Beginning with the Ubume Bird Chapter 64 – Chapter 64: Chapter 18 The Enemy Approaching the City

Chapter 64: Chapter 18 The Enemy Approaching the City

The bugle call waned, with heavy footsteps, shouting, and the clinking of armor all melding into one, the camp was a scene of haste.

“General Li, General Li.”

Song Zhongji looked around to see no one else, grasped the hem of his robe, and hurriedly ran to Li Yan's side.

Li Yan and the others were currently changing into their armor, getting ready to depart, and couldn't help but smile when they saw him coming.

“Isn't this Song Translator? What are you doing here instead of running around the Joseon camp? Hey, Tianxiong, have you seen my boots?”

“Listen to me.”

He grabbed a ladle, scooped up a gulp of cold water, and stuttered as he followed Li Yan, who was searching for his boots in the tent.

“Whom did you write about?”

“What do you mean ‘whom did I write about'?” Li Yan did not understand.

“How could you not know? The Kobayakawa Masakazu you killed is the most beloved grandson of Mori, one of the Five Elders of Toyotomi. The report of your military achievements is now pressing on Governor Li's desk; the documents recommending you have almost reached Yizhou.”

Li Yan paused, “The military exploits haven't been sent back yet, how could they be recommending me… Oh.”

His mind was quick, and he naturally understood.

Kobayakawa Masakazu was considered a great start for Great Ming since entering Joseon. If it were during the Battle of Pyongyang, perhaps his death wouldn't count for much. But at this particular moment, his demise was a rare opportunity. Such a meritorious deed would not let only one person take all the credit.

If the recommendation came after the report of military exploits, naturally, no one else could share a bit of this merit. But if one were promoted first and then the military exploits were reported, it meant that the person who promoted Li Yan had the vision to recognize talent—the newly promoted talent was able to make remarkable achievements immediately. Compared to this, the merit that Li Yan risked his life to earn would naturally seem much less significant.

In Song Translator's view, the name that should appear on the promotion document should of course be written by Li Yan himself, whether it named his old superior Zu Chengxun or someone else.

But as someone born and bred in the Celestial Empire, Li Yan understood naturally. With such convoluted manipulations, what say did he, a subordinate, have in the matter? The mere notification from his superiors was already a great honor given to him.

Li Yan didn't feel indignant. As the overall situation was already decided, it was better to think about what benefits he could gain from it.

“There's no final decision on this matter yet. Did you come just to tell me this?”

His attitude became much kinder.

“Listen,” Song Translator's face was solemn, “Tomorrow the great army will attack Pyongyang. Before dusk, the Lord Governor will promote you to Ninth Grade Patrol Inspector in front of the troops, and you will choose your division to follow. Remember, one is the five thousand Qi Family Army under the Chief Military Officer of Ji Town, Wu Weizhong, and the other is one and a half thousand elite cavalry under the Xuanfu Assault Commander Zhang Jie. You must choose one of these two forces to join your post and achieve remarkable deeds.”

Li Yan's body stiffened, and his eyes sharpened.

“How do you know this?”

“This morning, Minister Liu Chenglong from Joseon and your Ming Army Governor discussed the attack on Pyongyang; I was also present at the meeting.”

“Heh.” Li Yan sat on the couch. “Then why are you telling me this?”

Song Translator was somewhat annoyed.

“I'm taking the risk of losing my head by telling you this.”

“So, what do you want?” Li Yan also furrowed his brows, “Having returned to the Joseon officialdom, why bother with us rough folks? A great battle is imminent; I don't have time to beat around the bush with you. If you want me to do something, just say it outright.”

“You, you!”

Song Translator was left speechless with frustration.

“I thought about the life and death we've shared and took great risks to tell you this. Well, just consider it a bout of foolishness on my part, and this trip was in vain.”

With that, he waved his sleeve as if to leave.

Li Yan's eyes flickered for a while but eventually, he held him back and bowed with a smile.

“I'm a simple man, not good with words. Brother Song, please don't take offense. I will remember today's encounter with deep gratitude. If there's ever a day you need my help, just ask.”

Song Translator left in a huff, and Li Yan quietly contemplated after sending him off with a few words.

“Ninth Grade Patrol Inspector? Chief Military Officer of Ji Town? Xuanfu Assault Commander?”

…

The wine cup fell to the ground, with the dark-red wine and moss-green shards scattering everywhere.

Konishi Yukinaga stood atop a tall building, dressed in brocade and with two short guns at his waist, pinching a letter between his fingers, his eyes bloodshot.

This letter was shot into the city gates from outside just after midday, its handwriting bold and brimming with murderous intent.

“Marching hastily to the river's edge by night, saying that the Three Korean States are unsettled.

The Ming ruler's banners stand majestic by day; the heroes unleash joyful toasts by night.

Spring brings strong hearts with killing force; arriving here with a chill not yet left from the spectral miasma.

Victory is not just talk, jest, and calculation; in dreams, I often recall riding over the battle saddle!”

Konishi Yukinaga read and remained silent for a long time, while from behind the castle's battlements in the distance, the desperate shouts of the Japanese defenders could be heard.

The Ming Army had arrived.

Before the hour of Shen had ended, the vanguard of the Ming central army galloped past the gates of Pyongyang City—Ordinary Gate, Mitai Gate, Changqing Gate, Seven-Star Gate, Zhengyang Gate, Hanian Gate… Under the Japanese longbows and firearms, the cavalry divided into squads, and after passing each gate, a thousand-strong squad was left behind, the rest of the army pressing on.

Snowflakes swirled down from the sky, and the north wind howled. Amid the long, dull bugle calls, the sound of horses' hooves, footsteps, and wagon wheels were like thunderclouds rolling in.

The army of Ming Country, twenty thousand strong, and three thousand Joseon troops, had Pyongyang City sewn up tight!

Shen Heyan stood at the front of the formation, less than ten steps away from the enemy's bow range, with restless warhorses neighing behind him and a forest of swords and spears looming tall. The enormous iron spear before him was filled with an oppressive visual impact.

…

In front of the troops, Li Rusong adjusted his helmet and armor, his eyes clear and piercing as if he possessed divine radiance.

Li Yan, wearing chain mail, was inconspicuous among the crowd. He listened quietly as Li Rusong arranged the troops and issued commands, bursting with vigor. Suddenly, a name leaped into his ears.

“Where is Li Yan, former Chief Banner of the Chengwuwei?

Everyone's gaze simultaneously turned to him.

Li Yan showed no sign of panic, leaping up and kneeling on one knee.

“This subordinate is here.”

“You have made meritorious contributions by killing enemies when returning to camp. I plan to report this to the court and grant you the position of Patrol Inspector of Long'an Prefecture. During wartime, you will join the Right Army with twenty men under your command. Speak freely if you have a preference for any particular division.”

Li Yan stood up but immediately bowed deeply to the ground.

“Being able to kill enemies for our nation makes everyone a true hero. I dare not hold any disdain or pickiness. The only matter I wish to speak about concerns the position of Patrol Inspector.”

His words made everyone present furrow their brows. Yi Yu was holding a celadon tea cup, and with a snap, the lid crashed onto the cup. He shook his wrist nonchalantly and remained silent.

“Speak your mind,” Li Rusong said, his face as still as water.

“Killing enemies when returning to camp was done together with my brothers under my command. When I led them back, I vowed that each one would be a Banner Officer. Now that I have been promoted and my rank has risen, yet several of my brothers have not received their due positions, I dare not accept this job.”

“What do you mean by that?”

At first, Li Rusong thought Li Yan was unhappy with the insignificance of the official position offered to him. But now, it didn't seem to be the case.

“I am willing to trade this ninth-rank Patrol Inspector position for five of my brothers to each be granted the position of Banner Officer.”

A buzz went through the seated officers at his words.

“Do you realize that a Banner Officer does not belong to any rank and is merely a commoner? They can be dismissed at any time. Besides, you have risked your life, and you are actually giving away your credit just like that,” someone said.

“If I don't do this, I cannot face the three brothers who died along the way,” Li Yan said with firm resolve.

Vice General Yang Yuan nodded slightly, admiringly exclaiming, “He is a real man.”

Li Rusong now found himself with a headache. Li Yan's request seemed justified and righteous; it was difficult for him to refuse. To others, it looked like he was giving up his official status and taking a loss.

But anyway, granting the positions of five Banner Officers, even if each commanded a full complement of fifty men as a Chief Banner, that would amount to two hundred and fifty men. Even if each commanded only twenty to thirty men as a minor banner, that still added up to a substantial number of more than one hundred men!

To the seated generals, the more prominent ones were local Deputy Commanders with a thousand to several thousand men under their command, and those of lesser status were fifth or sixth-rank military officers with hundreds of foot soldiers and cavalry, ranging from as few as four or five hundred to as many as seven or eight hundred.

Even if it were only temporary, with these words of Li Yan, he would be giving away the equivalent of nearly half of a sixth-rank general's troops in this battle.

As he hesitated, Song Yingchang spoke up:

“To have such a loyal and righteous Chief Banner is really rare. Lord Governor, I think it's okay to agree to his request.”

Seeing even the Minister of War, Song Yingchang, speaking up for him, Li Rusong also nodded slightly. Deciding to be generous, he allocated to Li Yan the positions of two Chief Banners and three minor Banners, a total of one hundred and sixty men. Coupled with Li Yan's own position as Chief Banner, he now had command over two hundred and ten men.

How many men can a ninth-rank Patrol Inspector have under his command?

At most thirty, which isn't as many as his own Chief Flag Officer position; the Dragon Tiger Qi? He will have it sooner or later; it doesn't look good to be covetous, does it?

“Wu Weizhong, Chief Military Officer of Ji Town, where are you?” Li Rusong asked.

“Your subordinate is here,” came the reply.

A military officer came forward from the crowd.

“The walls of Pyongyang City are high and thick, in harmony with Peony Peak to the north. To conquer Pyongyang, Peony Peak must be taken first. At dawn tomorrow when we attack the city, you will lead five thousand infantry to assault Peony Peak.”

“Your subordinate obeys.”

Having said this, Li Rusong turned and spoke, “Where is Xuanfu Assault Commander Zhang Jie?”

“Your subordinate leads one thousand five hundred men to dress in Joseon civilian clothes and meet up with Governor Li Yi's forces at the southwest city gate. The Japanese do not respect Joseon's military strength; they will surely underestimate it. Tomorrow during the attack on the city, you will join the Joseon Army to secretly make your way to the gates of Pyongyang City. At that moment, reveal the Ming Army's flags and catch them off guard with a surprise attack.”

“Your subordinate obeys.”

“Center Army Yang Yuan and Right Army Shen Heyan to lead five thousand men to attack the Seven-Star Gate, armed with twenty Great General Cannons and fifty Tiger Cask Cannons. Left Army Li Rubo and Brigadier Li Fangchun to lead five thousand men to attack the Ordinary Gate, with ten Great General Cannons and thirty Tiger Cask Cannons. I will personally lead the main force and the Shenji Camp's Bird Gun squad for the push.”

“Heyan,” Li Rusong continued, “I suspect Konishi Yukinaga will attack our camp tonight. You take eight hundred Fire Bow Soldiers from the Right Army to set an ambush and ensure he has no return.”

“Your subordinate obeys.”

Shen Heyan grinned widely.

Li Rusong glanced at Li Yan. “Tonight, you will also join Heyan on this mission.”

Li Yan bowed his head deeply.

“Your subordinate obeys…”

Chapter end