Black Corporation: Joseon

Chapter 565

Episode 565: Disconnection. (4)

The Panok ships of the Joseon Navy sailing up the Yalu River were ships that were scheduled to be retired due to the deployment of a large number of marine rescue units while carrying out the mission of patrolling the archipelago area of the West and South Seas.

However, as Yodong’s movements became suspicious, he returned to the front line.

“Although the Yalu River is a natural defense line, it is something that hinders us even when we attack.”

“We need a way to solve this.”

In the process of searching for a suitable means, Panokseon came into view.

“Is this okay?”

– The biggest advantage of the Panokseon is that it is a flat bottom ship. Flat bottom ships have a flat bottom and low draft.

-The relatively low draft makes some movement possible even in rivers. In the case of the Panokseon, if the ballast load is reduced, it can at least go back to where Insanjin is located without difficulty.

-A flat floor keeps you level even if you inevitably or intentionally run aground. If you take advantage of this advantage, it can be used as an excellent fixed position and can also serve as a pontoon bridge for wading.

-The number of guns loaded on one Panokseon is 26, including the Eulsik Wagon. If at least 10 ships enter, it can become a powerful enough force.

According to this decision, the retirement of Panokseon was temporarily suspended and they were gathered at Gyeonggi Suyeong and Hwanghae Suyeong.

The Joseon navy, which had assembled the Panokseon, carried out extensive repairs and various modifications at the same time.

And as soon as the battle broke out in Insanjin, the Panok ships so prepared were dispatched.

The Panokseon fleet that first gathered at the mouth of the Yalu River began preparing to go up the Yalu River.

“Throw away the floor luggage!”

“yes!”

Following the captain’s orders, the soldiers began to take out the concrete blocks from the ship’s berth one by one and throw them into the sea.

After confirming that the weight of the Panokseon had become reasonably light, the captains gave the following orders.

“Turn the engine back!”

“ancient!”

Following the commands of the captains, the stokers aboard began to operate the steam engine.

* * *

Among the improvements made for this battle, the highlight was the installation of a steam engine.

It was not as large as the engines mounted on sailing ships traveling on the Northern Sea Route or the engines on iron horses, but rather was equipped with a small steam engine for a gun towing vehicle.

The steam engine located at the rear of the first deck of the Panokseon was equipped with a power distribution device containing a dozen gear wheels. There were two long iron bars attached to the output distribution device, and the bars inclined toward the water. At the end of the iron bar that entered the water at an angle like that was a pinwheel-type propeller.

It was a makeshift device because there was not enough time to modify it like the model ships operated in the north.

However, the results of making and testing a prototype were evaluated as usable. According to the experiment in Hansu, it was slow but steady, moving back against Hansu.

“It’s enough to mobilize the troops there!”

* * *

When the steam pressure of the steam engine rose sufficiently, the stokers moved the lever to activate the power distribution device.

The panok ships began to move as the screw turned and soon began to move up the Yalu River.

The target was Insanjin, 80 ri (about 32 km) away.

* * *

If the left wing of the Joseon army was the Panokseon fleet, the right wing was the cavalry of the Joseon army.

The size of the cavalry mobilized in this battle was about 35,000 men in two divisions. Looking at the numbers alone, it was weak enough to be called a large army, but if you look at its power alone, it was a size that could be called the strongest.

The reason for this evaluation was that they were cavalry and operated a large amount of artillery.

* * *

According to the reform of the Joseon army planned and seasoned by King Sejong, the core of the Joseon army’s power was artillery, and musketry and cavalry supported it.

-Considering the state of Joseon, we cannot just increase the number of soldiers.

-When a war involving the survival of the nation occurs, strength is increased through the conscription of reserve forces, but in normal times, maximum strength must be extracted from an appropriate number of troops.

-Considering the above conditions and the increasingly expanding power of Joseon, a unit with strong mobility and firepower should be the core of the military.

According to this decision, the Joseon Land Guard was divided into two.

“Prepare for the assault!”

“Prepare for the assault!”

Before their cries could finish, the Joseon Army cavalry began charging.

Doo doo doo doo!

As thousands of cavalry charged at once, a heavy rumble shook the ground.

The soldiers of the Liaodong Army, who formed a square according to orders, swallowed dry saliva while clutching their iron guns and spears and waited for the Joseon army to charge.

As the sight of the cavalry aiming the long spears unique to the Joseon Army cavalry grew larger, soldiers with iron guns aimed at them.

At that moment, what struck them was the Bigyeokjincheonroe.

Kwakwakwak!

The explosion of the bigyeokjincheonroe collapsed the square in an instant, and the long spears of the Joseon army cavalry pierced them.

“The Joseon bastards’ feet are tied up! Strike!”

“We have to tie up their feet to prevent a second attack!”

“Wow!”

The first line of defense collapsed due to the charge of the Joseon Army cavalry, but the cavalry’s speed also decreased. Accordingly, the commanders of the second defense line gave orders to catch the Joseon Army cavalry that was trying to escape to the side.

The life of the cavalry was speed. Capturing them would have resulted in the loss of the greatest weapon, and it would also have prevented the second attack of the Joseon Army cavalry that would follow.

In response, the Liaodong Army soldiers shouted and rushed toward the nearby Joseon Army cavalry.

“no! Get back! “Go away!”

The Jurchen veterans shouted to fall back, but it was too late. The favorite weapon of the Joseon Army cavalry began to breathe fire.

Bang bang bang bang!

The 6-barreled mounted gun began to fire as if possessed, and the Liaodong soldiers who had gathered around fell to the ground. Other Liaodong Army soldiers hesitated at the sight, and the Joseon Army cavalry escaped to the side without taking advantage of the opportunity.

As the first attack force escaped, the second attack force attacked the Liaodong Army.

* * *

Under the attacks of the Joseon cavalry and the Joseon navy, the Liaodong army gradually began to collapse.

The Liaodong army, which had already crossed the river and attacked Insanjin’s trench line, fell into panic, from soldiers to commanders.

The Joseon army’s trench, which seemed like it could be breached with just a little more effort, was soon crowded with new Joseon soldiers and was pushing them out.

The reinforcements who were supposed to support them were being turned into meat in the middle of the Yalu River.

At the main camp across the river, pillars of fire were rising from all directions.

“It won’t work!” “Let’s run away!”

“Retreat! retreat!”

When the soldiers realized that something had gone wrong, they turned their backs and started running away.

“Stop!”

“Defend that position! “Defend!”

The commanders shouted loudly to stop the soldiers retreating. They even cut down the deserting soldiers and forced them to defend themselves, but they were buried by the retreating soldiers.

The collapse that started like that soon spread throughout the entire front.

“Retreat!”

“Run away!”

Many soldiers turned and ran toward the Yalu River, screaming loudly.

As such a disorderly retreat took place, the middle of the Yalu River turned into hell.

A situation of stagnation occurred as the soldiers who had stopped under the attack of the Panokseon and the soldiers who had run away became entangled.

And the soldiers who became entangled like this became delicious prey for the Eulsikhwacha.

“You bastards! “I know someone will just let me go!”

“Bring all the ammunition you have!”

The Joseon army, which had reached its peak, pulled the trigger like crazy towards the Liaodong army entangled in the middle of the river.