Daming Yuanfu

Chapter 1825 Pingwo ([-]) The Battle of New South Plains

The Japanese army started dispatching from Busan in June, and gradually approached Yangsan and Xiongchuan. Since the Korean naval forces were almost wiped out and the sea area was defenseless, the Japanese army had many options to attack.

So the Japanese army divided into left and right groups and attacked from Gyeongsang-do to Jeolla-do.The right army led by Hidemoto Mori, Kato Kiyomasa, and Kuroda Nagamasa led 800 troops to Huangshi Mountain City; the left army led by Ukita Hideka led [-] troops led by Konishi Yoshihiro and Shimadzu Yoshihiro.In August, the Left Route Army captured Sacheon, Nanhai, and Gwangju and marched towards Namwon.

In the original history, in addition to the Korean army stationed in Nanyuan, there were [-] Liao soldiers (basically cavalry) led by Ming generals Yang Yuan, Li Xinfang, and Mao Chengxian, and the fierce battle of Nanyuan broke out.

There was a huge disparity in the strength of the two sides in this battle. The combined forces of Ming and North Korea totaled no more than [-], while the Japanese army was as high as [-], which was eleven times the size of the combined forces.At the same time, the Ming army was originally a cavalry, and was forced to defend the city and could not take advantage of it, which was also a major reason for the final failure.

However, there are different opinions on the reasons for the defeat in the Battle of Namwon in the original history. The official and folk theories of the Ming Dynasty and the Joseon Dynasty are inconsistent, and it is really difficult to distinguish.Fortunately, the situation is quite different at this time, so there is no need to elaborate on it.

Since there was no Ming army stationed in Nanyuan at this time, its garrisons were naturally the Korean army.Li Funan, envoy of Jeolla Province, Ren Xuan, envoy of Namwon Prefecture, garrison general Jin Jinglao, governor of Gwangyang County Li Chunyuan, accompanying envoy Zheng Qiyuan, and a total of [-] Korean troops stationed here.

Li Funan, envoy of the Quanluo Dao army, convened a meeting, and Ren Xuan, the envoy of Nanyuan Prefecture, said: "In response to the order of the envoy, the strength of Nanyuan City has been strengthened by one zhang in the past two months, and the moat has also risen to a depth of two zhang, which can be used for garrison and fortification. All the materials have been requisitioned, but there is not enough food and grass in the city, which is only enough for five days, and we have asked for food adjustments, but it has not been delivered yet."

The garrison general Jin Jinglao reported: "In Nanyuan City, there are three Shengzi artillery left by the Ming army (Note: If you readers remember the chapter where the young prince Gao Wushi went to Datong to investigate the ordnance, you should have some impressions of the artillery classification. They are now It belongs to the old-fashioned artillery of the Ming army, so it was given to North Korea by "clearing inventory"). I have transferred it to deploy in the city tower. It's just that the Shengzi artillery is relatively old, and there are no other firearms in the city. I can only hope that it can resist Enemy bandits have an effect."

Li Chunyuan, the governor of Guangyang County, also said: "All the people from the villages outside Nanyuan City have moved to Nanyuan to avoid disasters, but news has spread that the Japanese pirates are coming. There are always people who want to escape every day among the people, and there are not a few of them. It is extremely difficult. appease."

The accompanying envoy Zheng Qiyuan thought for a while, and suggested: "Nanyuan's army is short of food, and people's hearts are in turmoil. It's located in an open plain, surrounded by flat rivers. Although it's located in an important place, there is a huge difference in military strength. It's better to abandon Nanyuan and move to Jiaolongshan City, ten miles away, to garrison. The terrain of Jiaolong Mountain City is steep, easy to defend and difficult to attack, which is conducive to dealing with the enemy... What does Li Bing envoy think?"

Li Funan said no, and said: "Nanyuan City is a foreign domain of Jeolla Province, if it falls, it will endanger Jeolla Province. We are stationed here to defend Nanyuan, how can we abandon the city? Suffering a sneak attack like that in Chennian, he will surely be able to stop the Japanese pirates under the city of Nanyuan with one as ten.

At the same time, it is necessary to seek help from Quanzhou immediately. Quanzhou and Nanyuan echo each other. If Quanzhou comes to help, Nanyuan can be saved.As for Jiaolong Mountain City, it must be burned immediately! "

Elder Jin Jing asked why Jiaolong Mountain City was burned down. Li Funan said: "Compared with Jiaolong Mountain, Nanyuan City has more defensive advantages, so its existence will definitely cause the army's morale to be unstable. As long as Nanyuan City is slightly disadvantaged, they will scramble to withdraw. Going to Jiaolong Mountain City and evacuating in a panic, how can Jiaolong Mountain guard against it?

The so-called put them to death and live later, only by burning down the Jiaolong Mountain City can we stick to Nanyuan with all our strength.If anyone still has doubts, they can flee on their own after I, Li Funan, die in battle, but before my envoy dies in battle, if anyone dares to flee without authorization, he must die by my sword first!I also ask everyone to boost the morale of the headquarters, our army will swear to stick to Nanyuan! "All the generals take orders.

On August [-], the Japanese army arrived outside Namwon City. General Ukita Hideka summoned his generals to deploy a military plan to capture Namwon.The Ukita Hide family issued a military order: "Todo Takatora and Ota Kazuyoshi's teams will follow me to attack the south gate; Konishi Yukyo, Muneyoshi Tomo, Wakisaka Yasuji, and Takenaka Shigetoshi will each lead their teams to attack the west gate; Kato Yoshiaki, Shimadzu Yoshihiro led his team to attack the north gate; Hachisuka Iemagi, Mori Yoshinari, and Ikoma Kazumasa each led their team to attack the east gate. Do you have any comments?"

Xiao Xixing said: "It is reported that all the houses and temples outside Nanyuan City have been burned down. We have no cover outside Nanyuan City, and there are traces of reinforcement and excavation of Nanyuan City Wall and moat. From this point of view, Nanyuan has already been doing Armed, and there was a Ming army in this place earlier, maybe some firearms will be left for the North Koreans as usual, so we need to be cautious in this battle.

In my opinion, the key point is to wipe out Li Funan's troops. This is the only soldier in Namwon with some strength. "

Since there was no Ming army on the opposite side, Shimadzu Yoshihiro became active. He suggested: "North Korea has only three or four thousand troops in Nanyuan, and they are now besieged by us. Although Nanyuan has an open terrain, the Korean army is not the Ming army. Going out of the city to fight in the field, so Nanyuan can only cage the city alone.

What I am most worried about is that reinforcements will come to rescue us, so from the very beginning, our army must do our best to conquer Namwon as soon as possible, and we must not let the neighboring North Korean troops come to make trouble. "

Ukita Hideka quite agreed, and then said: "His Highness Shimadzu said very well, the so-called lion fights the rabbit with all its strength, although we have the advantage in military strength, we can't just focus on fighting to the death, we still need to pay attention to strategy to reduce casualties.

Gentlemen, please remember that our goal is the whole of Korea, not just Namwon.Wakibata and Kato are often in the navy, and today they can fight together in Nanyuan, but they must reproduce the bravery of Jianyue's seven spears. "

Yoshiaki Kato swore: "General, please rest assured that I will take the lead in attacking Nanyuan this time." Yasuji Wakisaka was not to be outdone: "We have long been looking forward to returning to land to fight, but the first to attack Nanyuan It will definitely not be His Highness Kato, but I, Yasuji Wakisaka!" Ukita Hideka laughed, and then ordered the whole army to attack Nanyuan.

The Japanese army approached the city of Nanyuan, and the army all over the mountains and plains surrounded Nanyuan.Li Funan guards the east gate, Ren Xuan guards the south gate, Jin Jinglao guards the west gate, and Li Chunyuan guards the north gate.Li Funan ordered the blowing of gongs and the firing of cannons, ordering that it is strictly forbidden to waste military weapons in the city.

At noon, five Japanese soldiers were ordered to surrender at the stone bridge outside the east gate of Nanyuan. Li Funan ordered the Korean army to shoot and kill them in the outer city. A hundred steps away, he raised his arquebus and fired continuously.

The Ming army's Shengzihao artillery acquired by North Korea had limited range and weak power, and the Japanese army suffered little damage. In addition to firing bows and arrows, the North Korean army also fired more thunderbolts left by the Invention army in return.The two sides fired fiercely for a day, and the Japanese army retreated.

Li Funan guessed: "The Japanese pirates are coming fiercely, regardless of the cost, they will sneak attack at night. Ren Xuan and Jin Jinglao, you two selected capable officers to divide them outside the four gates and immediately set up water chestnuts outside Hao, and buried them secretly at the head of the bridge as nail boards. All the generals stand by the city gate, and if the enemy sneaks in, attack and destroy them immediately!" The two took orders.

Li Chunyuan asked: "Why did the envoys so conclude that the enemy would attack at night? The Japanese invaders are ten times stronger than me, so they can attack by force during the day. Why bother?"

Li Funan replied: "The enemy's ambitions are not in Nanyuan but in Hanyang Wangjing, so they will never waste time in Nanyuan, and will do everything they can to attack day and night in order to capture Nanyuan as soon as possible, and we can only stick to it day and night. Waiting for help, we will try our best to stop the Japanese pirates at Nanyuan City."

So the Korean army planted water chestnuts all over the trenches, concealed nail boards at the bridgeheads, and ordered the generals to lead their troops to stand by the city gate after nightfall.At the second watch, the Japanese army's leading detachment sneaked into each gate and was ambushed by Dingban Lingtie. Upon seeing this, all North Korean troops immediately attacked to cover up and kill them.

Li Funan ordered the withdrawal of the bridge of four gates, shouted and fired cannons all night long.The Japanese army set fire in all directions, and the smoke was smoky for several miles. After the smoke, the Japanese army fired back with matchlock guns, and returned in the middle of the night.

Ukita Hideka was furious when he heard the news: "Time is running out, Nanyuan must be captured immediately! Urge all teams to build more ladders overnight, [-] ladders! Tomorrow fill Haoping Road, send out all the iron artillery teams in the archery tower, and be sure to guard the city gate!" Shoot and kill all the soldiers, and storm into Nanyuan City in one fell swoop!"

Governor Xiaonishi persuaded: "The general should not be so angry. Namwon will never repeat the defeat of Xingju. After all, Namwon is just a lone force to resist, without strong external support, and it will be mine within a day or two."

Yoshihiro Shimadzu suggested: "The main force of the enemy army is still there, and Namwon is still not easy to defeat. I heard that the Korean armies were quite dissatisfied with the defeat of Imjin, and thought that our army took advantage of their defenselessness, so now they Forced to be trapped in the city, it is inevitable that he will not be reconciled.

From this, I think that the enemy can be lured out of the city. After we have attacked the city several times, we can pretend to be exhausted and retreat in confusion, so that the enemy thinks there is an opportunity to take advantage of it.At the same time, they dispatched [-] light-footed soldiers to lie in ambush on the ground covered in loess. If the Korean cavalry under Li Funan's command were indeed dispatched, they would immediately encircle and wipe them out. "

Ukita Hideka was surprised and said: "Isn't this the way of ninjas? Your Highness Shimadzu, why would you think of using this kind of sorcery as a method of warfare? As a samurai, this is not appropriate."

Shimadzu Yoshihiro said: "The ninja method has caused heavy casualties many times in the past. It can be seen that it is very practical. As long as we can quickly wipe out the main force of the enemy army, we can sit back and relax. What does it matter? It's just that I haven't learned the mystery of the ninja method." , it shouldn’t be as good as a ninja, but it should be more than enough to deal with the North Korean army.” Ukita Hideka agreed.

In the early morning of August [-]th, the Japanese army encircled Nanyuan again, built more flying ladders to prepare for climbing the city, filled in the road under the cover of matchlock guns, and dispatched archery towers to overlook Nanyuan so that the matchlock gun team could commandeer.In this way, the guards in the outer city of Nanyuan died for a while, and the Japanese army took the opportunity to swarm the city, but was repelled by the North Korean army several times.

Li Funan was overjoyed, and said: "The Japanese pirates have been fighting fiercely for days, and our army has been suppressed by the enemy. The Japanese pirates must believe that Nanyuan will fall sooner or later, so they are desperate to attack. I just saw that the Japanese pirates were very tired when they retreated. The formation was chaotic. It should be exhausted and urgently need to rest , so it is time for a surprise attack.”

Ren Xuan believes that this move is too risky and not a perfect solution, so it is better to stick to it and wait for rescue.

Li Funan didn't listen, shook his head and said: "It has been two days since we defended Nanyuan, and Quanzhou has not come to help so far. It can be seen that we are afraid of the enemy and have stopped moving. We can't count on it! When we are all killed in Nanyuan, Quanzhou will not send troops to rescue. Now we can no longer wait for foreign aid, we can only rely on us to play by ear, without saying too much, and execute military orders!"

Li Funan then led all the northern cavalry out of the city to attack. His cavalry was the few remaining northern cavalry of the former Korean ace army.Since they were originally elites, and now there are not many cavalry left in the north, they have become the treasures of the North Korean army. The equipment, food and wages are all guaranteed, so the combat effectiveness is not bad.

Seeing this, the Japanese army quickly pretended to be defeated, and the northern cavalry chased over the stone bridge. Unexpectedly, the Japanese army was covered in loess and fell on the ground. They rose up suddenly, countless, and almost surrounded Li Funan.

Japanese general Yoshihiro Shimadzu came to the battle in person and led the troops out with Nodachi swords. Li Funan was shocked and ordered to retreat. The northern cavalry, with three or four hundred casualties, hurriedly retreated to Nanyuan.But he retreated fast enough that Shimadzu Yoshihiro failed to wipe out the northern cavalry and returned cursing and angrily.

Yoshihiro Shimadzu continued to yell after he returned to the camp. President Konishi persuaded: "His Majesty Shimadzu's plan is dangerous, but it is true that there are no ninjas who are skilled in using it. In addition, the northern cavalry is also quite powerful in North Korea." It is a good result for an elite soldier to wipe out hundreds of enemies. General, I think it is better to recruit the North Korean army, so let me persuade the general to surrender and let him sacrifice Nanyuan."

Ukita Hideka immediately reprimanded: "Xiaoxi! His Highness Taige has already issued a strict order that no further negotiations with North Korea and the Ming army are allowed. You should know that this order is actually a warning to you. How dare you disobey His Highness Taige's order?" order!"

President Xiaonishi argued: "It's not about negotiating a peace. Namwon is what we are determined to win. But if we can make it out of the city and surrender, we can also reduce casualties. As the general said before, our goal is the entire North Korea, and there is no need to spend time here." It’s a waste of time, I won’t give them time to think about it, I will limit them to reply immediately, if the enemy army still resists to the end, I will wipe them out in one fell swoop.”

Ukita Hideka didn't want to argue, so he urged: "Xiaoxi, I can allow you this time, but you must not take chances or have other plans. I will order the army to prepare roasted jade immediately. Once the enemy does not surrender, we Then blow open the four gates of Nanyuan, no more entanglement and no more mercy, I will slaughter Nanyuan." Chief Xiaoxi took the order.

On August [-]th, Chief Xiaonishi ordered someone from the Korean army to send someone to visit Yanfeng for peace talks. Li Funan ordered his interpreter to go with the Japanese army. Jin Jinglao persuaded: "You can't make peace with the enemy under the strict order of the commander. Committing a felony! We swear to fight the enemy until the last soldier, and defend Nanyuan to the death. Please don't lose too much because of small things!"

Li Funan shook his head and said: "What are you talking about? How could I make peace with the enemy? It's just that the soldiers are exhausted now, and the city is in a state of chaos and urgently needs to rest, so that the whole army can take the opportunity to reorganize their military equipment and supplies to prepare for a big battle. After we are ready, I will immediately refuse. Remember, we only have half a day to hide the enemy's eyes and ears." Jin Jinglao took the order.

When the North Korean army interpreter arrived at Yanfeng, Captain Xiaoxi smiled and said, "It was really hard work for North Korea to defend Namwon this time. I know that the northern cavalry are good at fighting, and I have personally experienced it. I am very eager to lead the army and fight with the northern cavalry." A showdown to the death, but not in Nanyuan, but in Hanyang Wangjing.

This Nanyuan is only a small and remote city, and you are few and weak. Nanyuan can hardly survive a day under our army's strong attack. It is better to sacrifice the city and surrender or abandon the city. At least you can save your life and surround Hanyang Wangjing. What do you think? "

The North Korean Army's interpreter replied: "I can't decide this matter, I just came to listen to what you said by the envoy, and report according to the facts. How to make a decision, I will have an answer from the envoy. Before the envoy can reply, please stop fighting and wait. "

President Xiaoxi got up immediately and issued an ultimatum: "Why do you Koreans always answer like this? I don't have the patience to wait for your reply. Huh, I don't need to do anything extra. I should be grateful for giving me a way out.

When you go back, you need to tell Li Funan exactly what I just said. Before sunset, I will send envoys to Nanyuan to ask for an answer. If they stop outside the city, we will also attack the city immediately!

By the way, there should be a shortage of food in the city now, right?To show our sincerity, there are [-] tans of military rations here. If you continue to fight, these [-] tans of military rations will not help you. It is just a signal to Li Funan that he had better obey orders, otherwise the city will be devastated. "

So Xing Xi sent it back, and at dusk the Japanese army envoys came again, and were led by an interpreter to the South Gate, where they discussed with Li Funan in the Longmen Pavilion.The Japanese envoy relayed the words of Chief Xiaonishi: "General Xiaonishi respectfully told Li Funan, the military envoy of Jeolla Province in North Korea, that the army is very disparate, and Namwon will be destroyed in a day, and there will be no people or animals left. I feel your loyalty and bravery, and I am willing to release the way out. In the coming day, I will compete with your army. I advise your army to surrender immediately or abandon the city. If there is no reply, it will be too late to regret."

As expected, Li Funan sternly refused, and sternly said: "The general should be proud of the horse leather shroud, I also ask you to tell the Japanese pirates, this general can also give them a chance, if they leave early, they will not be slaughtered by my long knife."

The Japanese envoy sneered and withdrew from the city to report back, and then the Japanese army attacked the city aggressively.Under the cover of most of them, Ukita Hidejia ordered the death squads to divide into four groups and rush to each gate, piled up roasted jade to blast open the city gate.Under the obstruction of the North Korean army, the progress of the death squads was a bit slow, but the east gate and the south gate were still blasted, and the Japanese army stepped up their attack.

Kato Yoshiaki and Wakisaka Yasuji each led their own troops and attacked the city several times. The people in the city ran and cried and wailed for each other.After nightfall, it rained suddenly, but the Japanese army ignored it and took advantage of the darkness to attack the city again in the rain, and they retreated after the fierce battle.

On August [-]th, Nanyuan had fewer than one thousand defenders, and the Japanese army invaded Nanyuan when they ran out of ammunition and food.Seeing this, Li Funan pulled Ren Xuan, the envoy of Namwon Mansion, and said, "Namwon has been destroyed, the most urgent thing is that you and I should lead our headquarters to Quanzhou to join our army there as soon as possible, and Hanyang, Xingzhou, and Zhongzhou will also send troops to help us... ...It should not be too late, if it is later, we will be lost at the hands of the Japanese pirates, now you and I have done our best for Nanyuan, the only way to survive is to avenge the Japanese pirates."

Ren Xuan was very surprised: "Why are the envoys different from each other? In order to stick to Nanyuan, the envoys have burned all Jiaolong Mountain City. Why are they withdrawing to Quanzhou now? This is the end of the matter. As the envoy of Nanyuan Prefecture, I should fight with Nanyuan lived and died together, the whole army has sworn an oath, and envoys must also fight the enemy to the end!"

Li Funan persuaded: "Nanyuan has been broken, no matter how difficult it is to hold on, we have persisted until the last moment, why let the soldiers die in vain? Retreating at this time is not a cold escape, but a regrouping for the future! As an envoy, you With heavy responsibilities on your shoulders, you should take care of the overall situation!"

Ren Xuan refused to resign, shaking his head and said: "I haven't persisted until the last moment! Withdrawing troops now will only cause confusion in the army, and withdrawing to Quanzhou will not stop. I don't know if you will be punished by withdrawing from the court at this time, but I am As the envoy of the government, I will surely die if I withdraw at this time, and I, Ren Xuan, will live and die with Nanyuan!"

After hearing this, Li Funan had no choice but to stop talking and let Ren Xuan leave.After the Japanese invaded Namwon, they turned to street fighting. Among the North Korean defenders, the defense envoy Wu Yingjing, the garrison general Jin Jinglao, the other general Shen Hao, the Namwon government envoy Ren Xuan, the general judge Li Dehui, and the county supervisor Li Yuanchun died in battle.

Li Funan led the last [-] northern cavalry in his hands, seized Ximen and rode out on horseback, taking advantage of the gap to break through.This time the breakout was not smooth. After the breakout, there were only fifty riders left around him, and he almost escaped with his body.

As for the remaining Nanyuan defenders, they were all wiped out, and the Japanese army did not even leave them alive.The Japanese army's own losses were also very serious, with more than [-] casualties.Because of this, the Japanese army slaughtered the city immediately after capturing Namwon to vent their anger, and the Korean soldiers and civilians in the small town of Namwon were extinct.
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(End of this chapter)