“Boom, boom, boom…”
The roar of cannons and the explosions of shells thundered in unison at the pier. Gunsmoke and flames became the background color of the pier.
The Great Yu Empire navy’s circular formation continuously fired deadly shells. Unlike solid shot, a few shots of the new shells were often enough to sink a Japanese warship.
Amidst the explosions, many Japanese warships successively sank.
Yue Yun was also shocked by the scene before him. Although he knew these new shells would change naval warfare, the actual effect still surprised him somewhat.
“General, now the Japanese navy can only take a beating from us.” Liu Chen’s eyes reflected flames and smoke. Not far away, Japanese soldiers who had fallen into the sea were everywhere on the surface.
They struggled in the water, their cries filled with fear. Although they were required to be absolutely loyal and brave in Japan, facing such a destructive blow, human nature still overrode their training.
Edo Ichiaki arrived at the pier and saw precisely this scene. The hellish sight made his body somewhat stiff.
Koizumi Junichi was the same. Now, he finally realized a problem: they had underestimated the Great Yu Empire’s strength.
Before attacking Goryeo, they had a detailed understanding of the Goryeo dynasty. They found that Goryeo heavily emphasized civil affairs over military affairs, which led to Goryeo’s army having very poor combat effectiveness.
And the samurai who had been at sea for years, having frequent contact with Goryeo people, reached the same conclusion.
It was precisely under this premise that Lord Yamada formally ordered the attack on Goryeo. However, they overlooked the Great Yu Empire. After all, Goryeo was then under the Golden Tent Khanate, and the Golden Tent Khanate was busy with its war against the Great Yu Empire. They concluded that the Great Yu Empire would not interfere in Goryeo’s war.
“Is this the Great Yu Empire’s firearm?” Edo Ichiaki muttered to himself. His heart was clouded with gloom.
There was no doubt that Suwon City pier was finished. The Great Yu Empire’s fleet had destroyed all ships in the pier. Next, they would prevent any ships from docking at Suwon City pier. Their supplies would be cut off, and they would also be unable to transport goods from Suwon City to their homeland.
It would not take long for the entire southern Goryeo to become an isolated island. The eighty thousand Japanese soldiers on the isolated island would be isolated and helpless.
“My Lord Flag-Leader, our navy is finished,” Koizumi Junichi said, gripping his katana with his right hand, his knuckles white. He didn’t know if it was due to anger or fear.
Edo Ichiaki remained silent for a long time. Looking at the burning pier, he shouted, “Order everyone to retreat into the city! The Great Yu Empire army will not wait too long. They will attack the city tomorrow at the latest. We must be fully prepared before then.”
Koizumi Junichi nodded. He and Edo Ichiaki now clearly understood the disparity in firearms between them and the Great Yu Empire.
But this was not a reason for them to abandon resistance, because this war was not a melee between Japanese daimyo, but a war between Japan and the Great Yu Empire.
If they failed, they would surely be killed. They had no choice now.
After giving the order, Edo Ichiaki and Koizumi Junichi walked into the city, leaving behind the pier, red with flames.
At sea, Yue Yun and Liu Chen ordered a halt to the bombardment. All Japanese warships were destroyed. They did not want to continue wasting shells. After all, according to the military machinery department, these new shells were much more expensive than solid shot.
“General, where do we go now?” Liu Chen put down his telescope. They had confirmed that all warships in the harbor were destroyed.
Yue Yun unfolded the nautical chart. He pointed to the strait between Goryeo and Japan and said, “Next, we will blockade this area, preventing any Japanese warships from reinforcing the Japanese army in Goryeo.”
“Yes,” Liu Chen said, his face beaming. This battle was the most satisfying one he had ever fought.
Yue Yun was also excited. He looked towards Japan and said, “Mother, your son will soon avenge you.”
Suwon Bridge.
The rumbling of cannons also reached here. Ye Qingyun and Qu Dong exchanged smiles. They understood that the Great Yu Empire navy had arrived.
“Hehe, now I’d like to see where these Japanese pirates will run!” Ye Qingyun said triumphantly.
Qu Dong chuckled. “This Japan is too overconfident. According to the intelligence provided by the secret guards, Japan’s population, land, and industry and commerce are too far behind the Great Yu Empire. The only things they have that are presentable are their matchlock guns and the smoothbore flintlock guns taught by the British, and these are merely weapons we have already phased out.”
After a pause, he continued, “The knowledge from the military academy tells us that wars between two nations are more about competing national strengths. Undoubtedly, in this regard, Japan has already lost.”
Ye Qingyun showed an appreciative gaze. Qu Dong was one of the excellent students who graduated from this military academy. What they learned was almost entirely different from the past.
And many new theories were also surprising, but it had to be said, what they said made a lot of sense.
“You’re right. Japan is merely a tiny island nation. If this continues, that country’s basic necessities of life will all suffer. It was precisely because the Emperor saw through Japan’s inherent weakness that he decided to first challenge Japan, and then focus on dealing with the Prince of Chu. After all, the Prince of Chu is the wealthiest feudal lord in the Great Yu Empire.”
Qu Dong nodded, “We can end the war in Goryeo in just two months.”
As the two were speaking, a commotion suddenly arose outside the camp. Then a soldier came to report, “Army Commander, the Goryeo army has arrived.”
Ye Qingyun let out a slight breath of relief. Fighting on Goryeo soil, the role of cannon fodder would naturally be borne by Goryeo.
Although these Goryeo troops were mere dregs to him, they could still be of some use with their help. At the very least, they could clear the battlefield, transport supplies, and assault cities with ladders.
“They arrived just in time. This King of Goryeo is quite sensible. Have them encamp in front of our camp,” Ye Qingyun said. He and Qu Dong were very worried about Japanese pirates launching a night raid on the camp, but now, Japan probably wouldn’t dare to risk it easily.
Otherwise, by daybreak, they would become lambs to be slaughtered.
Night gradually darkened. Seventy thousand Goryeo soldiers, wearing red armor and round helmets, began to set up camp.
This scene was discovered by Japanese scouts, and the news quickly reached Suwon City.
“Our soldiers stationed in Suwon City number only thirty thousand. Even a night raid would be tied down by the Goryeo army. By the time we break through the Goryeo soldiers’ camp, the Great Yu Empire army would have already assembled, and we would gain no advantage.” Edo Ichiaki slammed the table. He said, “Abandon the night raid. Immediately reinforce the city, and also immediately capture the Goryeo common people in the city to use as human shields.”
Koizumi Junichi nodded. He showed a hint of cruelty. For them, the Goryeo common people were no different from livestock.
However, capturing these Goryeo common people as human shields could indeed achieve good results.
After the order was given, screams soon echoed throughout Suwon City. Goryeo common people were driven out of their homes one by one by Japanese soldiers.