BES: Chapter 12

As the meeting began, it swiftly became clear that there was no consensus on how to proceed with the actual invasion. Various different sub-commanders from the different parts of the Empire all had different priorities and orders from their Khans, some of which were even counterintuitive to the main goal of the War, which was to force Goryeo into compliance through strength of arms. This wasn't helped by the various Khans subordinate to the Great Khan all having different priorities and political goals themselves. At least two of which, my Brother Dorji and Hulegu Khan, even had ongoing military operations elsewhere that needed the bulk of their attention and forces, while Ariq Boke had political aspirations to be the next Great Khan, and so was in opposition to my Father on most things.

"My orders are clear. Preserve as much of my force as possible so that my Khan will be able to call us in for his attack on Baghdad once this current scuffle with King Gojong is finished." Intoned Ibrahim Al-Sur, the Pashtun Leader of Hulegu Khan's Contingent of Khwarzmians, Ghoris, and Persians.

Ibrahim Al-Sur was a large, muscular man with a large, oiled, black beard, who clearly knew how to fight from the way he easily moved about in his armor of Behter-style Plated Mail. I got the sense that if not for Hulegu Khan's orders, he would happily be in the thick of the fighting against the forces of Goryeo.

"Mine are similar, though my own Prince is currently undertaking the Pacification of the Dali Kingdom, rather than a more substantial threat such as the Abbasid Caliph in Baghdad." Admitted Tenzin Lhundup, the Tibetan General, who had previously seemed annoyed at my appearance as part of the War Council.

Tenzin Lhundup seemed similar enough to Ibrahim Al-Sur, save for one crucial detail. He clearly would rather be subduing the Dali Kingdom with my Brother's Forces than on the other side of my Father's Domain, dealing with yet another temper tantrum from King Gojong of Goryeo. I wasn't certain if that was out of genuine loyalty to my brother, or if he was like the Eunuchs and Confucians that Dorji had tended to surround himself with, and saw my brother as a biddable pawn willing to assimilate and be led around by the nose. Given his clear distaste for my presence, however, I was guessing the latter was more likely than the former.

"I should be back home, helping my Uncle against the encroaching Swedes." Scoffed Prince Yaroslav of Tver, the Leader of the Russian Infantry that Ariq Boke, the Grandson of the Great Chinggis and currently among the most important people in the Court of Batu Khan in Sarai, had sent to the Army.

Prince Yaroslav theoretically had joint command of the Golden Horde's forces along with the Cuman General Girgen. However, as a mere vassal, and not one more important, such as his Uncle, Aleksander Nevsky, Prince Yaroslav of Tver, in practice had much less influence over the Golden Horde's Forces than the Cuman, who was a direct subordinate of Ariq Boke's, and thus had the ear, through his superior, of Batu Khan himself. General Girgen, meanwhile, seemed to only encourage the tall, bearded Prince of Tver's stubbornness.

Of course, I couldn't blame Prince Yaroslav for wanting to be back in Tver. He had, after all, only recently attempted a revolt against his Uncle and been beaten back for it, and thus desperately needed to prove to Aleksander Nevsky that he was still loyal so he wouldn't lose his Principality. I had my doubts as to whether the Swedes could launch another crusade so soon, however. They had only just been able to consolidate their grip on Finland, after all, and Prince Yaroslav's Uncle had beaten them badly enough to stick to Finland for a long while. However, the obstructionism would be useful for Ariq Boke in proving that he should become the Successor to Mongke Khan when the Great Khan inevitably died.

After all, Batu Khan wasn't getting any younger, Hulegu Khan didn't want the title, and nobody really thought Mubarak Shah, the recently crowned Muslim Chagatai Khan, had a chance. That left only my father as a potential rival for the position of Great Khan, and the failure of a campaign that was largely headed by my Father's Generals would allow Ariq Boke to sow doubt about my Father's ability to lead the Empire. As I realized this, I also realized that Yi Hwŏn had been right to call this a nest of vipers and the Imperial Court in miniature. I stifled a groan as the arguments continued, keeping watch over the assembled commanders in the Command Yurt.

As the Council of War pushed on, it seemed the High Command was likewise divided on plans. Admiral Sak Kong Tee, the Hakka Admiral in charge of the fleet of seventy-five ships we had assembled for the campaign, was, predictably, in favor of a bold, amphibious attack. In keeping with his piratical origins and his naval specialty, he wanted to skip over marching the army through Yan Orda and down into Goryeo the Long Way in favor of a direct amphibious assault against Gwangmu Island.

"We cut the head off the snake, and the body will die. We'll then have more or less free rein to do as we please with Goryeo." Scowled Admiral Sak Kong Tee, before reaching down to sip the cup of medicinal tea that helped settle his digestion.

"It isn't the most prudent course of action, Admiral." Warned Commander Champo.

"Of course it isn't. I'm not one of your Lamas, Champo, I'm a man of action. One swift strike to shatter their knees is what's needed here." Scoffed Admiral Sak Kong Tee.

"I do not mean prudent in the same sense a monk would, Admiral. I mean that at least some of our prior preparations for the Campaign were predicated on the idea of requisitioning supplies on the march to Goryeo. We can't keep all our horses in fodder if we have to sail straight to Gwangmu Island, and at least some of our own men will be short on rations by the time we leave." Pointed out Commander Champo.

"What about all those supplies sitting in that giant depot outside?" Questioned General Chang Wen.

"Many of those crates are packed with powder and shot for the Siege Engines. Looks in this case, can be deceiving." Answered General Zhilugu.

"In any case, there isn't enough to sustain a direct assault on Gwangmu Island by sea with our entire force." Intoned Commander Champo.

"All right, we'll table that plan for now. What other approaches can we take?" Queried Uriyangkidai.

"What's the most sensible route to victory?" Asked Ibrahim Al-Sur.

"Waiting for reinforcements and more supplies." Frowned Tenzin Lhundup.

"If that is the case, then my forces and I will likely have to leave before the campaign can truly begin. I sincerely doubt that Birger Jarl and his Swedes will be content with just Finland." Hedged Prince Yaroslav.

"Perhaps the son of the Great Subodai wishes for us to remain here and only move toward the Great Khan's objectives at the pace of a newborn foal?" Questioned General Girgen.

"Have a care, General. I speak with the voice of the Great Khan in this matter. Waiting for more supplies is not viable. What other approach can we take that does not involve stalling?" Queried Uriyangkidai with a rebuke.

"There is the way we had originally planned. Use the fleet to attain superiority over the Yellow and Bohai Seas and strangle their supplies by sea while our army does the same by land. King Gojong and his men can be starved out that way, as Gwangmu Island doesn't have the farmland to support twenty thousand soldiers by itself. It will be slow, but it is more assured to wind up in a victory than a direct amphibious assault on the Island would." Offered Commander Champo.

"How long will that take? My Khan has other campaigns going that he might need my men for, after all. Will this take long enough that it renders us unavailable for years?" Queried Ibrahim Al-Sur.

"My Prince has the same concerns, though naturally, the Dali Kingdom is already likely to take a while to subdue, given their mountainous country." Added Tenzin Lhundup.

"This plan has the same obstacles for my men as the one that stipulated waiting for more troops and supplies." Intoned Prince Yaroslav of Tver.

"It seems that the Son of the Mighty Subodai has perhaps less spine than his honored father." Scowled General Girgen.

"One more remark of that nature, General, and loyal to Batu Khan or not, we will be taking this outside to settle matters by the Ild." Cautioned Uiryangkidai.

"What if we took a hybrid solution?" I asked, speaking up for the first time.

"Please, I understand your enthusiasm, but your first campaign is a time to pay attention, not offer words." Sneered General Girgen.

"Indeed." Scoffed Prince Yaroslav of Tver.

"Perhaps the Prince wishes to be heard? It is so often the way with children." Mused Tenzin Lhundup.

"Let the Prince speak." Intoned General Chang Wen.

"Indeed, I am curious to hear what he has to say." Agreed General Zhilugu.

"If it's anything half as clever as those ship and artillery designs he and Liau Yong Cho came up with, then I think we'll want to hear it." Nodded Admiral Sak Kong Tee.

"Those were his?" Questioned Ibrahim Al-Sur.

"They were." Confirmed Commander Champo.

"Then I think I want to hear what the Prince has to say." Remarked Ibrahim Al-Sur.

"Well, Prince Dalai? What is your suggestion?" Queried Uriyangkidai.

"Admiral Sak Kong Tee's idea isn't a poor one, but we don't have the supplies to transport all five Tumen across the Bohai Sea and into the Yellow Sea to Gwangmu Island. What if we didn't have to transport all five Tumen by ship, though?" I asked.

"Go on." Urged Uriyangkidai.

"We transport two Tumen that way for a strike at King Gojong and his forces directly, while the remaining three march the long way around to put the original plan into practice in a modified form. After all, Batu Khan split his armies up and achieved great success. Why should we not do likewise?" I questioned.

"This is not like splitting an army up. Ships travel much faster than horses. How could you be sure that both forces can support one another?" Queried General Chang Wen.

"They don't need to. If the direct amphibious attack is repulsed, then the fleet can always withdraw into the Yellow Sea and begin Blockade Operations as originally planned." I pointed out.

"And what of the troops that might be left on Gwangmu Island? Will you leave them to die?" Asked Prince Yaroslav of Tver.

"No, not when they could always break out toward the mainland. We would have naval superiority in advance of any landing, after all." I insisted.

"How can you be sure they will do so even with such naval superiority. It is all well and good to imagine such things, but reality is often different." Pointed out General Girgen.

"I am willing to stake my life on their ability to do so." I intoned.

"What do you mean by that, My Prince?" Questioned Commander Champo with a frown.

"I mean that I am willing to join the landing force personally." I informed.

"Dalai, are you certain of this?" Queried Uriyangkidai.

"If the Prince wishes to throw his life away, then perhaps he will be more worthy of leadership in his next incarnation, because that seems quite foolhardy." Huffed Tenzin Lhundup.

"Quiet. That he is willing to stake his life on such a venture is admirable. It shows courage." Scowled Ibrahim Al-Sur.

"That or insanity." Countered Tenzin Lhundup.

"It wouldn't be the first time I have wagered my life on a fight and won." I reminded everyone.

"True. If it works, then I will salute you, Prince Dalai, one Prince to another." Nodded Prince Yaroslav of Tver.

"I for one like it. Even if it's a risk, it shows he's got guts. Like his great-grandfather did." Grinned Admiral Sak Kong Tee.

"Mongol Lu Bu, eh? I have heard worse ideas." Chuckled General Chang Wen.

"Indeed. He helped devise improvements to the bronze cannon we use, so he should understand how best to employ them. Plus, those Hwacha Carts of his should help in clearing the battlements of the Gwangmu Fortress. I say we let the Prince go with his plan." Affirmed General Zhilugu.

"If the Prince feels this is the wisest course of action, then who am I to judge?" Asked Commander Champo.

"Very well. I'll support this plan, but only if you consent to listening to your lieutenants. If they say that it's too dangerous for you to lead from the front, I expect you to heed their advice. They have more experience in battle than you do, and you will listen to them. Am I understood?" Demanded Uriyangkidai.

"Clearly." I nodded.

"Good. I will not bring your corpse home to your father and will be giving your Lieutenants instructions to drag you away from the front by your hair if you do not heed their words." Warned Uriyangkidai.

"I understand." I confirmed.

From there, it seemed that most of the officers, including all of the senior commanders of the Army, were on my side for this plan. As matters of logistics and overall strategy were hammered out over the course of the next hour or so, however, I caught a glimpse of General Girgen and Tenzin Lhundup sharing a frown at how smoothly things had proceeded once I had gotten involved, and a shiver went up my spine. Clearly, they had both marked me out as a political opponent. That would be something for future me to handle, however.

Present me needed to worry about something completely different. Namely, how on earth was I going to manage to successfully assault the Gwangmu Fortress? The Hybrid Ships, Improved Cannons, and Hwacha would only help so much, after all. The rest would have to be down to courage, training, discipline, and tactics. I would spend much of the next few days pondering the question as my Minghan joined the force boarding transports and headed off to strike at Gwangmu Island directly. I would only hit upon the solution once we were already underway.

The East Channel of the Island, where the Gangwhasong Fortress was, which guarded King Gojong's Court and was manned by his soldiers, only covered the eastern coast of the Island. If we could take and control the islands on the western side of the main Gwangmu Island, then we could effectively have a base from which our Engineers could begin constructing forts of our own. Once we had those, we could emplace some cannons and Hwacha from the less mobile junks and effectively begin building up causeways to connect our strongholds to each other and to the main island, since the islands were close enough. Once that happened, we would effectively have a fortified position to retreat to that would effectively allow us to stage attacks on the Gangwhasong Fortress and King Gojong with impunity, even if our fleet was driven off.

I gave it a year and a half, maybe two years tops, before we finally were able to build up enough to overcome the fort and capture King Gojong and his court. Given the original timeline's invasion took six months and ended in failure, I figured that eighteen-to-twenty-four months for a victory was a decent trade-off. Plus, there may be the opportunity to seize the initiative once we were actually on the island and end things early. All in all, I felt it was a solid tactical plan. One that I would get my chance to put into action soon enough.

As we sailed into sight of the small chain of islands that King Gojong was using as his anti-Mongol refuge, however, we finally ran into an enemy fleet of one-hundred-ten Korean Warships, a mix of Gwaseon Ram Ships and Pyeongjeonseon Gunships with rockets and small cannons. As our fleet sallied forth to defeat the Goryeo Fleet, I held my breath, watching from the deck of one of the transports. The first test of my innovations in Naval Technology was about to begin, and I wasn't taking part, forced as I was to be a bystander aboard a transport ship hanging back outside the engagement area. I could only look on and hope that Tengri favored Admiral Sak Kong Tee. My war would begin after the Naval Battle concluded.

One way or the other. . .

XXXX

AN: All right, so here we have the next chapter. The Council of War reveals potential political rivalries to Dalai, even as he manages to help the Higher Command Staff herd cats from all over the Empire to a successful strategy meeting. Now, Dalai has to put his money where his mouth is and actually help do the fighting to win a victory here. Fortunately, he has subordinates he can count on to help him out.

At any rate, the next chapter will be an interlude showing the naval battle off Gwangmu Island, then we'll be back with Dalai for the actual landings on the western islands of the small archipelago.

Stay tuned. . .