**Chapter 163: Purge (3)**
It was inevitable that the Joseon government forces and the rebel army of local yangban would clash at Cheonan.
The rebel forces that rose up in the Chungcheong region, centered around Goesan, Jeungpyeong, and Jincheon areas, headed toward Chungju-mok to expand their forces and secure weapons. However, the rebels met fierce resistance at Chungju-mok and had to change their course.
The leaders of the Chungcheong rebellion spread out a map and argued heatedly.
"We cannot simply waste time like this! Let us march north immediately! There is a road, is there not!"
The hardliners urging immediate northward advance raised their voices, but there were also many opposing views.
"If we march north now, we will have to face the Gyeonggi Provincial Military Command directly! We must wait for those coming up from the southern provinces!"
"Have you forgotten it is harvest season! We must finish this quickly and return for the harvest!"
As fierce debate ensued, a kind of compromise was reached.
-If we march north as is, we will clash with the Gyeonggi Military Command. Therefore, we detour through Cheonan and advance toward Hanseong. In the process of detouring north, we gather as many sympathetic forces as possible to swell our numbers.
It was a plan that left both hardliners and cautious factions dissatisfied, but for now, there was no other option.
"Damn it! Because of those lazy ones in the south!"
A comical situation had unfolded where the people of the Chungcheong region, always evaluated as moving leisurely and unhurriedly, were cursing people of other regions for being slow.
Once the plan to detour north through Cheonan was decided, the rebel army changed course and began moving toward Cheonan.
However, since most of the 10,000—exactly 12,000—troops were infantry, their progress was not fast.
Thanks to this, the Chungcheong Military Command was able to prepare quickly based on the information brought by scouts.
"Fools. If they wanted to start something, they should have done so before the Gyeongjang reforms were completed."
Yang Jong-cheol, the Chungcheong Provincial Military Commander, scoffed at the rebels' actions after checking the reports brought by the scouts.
* * *
As King Sejong's Gyeongjang reforms progressed, the Joseon military also had to undergo a massive transformation.
According to the military registry (兵籍, abbreviation of military register) created since the early Joseon period, the Joseon military had approximately 330,000 troops. However, the main force of this Joseon military was the regular soldiers (正軍) conscripted through recruitment. And the costs consumed by these regular soldiers were covered by support personnel (保人).
However, this system had been showing cracks since the time of King Taejong.
Therefore, as Sejong pushed forward with the Gyeongjang reforms, military reform had to proceed as well.
In this regard, Hyang made significant contributions. Mass-produced plate armor and firearms, and finally the Bigeokjincheonroe, an unprecedented weapon of mass destruction, made it somewhat easier to change the nature of the Joseon military.
-One cannon is worth a hundred spears!
-A horse is faster than a person!
True to such slogans, the Joseon military became faster and more powerful while reducing the size of what had been a large army only in numbers.
And the Joseon military, having thus transformed its nature, was now in a situation to conduct actual combat evaluation against the rebel forces.
* * *
Yang Jong-cheol looked at the commanders of each level who had gathered for the meeting and continued speaking.
"The traitors plan to pass through Cheonan. Therefore, we will annihilate them at Cheonan. Any other opinions?"
"None!"
"Then the composition of units participating in the operation is…."
Following Yang Jong-cheol's plan, the Chungcheong Military Command left only the minimum personnel to guard the command and marched out from the Haemi military camp.
* * *
The Joseon forces of Chungcheong Province under Yang Jong-cheol's command moved while thoroughly monitoring the rebel army's movements.
Since the main force consisted of cavalry and artillery, the Joseon military was able to arrive at Cheonan ahead of the rebels and set up their positions.
"While the other things Crown Prince created are amazing, the idea of mounting cannons on carts is truly astounding. Commander Jo, isn't that so?"
Yang Jong-cheol, who had climbed a shallow hill to observe the soldiers' movements, asked Jo Jae-hyun, the Central Army commander standing beside him. At Yang Jong-cheol's question, Jo Jae-hyun nodded.
"That is correct. Thanks to this, the cannons can move as quickly as cavalry."
Hyang, who created the Bigeokjincheonroe and the new cannons to fire it, also developed a new gun carriage for mounting the cannons. The new gun carriage, modeled after Western-style carriages used from the late 19th century to early World War I, gave Joseon's cannons unprecedented mobility.
Pleased with the soldiers' movements, Yang Jong-cheol tapped his palm with his command baton.
"Good, very good. Now all that remains is to sweep away those traitors."
"Yes."
It wasn't only the high-ranking officials who were burning with will to fight. Even the common soldiers at the bottom were aflame with battle spirit.
"Where did those traitors get to?"
"Well... according to what I heard, about a day's distance?"
"Damn, are they crawling their way here?"
"Must be enjoying some sightseeing while they come."
"Sightseeing? Hahahahaha!"
Sharing jokes, the soldiers looked at the cannons they would operate. Seeing the cannons gleaming with a bronze hue, the soldiers' eyes were filled with trust.
"With just this thing…."
These were soldiers recalling the power of the Bigeokjincheonroe they had heard about from the northern front, waiting for their turn to use it.
* * *
"Government soldiers have gathered at Cheonan!"
"How many are there?"
"Approximately 6,000!"
At the news that government forces had set up camp at Cheonan, the leaders of the rebel army put their heads together.
"Where do you think they came from?"
"Must be the Chungcheong Military Command."
"Should we detour?"
When some yangban mentioned detouring, An Jinsa, who claimed to have read military strategy books, shook his head.
"If we detour, we'll have to face the Gyeonggi Military Command. And they would have prepared thoroughly during the time we spend detouring. Since there are 6,000 troops at Cheonan now, it seems they moved hastily without proper preparation. I think it's better to deal with them."
"An Jinsa's words seem correct."
"But, the fact that they moved hastily means their main force is cavalry."
An Jinsa, upon being challenged, pointed out their own weakness.
"Even so, if we detour, will the Chungcheong Military Command's cavalry just sit still? They'll come after us immediately. Besides, most of the forces we've brought are slaves—do you think we can properly respond?"
"Ah…."
An Jinsa reached a conclusion.
"To make the slaves fight properly, we have no choice but to engage head-on. Fortunately, Cheonan has no fortress, and we are superior in numbers, so there's a chance of victory."
Ultimately, the rebel leadership decided on a frontal clash. Even to those who didn't know military strategy well, there seemed to be no other option since the main force consisted of slaves.
However, that was the end of it. The rebel leadership knew nothing about the government forces' firepower, and had no intention of finding out.
"Both sides are armed with spears and swords anyway! In this situation, we with numerical superiority are the best!"
This was the result of shutting themselves in their hometowns, closing their eyes and ears, caring only about their own wealth.
* * *
Eventually, the next morning. The government forces and rebel forces met in the eastern region of Cheonan.
The rebel forces, aware of the government army's presence, had made some preparations of their own.
"Did you feed the slaves well this morning?"
"We fed them generously. They won't run out of energy midway."
Feeding the slaves an early morning meal was most of the preparation the rebel forces had done.
"Then let us begin."
"Let us do so!"
"Wishing you good fortune in battle!"
"Good fortune!"
The yangban exchanged well-wishes for good fortune and headed toward the slaves they were leading.
Moments later, the slaves at the forefront of the rebel forces shouted war cries and charged forward.
"Waaaah!"
Most were slaves armed with nothing but bamboo spears, but seeing their comrades filling the surroundings, they burned with fighting spirit.
"The traitors have started moving!"
"I can see that myself…. Hmm…."
Observing the rebel army's movements through the telescope personally bestowed by King Sejong, Yang Jong-cheol issued orders.
"As expected, hardly any are properly armed. And most appear to be slaves. And…. Bamboo spears? Heh!"
Examining the rebel forces charging toward them, Yang Jong-cheol surveyed the rebel command positioned at the rear.
"Donkeys? Do they think war is some kind of outing?"
Seeing that very few were mounted on horses and most were on donkeys, Yang Jong-cheol chuckled and commanded his subordinates.
"When the enemy main force enters within 200 paces, fire the Bigeokjincheonroe!"
"Yes!"
"Concentrate artillery fire on one point as trained!"
"Yes!"
"And the musketeers will fire in alternating volleys! As trained!"
"Yes!"
"Convey to all soldiers! The traitors are a disorganized rabble! If they just do as trained, they won't be eating ritual rice cakes on this day next year!"
"Yes!"
The messenger, chuckling at the joke-like final command, moved quickly to relay the orders.
* * *
"200 paces!"
"Fire!"
Bang! Bang-bang! Bang!
The artillerymen, who had finished loading and were waiting, pulled the trigger cords as soon as the order fell.
The Chungcheong Military Command had mobilized 40 Bigeokjincheonroe-dedicated cannons. 30 cannons, excluding 10 held in reserve, were trained to operate as three batteries of 10 cannons each.
As the Bigeokjincheonroe was fired according to training, three large holes were torn in the charging rebel formation. They were holes of a size impossible to fill.
In those holes created, the injured screamed amid countless corpses.
"Aaaah…."
"Save me!"
"My leg! My leg!"
Amid the hellish chaos created by the screams of the wounded, the rebel charge stopped in its tracks. The slave main force had fallen into panic.
The government commanders observing the situation through telescopes raised their voices, sensing victory.
"Don't stop firing!"
"Fire! Fire! Keep firing!"
Bang! Bang-bang!
The soldiers, also sensing victory like their commanders, quickly finished reloading and continued firing.
"What, what is this!"
"Cannons with such power!"
The yangban observing the battle from the rear of the rebel forces shouted in shock. Every time large pillars of flame rose from the rebel formation, holes that couldn't be filled were being torn in their ranks.
"What should we do now?"
At the leadership's question seeking a solution, An Jinsa, who had unknowingly taken on the role of strategist, floundered.
"W-well…."
"An Jinsa!"
"Please give me some time to think! I never heard of cannons with such power!"
Under the leadership's pressure, An Jinsa also shouted back. But inwardly, he had already reached a conclusion.
'It's over….'
"An Jinsa! What should we…."
"The enemy is moving!"
"What?"
The leadership pressing An Jinsa turned their heads at the news that government forces were moving.
Indeed, as the government artillery fire slightly diminished, the infantry lines began to advance forward.
Seeing this, An Jinsa rejoiced.
"An opportunity! Once the distance between us closes, they won't be able to fire cannons! Then we'll have another chance! We must immediately rally the troops and reorganize the formation!"
"R-right!"
At An Jinsa's words, the leadership hurriedly sent messengers.
Whether the messenger's words were properly conveyed, the rebel formation began to reorganize.
Seeing this, An Jinsa's face was filled with hope.
'It worked! If we just get past this crisis, victory is ours!'
However, the situation defied his expectations.
"First rank, raise arms!"
"Aim!"
The Chungcheong Military Command's musketeers, having advanced to about 150 paces from the rebel forces, raised their loaded Gapsik muskets at the commander's order and aimed at the rebels.
"Fire!"
Ta-ta-tang!
In an instant, thick smoke blocked the Joseon forces' view, and the second rank waiting behind moved forward, passing the first rank.
After briefly observing the battlefield situation, the commander soon issued orders.
"Second rank, raise arms!"
"Aim!"
"Fire!"
Ta-ta-tang!
By the time one full cycle from the first to fifth rank was completed, the rebel formation had completely collapsed.
Observing the situation, Yang Jong-cheol issued an order.
"Convey to the cavalry! Block the traitors' retreat!"
"Yes!"
Thus the clash between the Chungcheong Military Command and the Chungcheong regional rebel forces was decided in less than half a day. It was an overwhelming victory for the Chungcheong Military Command's Joseon forces.