100 Historical Stories That Unlock Teenage Wisdom

Chapter 72 9 Yi Sun-shin Turtle Ship Defeated the Japanese Bandits

Chapter 79 Yi Sun-shin's Turtle Ship Defeated the Japanese Bandits
——Develop strategies based on reality The society is changing, the times are changing, and people's views will also change accordingly.Therefore, we must proceed from reality in everything we do, and find ways to adapt to local conditions instead of following the old ways. Before the second half of the 16th century, Japan, which was originally small in size, was divided into dozens of small countries.In the end, Toyotomi Hideyoshi defeated almost all opponents and unified Japan.After the reunification, Toyotomi Hideyoshi's ambitions swelled, trying to dominate Asia and set his capital in Beijing.At that time, people called the invading Japanese army "Japanese pirates".

In 1592, Toyotomi Hideyoshi sent 20 troops and 700 warships to invade China's vassal state Korea.Because this year was the Imjin year, the Korean history called this war the Imjin Patriotic War.The Japanese army quickly occupied Seoul, the capital of North Korea.However, at sea, the aggressors encountered the North Korean navy led by Yi Sun-shin and suffered a disastrous defeat.

Li sun-shin was originally just a small official, but because of his fortitude, bravery and resourcefulness, he was exceptionally promoted to the left water envoy of Jeolla Province, responsible for guarding part of the Korean Strait.After Yi sun-shin took office, he immediately stepped up training, making his troops the strongest in the Korean navy.He also improved the traditional turtle ship to make it more suitable for fighting the wooden warships of the Japanese Navy.

The turtle ship is a kind of warship invented by North Korea very early. It is called a turtle ship because the hull is equipped with a protective plate made of hardwood and shaped like a turtle shell.Yi sun-shin made the hull bigger and stronger.There are also sharp knives stuck around the side of the ship, so that the enemy dare not climb.There is a big dragon head in front of the ship, and there are two big gunholes on it; both sides of the cabin are full of gunholes, and the back cabin is also equipped with gun mounts.Once encountering an enemy, sailors can fire from all sides.There are 10 large oars on each side of the hull, and the warship can move at high speed when all of them are rowed.At the same time, more supplies can be loaded in the huge cabin, so that the turtle ship can sail at sea for a long time.

On May 1592, 5, more than 7 Japanese warships anchored in Yupu Port, and most of the Japanese soldiers went ashore to rob nearby villages.When they found out that the attacking North Korean fleet ran back to the ship in a hurry, it was too late.Li sun-shin ordered a fierce attack on the Japanese army, and the turtle boats rushed towards the enemy ships like a tiger, firing cannons and arrows continuously.In the first confrontation, Japan lost 50 warships, and countless soldiers were killed, burned, or drowned.Then, the North Korean army wiped out 26 remaining Japanese ships that night and the next morning.The Japanese fleet was almost wiped out, and only one Korean soldier was wounded.

The victory of the Okpo naval battle shattered Toyotomi Hideyoshi's plan to invade the coastal areas of Korea by sea.As a result, transportation and logistical supplies between the invading army and the Japanese mainland became difficult, and the army's offensive had to be slowed down.

On May 5, the second sea battle started again.

At that time, more than 10 Japanese warships anchored on the shore of Sacheon thought they were in danger and wanted to wait for the North Korean ships to approach before attacking.Li Sunchen saw through the enemy's trick, so he changed his tactics and retreated automatically.Seeing that the Korean fleet retreated without attacking, the Japanese army thought it had an opportunity, so they followed up.With Li Shunchen's order, the turtle boat immediately turned around and charged at the enemy, firing arrows and cannons in full swing.The Japanese fleet was in chaos, and almost all of them were sunk or captured.

Next, Yi sun-shin led the fleet to attack the Japanese fleet that was parked in Dangpo.The invaders had 21 large and small ships, one of which was flying the handsome flag.Li Sunchen "capture the thief first and capture the king" and ordered the turtle boat to rush towards the enemy's handsome boat.The handsome ship was smashed by a strong turtle ship, the Japanese army collapsed across the board, and all 21 enemy ships were captured by the Korean navy.

A few days later, the Battle of Tangpu was even more brilliant.At that time, there were 26 Japanese ships hiding behind Pukou, and it was difficult for the Korean navy to break into it for a while.Yi sun-shin had three warships pretend to scout the terrain to lure the enemy, while the main ship lay in ambush at the foot of the mountain.Sure enough, the enemy ships came out in full force, but they were attacked by the North Korean navy back and forth, and all of them were burned.During the battle, Yi Sun-shin was wounded in his left arm and was bleeding profusely, but he still stood upright at the bow to command the battle.

In July, the two sides fought again on Xianshan Island.In one go, the Korean navy annihilated the main force of the Japanese navy and took control of the sea.Li sunchen made outstanding contributions and was promoted to the commander of the three naval forces and became a national hero of North Korea.

At this time, at the request of the North Korean government, the Chinese Ming Dynasty government sent troops to aid North Korea.The Chinese and North Korean allied forces regained Pyongyang in one go, and then captured Seoul.Force Toyotomi Hideyoshi to agree to negotiate.The war was not over yet, Li Shun was removed from office in February 1597 under the instigation of Japanese spies and the framing of villains.His successor was corrupt and his defenses were lax, causing the strength of the North Korean navy to plummet.Toyotomi Hideyoshi seized this opportunity and ordered the Japanese Navy to attack with all its strength.This time, the North Korean fleet was almost completely defeated.The North Korean government had to use Yi Sun-sin again, and asked China to send troops to help again.

Li Sunchen was ordered to do everything in his power to reorganize the navy.At that time, there were only 12 warships and more than 100 sailors left. He was still full of confidence and punished officials who were afraid of death.In less than a month, an initially restored North Korean navy appeared at sea again.In order to meet the Japanese army, Li sun-shin took advantage of the favorable terrain along the coast to set up an ingenious chain formation.Sure enough, the Japanese navy, which had more than 1 warships, fell into the trick, and some warships were lured into the strait.After the tide receded, the warship was entangled by iron cables, making it a dilemma.Yi sun-shin commanded the turtle ship to attack and wiped out a large number of enemies. He won the victory of sinking more than 500 enemy ships with 12 warships and killing and wounding more than 30 enemy troops.

In the second year, Toyotomi Hideyoshi fell ill and died, the spirit of the Japanese army was greatly reduced, and the hearts of the people were lax.At this time, the Ming Dynasty sent a naval fleet led by Chen Lin and Deng Zilong to North Korea to help in the war.Li Sunchen and Deng Zilong led the combined naval forces of North Korea and China, and fought an unprecedentedly fierce naval battle with the main force of the Japanese army in Luyang Sea.

In the middle of the night, the warships in the middle of the war fired fierce artillery fire at the same time, and the sea was illuminated by the fire like daytime.The battle went from night to day.By noon the next day, most of the more than 500 Japanese ships had been sunk or burned.Both Li Sunshin and Deng Zilong, who is in his 70s, stood at the bow of the ship and personally commanded the battle.Unexpectedly, the gunfire from the Japanese ship hit Deng Zilong's boat and immediately caught fire.Yi sun-shin who was nearby saw it and immediately ordered his ships to rescue quickly.At this time, he was suddenly shot in the left chest.Enduring the severe pain, he ordered his subordinates not to make any noise, and handed over the military flag to his deputy, asking him to command instead of him and continue fighting.

Both Yi Sun-shin and Deng Zilong died heroically in this battle, but the Korean and Chinese navy won the final victory.The Japanese army lost a total of 450 ships and more than 1 officers and soldiers.Japan's attempt to dominate Asia failed completely.

Wisdom Interpretation:

The use of strategies should be adapted to the actual situation.

The strategy should be determined according to the time and the situation. Don't be bound by traditional ideas, and don't let old habits blind your eyes to discover new things.It is necessary to proceed from reality and formulate strategies according to the actual situation. Only in this way can we succeed.

(End of this chapter)