Chapter 1380
The preparations are now complete. (5)
Thud.
The falcon perched on Ho Gaemyeong’s forearm flinched slightly. Perhaps it didn’t like being on the swaying arm of the swiftly running person, just arriving after a long flight.
Falcon pinched Ho Gamyeong’s forearm several times, as if the fact that it had finally arrived after a long journey only to be placed on a shaking arm displeased the bird.
When Ho Gaemyeong handed the falcon the meat he had prepared in advance, the falcon casually began to tear at it.
After gently stroking its head with his index finger, Ho Gaemyeong opened a small pouch tied to the falcon’s ankle and took out a scroll. His eyes immediately narrowed as he scrutinized the scroll.
He was thinking about something while staring at the scroll with half-opened eyes, and nodded his head so softly that it was almost invisible. Then, he retrieved a small brush from his sleeve.
Scribble.
He wrote something on the small piece of paper, then waved it in the air a couple of times to dry it before quickly rolling it up and slipping it into the small pouch attached to the falcon’s leg.
Click.
After firmly sealing the lid to prevent it from opening, Ho Gaemyeong ran his hand down the falcon’s back and raised his arm. The falcon, which had hesitated a few times, as if it didn’t want to miss out on the meat it was still eating, soon soared high into the sky and disappeared into the thick darkness below.
“Firstly.”
“Yes!”
The subordinates who were following closely behind brightened at his voice.
“We’re changing formation.”
“Yes?”
“We’ll divide the troops from the center to the left and right. Each army’s formation will be elongated horizontally.”
At the unexpected directive, the subordinates exchanged puzzled glances.
“Questions.”
“Yes… Commander. If we spread out wide, it will slow down our tracking speed.”
“It doesn’t matter. They won’t be able to move faster either.”
The reasoning makes sense. While the territory they had traversed so far might have been virtually uncontested from the perspective of Sapaeryeon, from now on, they would be entering the Yangtze River basin, where the troops were concentrated.
Naturally, they would inevitably collide with the scattered forces of Sapaeryeon and their speed would likely slow down.
“But wouldn’t it be better to increase our speed instead, then?”
At that remark, Ho Gaemyeong glanced back briefly. The aide, who received an indifferent gaze, flinched and bowed his head.
“It seems you don’t understand.”
“I am lacking…”
“Changing formation means changing tactics, and changing tactics means changing objectives.”
“Then…?”
“After the chase is over, you spread the net.”
As Ho Gaemyeong’s eyes turned back to the front, a chilling aura, unseen by his subordinates, lingered in his gaze.
“Now we surround and annihilate.”
“Yes, commander!”
A resolute voice echoed. The corners of Ho Gaemyeong’s eyes twitched briefly.
Since the moment he failed to annihilate them in the gorge, his authority vanished. All that remained was to strictly follow Jang Ilso’s orders.
The order he received from Jang Ilso was very simple.
‘Attack their rear.’
But if you were to elaborate on this a bit more, the meaning would change slightly.
‘Stick closely to their rear and attack, pressuring them.’
And if you add Ho Gaemyeong’s interpretation to it, the meaning changes a bit more.
‘Pressure them from the rear so they cannot think of anything else, they must… be driven all the way to the Yangtze River basin.’
If anyone else had heard this order, they would naturally think it was insane. Going all the way to the Yangtze River, isn’t that the thing those Hwasan’s bastards escaping from Gangnam would want?
Can one really call it “pressure” when they are pushing them to do what they desire? Can one truly call it “pursuit” when tjey are driving them towards their desired destination?
This is not something that can be called military strategy. After all, the essence of military strategy is to prevent the enemy from achieving their objectives.
But Ho Gaemyeong didn’t think so. No, it’s not just that. Even those who would have criticized the order as nonsensical would quietly retract their criticism if they found out that the one issuing the order was Paegun.
Ho Gaemyeong knows this.
The core is indeed “pressure.” No, a more accurate term might be “control.”
By sticking close to them and continuously imposing psychological pressure, Sapaeryeon can secure one definite thing: preventing those bastards from suddenly pulling off crazy stunts like they have been doing so far.
‘It’s absurd.’
If Ho Gaemyeong’s observations of Hwasan Geomhyeop thus far are correct, he could easily change course while heading towards the Yangtze River. He might suddenly turn westward towards Yunnan, or turn eastward and board ships from the Eastern Sea to head north to Zhejiang. He could do any number of things.
No, he might just turn in the opposite direction, break through the pursuing Maninbang, and then calmly return to Hainan.
Unbelievable? How many times has that bastard done sensible things so far?
Thinking the other way around, it would be more bizarre if he didn’t do such things.
The Yangtze River is swarming with enemies. So why insist that Hwasan Geomhyeop would head towards the overflowing Yangtze River?
No matter how capable Sapaeryeon may be, it’s difficult for them to block the entire vast Yangtze River, isn’t it?
No, if it were Hwasan Geomhyeop, he would instead argue like this: Blocking the vast sea would be many times more difficult than blocking the Yangtze River, so why should we give the enemy the advantage by heading in their preferred direction?
For ordinary people, the idea of bypassing the long Yangtze River may seem impossible, but for the Hwasan Geomhyeop, it’s no big deal.
He’s the kind of person who chooses the shortest route in a straight line from the Yangtze River to Hainan island, where the enemy is concentrated the most, if his only goal is to perfectly aim for the “safest escape method.”
In that sense, the instructions issued by Jang Ilso at this moment, and the intent behind Jang Ilso’s actions, are unmistakably clear.
That is…
❀ ❀ ❀
“It’s about eradicating the variables.”
Sitting across from Jang Ilso, separated by a small table inside the large carriage, Jeok Ho showed a puzzled expression.
“…Variables, you say?”
“Yes.”
Jang Ilso nodded casually. Though his movements weren’t sluggish, observers couldn’t help but assume he always lived in boredom.
“What does military strategy say about that?”
“Well… I…”
Jeok Ho hesitated slightly, pressing his lips tightly.
He, too, wasn’t ignorant of military strategy. To lead his subordinates, one must know, even if they don’t wish to. While Jang Ilso appreciated subordinates with strength, merely having strength wasn’t enough to earn his favor. That could be one reason among many.
“I dare not discuss military strategy in front of Ryeonju.”
“Hahaha, hahaha!”
Jang Ilso burst into laughter as if finding it amusing.
Jeok Ho understood. That laughter wasn’t a sign of satisfaction with his answer.
They say there’s hardly anyone who dislikes flattery, even if they’re cautious of it. People generally enjoy having their qualities praised.
But that didn’t apply to Jang Ilso.
Being in such a high position was as natural to him as breathing, and his greatness was self-evident. Thus, he didn’t take pleasure in it. Being praised for breathing well would be absurd.
“I find it amusing whenever I hear such words.”
“…Even if I’ve made a mistake…”
“I don’t know much about military strategy. If needed, I would have learned, but there hasn’t been a pressing need for it.”
Jeok Ho held his breath. But those two eyes were still asking. How could he ridicule and toy with those well-versed in military strategy?
“After all, military strategy is something humans use. So, it’s easy if you understand people. Remember this: if you want to defeat your enemy, just remember two things.”
“…May I ask what those are?”
“One is obvious. Just do things your enemy hates.”
Jeok Ho nodded at that statement.
This principle was synonymous with Jang Ilso’s behavior. The process might be difficult to understand, but ultimately, Jang Ilso tended to do things that would make his opponents most uncomfortable.
“Do you know about the other one?”
“…I’m not sure…”
“Hmm. Actually, this one is a bit more essential, but most people don’t quite grasp it even when they hear it.”
Jeok Ho’s face lit up with a glimmer of hope. Perhaps this answer would reveal the secrets behind Jang Ilso’s strategies.
However, Jeok Ho’s hope was mercilessly shattered.
“It’s about people.”
“Yes, Ryeonju.”
“People don’t really know themselves well.”
“Um… Yes?”
Jeok Ho’s face was filled with confusion. What was the meaning of this sudden, irrelevant remark?
“Tsk tsk. You’re just like everyone else.”
“Um… Actually, it’s so simple that it’s hard to grasp…”
“Hmm. How can I explain it in a simpler way… Ah, I’ve got it. Maybe this will make it easier to understand. People are people. They always lie to themselves.”
Jang Ilso, who had paused for a moment, smiled and asked.
“It’s a common occurrence. If there were the most upright scholar in the world, how would you think of him?”
“Well… I would consider him remarkable.”
“Why?”
“Isn’t integrity inherently worthy of respect?”
Jang Ilso chuckled softly.
“Right, I see. However… do you think that scholar truly desires just integrity and the path of enlightenment?”
“…Excuse me?”
“Saying he’s the most upright scholar in the world implies that integrity is pathological. What someone like that truly desires isn’t usually just integrity itself, but rather being perceived as an upright individual.”
“…”
“Everyone is the same. They achieve remarkable things when they deeply desire something. So, what do you think that upright individual truly desires?”
“Well… Honor, perhaps…”
“That’s right. Such a person desires honor to an excessive degree. However… they probably don’t see it that way. They likely believe they are diligently adhering to their own principles. They deceive even themselves.”
Jeok Ho sighed deeply. Understanding someone’s true intentions requires more than just listening to their words, doesn’t it?
“If that’s the case, does it mean that Hwasan Geomhyeop, who is leading Haenam, is hiding something within his righteousness?”
“That’s only natural. He is a kid with a sick mind. But what we should focus on here is something else.”
Jang Ilso’s mouth twisted into a sinister smile.
“Have I ever said that kid and I are similar?”
“Well… You have said so several times.”
Jeok Ho was also puzzled. Why would someone as renowned as Jang Ilso make such an assessment of someone so insignificant?
“Quite literally. He and I are perfectly alike in one particular aspect.”
“…Intelligence?”
“Intelligence? Hahaha!”
Jang Ilso laughed as if amused by the absurdity of the suggestion.
“No, no. It’s not that. It’s not about intelligence. The similarity between him and me lies in…”
His eyes drew a captivating yet eerie curve.
“…the lack of trust. No one in this world, not a single soul, deserves to be trusted even a tiny bit.”
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