After a moment of silence, Lee Jing-ok soon sent messengers to summon his subordinate commanders.

“Those corpse-mutilating bastards are up to their tricks again.”

At Lee Jing-ok’s words, the subordinate commanders, especially those leading the vanguard, stiffened their expressions.

It was because of memories of struggling repeatedly with their advance being hindered by Mexica ambush attacks.

The jungle, an unfamiliar natural environment, instinctively terrified the soldiers. Combined with Mexica ambushes, the soldiers’ mental fatigue had rapidly increased.

Fortunately, the Dark Strike Unit had intervened to hunt the Mexica in return, significantly reducing the soldiers’ fatigue. But without the Dark Strike Unit, many soldiers unable to overcome mental exhaustion would have been removed from active duty.

Thus, the vanguard unit commanders’ expressions hardened.

Lee Jing-ok observed these commanders’ expressions and continued.

“It seems they’re trying to use the ‘hammer and anvil’ tactic.”

Lee Jing-ok’s subsequent explanation could be summarized as follows:

—The Mexica’s total force is estimated at about 60,000. However, this is a minimum estimate.

—The Mexica have divided this into two groups.

—One group of about 30,000 is preparing to block our path frontally. The other group is moving to strike our right flank.

“It’s definitely a ‘hammer and anvil’ tactic, but…”

One of the subordinate commanders who heard Lee Jing-ok’s explanation raised an objection.

“For this tactic to succeed, the ‘hammer’ must be fast. But most of them are infantry—how could they move quickly? It’s a foolish choice that benefits us, but I’m worried this might be a trap.”

“A good observation.”

Lee Jing-ok nodded in agreement with his subordinate’s point and shared his thoughts.

“I think there are three main reasons why the enemy leader planned this operation.”

Lee Jing-ok explained his reasoning for why the enemy devised such a strategy:

—Though the enemy is slow, we are relatively fast. And the jungle provides the best cover for concealing our movements.

“Using the jungle as a natural screen, they don’t need to make a wide detour, and since we move quickly, they can target our flanks with just a bit of diligent movement.

—These are people who have already experienced our firepower firsthand. Having learned our strengths and weaknesses to some degree, they plan to concentrate large forces on one point of our flanks to strike decisively.

“…Finally, it’s certain they had no choice but to divide their army. Most likely, the two group commanders hold equal rank. With one body and two heads, they probably thought it better to split the body in two. If the two commanders don’t get along well, that would be even better. Hmm…”

After pausing to reflect on his words, Lee Jing-ok continued with conviction.

“It’s definite that the two group commanders don’t get along. Otherwise, having experienced our firepower, they wouldn’t have divided into equal numbers.”

All the commanders nodded at Lee Jing-ok’s words.

“Then how will you respond?”

To his subordinate’s question, Lee Jing-ok replied briefly.

“Simple. We smash the anvil and reverse the encirclement for annihilation.”

Lee Jing-ok explained his plan:

—They believe their anvil is solid. No, even if it’s not solid, they planned this operation expecting it would buy them time to strike our flanks.

—But we’ve never deployed all our firepower.

—From now on, we move all artillery forward with full effort. We also divide our forces into two.

—We concentrate artillery fire to break the frontal anvil, then deploy forces to break through.

—The forces that break through the anvil will annihilate its remaining troops while turning to pursue the flanking enemies from behind.

—The remaining force will form a defensive line facing the flanking enemy, defending against their assault while applying reverse pressure.

—The force forming the defensive line will operate centered on Byeongshik fire carts.

“…Simply put, it’s a battle of which anvil is harder—theirs or ours. The side with the harder anvil wins. Surely our anvil isn’t softer, right?”

At Lee Jing-ok’s half-joking question, the commanders smiled grimly and replied.

“How could that be?”

“Good!”

Satisfied with his subordinates’ confident and murderous response, Lee Jing-ok continued.

“Not just the anvil, but our hammer is stronger too. Because where the enemy’s anvil is positioned is the plain spread before the jungle. Once we break the anvil, we can properly use our wagons. Once we can properly use our wagons, we can properly strike the backs of those targeting our flanks.”

All commanders nodded at Lee Jing-ok’s words.

“Do you all understand?”

“Yes!”

“Then let’s divide the forces.”

***

While Lee Jing-ok was busily reorganizing his forces, Akon was also reviewing operations with his subordinates in the jungle.

“Will we continue moving as one group?”

“Yes. The Great Han warriors are spread out more than expected. To attack in coordination from both sides, we need good coordination, but in this situation, we can’t properly use messengers.”

“Ah…”

At Akon’s explanation, all subordinates nodded. Akon continued his explanation.

“And haven’t you seen the weapons used by the Great Han warriors? There are gaps here and there. We must not miss those moments and push warriors in. For that, we need sufficient warriors. That’s why we didn’t divide.”

“I see.”

“Indeed, Sir Akon!”

Receiving his subordinates’ praise, Akon explained the changes to the upcoming operation again.

After the subordinates who understood the operation returned to their units, Akon, left alone, muttered quietly.

“This war has been lost from the start.”

Akon sensed defeat.

The Great Han warriors’ weapons were far more powerful and lethal than their own.

Though their weapons seemed to have problems now, any thinking commander would have an adequate supply of reserve weapons.

He would have done the same.

The reason they weren’t using such reserve weapons was surely because they judged what they currently had was sufficient for now.

Again, he would have done the same.

But now it was the decisive battle.

If the enemy commander was a thinking person, he would certainly bring out all stored weapons.

Then those idiots blocking the jungle entrance would certainly all die.

In that case, saving as many of his troops as possible and retreating to Tenochtitlan was the right answer.

Tenochtitlan still had considerable armies remaining. And the Great Han warriors would have consumed significant weapons and soldiers dealing with those idiots lined up at the entrance.

Akon’s solution was political negotiation.

Combining Tenochtitlan’s remaining army with his forces would certainly create enough power to subdue a nearby city-state.

If that happened, it would significantly burden the Great Han warriors who had expended troops and supplies, and eventually, they could reach an appropriate conclusion through negotiation.

Only by ending it this way could Mexica’s security be ensured.

If not only those idiots but even his own forces were destroyed here, Tenochtitlan’s forces alone couldn’t stop the Great Han warriors.

The aftermath would also be problematic.

Around Tenochtitlan, cities hostile to Mexica were constantly waiting for opportunities.

For them, the moment Tenochtitlan was battered by defeat to the Great Han warriors would be the best opportunity.

“The opposite case is the same…”

If, by the grace of Tezcatlipoca, the chief god and god of war, all the Great Han warriors’ weapons became useless and those idiots unexpectedly held out well, a unified force would still be needed.

It was for the reasons he had told his subordinates.

But the situation of Mexica pushing back the Great Han warriors was certainly an impossible reality.

“Sigh… How did we reach such a situation…”

Akon sighed in despair at reaching a situation where he was certain of defeat rather than victory, searching for ways to avoid national ruin afterward.

***

Ten days later, the expedition force had advanced to right before the jungle entrance.

Time was consumed moving artillery units from the rear to the front and other unit adjustments, and their advance slowed due to the heavy artillery moving in front.

“I thought they’d push in first…”

Receiving reports from native warriors and the Dark Strike Unit who had gone scouting, Lee Jing-ok chuckled and muttered.

“We’re grateful they’re waiting so quietly. I truly mean it.”

After muttering words that were ambiguously sincere or sarcastic, Lee Jing-ok ordered his subordinates.

“Have them launch the observation balloons.”

“Yes, General!”

Watching the balloons rise into the sky moments later, Lee Jing-ok smiled grimly.

“To fight properly, we must prepare properly. Check the artillery’s readiness!”

“Yes, General!”

Meanwhile, the Mexica military camp beyond the jungle was in chaos.

“What’s that!”

“What’s that in the sky!”

Not just lower-tier warriors but even Jaguar Warriors were panicking, prompting Eagle Warriors to step in.

“Get hold of yourselves!”

“Stand firm! The enemy is right before us!”

“That’s enemy sorcery confusing your eyes!”

“You’ll die if you’re distracted by that!”

At the Eagle Warriors’ and officers’ shouts, the warriors stopped panicking. However, they looked anxiously between the sky and jungle.

The Eagle Warriors and officers were the same. Though outwardly maintaining stern faces while shouting at soldiers, their eyes shook constantly.

***

“All artillery preparations are complete.”

“Then begin the bombardment.”

Shortly after Lee Jing-ok’s order, the arrayed batteries’ ranging guns opened fire.

Bang! Boom!

Artillery crews who quickly finished reloading looked up at the balloons in the sky.

Seeing the light signals sent from the balloons, artillery unit commanders adjusted their guns’ angles and fired ranging shots again.

“Hit!”

“All artillery, fire!”

At the battery commander’s order, signalers waved flags, and all waiting artillery simultaneously opened fire.

***

Under the expedition force artillery’s concentrated bombardment, the Mexica army positioned at the entrance waiting for the expedition began suffering fatal damage.

Thunder-like sounds echoing from afar came from beyond the jungle, and soon after, earth shattered and shot skyward with loud explosions throughout the Mexica camp.

No, it wasn’t just earth that shattered. The warriors standing on that earth also shattered into pieces and shot skyward.

“Where from? How?”

“It’s a curse! Magic!”

The Mexica, who couldn’t even imagine being attacked across the jungle, thought it was curses or magic.

“Magic! Curses!”

“Flee! Run!”

Mexica warriors who thought the expedition’s bombardment was curses or magic began frantically retreating. Mixed among these retreating warriors were Eagle Warriors and officers.

But the expedition’s artillery, aided by the balloons, persistently pursued and destroyed them.

While the Mexica camp crumbled under bombardment, light fire carts and long gun-bearing expedition forces burst from the jungle and pulled their triggers toward the Mexica warriors.