Less than three days after the Imperial army began its invasion of Nantong, Jingtai Emperor received detailed information—the size of the Imperial forces, the situation in Nantong, and so on.
“News travels faster than from Beijing.”
Having become completely indifferent to the continuous stream of bad news, Jingtai Emperor expressed surprise that urgent reports from Nantong, over 600 li (about 240km) away, had arrived in just three days, faster than expected.
In response to Jingtai Emperor’s reaction, the Cabinet Junior-Tutor bowed his head and replied:
“Although there is the difficulty of traveling upstream, it arrived quickly because of the Yangtze River connection. The beacon system was also of great help.”
“I see…”
Jingtai Emperor nodded at the Cabinet Junior-Tutor’s words.
***
After the defeat in the previous war and the relocation of the capital to Nanjing, Ming had undertaken a major overhaul of its communication network.
In addition to the traditional beacon communication lines connected from the northern Great Wall, beacon towers were constructed along Ming’s eastern and southern coastlines.
Through these beacons, urgent messages could be transmitted more quickly than before.
However, in the eyes of Jingtai Emperor and the Ming military, this was only half a success.
The initial plan for rebuilding the communication network had included establishing a communication line using light signaling devices similar to those of the Empire.
But for such a light signaling network to function effectively, many soldiers who could read and write were needed, and the high illiteracy rate among Ming’s common soldiers became a stumbling block.
“Even the most junior soldiers in Joseon can mostly read and write! What a disgrace this is!”
Jingtai Emperor erupted in anger upon receiving the report, but this wasn’t a problem that could be solved by mere anger.
This was due to the deeply rooted anti-military sentiment among the Chinese people who had lived in the Central Plains for generations.
-Good iron is not used to make nails, and good men do not become soldiers.
Such sayings were openly circulated, reflecting the poor perception of the military, which led to the very poor quality of common soldiers.
And the various incidents and accidents caused by these substandard soldiers created a vicious cycle of worsening perceptions toward the military.
In the end, Jingtai Emperor and the Ming military had no choice but to establish an emergency communication network using traditional beacon towers rather than light signaling.
***
“If rapid communication is possible thanks to the Yangtze River, couldn’t the Joseon bastards also come up that same river?”
At Jingtai Emperor’s observation, the Right Governor-General stepped forward to answer:
“We have built defensive lines along the Yangtze in preparation for that problem.”
“Will those defensive lines actually function properly? Tianjin, as well as Weihai and Qingdao, were all places defended by powerful coastal batteries.”
In response to Jingtai Emperor’s words, the Right Governor-General immediately replied:
“Those naval bases faced the sea directly, making it easy for the Joseon bastards to concentrate their forces. However, when coming up the Yangtze River, they will naturally become stretched out. This will make it difficult for Joseon to concentrate their firepower, while making it easier for us to concentrate ours.”
“Is that so? You sound confident?”
“We will do our best.”
“Just do your best…”
At the Right Governor-General’s response, not only Jingtai Emperor’s expression but also those of the Cabinet Junior-Tutor and other ministers darkened.
After the annihilation of the Twin-Headed Flame Dragons, which had been confidently expected to win, the military never made guarantees. No, they couldn’t make guarantees.
Especially after the major naval bases in the Yellow Sea, which they had confidently claimed were well-defended by powerful coastal batteries, were reduced to ashes, military personnel refrained from speaking carelessly.
In this situation where not even a step ahead could be seen, Jingtai Emperor finally sighed.
“Sigh~ I see. Now we can only wait for good results to come from our soldiers’ best efforts.”
“We will do our utmost.”
And the Ming army did its best.
They immediately reinforced defensive lines around Nanjing and along the Yangtze River, and sorted out troops that could move separately to send to Nantong.
However, the forces sent this way were methodically dissolved by the Imperial army that had taken control of Nantong.
Meanwhile, the Imperial army continued to commit more and more troops to Nantong, strengthening their forces.
***
As time passed, Jingtai Emperor as well as Ming’s ministers and soldiers all felt puzzled.
“Why aren’t these bastards moving?”
This was because the Imperial army that had seized Nantong was only reinforcing their strength but not moving.
“Why?”
The Cabinet Junior-Tutor, who had been pondering why the Imperial army was behaving this way, soon found the answer.
“It appears the Joseon bastards are intimidating us.”
“Intimidating?”
“They’re telling us to come and negotiate on our own.”
“Why?”
Jingtai Emperor asked in a genuinely confused voice.
“In the last war as well as this one, Joseon’s forces have overwhelmed ours. With apologies to the Ministry of War and the Governor-General’s Office, couldn’t Joseon reach the doorstep of Nanjing in just a few days if they wanted to? Yet, they remain in Nantong and force negotiations? It doesn’t make sense.”
At Jingtai Emperor’s observation, the Minister of Rites stepped forward.
“In my opinion, it seems to be due to Joseon’s limitations.”
“Joseon’s limitations? What are they?”
“They lack people. Joseon’s population has just exceeded twenty million. However, five to six million of those are Jurchen from Liaodong and indigenous people from distant territories. They cannot use these not-fully-assimilated people as soldiers. In other words, Joseon’s territory has expanded, but they face a shortage of people. In this situation, they likely don’t want to unnecessarily expand the theater of war and lose troops.”
“I’ve heard similar words before.”
At the Minister of Rites’ words, Jingtai Emperor unconsciously muttered. He recalled what Jin Wei had once told him.
-Our Ming’s overwhelming advantage over Joseon is population. This is an aspect that Joseon will find difficult to catch up with, even with time.
“Hmm…”
Mulling over Jin Wei’s words and contemplating various possibilities, Jingtai Emperor shared his thoughts.
“Then, what if we prepare for a prolonged war?”
At Jingtai Emperor’s suggestion, the ministers closed their mouths and began to evaluate the possibility.
“A prolonged war seems to offer prospects of victory.”
“Although difficult circumstances would continue for a while, it appears we could ultimately prevail.”
Before long, starting with the Minister of Rites, many ministers began to express their agreement.
“It’s impossible! A prolonged war would lead to the downfall of our nation! It absolutely must not happen!”
However, this wave of approval was blocked by the vehement opposition of the Minister of Revenue.
Facing the Minister of Revenue’s fierce objection, Jingtai Emperor directly asked, without hiding his displeasure:
“What is your reason?”
At Jingtai Emperor’s question, the Minister of Revenue immediately provided his reason.
“It is because Joseon has taken control of the Yangtze River.”
The Minister of Revenue’s objections were based on the following reasons:
-With Joseon controlling the Yangtze River, Ming must be considered to have lost control north of the Yangtze.
-If Joseon marches on Nanjing, the Imperial court would need to flee. But due to the above reason, they would need to move further south or inland.
-Whichever direction they move, the area south of the Yangtze would suffer heavy damage from Joseon forces. If Jiangnan, Ming’s largest granary region, is devastated, the subsequent situation would become uncontrollable.
“…therefore, a prolonged war is absolutely impossible! Please understand!”
After hearing the Minister of Revenue’s impassioned argument against a prolonged war, delivered in a mournful voice, Jingtai Emperor turned to the Minister of War and the Governors-General.
“What do you think?”
The first to answer Jingtai Emperor’s question was the Minister of War.
“I believe the Minister of Revenue’s words are correct. As he said, if Joseon controls the Yangtze, we must abandon the territory north of the Yangtze. If we engage in a prolonged war, we must accept massive troop losses, but there are limitations with just the territory south of the Yangtze.”
“Isn’t the population also large in the south of the Yangtze, as it’s a granary region?”
At Jingtai Emperor’s point, the Minister of War immediately replied:
“Many men are needed for farming. Of course, farming is possible even with just women and children, but it’s unreasonable to expect the same yield as when men work properly.”
Following the Minister of War’s words, the Left Governor-General continued:
“The changed nature of warfare is also a problem. In the past, one could be combat-effective with just swords, spears, and helmets. But now, guns and cannons have become the center of warfare. To produce and supply guns and cannons, as well as to make and provide the gunpowder, bullets, and shells used in them, many skilled craftsmen are needed. No, it’s not just about craftsmen, but also about the supply of materials. If we enter into a prolonged war without measures for these issues, we would not only be defeated but also suffer irreparable damage.”
“Are you saying that if we enter a prolonged war with only our own strength, without help from someone else, we are certain to be defeated?”
“…”
The Left Governor-General answered with silence. Seeing this, Jingtai Emperor turned his head.
“What do the Minister of War and the Right Governor-General think?”
“…”
“…”
Both men also answered with silence, and Jingtai Emperor turned to the Cabinet Junior-Tutor with a desperate expression.
“What does the Junior-Tutor think?”
At Jingtai Emperor’s question, the Cabinet Junior-Tutor painfully opened his mouth.
“Negotiation seems to be the best alternative.”
The Cabinet Junior-Tutor’s answer was the decisive blow. Jingtai Emperor leaned back in his chair weakly and waved his hand.
“Organize a negotiation team as I ordered before. And send a messenger to Nantong expressing our desire to negotiate.”
“We receive your command.”
***
‘We wish to negotiate.’
Upon receiving a letter with the above message through a messenger sent by Ming, the Imperial army immediately forwarded it to Seoul.
“We will inform you as soon as His Majesty sends a reply.”
“Then is there a ceasefire in the meantime?”
At the messenger’s question, Inland Fleet Commander Cho Jin-woong scoffed.
“Hmph! Why should we?”
“But for negotiations…”
“We fight until His Majesty orders us to stop combat. That’s the first rule of our Imperial Navy!”
True to Cho Jin-woong’s words, the Imperial forces occupying Nantong thoroughly neutralized Nantong’s major facilities.
Important facilities—such as defensive batteries, shipyards, etc.—except for the Nantong naval base headquarters being used as the Imperial army’s temporary headquarters, were completely destroyed using large amounts of explosives, and even the walls of Nantong city were demolished.
“It would be cheaper to build a new naval base than to rebuild this one.”
It was such thorough destruction that Imperial soldiers who had completed the destruction work made such assessments.
And after a few more days, at the end of Imperial Year 9, a negotiation team sent by Hyang arrived in Nantong.
It was a negotiation team headed by Kim Jong-seo with Han Myung-hoe and others participating.
Inside the boat traveling up the Yangtze River, Kim Jong-seo’s expression was solemn. Observing his expression, young officials conversed in voices full of respect.
“Minister Kim, who is said to hate leaving Seoul more than death, shows a completely different demeanor when it comes to Ming!”
“Indeed! No wonder His Majesty the Emperor cherishes him so!”
“They say he believes in ‘Work decisively! And play passionately!’ We should follow his example!”
While the young officials were having such conversations, Kim Jong-seo was inwardly muttering:
‘End this as quickly as possible and return to Seoul! Why am I suffering like this in such cold weather!’