Chapter 850

Edo Ichiaki raised his katana high and roared.

The Japanese soldiers in Suwon City, under his command, desperately charged from the city towards the Goryeo soldiers in the trenches.

This was their last desperate struggle. Success or failure depended on this one action. If they won, they might be able to return to Japan, but if they lost, they would be buried in southern Goryeo.

Facing the frenzied Japanese soldiers, the Goryeo soldiers in the trenches gripped their weapons tightly. They were scared now, but they were more afraid of the Great Yu Empire soldiers standing behind them.

Without their command, they could only fight to the death. Fortunately, the trenches prevented the Japanese soldiers from using their matchlock guns.

Now, they could only use their firearms as clubs.

After a fierce charge, the two armies finally clashed. Goryeo soldiers raised their swords and fought fiercely with the Japanese soldiers.

Eighty thousand against thirty thousand, the entire battlefield was immediately filled with curses, wails, and screams.

Ye Qingyun and Qu Dong led their troops in formation behind the trenches. They observed the battle situation, ready to support the Goryeo army at any time.

“It seems we don’t need to act,” Qu Dong concluded. The Japanese army, besieged for half a month, was clearly in disarray now.

At this point, they seemed more driven by instinct for survival than by a method for killing the enemy.

After contact, although the Japanese soldiers were very brave, they suffered heavy casualties against an enemy several times their number.

Many Japanese soldiers who entered the trenches never came out again. Conversely, the Goryeo soldiers fought with increasing vigor. Some soldiers even climbed out of the trenches to engage the Japanese soldiers in bloody combat.

Ye Qingyun nodded, “We might have overestimated the amount of grain and fodder in the city. These Japanese soldiers are probably starving for days. Although they look fierce, it’s just a last burst of energy.”

Just as the two said, the Japanese army was indeed hungry and exhausted. Edo Ichiaki could no longer control the chaos in the army, which was why he issued the order to charge out of the city and fight to the death.

However, just as he thought, the outcome of the war was already determined.

“Kill!”

Suddenly, roars echoed from the trench positions. The Goryeo soldiers, their morale greatly boosted after gaining the upper hand, charged towards the city under the leadership of their generals.

Losing southern Goryeo had always been a humiliation in the hearts of these generals. Now that they had found an opportunity for revenge, they were even fiercer than the Great Yu Empire’s army.

“These bastards!”

Edo Ichiaki almost ground his teeth. He knew the Goryeo soldiers’ nature well. When they plundered the Great Yu Empire’s coast, the Goryeo people, disguised as pirates, were even more ferocious than they were.

They were like vicious dogs. Once they found a master, they would, emboldened by their master’s authority, commit even crueler acts than their master.

Koizumi Junichi gripped the katana at his waist. He said, “My Lord Flag-Leader, let me fight alongside you one last time.”

Edo Ichiaki sighed to the sky. In just two years, Goryeo’s situation had rapidly deteriorated, all because of the Great Yu Empire.

Now, he was not worried about the defeat in Goryeo, but about the future fate of his country.

“Kill…”

The sounds of battle grew closer. Edo Ichiaki then drew his katana. He and Koizumi Junichi descended the city wall and joined the melee.

Outside the city, Ye Qingyun then issued the order to advance. They now had a complete advantage and there was no need to wait any longer.

Time was precious for them. They did not want to waste any more time on Suwon City. After all, there were still many things awaiting them.

Eight thousand musketeers joined the battle, and the scales of war further tilted towards the Great Yu Empire. They were like tigers entering a flock of sheep. Wherever they went, Japanese soldiers scattered and fled.

Following the Goryeo soldiers, they charged into the city. The eight thousand men sometimes formed squads to fire, and at other times raised their bayonet-fixed firearms to fight the Japanese soldiers.

The Great Yu Empire’s firearms were already formidable. Coupled with the soldiers’ skilled bayonet techniques, ordinary Japanese soldiers were no match at all. Only some samurai could fight for a few rounds with Great Yu Empire soldiers.

Facing the Great Yu Empire’s brutal fighting style, the already disorganized Japanese soldiers faltered even more, suffering heavy casualties.

Soon, the war became one-sided.

The fighting continued from noon until night. When the last ray of sunset disappeared, the Great Yu Empire soldiers planted their dragon flag on the city wall of Suwon City.

“Army Commander, the body of Suwon City’s flag-leader, Edo Ichiaki, has been found. And we also captured the samurai Koizumi Junichi, who was with him. At that time, he was preparing to commit seppuku.”

Night fell. Qu Dong reported the day’s battle results to Ye Qingyun.

“Seppuku?” Ye Qingyun showed a playful expression. He said, “Bring him in. It’s not too late for him to commit seppuku after he returns to Japan. I have a message for their Lord Yamada to deliver.”

“Yes, Army Commander.” Qu Dong left. Soon after, he brought in a disheveled Koizumi Junichi.

Glancing at Koizumi Junichi, Ye Qingyun said bluntly, “Your flag-leader Edo Ichiaki was also a hero. I can allow you to take his body back to Japan. However, when you return, give Yamada a message: tell him this is just the beginning. If he is sensible, he should learn from the King of Goryeo and submit to the Great Yu Empire early. Otherwise, Edo Ichiaki’s today will be his tomorrow.”

After Ye Qingyun finished speaking, the translator conveyed the words to Koizumi Junichi.

At this moment, Koizumi Junichi was distraught. Everything that happened on the battlefield today made him clearly understand the disparity between Japan and the Great Yu Empire’s army.

The Great Yu Empire was now strong, not the weak nation they used to think they could easily mock.

And as samurai, they inherently revered the strong.

So, when Ye Qingyun spoke, his heart was filled only with awe.

“I will convey your words to Lord Yamada,” Koizumi Junichi said solemnly. He understood that returning meant death for him.

But he had to tell Lord Yamada everything he had seen in Goryeo. This was the responsibility of a samurai.

Ye Qingyun nodded in satisfaction. Waving his hand, he dismissed Koizumi Junichi.

After Koizumi Junichi’s figure disappeared, Ye Qingyun said to Qu Dong, “Suwon City has fallen. Japan has failed in southern Goryeo. Next is the complete recovery of southern Goryeo. Tomorrow, you will lead a contingent to continue southward and assist Li Cheng-jae in taking southern Goryeo as soon as possible. Currently, domestic grain and mineral resources are not very abundant, and His Majesty hopes that Goryeo will soon provide various supplies to the homeland.”

Qu Dong’s body immediately straightened. In their hearts, Xiao Ming was not only their Emperor but also the dean of the military academy.

For them, Xiao Ming’s orders were sacred and inviolable. This was recognized by every student who graduated from the military academy.

Having finished this matter, Ye Qingyun began to carefully study the map of Japan. From ancient times until now, the Central Plains army had never set foot in Japan.

Perhaps he could become that precedent.

The novel has already been fully translated up to the final chapter. You can access it on my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/caleredhair