The Challenger-class warship commanded by Taek-gil returned to port at full speed.
During the return journey, a lengthy report about the Aztec warriors observed by the first mate was drafted aboard the ship.
Admiral Ahn Sang-su, upon reviewing the report co-signed by Taek-gil and the first mate, immediately summoned his subordinate.
“Are there any Haeung-class warships ready to depart immediately?”
“Yes, sir. Haeung-class No. 45 and No. 65 are available.”
“Load this report onto No. 45 and have it head north immediately. Time is of the essence.”
“Yes, sir!”
Carrying the report, Haeung-class warship No. 45 sailed north at full speed.
Admiral Shin In-son, after reviewing the report that arrived at the Imperial Navy Headquarters in the New Frontier, immediately issued orders.
“Send this report to His Majesty Hyang via the next departing iron horse! This is urgent!”
“Yes, sir!”
The Imperial Navy stationed in the New Frontier mobilized all available means to deliver the report to Hyang as quickly as possible.
After sending the report, Admiral Shin drafted another report of his own.
The content of Admiral Shin’s separate report could be summarized as follows:
-A railway network connecting military ports is needed. -A new transportation method faster than the iron horse is required.
***
Meanwhile, Hyang placed his hand on his forehead after receiving the urgent report from the Navy.
“Sigh… why now of all times…”
Though the Navy was expanding at a ferocious pace, everything was still in short supply.
There weren’t enough warships yet to build a naval barrier in the Atlantic.
Moreover, information infrastructure—symbolized by nautical and topographical maps—was lacking. Although newly commissioned Challenger-class and Haeung-class warships were surveying North and Central America’s east coasts under the guise of training, creating maps and charts, there were still more blank spaces than filled ones.
“But I can’t just sit idle either. A wrong move could give Europe an opening. Is this what they call being backed into a corner? Sigh… I can’t help but sigh.”
Sighing repeatedly, Hyang examined the report’s contents.
After reading it meticulously, he let out a small laugh.
“Hah! A true military man indeed…”
The report written by the first mate detailed the Aztec warriors’ attire and armaments:
- The natives we encountered appear to be well-trained warriors.
- Their attire and protective gear seem to differ according to rank.
- Those appearing to be common soldiers wore thick quilted sleeveless vests, but their lower bodies were bare except for loincloths.
- The soldiers carried spears fitted with well-sharpened stone tips and round shields. The stone used for the blades appears to be obsidian. The shields seem to be made of wood covered with leather.
- The individual presumed to be a commander wore quilted cloth covering his entire body. On his head, he wore a wooden helmet shaped like a jaguar.
- The commander’s weapon appeared to be a flat wooden club with stone blades embedded on both sides. It has cutting capability but no thrusting function.
- Conclusion: The natives’ weapons appear very primitive. However, they have a clear rank structure and command system. This suggests that the natives can mobilize large-scale forces. Therefore, if we consider the possibility of armed conflict, active use of mounted firearms and explosive shells, along with the mobilization of our own large-scale forces, is anticipated. Additionally, I believe we need to adopt full plate armor like that used by the old longsword infantry, instead of the current partial armor format. Of course, considering the performance of our current mounted firearms, explosive shells, and military rifles, plate armor might seem excessive. However, as mentioned earlier, if the natives can mobilize tens of thousands of troops, we must consider the possibility of melee combat due to numerical disadvantage.
***
“Hmm…”
After reading the report, Hyang tapped his fingers on the desk and muttered:
“Cutting or striking weapons against plate armor…”
To Hyang’s knowledge, the optimal weapons against plate armor were axes or war hammers—blunt weapons.
After pondering briefly, Hyang realized his mistake.
“Ah… those Aztec warriors’ weapons weren’t blunt instruments but bladed weapons…”
Recognizing his error and considering countermeasures, Hyang smacked his lips.
“Is it time to revive the longsword infantry?”
The longsword infantry, which had existed until the early days of Gyeongbok Palace’s reconstruction and “Giyu Rebellion,” had mostly retired or transferred to other military branches, except for a symbolic few guarding Gyeongbok Palace.
This was because the main armaments of both Joseon and neighboring countries had shifted from swords and arrows to gunpowder weapons.
“But wearing full plate armor in that hot jungle would be madness… yet I can’t simply dismiss the concern either.”
Hyang’s worries deepened.
And the first mate’s speculation wasn’t just an unfounded concern.
In the history before Hyang’s intervention, the Spanish who invaded the Aztecs faced a crisis due to numerical disadvantage.
What saved the Spanish from crisis was the cooperation of local tribes resisting the Aztecs.
After brief contemplation, Hyang reached a different conclusion.
“The Empire differs from Spain. While the Spanish used front-loading arquebuses and solid cannonballs, the Empire has machine guns—no, mounted firearms and military rifles, plus explosive shells. It would be far better to load as much ammunition and explosive shells as the weight of plate armor. We’ll apply the ‘Van Fleet day of fire’ concept to the Aztecs.”
During the Korean War, while stopping the Chinese offensive, Van Fleet authorized up to five times the daily ammunition usage previously allowed. This essentially permitted unlimited ammunition use.
And this approach proved useful in halting the Chinese offensive.
***
After various deliberations on the Aztec issue, Hyang firmed his resolve and began drafting an order on blank paper.
“I can roughly predict what will happen next, but that’s precisely why I need clear justification. Definitive justification.”
The order that Hyang drafted could be summarized as follows:
- Mobilize at least three warships and as many soldiers as possible to contact the natives of the region.
- When entering native tribal residences or the capital of a native nation, never send only a small contingent. Respond to native requests while maintaining maximum force and firepower.
- Maintain a friendly demeanor while thoroughly assessing their situation.
- If armed conflict with native forces occurs, use all available ammunition except the minimum required for withdrawal and supplies.
After completing the order, Hyang reviewed its contents and made a peculiar expression.
“Of all things, ‘Order No. 66’…”
***
Hyang’s order was once again relayed through channels to Admiral Ahn Sang-su.
After confirming the order, Admiral Ahn looked out the window and shook his head.
“It’s not just the order that has arrived.”
Outside the window, on the dock, large quantities of mounted firearms, launchers for explosive shells, wooden crates containing ammunition canisters for the mounted firearms, and wooden boxes of explosive shells were being stacked neatly. From another ship, carts to carry the mounted firearms, launchers, ammunition, and explosive shells, along with horses to pull the carts, were being unloaded.
Finally, soldiers who would operate these weapons were disembarking from the ships and receiving roll call.
Seeing the scene outside the window, Admiral Ahn continued with an incredulous expression:
“Your Majesty, are you telling us to make peaceful contact with the natives, or to crush everything in sight?”
The amount of ammunition and troops visible outside was enough to demolish even a large pirate stronghold.
***
Nevertheless, orders were orders, so Admiral Ahn mobilized two Challenger-class warships and three Haeung-class warships.
The five warships, loaded with minimal cannon shells and gunpowder for self-defense but packed with troops and weapons, sailed south and arrived at the problematic beach.
Admiral Ahn Sang-su, leading the fleet personally, ordered Captain Kim Taek-gil:
“Begin landing operations.”
“Yes, sir! First mate! Raise the signal flag!”
“Yes, sir!”
As the signal flag rose from the flagship, landing operations began from the other warships as well.
As the landing neared completion, Admiral Ahn Sang-su rose from his seat and prepared to disembark.
“Are you going personally?”
To Kim Taek-gil’s worried question, Admiral Ahn Sang-su nodded.
“I must go. If what His Majesty Hyang fears comes to pass, I must give the orders directly to avoid future complications.”
“Please take care.”
To Taek-gil’s concern, Ahn Sang-su smiled slightly and patted Taek-gil’s shoulder.
“Thank you.”
***
While the Imperial troops were busy landing, there was also slight movement in the jungle adjacent to the beach.
Following the previous contact, Montezuma I had stationed warriors at the problematic beach.
The warriors’ orders were simple:
- Report immediately if the foreigners return!
“They really came back…”
Futan, who had been tasked with coastal surveillance after the previous incident, turned pale.
The foreigners had arrived in several times their previous numbers.
The foreigners, disembarking from five ships of various sizes, were piling their cargo like mountains on the beach.
“The question is what’s inside all that…”
Futan muttered, breaking into a cold sweat.
***
The dagger Futan had presented to Montezuma I previously had proven to be a weapon beyond imagination. It was certain that their own weapons, made with obsidian inserts, would be no match.
After examining the foreigners’ weapons, the nobles, Eagle Warriors, and Jaguar Warriors reached very similar conclusions:
- Close combat with those wielding such weapons would be disadvantageous. We should engage them from a distance using arrows.
However, Futan and several warriors thought quite negatively:
- If they can make such weapons, wouldn’t they also have made something to counter our weapons?
Those unable to resolve this question reached a different conclusion:
- We shouldn’t attack them as we did neighboring tribes and cities! We must avoid fighting as much as possible!
And Montezuma I, the most important decision-maker, was reaching a similar conclusion:
- We should avoid initiating conflict with people capable of making such weapons. We must try to discern their true intentions!
Following this conclusion, small groups of warriors were stationed on the coast.
The mission of these warriors was not to initiate combat but to confirm the foreigners’ return.
***
- The foreigners have returned!
- There are many times more than before!
Upon receiving the report, Montezuma I rose from his throne.
“I will go personally.”
“Tlatoani, it’s dangerous!”
Though surrounded by nobles and priests trying to dissuade him, Montezuma I shook his head.
“I must go.”
There was a reason behind Montezuma I’s decision.
Relations with neighboring regions had deteriorated significantly since Montezuma I ascended to the throne following the previous Tlatoani, Itzcoatl.
This was due to the expansion policy continuing from the previous era and large-scale human sacrifices. Neighboring tribes and city-states had suffered greatly in the process of securing sacrificial victims, resulting in poor relations.
In this situation, sending nobles obsessed with securing sacrificial victims and expanding territory would likely result in immediate conflict.