North Korea, let alone quell the internal strife.

North Korea has been established for a thousand years and has deep roots. Even with frequent internal strife, it is by no means something that can be completely tamed in a short period of time.

"It seems that a complete solution to the North Korean issue is not feasible."

Mao Wenlong walked to the map, looked at the territory of the Korean Peninsula, a trace of resentment flashed in his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by calmness.

Your Majesty's decision will never be wrong. The trade routes in the South China Sea and the threat from the Netherlands are more important to the fate of the Ming Dynasty than the internal strife in Korea.

He had to adjust his strategy, secure the greatest possible benefit for the Ming Dynasty within three months, and then withdraw and head south.

This is North Korea, how should we deal with it?

Mao Wenlong frowned deeply.

suddenly.

His fingertips hovered between Pyongyang and Seoul, a glint of inspiration flashing in his eyes.

Since it's impossible to completely control the situation, we might as well take advantage of it and let the internal turmoil in North Korea continue.

We can deal with it later when Da Ming has some free time.

The power struggle between Yi Jong and Yi Hun, the factional infighting between the Western and Eastern factions, and Park Hee's banditry are all pawns that can be used.

The Ming Dynasty only needs to intervene with its troops at critical moments, supporting the weak and suppressing the strong, so that Korea remains in a state of division and dependence on the Ming Dynasty. In this way, the Ming Dynasty can bind Korea firmly to the Ming Dynasty's war chariot at the lowest cost.

"Moreover, His Majesty had already given the order."

Mao Wenlong recalled the contents of His Majesty's secret letter.

Japan has astonishing silver reserves, and its involvement in Korea was paving the way for a future invasion of Japan.

Korea and Japan are separated by the sea. If Korea can be used as a springboard, not only can we seize Japan's silver mines to fill the gap in the Ming Dynasty's national treasury, but we can also avenge the Japanese pirates who invaded our territory during the Jiajing era.

The Ming Dynasty never forgot the blood debt inflicted by the Japanese pirates who burned, killed, and looted along the southeastern coast, leaving the people displaced.

"Those who offend our Great Ming Dynasty, no matter how far away, shall be punished!"

The grudges against the Japanese pirates must be avenged, the threat from the Dutch must be eliminated, and the silver mines of Japan must be seized. These goals not only align with Your Majesty's strategy but also enable you to achieve unparalleled success.

He picked up the secret edict again, read it carefully, and made up his mind.

The plan to rush to Pyongyang tomorrow remains unchanged, but the pace needs to be accelerated.

We must relieve the siege of Yi Jong as soon as possible, force him to fulfill the three conditions he previously set, and firmly control Korea's warships, ports, and provisions.

At the same time, they secretly supported the remaining forces of Yi Hun, allowing them to check and balance each other with Yi Jong, ensuring that Joseon would still need to rely on the Ming Dynasty after the Ming army withdrew.

Once the overall situation was stabilized, a small number of troops were left to garrison Uiju and Busan, while the main force quickly withdrew to Tianjin to prepare for war against the Dutch.

With the strategy set, Mao Wenlong had no more doubts.

He adjusted the deployment overnight, dividing the troops rushing to Pyongyang into two routes:

One route, led by the naval deputy commander, took advantage of the waterway to directly reach the outer port of Pyongyang.

Another route was led by himself, using cavalry to launch a surprise attack and relieve Li Zong's siege.

The night was dark.

The warships in Yizhou Port had quietly raised their sails, the clanging of armor and the shouts of sailors echoing softly in the cold wind, waiting for dawn to break before setting sail. It was the morning of the 20th day of the first month of the second year of the Tianqi reign.

The sky was not yet fully bright.

The eastern sky was just beginning to lighten with the first hint of dawn, and the Tianjin naval fleet had already departed from Yizhou Port.

Dozens of warships lined up in neat formation, cutting through the waves on the Yalu River, the "Ming" flags on their sails appearing and disappearing in the morning mist.

The naval vice admiral stood on the flagship's deck, his sharp eyes fixed on the river ahead, waving his command flag from time to time to direct the fleet to adjust its course.

Their destination was Nampo, the outer port of Pyongyang, located on the north bank of the Taedong River estuary, only 70 li (approximately 35 kilometers) from Pyongyang. It could be reached in a day by sailing upstream.

By the time the fleet reached the mouth of the Taedong River, it was already daylight.

The vice admiral ordered the fleet to anchor off the coast of Nampo, and then selected two thousand elite naval soldiers to transfer to small pan-ok boats, which were local to Korea.

This type of boat has a shallow draft and high maneuverability, making it suitable for navigating narrow rivers.

"Cheer up, everyone!"

The lieutenant stood at the bow of the ship and shouted loudly to the soldiers:
"The opportunity to make a name for ourselves is right in front of us. Today we must break through Park Hee's blockade and conquer Pyongyang!"

"A title and privilege for one's wife and children are within reach!"

The soldiers responded in unison.

The boats entered the Taedong River one after another, speeding upstream towards Pyongyang.

at the same time.

Mao Wenlong personally led two thousand cavalry and two thousand infantrymen to the valley of Daesongsan Mountain, twenty miles north of Pyongyang.

The cavalrymen, clad in light armor and wielding sabers, galloped across the snow as their warhorses puffed out white smoke.

of course.

Half of them were heavily armored soldiers, but they couldn't wear their armor while traveling; the armor was placed on their accompanying steeds.

The infantry, carrying bows and spears, followed quickly, stepping on the hoofprints left by the cavalry.

Mao Wenlong reined in his horse and stood on a high slope, looking at the long line of soldiers behind him with a slight frown.

Although Park Hee's army of refugees was mostly a motley crew, they had a numerical advantage and were equipped with weapons left behind by the Jurchens. If they could not arrive soon, Prince Lingyang might not be able to hold out.

"Pass down the order: speed up the march! We must reach Dacheng Mountain within one day!"

He shouted to the guards beside him, "Ding!"

On the other side, the Dachengshan Valley was already a sea of ​​blood.

The shouts of battle, the clash of weapons, and the screams of soldiers mingled together, causing the snow on both sides of the valley to fall in a flurry.

Beyond the valley.

King Park Hee of Pyongyang, clad in black armor bestowed upon him by Huang Taiji and wielding a long sword, stood on a high platform directing the battle.

His army of refugees was densely packed, crowding the entrance to the valley. Although they were dressed in rags, they were armed with swords and bows and arrows and charged into the valley fearlessly.

When Huang Taiji withdrew from Korea, he left behind a large amount of weapons, equipment, and provisions that he could not take with him.

Park Hee seized the opportunity to take possession of these supplies, not only equipping his trusted men but also recruiting tens of thousands of refugees, instantly expanding his army to 50,000, more than three times the size of Lord Neungyang's forces.

"Charge! Charge! Today we will capture Prince Lingyang and conquer Korea!"

Park Hee shouted loudly, her voice hoarse but full of excitement.

As he watched the Lingyang army retreating steadily through the valley, his ambition swelled.

Once he kills Prince Lingyang, the entire territory of Korea north of Pyongyang will be his for the taking. Then, with the military strength at his disposal, he might be able to unify Korea and become the true king of Korea.

Inside the valley.

Lord Lingyang, Li Zong, was dressed in a crimson battle robe, his face as pale as paper.

His personal guards fell one after another, and the defensive line was being squeezed little by little by Park Hee's army of refugees.

"Hold on! Hold on, everyone! The Ming reinforcements will be here soon!"

Li Zong shouted loudly, trying to boost morale, but he also knew that his soldiers were nearing their limit.

The soldiers were exhausted from days of bloody fighting, and their food supplies were running low. If reinforcements did not arrive soon, everyone in the valley would perish.

A bodyguard staggered to Li Zong's side, his voice filled with despair:

"Your Highness! Park Hee has too many men, and our left wing is about to collapse!"

Li Zong's gaze swept over the remaining soldiers beside him, his expression extremely grim.

He looked at the soldiers falling one after another in front of him, and at the ragged but fearless refugees under Park Hee's command, and a sense of indescribable absurdity welled up in his heart.

These "peasants" he had always despised were even more ferocious than his "regular army." The ferocity with which their spears pierced flesh and the madness with which they pounced and bit caused his soldiers to retreat in disarray, unable to even maintain their formation.

“Why…why is this happening?”

Li Zong muttered to himself, his eyes filled with confusion.

He never imagined he would end up in such a predicament.

As a member of the Joseon royal family, he had been well-versed in military strategy since childhood and believed himself to be a master of tactics. He thought that his alliance with the Western People's Party to raise an army would be a piece of cake in suppressing "bandits" like Park Hee, but reality dealt him the heaviest blow.

Of course, he had no idea that Park Hee was not the "ignorant peasant" he thought she was.

This leader of the refugees, who was given the title of "King of Pyongyang" by Huang Taiji, came from a humble background but had attended a private school for several years and was well aware of the suffering of the Korean people.

He put forward two resounding slogans:
The first slogan is: Are kings and nobles born with a special destiny?
The second slogan was: Eliminate officials and gentry, and redistribute land!

It was precisely because of these two resounding slogans that Park Hee was able to gain the recognition of the ordinary North Korean people.

now.

On a high platform outside the valley, Park Hee, holding a long sword, shouted loudly. His voice pierced through the chaotic shouts of battle and clearly reached the ears of every refugee:

"Brothers! Are kings and nobles born with a special destiny?"
These North Korean officials and gentry are seizing land and hoarding grain, watching us starve and freeze to death!

Today we have killed Lord Lingyang, captured Pyongyang, and will then eliminate the officials and gentry, distribute the land, and ensure that everyone has food to eat and clothes to wear!

"Eliminate the officials and gentry! Distribute the land!"

The refugees shouted in unison, their voices shaking the heavens and the earth.

These six simple words, like a wildfire, ignited the resentment that had been building up in their hearts for many years.

The upper echelons of North Korea are corrupt and decadent, with officials and gentry colluding to seize land and impose exorbitant taxes. The common people often go hungry, and countless people freeze and starve to death every winter.

Park Hee's slogans precisely addressed their most pressing needs, making them willing to fight to the death against Lord Neungyang's army for a glimmer of hope.

Li Zong's underestimation of his opponent pushed him into a desperate situation.

Before setting off, he heard that most of Park Hee's men were refugees, and he scoffed at them, thinking that they were undisciplined, vulnerable, and too lazy to even conduct thorough reconnaissance.

He failed to notice that Park Hee had already laid an ambush on both sides of the valley, and he did not realize that although the refugees were disorganized, they had coalesced into a terrifying force under the lure of "land distribution".

When the army reached Dacheng Mountain, he did not wait for the follow-up supplies and reinforcements, and rashly led his troops into the valley.

As a result, they were surrounded by Park Hee's large army of refugees, with no way out in front and no reinforcements behind, becoming trapped like turtles in a jar.

"Kill! Kill Lord Lingyang!"

A refugee, wielding a rusty longsword, lunged at Li Zong, his eyes bloodshot.

Li Zong's personal guards rushed forward to stop him. The long sword clashed with the rusty sword, and the guard's arm went numb from the impact. He was then slashed in the shoulder by the refugee and fell down with a scream.

Li Zong's heart tightened, and he struggled to stand up, swinging his spear to stab the refugee.

The spear pierced through the opponent's chest, but the refugee clung tightly to the shaft, grinned, and with his last bit of strength, thrust the short knife in his hand toward Li Zong's abdomen.

With a "thud," the short knife pierced through the armor. Although it did not hit any vital organs, it still made Li Zong gasp in pain.

He staggered backward, watching the approaching refugees, his heart filled with a mixture of fear and anger.

"Where are the Ming troops? Where are General Mao's reinforcements?"

He shouted towards the edge of the valley, his voice trembling with tears.

"Where are the military commanders of Hamgyeong Province and Hwanghae Province? Are they just going to sit idly by and watch me be killed by the rebels?"

Before setting off, the military commissioner of Hamgyeong Province promised to lead troops to provide support.

There's still no sign of it.

Why did I refuse Mao Wenlong's proposal to "suppress the rebellion together" in the first place?

If the Ming army had been allowed to accompany us, and if we hadn't underestimated the enemy and advanced recklessly, we wouldn't be in this predicament.

But it's too late for regrets.

The sound of horses' hooves from outside the valley was slow to arrive, and the number of soldiers around him dwindled. Park Hee's army of refugees surged in like a tide, compressing his remaining forces into a small area deep in the valley.

Li Zong leaned against a boulder, looking at the tragic scene before him, the light in his eyes gradually fading.

He seemed to have already foreseen his end: to die at the hands of these "peasants," to become a laughingstock of the Joseon royal family, and to become a stepping stone for the traitor Park.

"Your Highness! Hold on a little longer! The Ming army will be here soon!"

The few remaining guards surrounded Li Zong, protecting him in the middle. Their voices trembled, but they still tried to maintain their morale.

Li Zong gave a wry smile and shook his head.

He raised his head and looked at the sky outside the valley. Snowflakes began to fall again, landing on his face, icy cold.

Meanwhile, Park Hee, outside the valley, looked at the trapped Lee Jong with a smug glint in her eyes.

Before long, the Daesongsan Valley, Pyongyang, and even the whole of North Korea will be his.

But at this moment.

A muffled rumble suddenly rolled in from the northwest, like thunder rumbling across frozen ground in spring, instantly drowning out the shouts of battle within the valley.

"what sound?"

Park Hee turned around abruptly, her hand gripping the railing of the high platform tightening involuntarily.

The sound grew closer and more intense; it wasn't the sound of wind or fighting, but the trembling of countless hooves on the snow.

"Tap tap tap! Tap tap tap!"

Each sound was like a heavy hammer blow to the heart, and even the high platform beneath their feet swayed slightly.

"Cavalry! A large number of cavalry!"

The guards beside him screamed, their faces ashen.

Park Hee's pupils suddenly contracted, and a chill ran from the soles of her feet straight to the top of her head.

Ming army?

Is it really the Ming army that has arrived?
It was still Ming army cavalry!
He looked around and could see very few warhorses.

When Huang Taiji withdrew from Korea, he took everything he could with him.

The Jurchens almost completely looted the warhorses and oxen that could carry supplies.

His army of 50,000 refugees couldn't even muster a hundred decent warhorses, let alone a well-organized cavalry force.

Faced with the Ming cavalry, his refugee army was like lambs to the slaughter, with no chance to escape!

"Withdraw! Quickly withdraw!"

Park Hee almost screamed, her rationality completely consumed by panic.

"Leave half the men here to hold them off! The rest of you, follow me, quick!"

He still harbored a sliver of hope.

The remaining 10,000 men, even if it means sacrificing lives, can at least delay the Ming army for a moment.

If he can lead his main force out of the valley and back to Pyongyang, and hold the city, there may still be a glimmer of hope.

The refugee army was already quite undisciplined, and upon hearing the word "retreat," they immediately fell into chaos.

Half of the men remained hesitantly at the valley entrance, their hands trembling as they gripped their weapons.

The other half followed Park Hee, running wildly down the path on the east side of the valley, trampling over the corpses of their companions, hoping to escape as quickly as possible.

Before Park Hee could run even half a mile, a dark torrent suddenly broke through the snow and fog in the northwest and swept towards the valley.

It was Ming army cavalry!
Two thousand knights formed a neat charging formation, their black armor gleaming with a bloodthirsty sheen in the snow.

The first thousand men, even their warhorses were wrapped in heavy armor, with only their four iron hooves showing. They kicked up half a foot of snow mud as they stepped on the snow, making them look like a moving steel fortress.

"Those are...heavy cavalry?"

Park Hee stood frozen in place, her lips trembling, barely having the strength to run away.

He had seen Jurchen cavalry before, but he had never seen such a terrifying force.

Wherever the iron hooves of the Xuanjia cavalry passed, the refugee army left to block them at the valley entrance scattered like wheat swept by a gale.

Some had their legs broken by the horses' hooves, while others were slashed by the cavalrymen's sabers, their blood splattering on the snow and staining patches of it red.

There was no resistance, no stalemate, only one-sided crushing.

"rush!"

A loud shout rang out from within the Ming army cavalry formation.

The torrent of black armor suddenly accelerated, rushing straight towards Park Hee's direction.

As Park Hee watched the approaching armored cavalry, an overwhelming sense of despair welled up within her.

Are these the soldiers of the Ming Dynasty?

He is truly invincible!
His army of refugees was utterly no match for such fighting power.

Just before despair engulfed him, a strong will to survive suddenly burst forth from the bottom of his heart. He gripped the long knife in his hand, and a look of madness flashed in his eyes.

"You want to kill me, Park Hee? Not so easy!"

“I, Park Hee, absolutely cannot die here.”

"I can't die like this!"

He whirled around and roared at his trusted confidants beside him:
"Quick! Follow me along the back path into the mountains! The Ming cavalry can't maneuver effectively in the forest, we still have a chance!"

Having said that, he ignored the fleeing refugees behind him and ran wildly toward the dense forest on the east side of the valley, his steps faltering, but he was giving it his all.

The trusted men behind them hurriedly followed, and the group ran through the snow, their feet sinking deep into the ground. The sound of horses' hooves and screams grew closer and closer, like the footsteps of death relentlessly pursuing them.

Inside the valley, Li Zong, who was on the verge of despair, suddenly raised his head the moment he heard the sound of horses' hooves.

When he saw the dark torrent break through the snow mist and the refugee army crumble, a glimmer of hope instantly ignited in his eyes. He staggered to his feet and shouted to the remaining soldiers beside him:
"It's the Ming army! General Mao's reinforcements have arrived! We're saved!"

The remaining soldiers also saw the Xuanjia cavalry, and their previously scattered morale instantly rallied. Some even raised their weapons and cheered in the direction of the Ming army.

On the high platform, the flag that originally belonged to Park Hee had long been trampled underfoot by the refugee army. In its place was a flag with the character "Ming" on it, fluttering in the cold wind, announcing the victory of this battle.

The armored cavalry continued their charge, their iron hooves pounding through the snow and blood as they pursued Park Hee in the direction he had fled.

Mao Wenlong reined in his horse at the entrance of the valley, a cold smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

Park Hee wants to escape?
He couldn't escape the Ming cavalry.

ps:
8400 words.

Unavoidable social engagements
o (╥﹏╥) o
(End of this chapter)