latelenovela Chapter 361 Li Family Army's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and Aid to Korea
Chapter 361 Li Family Army's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and Aid to Korea
As dawn broke the following day, the iron hooves of the Fusang army shattered the tranquility before Changyuan City, and a long-planned siege quietly began. Countless Fusang warriors, carrying hastily forged ladders on their shoulders, surged towards the towering city walls like a pack of wild beasts driven by fanaticism, their eyes gleaming with a thirst for victory and a greed for spoils.
At the very moment dawn broke, the voice of the Japanese general Inoshita Nobuyuki pierced through the clamor, like a cold blade cutting through the sky. He made a promise that ignited a burning desire in the hearts of his soldiers—once the walls of Changyuan Castle fell, all the gold, silver, treasures, and beautiful women within would be theirs to plunder at will. These words were like a drop of cold water falling into a boiling oil pan, instantly igniting a fervent response from the Japanese soldiers, completely setting their greed ablaze.
Recalling the previous night, the high-ranking officers had enjoyed the women they had abducted from Goryeo in their tents. Although the women's faces were vastly different from Japanese aesthetics—broad faces, high cheekbones, and exotic features—this did not diminish the soldiers' anticipation of the impending "reward." On this war-torn land, human greed and desire were amplified to an extreme, and Changwon City stood silently at the crossroads of fate, awaiting its unknown judgment.
These Japanese armies were clearly hierarchical, with generals including commanders-in-chief, vice-commanders, strategists, military advisors, and military commissioners, while independent legions included generals such as samurai, spearmen, and archers.
Soldiers were divided into foot soldiers, archers, and cavalry based on their weaponry. Foot soldiers were the most basic infantry, and they mostly came from poor farmers. They were an important part of the Fusang army, but also the lowest-ranking members of the army.
Compared to the foot soldiers, the archers undoubtedly held a slight advantage; they were practically professional warriors of the Fusang land. Years of archery practice had endowed them with superb skills in long-range combat on the battlefield, enabling them to play a crucial role in engagements.
As for the cavalry, they were mostly composed of Japanese warriors. Although they were not among the nobility, they enjoyed a unique honor and status based on their glory and achievements on the battlefield.
A fierce general clad in armor and wearing a demon mask suddenly drew his gleaming samurai sword from his waist, the tip of which pointed like an arrow at the towering walls of Changyuan City. A thunderous roar pierced the smoke of battle: "Charge! Go!"
At this moment, the iron hooves of the Japanese army were launching a fierce attack on the south gate. Park Man-in, the Goryeo general defending the city, sweat streamed down his resolute face, but he paid no heed. His deep voice echoed across the city walls, stirring the hearts of every warrior: "Good men of Goryeo, look at this city! Within it lie our dearest families and beloved sisters. For their smiles, for the peace of this land, we swear to defend Changwon City to the death!"
"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!..."
Amidst a deafening cloud of smoke, a barrage of divine arrows streaked across the sky and rained down upon the Fusang army. The Fusang warriors who had been laughing at the Goryeo archers for their lack of power just yesterday were now riddled with arrows from the sky, their bamboo armor offering no protection whatsoever.
In the afternoon, 10,000 reinforcements from Daegu, Goryeo, finally arrived at the north gate, but they encountered a fierce attack from the Fusang army and were unable to meet with the Goryeo garrison inside the city for the time being.
Inside the solemn and somber hall of the Gaegyeong Palace, the King of Goryeo stood furiously on a high platform, his piercing gaze sweeping over the trembling civil and military officials below. His voice echoed in the empty hall, filled with barely suppressed indignation: "Ah, you all swore solemnly and confidently that the Kingdom of Fusang would never lightly start a war or invade our territory! Now, our northern border is embroiled in a fierce battle with the Jin Kingdom, and our elite troops have been deployed in full force. Tell me, from where shall I send troops to defend against the invasion of the Fusang invaders?"
A high-ranking official knelt on the ground, his voice filled with determination and hope, and shouted: "Your Majesty, the situation is urgent. Our only hope is to seek help from the Li family army of China. As far as I know, the Li family army has an incomparably strong naval force, which is no match for even the powerful Jin navy."
Upon hearing this, another minister, with a resolute expression, continued, "Your Majesty, I will immediately begin preparations, mobilize the people of Goryeo, and build a brand-new army. I firmly believe that as long as we are united, we will be able to build an unbreakable defense line and keep those Japanese invaders out of our country."
At a critical juncture for the Goryeo Kingdom, a letter filled with a plea for help quietly set sail from Fuju. Fuju, once an obscure city, had transformed into a shining pearl in Goryeo's foreign relations, playing a particularly crucial role in trade with the Yi family army. The azure Bohai Bay gently embraced Fuju, as if nature had specially laid a bridge connecting the prosperity and hope of both sides.
The precious ginseng of Goryeo, like a spirit of the earth, and the abundance of seafood from the sea, traveled together on merchant ships, traversing the shimmering waters, and finally reaching the city of Binju on the opposite shore. There, the Li family army gathered supplies, and it served as a window into the exchange between Goryeo and Central Plains civilizations. The returning ships were laden with the generous gifts of the Li family army: heavy loads of grain, the foundation of survival; and sophisticated weaponry, the sharp sword to defend their homeland. Together, they sailed towards the harbor of Goryeo, providing inexhaustible strength to resist the iron hooves of the Jin dynasty.
Three days later, Li Zhen slowly unfurled the heavy letter pleading for help. The urgency and despair conveyed between the lines were as chilling as a cold wind. He discussed the matter in detail with several shrewd and resourceful advisors in his tent, and finally slammed his fist on the table, making a momentous decision—to march eastward and aid Korea in its fight against the Japanese pirates!
At that time, the Li family army's iron hooves had long been silent on the western, southern, and northern battlefields. The former flames of war had been replaced by today's tranquility and peace, leaving a large number of brave and skilled soldiers idle and without opportunity to use their talents. This time, Li Zhen, with his keen insight, entrusted Yue Peng with an important task, ordering him to personally lead that newly emerging and increasingly powerful navy to set sail and head straight for Goryeo.
The purpose of this trip is twofold: first, to join hands with the warriors of Goryeo to fight against the Japanese invaders and safeguard the peace and dignity of that distant land; second, to take advantage of this opportunity for practical combat to test the navy's prowess, because only through the baptism of war and storms can a truly steel-willed army be forged, allowing the prestige of the Lee family's navy to resound throughout the world, fearless of any challenge.
This decision not only demonstrated Li Zhen's foresight as commander-in-chief, but also foreshadowed the beginning of a magnificent maritime expedition, leaving an indelible mark on the course of history because of this battle.