Yang Hao coerced everyone to play a great victory, and Xing Jue secretly planned to play in the palace

After that, the Ming army attacked for several days but failed to capture the island and the mountain, and the Korean follow-up troops also arrived one after another, and the Japanese army closed the city and waited for help. It was a severe winter, rain and snow were combined, the cold wind cracked people's skin, the heavy rain continued in various parts of Korea, the roads in the Ulsan area and to Hanyang were muddy and slippery, and it was difficult for the Ming army's artillery and grain and grass to be transported to the front line in time, and in the rainy and snowy season, the Ming army's firepower was also greatly reduced, and it could not occupy an absolute advantage over the Japanese army on Daoshan. The terrain of the island and the mountain is steep, the city is high and the wall is thick, the combat strength of the Korean naval army is insufficient, the Ming Dynasty naval army has not yet marched to Korea, and cannot cut off the supply of the Japanese army from the sea, the Korean and Ming coalition forces have been unable to attack for a long time, so the fighting spirit is becoming looser, and the siege is far less than the first day.

The Japanese army relied on the buildings in the city to shelter from the rain and snow, always paid attention to keeping the gunpowder dry, returned fire with artillery and arquebuses day and night, and soaked the projectiles with poison, and those who hit them would surely die. For many days, due to the heavy casualties, the Ming Army's Liberation Department suffered heavy casualties and was forced to evacuate and it was difficult to fight again. The generals of the coalition army gathered for this purpose, and Ma Guijin, the commander-in-chief of the army, said: "In the past few days, the soldiers of the coalition army have fought bloodily, but the city is strong, and our army is short of firearms. The Japanese army had its back to the sea, and the sea route was unimpeded, so there was no hindrance. After the generals agreed, they could encircle the point to send reinforcements, one could prevent the attack of Japanese reinforcements during the siege, and the other could rest the coalition army, prepare ordnance, grain and grass, and then seize the island and mountain after the cold winter. I don't know what I think? ”

Yang Hao didn't allow: "What is this, originally I had considered the fatigue of the soldiers and ordered the first rest, but now I only see that I am afraid of war and death, and the battlefield is perfunctory, is the military law useless?" Turning a deaf ear to military orders? Ma Gui persuaded again: "That's not the case, the soldiers are fighting day and night, the team is resting, the battlefield is bad, our army has lost the opportunity to attack the city, in order to avoid sudden changes in the war, the generals have this proposal, and the end will be this law is applicable to the current war situation." ”

Yang Hao reproached: "Ma Gui, you are also a famous general, you have been on the battlefield for a long time, why are you so confused today?" The Japanese thieves only stubbornly resisted and defended the islands and mountains, our army fought hard to no avail, the time and place were not in our place, there was a shortage of materials, and the soldiers were tired, this is all the truth. And for the thieves, it is also miserable, and in this harsh winter, it is the opportunity for our army to capture the island and mountain. If, as you say, our army can indeed get a full rest, but after the harsh winter, there will be a steady stream of enemy reinforcements, and there is no time to conquer the islands and mountains. It is necessary to capture the island mountain and the city as soon as possible at any cost! A strict order was passed down, the whole army must not slack off, and those who fear war should be beheaded immediately to show the public! The generals must do their best, and I ask you to join me in supervising the battle day and night to boost the morale of the army. ”

Kwon Li, the marshal of the Joseon capital, also agreed with Yang Ho's opinion: "I also think that although the continuous siege of the city is not good for us now, if we want to capture the island mountain as soon as possible, we must rush before the enemy reinforces it. Although the Korean army is not as good at fighting as the Ming army, it will be able to fight to the end, and I am grateful that the Ming army has done its best to help Korea recover its country, and the DPRK will not fight to the death. But if there is a military order, I will obey it. Therefore, under Yang Hao's strict orders, the Chaoming coalition army once again attacked Daoshan in batches.

The Japanese army on Dosan was also extremely difficult, the Japanese army lost a large number of supplies due to the loss of the Ulsan position, and there was not much left in the city of Dosan for several days, and the military food aid did not arrive. Asano Nagamasa and Kato Kiyomasa discussed: "I have sent a request for help, it is now in the bitter cold, and it should take a few days for reinforcements to arrive." Now the casualties are mounting day by day, everyone is tired, the army is short of food, there is no drinking water, and we must try to survive these days. ”

Kato Kiyomasa asked Nabeshima Naoshige, and Nabeshima bluntly said that although the whole army was hungry and thirsty, he would definitely hold on until the last moment. No matter how many casualties are paid, they are willing to die in battle. But Naoshige Nabeshima didn't know how to overcome it. Asano Nagamasa said: "The cage city strategy is a last resort, sufficient armament and rations, morale boosting is the first priority, supplemented by intrigue to win a big victory, Kato Yongwu can be a hundred enemies, once the reinforcements are rescued, the tide of the war can be reversed." I can send another messenger to the sea to urge Busan. ”

Kato Kiyomasa was silent, walked to the horse and was sluggish for a long time, suddenly drew his sword and the war horse cut to the ground, Kato Kiyomasa ordered the whole army to slaughter the war horse, ration the horse meat to satisfy hunger, and drink horse blood to quench thirst. Asano Surprise How can you drink horse blood? Speaking of which, Kato Kiyomasa drank horse blood profoundly, heartily, and his teeth were bright red, which was intimidating. Naoshige Nabeshima immediately took a sip and was addicted, and the Japanese army was inspired by it, and the sound of killing shook the sky. Asano Nagamasa sighed: "Kato Shinai is a ghost and a god, His Royal Highness Taiko has such a fierce general, and the gods and Buddhas will be shaken by it." ”

The Ming army fought until the thirteenth day, the Japanese reinforcements landed from Liangshan and Xishengura, and Kobayakawa Hideaki was the general of the reinforcements, and Kuroda Nagamasa, Mori Hidemoto, and Nagamune led 16,000 troops to help, and then more than 10,000 troops led by Shimazu Yoshihiro's nephew, Shimazu Toyohisa and Yoshikawa Hiroie, were rushing to the rescue. According to Kuroda's plan, the reinforcements were densely covered with flags, and the fleet was full of straw men dressed in military uniforms as suspicious soldiers, and fired cannons to warn for the Ming army to investigate. Kobayakawa Hideaki shouted: "The merit of eternity is on the island mountain, defeat the Ming army, and raise the prestige of our army!" The reward for the head of the Korean soldiers is 50 Wen, the head of the Ming miscellaneous soldiers is 100 Wen, the head of the enemy general is 50 Wen, and the reward for the head of the enemy general Yang Hao and Ma Gui is 1,000 yuan! As a result, the morale of the Japanese army was greatly boosted, and they rushed to the island mountain.

At this time, the Ming army had not yet captured the island and mountain city, and Yang Hao was mentally weak, so he returned to the camp to rest first, preparing for a truce and rest. Liu Chenglong said to Yang Hao: "Now is the time to compete in strength, you must not relax, although the Japanese are stubbornly resisting, there is little military food and water left, but as long as they continue to attack, they will be able to win a complete victory." Yang Hao was very tired: "The Japanese are already the turtles in the urn, and we have been attacking for thirteen consecutive days, I and Magui are supervising the battle day and night, the casualties of the soldiers are increasing day by day, and they are also exhausted, so it is better to rest and fight again." ”

Quan Li reminded from the side: "If you can't step up the capture of the city, once the enemy reinforcements arrive, the siege will be even more difficult." Yang Hao said impatiently: "So what? It is also in line with my wishes, and the Japanese will be gathered and annihilated under this island mountain city. "Suddenly, it was reported that the Japanese army had landed in Liangshan, and the number of troops was difficult to count for a while, and it was roughly judged that it might be more than 50,000. Yang Ho was shocked, and Liu Chenglong and Quan Li urgently asked to immediately launch a general attack and capture the island mountain in order to resist the Japanese reinforcements.

Yang Ho strongly opposed this proposal: "This must not be the case, even if we launch a general attack, the island and the mountain will not be able to go down immediately, if we fail to capture the island mountain before the arrival of the enemy's reinforcements, we will be besieged by the enemy, embattled, and reckless actions will only be wasted!" Now that the Japanese have been hit harder than ever before, it is easy to avoid being flanked by the enemy first, and then attack the island after regrouping. Immediately order the whole army to immediately retreat to Gyeongju! Liu Chenglong and Kwon Li repeatedly asked to continue the attack, but Yang Ho did not allow it, and strictly ordered the immediate withdrawal of the army. The two were deeply helpless

Kiyomasa Kato and Nagamasa Asano were greatly encouraged to learn of the arrival of reinforcements, and the morale of the Japanese troops was high, and the fire returned more fiercely than before. Ma Gui noticed the abnormality of the Japanese army in the war, and suddenly saw that the rear of the Ming army was very panicked, and retreated north, and the Ming general Xie Sheng came to report: "It is reported that the Japanese army is coming to help, and Yang Hao has strictly ordered the withdrawal of the army, and Yang Jingluo has now withdrawn to Gyeongju, the military order is in a hurry, the morale is broken, and the chaos is uncontrollable." ”

Mao Guoqi asked for an order: "The army is in chaos, please also ask the Admiral to withdraw quickly, and I will wait for the queen of the palace." Ma Gui was furious: "How can you hastily withdraw the army if you haven't found out the truth, the ordnance is still there, you wait for me to order the orderly evacuation of military discipline, and I will delay after breaking myself." Wu Weizhong persuaded: "The commander has withdrawn, and the admiral, as the deputy commander, cannot stand in the dangerous army. The Admiral withdrew the whole army, and I and Mao Guoqi led the troops to break off to resist the invasion of the Japanese invaders, and once the army withdrew safely, the two of us then rushed to rendezvous. ”

Ma Gui repeatedly told the two of them to save their lives, so he ordered Wu Weizhong and Mao Guoqi to lead 5,000 troops to block the attack, and he withdrew with his whole army and escorted the baggage. Kobayakawa Hideaki's army arrived and immediately killed the Ming army's position, Kato Kiyomasa also led the army to attack when he saw this, Wu Weizhong and Mao Guoqi fought hard and retreated, and they were able to fight to the death. The Ming army scrambled to seize the road, there were many cliffs and passes on the road to Gyeongju, there were often trampling and falling off the cliff and died, the Japanese army was killed, wounded, hungry and thirsty in this battle totaled more than 10,000 people, North Korea killed 1,000 people, 3,000 wounded, the Ming army died more than 7,000 people, 3,000 wounded after the war, and the casualties of the Korean and Ming coalition forces were more than 14,000.

After Yang Ho fled to Gyeongju, he was worried that Gyeongju was too close to each other and could not be safeguarded, so he once again ordered the whole army to withdraw to Hanyang. Xing Jue saw that Yang Hao was defeated and fled alone, and he was angry: "The emperor has entrusted you with a heavy responsibility, and the ministers trust you, why are you so rash in the battle of Ulsan!" Yang Jingluo, abandoning the city and abandoning the land can be punished. Yang Hao hurriedly defended: "The superintendent also knows that under this severe cold, the rain and snow are continuous, the siege is limited, the supply is difficult, and the naval army cannot cut off the sea, which is all external reasons. The soldiers are tired, their morale is sluggish, and they are all greedy for life and afraid of death, which is the internal cause, otherwise they would have captured the island and mountain and the city. I fought with Magui day and night for thirteen days, the enemy was heavily damaged, and suddenly heard that the enemy's army came to help, and there were 50,000 people! Therefore, avoid its edge first, so as not to suffer the enemy on the belly and back, if it is surrounded, then I will die without redemption, and now I will rest and fight again. ”

Ding Yingtai, the director of the praise painting, asked: "Jing Liu's words may be suspected of avoiding the truth and being false, and the external reasons of this battle are well known when the day is discussed, and Jing Luo is also a strong advocate of the war, so why bother to prevaricate." Battlefield planning, decision-making, and military morale are all the responsibility of the commander-in-chief. In my opinion, it is because you do not accept the advice that the island and mountain cannot be attacked for a long time, and it is the enemy who can take advantage of it if you insist on going your own way, which is the crime of stubbornness and self-use."

Yang Hao was about to argue again, Ma Gui chased back to Hanyang all the way, and was anxious to see Xing Jue and Ding Yingtai angrily reprimanding Yang Hao: "Please forgive the superintendent and the principal, the last general should not have said much, but he is really resentful." Since Yang Jingluo has tried his best to resist public opinion and insists on attacking the city with all his might, he should carry it out throughout. Even if the enemy comes to reinforce him, he should first find out the truth before making a decision. Seeing that the island and mountain were about to be captured, the army hastily withdrew, the officers and soldiers were killed and wounded, the army's morale was completely broken, and the hard battle was fruitless and defeated, and the army complained about this. This is the details of the casualties reported by each battalion, please supervise and take a brief look. ”

Ding Yingtai immediately sighed that Yang Hao was indeed to blame, but Yang Hao said: "Where did the defeat that the Admiral said come from? How could our army have been defeated in this battle? It's clearly a big victory! In this battle, our army fought day and night for 13 days, captured a large number of positions, captured countless enemy funds, and the enemy was forced to resist stubbornly in a corner of the island and mountain. The Japanese enemy on the island and mountain were almost completely killed and wounded, and our army died no more than 1,000 in battle. It just so happened that the enemy came to help, and it was inevitable that there would be a mistake to withdraw the army first and then prepare for war. Now that the southeast is under my control, the enemy in the southwest is in constant fear. What is the purpose of the Admiral's words of defeat here? ”

Ma Gui asked in surprise: "But the casualties reported by each battalion have reached 20,000, and the battlefield is full of corpses, and there are not a few, how can there be more than 1,000?" Yang Hao argued: "After the end of the war, how can each battalion report in detail for a while, this detail is only a rough estimate, but one or two can be guessed from it, and the details should be redrawn and reported according to the facts and reported a great victory to comfort the sacred heart." ”

Ding Yingtai said angrily: "Yang Jingluo, you don't want to turn defeat into victory!" I will impeach you for deceit!" Yang Hao chuckled a few times, took out the cabinet letter and said: "This is a handwritten letter from the two cabinet elders, Zhang and Shen, please take a look." The emperor is always looking forward to a big victory, it is difficult to eat and eat every day, and he can't sleep at night, and the cabinet is also exhausted, hoping that I will focus on the overall situation. The Eastern Crusade has given me full authority and hopes that we can work together. It has been stated in the letter that the two elders have a lot of trust in me Yang Ho and obey my words. Our army has a clear victory, I don't know why you insist on defeat? Is it possible that as long as you do not take the city, you will be defeated? My newly lost father was supposed to return to his hometown to guard filial piety, but the emperor remembered that the war was urgent, so he retained it, and the cabinet was ordered to prepare an edict to commend it, and it was intended to be announced after the triumph. I also hope that you will work with me to be of the same heart, not to be biased or to deceive the Holy One, and I ask you to join hands with me to play the great victory of Ulsan. What does the Overseer think? ”

After receiving the cabinet letter, Xing Jue, Ding Yingtai, and Ma Gui all looked at each other. Xing Jue's face was difficult, and it was difficult to speak for a long time, and he said that he had the intention to be a minister, and he should obey and promise Yang Hao to play together. After asking the housekeeper to send Yang Hao and Ma Gui to rest, Ding Yingtai was left and right to retreat and said: "My government is actually a secret agent of the East Factory, so I have to be cautious in my words and deeds. Today's events will soon be known to the celebrants. I always feel strange about this matter, Yang Ho must be untruthful, but he is protected by the emperor and the cabinet, so we must show us the last resort to the east factory. You can immediately impeach Yang Ho, tell the truth, and make it clear that we were really coerced by Yang Ho. In order to avoid the cabinet blocking, you can separately tell the Jinyi Guard, so that it can play directly in the palace, with your play and the help of the factory guard, the emperor will definitely cure Yang Hao for the crime of bullying the king. ”

Ding Yingtai asked Xing Jue why he didn't explain the matter in person? Xing Jue said: "I am the governor of Jiliao and the military department between Shangshu and Jingluo in this matter, and I have been co-signed with Yang Hao, and then I will defend myself afterwards for fear of causing shame, how can I be thousands of miles away to fight the mouth of the court." Ranking in the feudal territory and holding military power, how can it not attract scruples. However, you are in charge of a different matter, in addition to participating in the planning of military affairs, you also have the responsibility of supervising military affairs, and it is more appropriate for you to be in charge. Ding Yingtai understood.

Yang Ho and Ma Gui jointly signed the "Dongshi Concerto", saying that 21 members including Zhang Yingyuan, the chief officer of the 1,000 generals, and 770 soldiers including Qingdaha. Six officers returned to the battalion with wounded wounds, 817 soldiers including Zhang Si and 2,900 officers were killed when they returned to the camp due to illness, and 2,900 officers including Ma Dai, who were lightly wounded. 2,300 horses were wounded and killed, and 213 were wounded and killed.

After receiving the secret report, he first verified with Jinyiwei, and together with Jinyiwei Admiral Wang Zhizhen and commander Li Ruzhen, he took out Ding Yingtai and entered the palace to face the saint. Emperor Wanli was drinking and enjoying himself, and the celebrant was in charge of Yin Tian Yibao, Chen Ju, Wang Zhizhen, Li Ruzhen, etc., please meet. Emperor Wanli summoned him and asked, what is the matter, please see? Chen Jucheng said: "Dongchang submitted a report on the defeat of Yang Ho and Ulsan, but insisted on turning defeat into victory, and coerced the governor Xing Jue and the general soldier Ma Gui to jointly report the victory, this is the details of the report, and Yang Hao and Ding Yingtai's recital asked the master to take a look. ”

Admiral Wang Zhizhen of Jinyiwei played: "Jinyiwei also has a secret report, Ding Yingtai impeached Yang Hao for false reputation and deception, only knew that there was no handsome talent, deceived the king, lied about the victory, deceived the details of casualties, listed a total of 28 crimes and impeached Zhang Wei and Shen Cheng The two ministers deliberately shielded it. According to the secret investigation of the Jinyi guard in North Korea, it should be true, this matter is very important, there is a stain on the holy name, the ministers are all frightened, and they also ask the emperor to investigate. ”

Emperor Wanli hurriedly took Song Shu to take a closer look, hated Yang Hao deeply, and was extremely disappointed in the cabinet's behavior: "It seems that this Yang Hao is really bold and reckless, and Zhang Wei and Shen have always been in cahoots with him." Why else to seize the mercy for the sake of the war and give a decree to commend it, why don't I know that the cabinet has drawn up this will? ”

Jin Yiwei commanded Li Ruzhen, a fellow acquaintance, and said: "Your Majesty, it seems that the cabinet must have drafted a holy decree without the permission of the emperor and waited for the opportunity, acted arbitrarily, figured out the holy will, and shielded the guilty ministers and was also suspected of forming a party. But Yichen seems that the cabinet minister should be deceived by Yang Hao, Yang Hao has a heavy responsibility, and he is also praised by the world for his loyalty, wisdom and bravery, and the cabinet can hardly guarantee that he has to accommodate Yang Hao, even so, the cabinet is too inappropriate. ”

Emperor Wanli asked: "Li Ruzhen, I heard that Yang Hao is very close to your family, and in Ding Yingtai's impeachment, your fifth brother Li Rumei is also involved. Li Ruzhen replied: "Back to the emperor, the minister has seen that the Li family in Liaodong and Yang Hao are not related, and there is no correspondence. It's just that Yang Hao intends to be close, his father and Yang Hao have never met, and among the brothers, only the fifth brother Rumei has fought Hu Lu with Yang Hao. That Yang Ho recruited troops in order to let the fifth brother make meritorious contributions, which was really Yang Hao's wishful thinking, acting without authority as a personal relationship, not my fifth brother's intention, and asked the emperor to investigate. ”

Wang Zhizhen said: "This Yang Hao is really the most deserving death, repeatedly favored by the emperor, tired of official promotions, and doing things properly in Hanyang and Jishan, I thought that he would be a capable minister who could share the emperor's worries, who would have thought that it would be so unbearable, scheming, and dare to bully the king!" Sin should be punished! Chen Ju added: "Fortunately, only Yang Hao is the only one in the army to make his own decisions on this matter, otherwise he will be implicated in the punishment and the army's morale will be unstable, and he will give the Japanese a chance to take advantage of it." ”

The celebrant was in charge of Yin Tianyi, and then asked Yang Hao to be punished for the crime of bullying the monarch, and ordered Zhang Wei and Shen to enter the palace for interrogation. Although Emperor Wanli was angry with Yang, Zhang and Shen, the matter implicated the cabinet and was really a dilemma for Emperor Wanli. Yang Ho's punishment of crimes is small, but it is difficult to restrain hundreds of officials by severely punishing the cabinet, and it is difficult to convince the public with light punishment. In order to properly dispose of it, Emperor Wanli temporarily left the matter without approval, waiting for Zhao Zhigao, the first assistant of the cabinet, to mediate and transfer the conflict.

At this time, Zhang Wei and Shen Cheng in the cabinet also knew about the matter, and their grievances were difficult to settle. Zhang Wei angrily scolded Yang Hao for being bold and reckless, unworthy of being a minister, and unable to calm down for a long time. Shen has always said: "Now that Yang Hao's crime is small, I and other ministers are afraid that a catastrophe is coming, and any of these are big crimes, such as figuring out the holy will, privately drafting the holy decree, shielding the criminal ministers, and taking bribes to form a party, and they are all implicated by Yang Hao's villain." ”

"They don't know the inside story of this matter, and it is not the Cabinet acting arbitrarily, and it has nothing to do with forming a party for personal gain. But this matter is not easy to argue, and those officials will fight for impeachment. Zhang Wei sighed.

Shen has always said to himself: "The impeachment of us is a fact but also a fact, and the difficulty lies here." However, this matter implicates the cabinet, and the emperor must also be in a dilemma, and I guess that the emperor is now also trying to try to cover up for us, and this time there should be no danger. ”

Zhang Wei said angrily: "I'm figuring out the holy will again!" Now that a big mistake has been made, he doesn't want to repent and ask for his sin, and he is still talking here, where is the appearance of a cabinet minister! How can you share the emperor's worries with such a faction! ”

Shen Yi replied with a smile: "Then according to what the second assistant said, this time we should show our mistakes, ask for the blame, and abandon the emperor!" What did the emperor order us to serve as cabinet ministers? In order to balance the situation and help the emperor sort out the world. ”

Zhang Wei accused: "Elder Shen Ge is really righteous and awe-inspiring, it seems that I am stingy." It is you who recommended Yang Hao, you Shen Ge Lao Kong has a full stomach and is capable of government affairs. But he is cronyistic, scheming, greedy for power and bribery, and has a sleek reputation. Strongly recommend the villain to hold an important position, guess the holy will and privately draft the holy will, and now how to end up causing a big disaster! ”

Shen always listened to it and retorted: "The second assistant should not pick himself so cleanly, I recommend Yang Hao is not fake, and the second assistant also seconded the recommendation, when I guessed the holy will, the second assistant also thought it was true, how could this private holy decree become my own business?" When you accepted Yang Hao's bribe, you didn't refuse, why didn't you see that Cifu was so clear about right and wrong? ”

Zhang Wei was furious: "Traitorous villain, a raccoon dog!" I will plead guilty to the emperor for my mistakes, and the mouth of the world can be blamed on me, even if I am ruined, I must not embarrass the emperor. Is it to go or stay free and the emperor is sacred! And he is a traitor, and the old man asserts that he will die without a place to be buried! ”

Shen was always angry but calmed down immediately, thinking that this was not the time to fight, he smiled calmly and apologized: "It's okay, I and the second assistant are both at this age, we shouldn't quarrel." The same ministers should work together. What the second assistant accused was that I was unwilling to be angry and unreasonable, and I should have reformed myself. This incident started because of me, and I will not shirk responsibility, but should reflect on it. What the second assistant said is thought-provoking, the old man is by no means a traitorous villain, and his actions are indeed treacherous and inappropriate, which is not my intention. But please also ask the second assistant at this time not to rush to the top to ask for the guilt, you might as well discuss with the first assistant first, and ask the second assistant not to worry about the verbal conflict. ”

Zhang Wei saw that Shen had always said this, and most of his anger had actually disappeared, and he thought that he should also focus on the overall situation at this time, not be rash, and return the gift to make amends. At the same time, Yang Yinglong also personally led the Banzhou soldiers to rob Jiangjin and Nanchuan Zhuyi in Sichuan, attacked Hongtou, Gaoping, and Xincun Zhutun in Guizhou, and invaded 48 Tun in Huguang.