The Commander Chen's series of Chinese-style lenient moves filled the military camp with an unpleasant atmosphere.
We live in this world, don't we? It's all about three things: being cowardly enough, not being loyal, and stabbing your brothers in the back.
War is just like this, isn't it? Running away isn't called running away, it's called strategic retreat; defeat isn't called defeat, it's called tactical transfer.
It's more exciting to fight when you're outmatched, it's all about that feeling of powerlessness in a desperate situation. Otherwise, how can you appreciate the exhilaration of a comeback? Wouldn't you agree, Lord Yang?
After Commander Chen finished speaking, Yang Hao's face turned as black as an African slave. He immediately stormed off, and the atmosphere in the military camp instantly became more cheerful.
After the cheerfulness, it was time to think about how to fight the subsequent battles. Now that Kaicheng had been recaptured, two out of the three capitals of Joseon were in hand, and half of Hwanghae Island was liberated. However, if Gangwon Province in the east was not resolved, this war would never end.
At this moment, seeing Yang Hao being ridiculed, the other person in charge, the Minister of War and Governor Xing Jie, who had been silent all along, finally spoke:
"Let's put Lord Yang's matters aside for now. There are more important things at hand."
He drew everyone's attention to the large map and indicated to Chen Lin that since Chen Lin had been the most sarcastic, he should now propose how to fight, as he was the newly appointed Generalissimo for the Anti-Japanese campaign.
Chen Lin didn't mind and began to gesture, "I believe, since Wonsan City was mentioned earlier, why don't we attack Wonsan next?"
"This city is a very important route in Gangwon Province. The key cities along the eastern coast are like a lifeline, and the most crucial supply point for this lifeline is Wonsan City. This city faces the sea to the east and has a large port. With the support of the key cities along the eastern coast, supplies can be transported by sea, allowing the Japanese army to quickly deliver materials to the front lines."
"If this city is taken down, they will only be able to transport supplies by land. And the cities north of Wonsan City, such as Yonghŭng, Hamhŭng, Susŭi, and P'ungsan, which were recently captured by Kato Kiyomasa and Shimazu Yoshihiro, will immediately run out of food."
"It is already winter, and the northern part of Joseon is extremely cold. The war has been going on for a long time, and there is not much food here! The cultivated land has also been destroyed by the war! At this time, if their supplies are cut off, and they want to ensure the survival of the soldiers in these cities, they only have two options. The first is to actively attack our garrison and fight to the death! The second is to retreat to the northern port city of T'ongch'ŏn. At this time, their supplies can only be obtained from T'ongch'ŏn. Of course, this is just the first step towards their demise."
"If we capture Wonju, we can immediately attack T'ongch'ŏn directly from the sea. This way, north of Wonsan City along the eastern coast, Japan will only have two ports left, namely Kyŏngsŏng and Ch'ŏngjin in the far north! However, these two ports are too far from the Japanese mainland, and the supplies are already scarce. The cities are small and dilapidated, and they have no ability to directly cross the sea to deliver supplies. Therefore, all we need to do is take Wonju, then capture T'ongch'ŏn, and the remaining Japanese forces will all retreat to Kyŏngsŏng and Ch'ŏngjin ports in the far north. The result of a large number of defeated soldiers gathering in these two cities..."
Chen Lin: "I am a kind-hearted person, I can't bear to see so many people die by the sword, so let them starve to death this winter, I won't see it anyway."
"Besides, the Jurchen troops seem to be coming from that direction."
Xing Jie was quite worried and hesitant: "Attack Wonsan again? Wonsan was just taken down not long ago. What if we lose more troops and generals this time... As the Governor, I will be the first to be held accountable."
"My suggestion is, why not go all out and attack Wangjing from the south? This way, P'yŏngyang, Kaesŏng, and Wangjing will all be recovered, and when the messengers report back to the country, it will be presentable..."
"Face? What's the use of face? Can it bring victory? It looks good now, but if the outcome is ugly, you'll still end up in jail!"
Chen Lin said sarcastically, "Wangjing was previously the Bianduguan, where Li Rusong also stumbled. That place is not easy to attack! What if we fail to capture it and are counterattacked, what then?"
"If the navy attacks Suwon Port and lands from the south, advancing directly towards Wangjing, that would be acceptable. However, it also faces a significant challenge: on the road from Suwon to Wangjing, there are at least three dangerous cities, Yongin, Ch'uksan, and Yeoju. If we fail to capture Wangjing, the garrisons in these three cities will devour us all."
"Now they are fighting in separate detachments, and we are stretched thin. Therefore, the purpose of attacking Wonsan City is to cut off their eastern garrisons and force them to consolidate their forces. This way, it will be more convenient for us to fight and prevent our rear from being attacked. Otherwise, the Goksan direction requires a large number of troops for defense, because Wonsan is to the east of Goksan. If Goksan falls, we will be pushed to the west, and the enemy can attack us from the north, east, and south."
"We have a huge advantage! Kato Kiyomasa is dead, and Tachibana Muneshige is also dead. These two people who posed the greatest threat to us are no longer present from the beginning. Let's strike while the iron is hot and head straight for Wonsan!"
Chen Lin's words were echoed by many. The old general Deng Zilong said, "The navy is stationed in Haizhou to deter. To deter the enemy's army, one cannot take the initiative to attack. Their staying in Haizhou can tie down more enemies than attacking them."
"Wangjing is the birthplace of the Joseon kingdom's prestige. Once it falls, the Japanese army will know the consequences, which is that their 'home field' will instantly turn into an 'away field'."
"Therefore, to prevent Wangjing from being attacked by us, heavy troops must be deployed to guard it. And I believe they should have learned about the fall of two major cities and the appearance of Ming immortals. Next, the Japanese barbarians and immortals should make their move."
"Therefore, next, we might as well feint to the east and attack to the west... Ostensibly, we advance towards the Wangjing area, putting pressure on those near Wangjing so they don't easily leave their garrisons. Our actual main force will then attack Wonsan City from Goksan."
Xing Jie was suddenly excited: "Then, how many people should be sent to capture Wonsan?"
Deng Zilong and Chen Lin exchanged glances and burst into laughter.
"Only one person!" they said in unison, looking at Ji Xiang, who was watching the map nearby.
"With immortal-level combat power, why wouldn't we use it! Moreover, even if we don't attack, the North Pole True Person will go to search for the whereabouts of those sorcerers."
"Since that's the case, why don't we go with the flow!"
Xing Jie was stunned for a moment, then his expression turned somewhat displeased: "Aren't you guys just being reckless...! I mean, you're being too presumptuous! You haven't faced those barbarian immortals from Japan! With our current strength, even with the new weapons you've provided, the front line is so long, it's unlikely we can hold it!"
The Old Sword Immortal Wang and several other Wudang cultivators coughed lightly, indicating that they were also present. Although they were not at the Pure Yang realm, their Refinement of Spirit level was not weak. They were the second-tier combat power below the immortal level, so why were they being so ignored?
"Don't worry. Governor."
Ji Xiang looked at the map and explained to Xing Jie, "Seven days ago, I went to attack Tachibana Muneshige. It wasn't a chance encounter, but something I decided after investigation. Ah, speaking of investigation, I encountered a group of demons on the way, and after killing them all, I found out."
"What I did was just to tell those fake immortals in Japan one thing: I am here. Don't go anywhere else."
Xing Jie was a bit confused. Ji Xiang chuckled coldly:
"Now, at least two or three fake immortals will be attracted. Killing Tachibana Muneshige with overwhelming force was to display my power. If I don't display too much power, how will they come to stop me?"
"After all, they must attack those who have the taunting effect."
Xing Jie: "?"
Ji Xiang: "It's okay if you don't understand. In short, that's how it is. Wonsan City is now undefended for me. As for those who have gathered to kill me, assuming they have some secret method to know what happened in Wonsan City and thus know I am not here, then they will immediately launch a campaign to recapture Kaesong."
"And I will set up a grand formation here to welcome them. Don't worry, before I arrive at Wonsan City, they will definitely believe I am here because..."
As Ji Xiang spoke, the shadow behind his body suddenly writhed. The Shadow God You Huang, with another face of Ji Xiang, appeared before everyone.
While everyone marveled at the wonder, Ji Xiang secretly thought to himself.
However, those fake immortals may not be able to launch an attack. After all, that young samurai has been controlled by me using the reverse technique of inner demons. The shadow soldiers are hidden within his shadow, and now, carrying sleeping pills, they are preparing to return to Wangjing and stage a play of Qi Refinement killing Ascension Immortals!