Deng Shulin continued to intensify his condemnation.
“Coward!”
“Disgrace to warriors!”
“You repaid the Emperor’s grace with betrayal!”
Two days later, when the Inland Fleet set sail again after completing repairs and resupply, Deng Shulin’s denunciations reached their peak.
This was because he could tell where the Inland Fleet was headed as it departed.
“A soldier’s duty is to sink even one more enemy vessel with the resolve to die! And you surrendered!”
“How can food pass down your throat, you coward!”
“If it were me, I would have bitten my tongue and died right there!”
With not only Deng Shulin but also other surviving commanders joining in the criticism, Jin Wei found himself cornered.
Finally, Jin Wei went outside and beckoned to a guard.
“What is it, sir?”
When the interpreter who came with the guard asked, Jin Wei answered briefly.
“I wish to become a subject of the Empire.”
Having heard Jin Wei’s request, the interpreter immediately turned around.
“Follow me.”
***
Upon receiving the report that ‘Jin Wei intends to defect,’ Ahn Hwi nodded with a broad smile.
“Of course! Bring him here immediately!”
“Yes, sir!”
News of Jin Wei’s defection was also promptly reported to Cho Jin-woong.
“Bring Lieutenant General Jin to me.”
“Yes, sir!”
Thus, Cho Jin-woong met with Jin Wei and opened the conversation with a warm smile.
“The exquisite steering skills and battle command you demonstrated in the last battle were truly impressive.”
“You flatter me. It was only because the captain I worked with was skilled.”
“So, what made you decide to defect?”
After a moment of silence at Cho Jin-woong’s question, Jin Wei soon answered with a melancholy smile.
“I believe you’ve received reports through your guards, so you must be aware of my situation?”
Hearing this subtle criticism that suggested ‘Don’t play games when you already know,’ Cho Jin-woong lightly cleared his throat and answered.
“Ahem! Hmm! I made a mistake. Is there anything else you’d like to request?”
“My family is in Nantong. If news of my defection spreads, they will face hardship, so countermeasures are necessary.”
“Hmm… regarding that matter, I will petition His Majesty and try to get an answer.”
At Cho Jin-woong’s response, Jin Wei bowed his head and implored earnestly.
“If you can save my family, I will be forever grateful.”
“I’ll do my best. And by the way, that captain who was with you also seemed capable. Why haven’t we heard from him?”
At Cho Jin-woong’s inquiry, Jin Wei smiled bitterly and muttered inwardly.
‘They say Joseon people covet people the most, and indeed…’
“He is also in a difficult situation, but if you speak with him well, you’ll get a good result.”
“Could the general help us with that?”
After pondering briefly at Cho Jin-woong’s request, Jin Wei soon nodded.
“I will try to persuade him myself.”
“Oh! I appreciate it!”
After finishing the conversation and stepping outside, Jin Wei looked up at the sky and sighed.
“Sigh~ There’s no choice. Now that it’s come to this, I can only do my best…”
Having resolved to defect, Jin Wei immediately put forth his best efforts. The captain, who initially showed a lukewarm response, eventually decided to defect after Jin Wei’s persistent persuasion. The condition set by the captain was similar to Jin Wei’s.
-Safely evacuate his family in Nantong!
Soon, a report recording all these details was sent to Seoul.
***
After receiving the report, Hyang immediately posed a question to Wan.
“What do you think?”
After considering briefly, Wan soon shared his thoughts.
“I believe it sets a poor precedent to casually dismiss those who wish to defect. And according to Admiral Cho’s report, this man shows excellent judgment and command ability. He’s a talented individual, so I think we should accept him.”
“What if he did this with the intention of returning to Ming later? He would die if he returned now, but if he gathered intelligence and then returned, wouldn’t he have a chance at revival?”
In response to Hyang’s point, Wan smiled slightly and answered.
“We could send him to a new territory. New territories are especially short on people, and from there, it would be impossible to return to Ming even if he wanted to.”
“Hahaha!”
At Wan’s answer, Hyang burst into laughter and slapped his knee.
“That’s the right answer!”
Satisfied with Wan’s suggestion, Hyang immediately issued an order.
“Have the defecting Ming Lieutenant General Jin Wei and the captain come to Seoul at once. I’d like to have a talk with them.”
“I receive your command!”
***
The next morning, following Hyang’s order, Jin Wei and the captain took the first train to Seoul.
Entering Geunjeongjeong Hall, Jin Wei and the captain saw Hyang seated on the dais and Wan positioned below him. They prostrated themselves and lowered their heads.
“This humble one, Jin Wei, greets Your Majesty.”
“This humble one, Han Defeng, greets Your Majesty.”
“I’m pleased to meet you. Eunuch, bring chairs for them.”
Once the two were seated, Hyang began asking questions with a face full of curiosity.
“Han Defeng, is it? I’ve heard your steering skills are excellent. How did you manage to avoid most of the shells fired by the Imperial Navy?”
Starting with that, Hyang asked Han Defeng about his curiosities, and the ministers present listened attentively with faces full of interest.
After a lengthy conversation with Han Defeng, Hyang turned to Minister of Defense Min Shin and spoke.
“Familiarity is indeed a formidable thing. I was puzzled by the unexpectedly low number of Ming vessels sunk in this battle, but now I understand why.”
“Indeed, Your Majesty. We must accelerate our improvements.”
“Beyond improvements, we should also reconsider the training of gunners and the habits of our captains. Our Challenger-class vessels can withstand Ming’s bombardment sufficiently.”
Following Min Shin’s response, Kim Jong-seo added his thoughts, and all the ministers nodded in agreement.
Both sides had become accustomed to the cannons made by the Empire. The Ming vessel captains who had survived the last battle and physically experienced the characteristics of the cannons mounted on Imperial vessels used this experience to minimize damage.
And now, through Han Defeng’s explanation, they understood why the battle achievements had been reduced.
In summary, the problem was that while the power of the shells had increased, the range remained the same since the cannons themselves were unchanged. Additionally, the captains’ habit of attacking with cannons from the maximum distance possible had become an issue.
Kim Jong-seo had argued that they should abandon these habits and engage in more aggressive close combat.
However, Hyang shook his head.
“While Minister Kim’s words seem correct, considering the Empire’s situation, I believe it’s better to improve the cannons themselves.”
“But…”
“Enough.”
Raising his hand to stop Kim Jong-seo, Hyang turned to Jin Wei and asked.
“Does General Jin understand the reason?”
At Hyang’s question, Jin Wei answered immediately.
“It’s because of the shortage of people. While the Empire’s vessels and cannons are superior, conversely, this means it takes a long time to become proficient with them. Therefore, if casualties increase due to close combat, it will take a considerable time to fill those vacancies. And this will lead to a reduction in fighting power.”
“Correct.”
Nodding emphatically at Jin Wei’s answer, Hyang looked at Kim Jong-seo and continued.
“Although our Challenger-class vessels are sturdy, they will eventually be penetrated if hit enough times. This inevitably leads to personnel losses, making even victories not truly victories. It’s a well-known fact that while cavalry and artillery troops in the army take a lot of time to become proficient, naval sailors require even more time, isn’t it?”
At Hyang’s explanation, Kim Jong-seo bowed his head and responded.
“My thinking was shortsighted.”
“I don’t think it was your mistake. Don’t worry about it.”
After reassuring Kim Jong-seo, Hyang looked at Jin Wei with sparkling eyes.
‘Look at this! I might have caught a big fish!’
Feeling strongly that he had caught a prize catch, Hyang asked Jin Wei:
“What do you think is our Empire’s greatest weakness?”
“People, Your Majesty. The Empire is still lacking. Actually…”
Jin Wei repeated what he had told Jingtai Emperor.
As Jin Wei’s words continued, the ministers’ eyes began to sparkle.
‘Is this a rare talent we’ve caught?’
‘It would be a waste to just relegate him to the military, or worse, confine him to a new territory!’
‘How can we bring him in?’
Seeing fresh talent after a long time, the ministers’ eyes were filled with greed.
“Hmm?”
Jin Wei, who had been explaining for a while, suddenly felt a chill run through his body and stopped speaking.
“Why do you stop?”
“Ah, it’s nothing. I just suddenly felt a chill…”
Hearing Jin Wei’s answer through the interpreter, Hyang smiled slightly and commanded.
“It seems the ministers are showing greed after a long time. Don’t mind them and continue your explanation.”
***
After the interview-like meeting ended, Hyang instructed Jin Wei and Han Defeng.
“I cannot hide my joy that talents like you have chosen to join the Empire. I will do everything possible to fulfill your request to rescue your families.”
At Hyang’s words, Jin Wei and Han Defeng immediately prostrated themselves and lowered their heads.
“Your Imperial grace is boundless!”
“You may leave now.”
At Hyang’s dismissal, Jin Wei and Han Defeng respectfully bowed and backed out of Geunjeongjeong Hall.
After the two had left, Hyang asked the ministers and Wan:
“What do you think?”
“I believe they are exceptional talents. Especially, as Jin Wei said, the warning that the moment our Empire follows the path of King Fuchai will mark the beginning of a crisis was profound advice.”
No sooner had Kim Jeom finished speaking than Kim Jong-seo continued.
“Indeed. Even my earlier mistake was born of complacency stemming from our previous victories, so we must be vigilant.”
Hyang also nodded at Kim Jong-seo’s words.
“I think so too.”
***
“Due to this defeat, Ming will once again restrain itself and await an opportunity. When does the general think that opportunity will come?”
At Hyang’s question, Jin Wei answered immediately.
“The Empire itself will create that opportunity.”
“Our Empire will create it? How?”
Jin Wei’s answer to Hyang’s question was simple and clear.
“The moment the Empire follows the path of Fuchai, Ming will gain its opportunity.”
“Ah!”
At that moment, Hyang and all the ministers simultaneously exclaimed.
In the idiom “sleeping on firewood and tasting gall” (meaning to endure hardships while nursing vengeance), King Fuchai of Wu, seeking to avenge his father, endured hardships by sleeping on thorny firewood while awaiting his opportunity.
And after successfully avenging himself, Fuchai immediately indulged in pleasure and forgot the past.
Eventually, the complacent Fuchai was defeated by Goujian, who had patiently awaited his chance while tasting gall, and committed suicide.
In other words, the moment the Empire became complacent with its own power would be the moment of its downfall.
But Hyang was Hyang.
“Then let me ask another question. Will it truly be Ming that seizes that opportunity?”
At Hyang’s question, Jin Wei answered with uncertainty.
“I cannot guarantee that, Your Majesty.”
At Jin Wei’s response, Hyang’s eyes sparkled even more.
“Unexpectedly cold-headed, aren’t you?”
“I was taught that those who desire victory must remain as detached as possible.”
“Then, with such detachment, how do you see Ming’s future?”
“Not good, Your Majesty.”