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Chapter 618 The Korean Army's Crushing Defeat: The Envoy's Visit

All these achievements are thanks to Jin Shuai, who imparted some rudimentary yet practical metallurgical techniques to the craftsmen based on his own knowledge. Building upon these techniques, the Jin family gathered a group of people with a strong interest and talent in machinery research. They studied day and night, constantly improving the processes. After a long period of effort, the forging technology has matured significantly, resulting in a substantial reduction in the weight of cannons while maintaining superior performance.

Although the artillery at this time still primarily used round shells and lacked explosive power, this did not diminish its significant role on the battlefield. Its standard range was approximately 500 meters, but when fired at a 45-degree elevation, the maximum range reached 1 kilometer. The mountainous terrain of Goryeo often posed significant limitations to Song army operations. This artillery's curved-fire capability perfectly filled the Song army's firepower gap in mountainous warfare. On the undulating battlefield, it could overcome obstacles and accurately strike enemies hidden behind mountains or in valleys, allowing the Song army to maintain a powerful firepower advantage even in complex terrain.

The arrival of this supply ship not only brought the aforementioned multi-functional artillery, but also two other types of artillery of great strategic significance—shipborne light artillery and city defense heavy artillery. These two types of artillery were originally similar to the breech-loading cannon, but under Jin Shuai's meticulous improvements, they have been completely transformed, possessing far greater combat capabilities.

First, let's discuss the shipborne light artillery. It was cleverly designed for greater portability and maneuverability on ships. Jin Shuai added wheels to this design, transforming it into a self-propelled gun. This allowed it to quickly adjust its firing position in naval battles, making it more effective at both pursuing enemy ships and evading attacks. The city defense heavy artillery, on the other hand, was specifically designed to protect cities. It possessed immense power and a longer range. Also equipped with wheels, it allowed for more flexible movement on city walls, enabling it to react quickly to different enemy attack directions and deliver heavy blows.

With the addition of these firearms, the battlefield situation changed instantly. Defending a city became much easier than the difficult defensive battles of the past. Commander Jin, fully aware of the importance of these weapons, decisively ordered the rapid installation of these powerful weapons on other ships. The port was instantly a hive of activity, with soldiers carefully carrying cannons onto the ships and installing and testing them under the command of their officers. As each cannon was installed, the Song army's naval combat power was greatly enhanced. The warships, reflecting the sunlight, gleamed with a cold metallic sheen, resembling steel behemoths poised to pounce.

Finally, with the Goryeo army numbering less than 20, a major battle between the two sides was imminent. That day, sunlight streamed through the windows into the main hall of the Incheon City Lord's Mansion. Commander Kim sat leisurely in a chair, sipping fragrant tea, seemingly relaxed and at ease, but in reality, his mind was preoccupied with the impending battle. Just then, hurried footsteps broke the tranquility, and a messenger rushed in with a scout squad leader. Upon entering the hall, the two reported, "Commander! The Goryeo army has begun to slowly advance towards our position. Judging by their current speed, they are expected to reach our forward positions tomorrow."

Upon hearing this, Jin Shuai thought to himself that the movement of hundreds of thousands of troops couldn't be much faster. He remained calm and continued in a steady tone, "You can continue to observe their movements from a distance. If you find any signs of them splitting up, report back immediately." The scout captain accepted the order and quickly rose to continue his reconnaissance mission.

Then, Commander Jin summoned his generals. Soon after, they arrived and stood in neat rows in the hall. Commander Jin looked at his loyal subordinates, who had fought alongside him through thick and thin, and his expression gradually became solemn. He cleared his throat and said, “The scouts have just reported that the Goryeo army will arrive tomorrow. Now that we have artillery, our tactics must change accordingly. We no longer need to fight the arduous blocking battles of the past; we can let them in. The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Regiments will face the enemy in a fan-shaped formation tomorrow, fully utilizing the power of our artillery to deliver a crushing blow. The 7th and 8th Regiments, you are responsible for protecting the flanks, remaining vigilant at all times to prevent them from launching a surprise attack. Do you all understand?” The generals responded in unison, “Understood!” Their voices resounded throughout the hall, filled with confidence and fighting spirit. “Alright, go and prepare.” Commander Jin waved his hand, and the generals quickly dispersed, each heading to their posts to make final preparations for the upcoming battle.

On the vast plains, the Goryeo army surged forward like a tidal wave, their might so immense that the earth seemed to tremble slightly with each step. At the very front of the column, a general rode a magnificent, powerful horse, exuding an aura of authority and confidence. He wore splendid armor, its metallic sheen gleaming in the sunlight, and the sword at his waist seemed to proclaim his extraordinary status. At this moment, his heart was filled with unwavering confidence in victory. In his mind, his forces outnumbered the enemy by more than tenfold, and this battle would undoubtedly be an easy crushing defeat. He even began to fantasize about how the king would reward him after the battle—would he be promoted, bestowed with countless treasures of gold and silver, or even granted a vast territory? Thinking of these things, a smug smile crept onto his lips.

However, just as he was immersed in his pleasant fantasy, a deafening roar shattered the tranquility. A hundred feet ahead, a massive cloud of dust rose into the sky like a mushroom, accompanied by a deafening boom that shook the ground. This sudden turn of events instantly snapped the general back to his senses. Startled, he immediately waved for his army to halt. After a brief moment of astonishment, he reacted swiftly, dispatching a troop of elite personal guards at breakneck speed to scout ahead.

The guards sped off like arrows, moving with incredible speed. They returned shortly after, bringing a letter. The general frowned, snatched the letter, and quickly began to read. The contents of the letter instantly froze his smug expression, replacing it with fury. He angrily crumpled the letter into a ball and threw it away, simultaneously drawing his sharp sword from his waist, raising it high, and shouting, "Hmph, utterly arrogant! Issue the order: full speed ahead! Today, these Song soldiers will not return alive! This will be their burial ground!" With his command given, the Goryeo army stirred once more, charging towards the Song army's positions ahead.

Ten li, eight li, five li… The Goryeo cavalry charged forward menacingly, their hooves kicking up clouds of dust that blotted out the sun. On the Song army's side, they were already on high alert. Every soldier's expression was serious, their eyes resolute, their gaze fixed on the approaching enemy. The artillerymen stood beside their cannons, ready to deliver a fatal blow at any moment. “Report! The enemy is within firing range! Requesting instructions!” A messenger rushed to the Jin commander, knelt on one knee, and loudly reported.

Jin Shuai's lips curled slightly into a confident smile as he slowly said, "Since they refuse to listen to advice and remain obstinate, let them witness the might of my Great Song Heavenly Army! Pass down the order: the three armies, according to the battlefield situation, will give them a severe beating, making them pay the price for their arrogance and learn a lesson!" "Yes, sir!" The messenger received the order and immediately turned and ran off to relay it.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!" In an instant, three miles outside Incheon, the sound of cannons roared, echoing across the sky. Cannons roared, spewing orange-red flames, and cannonballs streaked across the sky like meteors, landing precisely on the Goryeo cavalry ranks. Flames soared into the sky, smoke filled the air, and the deafening explosions pierced the ears. Under the intense bombardment, the Goryeo cavalry fell into chaos; horses neighed, and soldiers screamed. In just half an hour of relentless bombardment, Goryeo's 30,000 cavalrymen were wiped out. The battlefield lay in ruins, littered with countless corpses and wounded horses.

Only the general who led the troop, under the desperate protection of his personal guards, led a thousand cavalrymen back to the main army in a disheveled state. Pale-faced and still shaken, he recounted the horrific scene he had just witnessed to the leading general, the shocking sight still vivid in his mind's eye.

"Report!" The messenger rushed into the tent, saluted, and reported in a loud voice, "The commanders of the left and right flanks have advanced rapidly according to the plan and are currently engaged with the enemy!" Inside the tent, Marshal Jin was intently studying the military map spread out on the table. Hearing this, he nodded slightly, his gaze still fixed on the map, and slowly said, "Heh, they certainly know how to seize opportunities. Immediately relay my orders to them: be mindful of ammunition consumption and avoid waste. In combat, keep the enemy at bay and don't rush things. Absolutely no reckless advances are allowed. The enemy numbers are numerous; do not risk being caught in a dangerous situation due to momentary impulse." The messenger accepted the order, turned like a whirlwind, and quickly ran out of the tent to relay Marshal Jin's instructions.

Time flies like an arrow; three days passed swiftly amidst the intense and fierce fighting. Under the orderly and relentless harassment of General Kim's army, the Goryeo army's defenses, like a dam breached by a flood, began to crumble and retreat step by step. These three days were like a nightmare for the Goryeo army. The artillery under General Kim's command was like the scythe of death, constantly reaping their lives. Every boom of artillery was accompanied by a rain of blood, and a number of figures fell on the Goryeo army's positions.

According to incomplete statistics, in the three days of shelling, the Goryeo army suffered more than 20,000 casualties, while the number of wounded was more than three times the number of dead. The once mighty army now had fewer than 110,000 soldiers still capable of fighting. Seeing this rapidly dwindling number, a deep fear welled up in the hearts of the Goryeo generals. Their army of over 100,000 had been utterly defeated by a Song army of less than 10,000, like lambs to the slaughter. They didn't even have a chance to engage the Song army in close combat; they could only watch helplessly as their comrades fell from beyond the range of the artillery.

The Goryeo generals were extremely anxious, holding numerous military conferences in hopes of brainstorming and devising an effective strategy against the enemy. However, each meeting ended in failure. The generals looked at each other, offering their opinions, but still couldn't find a way to turn the tide of the war. This caused the Goryeo generals great distress; they felt as if they were trapped in a quagmire from which they couldn't escape, sinking deeper the more they struggled. Meanwhile, the Song army's harassment continued, and they didn't know how much longer they could hold out, or what the future held for the war.

After several days of fierce fighting, the Goryeo army could no longer withstand such enormous losses. Their relentless offensive, like a tidal wave, gradually lost its strength under the Song army's rock-solid defense and relentless artillery fire. After holding out for two more days, the Goryeo general, watching his forces dwindle, was filled with helplessness and bitterness, and ultimately had to make the difficult decision to retreat en masse. He knew that if they continued to fight like this, the entire army would likely be annihilated. Left with no other choice, he could only retreat to their defensive positions in order to preserve their strength.

Kim Jong-un, however, did not choose to pursue. He was well aware of the principles of warfare: never pursue a desperate enemy, and he avoided falling into an enemy ambush and incurring unnecessary losses. Therefore, he continued to lead his army to defend Incheon City, and carried out the various post-battle arrangements in an orderly manner.

At the post-battle debriefing, the atmosphere in the tent was both enthusiastic and solemn. Each general stood up in turn to share their insights and experiences from the battle. They spoke of their observations and judgments on the battlefield, or shared lessons learned in tactical execution, their words conveying both pride in the victory and reflection on shortcomings. After everyone had finished speaking, they all turned their gazes to Marshal Jin, their eyes filled with anticipation, eager to hear their commander's final summary.

Marshal Jin surveyed the expectant gazes of his generals, fully understanding their feelings. Without further ado, he cleared his throat and solemnly declared, "First, I must fully commend your actions. In this battle, everyone demonstrated extraordinary courage and outstanding military skills. In particular, the commanders on the left and right flanks displayed exquisite control over the timing of their attacks, a quality worthy of emulation." Marshal Jin's eyes revealed approval, and his voice was firm and powerful.

He paused, then continued, “The battlefield situation changes rapidly, and opportunities are fleeting. When the time is right, strike decisively; there can be no hesitation. We must skillfully guide the enemy, making them fight according to our rhythm. But at the same time, we must be flexible and adaptable, not blindly attacking while neglecting our own safety. In this attack, the left wing was initially somewhat reckless, but fortunately, they identified the problem in time and quickly corrected the pace of the attack, which was excellent. As military commanders, we must always remain clear-headed and remember that the lives of soldiers are paramount; we must never sacrifice their lives for our own medals. Every decision we make concerns the happiness and peace of countless families.” Marshal Jin’s words were sincere and deeply touched the hearts of every general.

"Bang! Bang!" In the solemn and imposing royal study of the Goryeo royal court, the Goryeo king, enraged, slammed his fist on the table, causing the writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone to jump. His eyes widened as he glared at the kneeling general before him, roaring, "Didn't you confidently declare before the campaign that this battle would be easy? Why have you returned in such a sorry state? Explain yourself!"

The general trembled with fear and knelt heavily on the ground with a thud. He lowered his head deeply, not daring to look the King of Goryeo in the eye, and said tremblingly, "Your Majesty, I am guilty and deserve to die. I beg Your Majesty to punish me severely."

The King of Goryeo paced back and forth in his study, roaring, "I don't want to hear this useless talk! I only want to hear a solution! As a general, are you just going to stand by and watch my Goryeo army suffer such a crushing defeat? You must come up with a plan for me, or I will not let you off easily!"

A few days later, on this day, the sun hung high in the sky, casting its scorching rays upon the earth without reservation. Outside Incheon City, a convoy slowly drove in. Five miles outside the city, the Goryeo envoy, dressed in magnificent and solemn attire, walked with a serious expression and steady steps toward the city gate.

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