[In Fact] Why Yi Sun-sin Did Not Use 'Outboxing' at Noryang (Part 2)

Jin Lin Chased Yu-jeong to Jinyeong and Tore the General's Flag
"If I Avenge My Enemy, I Have No Regrets Even If I Die..."
Deung Ja-ryong's Panokseon, Cannon Misfire in Urgent Situation
Battle of Noryang: Loss of Humanity, Indifference to Life and Death

'If you know' conveys useful information in a disorganized manner. It is a tip for enjoying movies more interestingly.

*Following <'Because I am a Catholic...' Konishi who refused seppuku and became a laughingstock (Part 1)>

*Konishi Yukinaga enjoyed the atmosphere of the Suncheon Waeseong fortress tower. "It is a hundred times better than a castle built by ignorant swordsmen, isn't it?" He called Kat? Kiyomasa, who was building and stationed at Ulsan Waeseong, an "ignorant swordsman," and Kat? mocked Konishi as a "lowly merchant's son." Their conflict was so severe that it changed the course of the war.

*The warship Konishi boarded flew a military flag in the shape of an 'X.' Originally, they used a flag with a white cross on a red background. When Toyotomi issued a ban on Christianity, the cross was altered into an 'X' shape to disguise it.

*Suncheon Waeseong was also called Yegyo Fortress. It was surrounded by the sea on the north, east, and south sides, leaving only the west as the land attack route. The combined Joseon-Ming allied forces of about 35,000 troops continuously attacked from the west but could not break through the 15,000 Japanese soldiers. Yu Jeong, who was already indifferent to the war in another country, lost the will to attack and subtly left the assault to Kwon Yul. Although Kwon Yul was in a difficult situation, he could not refuse. At that time, Yi Sun-sin was attacking Jangdo Island in front of Suncheon Waeseong. Although now reclaimed land, at the time it was a large anchorage for the Japanese fleet and served as a food warehouse for Suncheon Waeseong. Yi Sun-sin attacked Jangdo, burned the food warehouse, and sank thirty Japanese ships. Simultaneously, he killed over 1,000 Japanese soldiers and captured eleven Japanese ships.

*After occupying Jangdo, Yi Sun-sin, together with Jin Lin, attacked Suncheon Waeseong. Attacking a land fortress from the sea was not easy. Placing cannons on high ground and firing had range and power comparable to Panokseon warships. Moreover, the Japanese forces hiding in Suncheon Waeseong had nearly 300 ships anchored, prepared for their return to the homeland. This fleet was stationed in a location protected by breakwaters, ready to encircle and attack the Joseon navy if necessary. Additionally, the tidal range in this coastal area was so large that mudflats appeared at low tide, making it difficult to secure time for naval attacks. As expected, Jin Lin's fleet of thirty-nine ships was trapped by the low tide, and three Joseon Panokseon ships were also isolated. The Japanese forces poured out from Suncheon Waeseong and launched a counterattack. Yi Sun-sin had to rescue Jin Lin. He approached so close that the flagship's bottom touched the mudflats and fired cannons and arrows. Despite all efforts, about 800 Ming navy soldiers died. The three Panokseon ships trapped in the mudflats effectively resisted the Japanese boarding tactics. They continuously fired arrows from the ship's sides and cut down Japanese soldiers climbing onto the Panokseon, holding out to the end. The Panokseon was large and tall, making it difficult for the Japanese to board. Jin Lin and his soldiers would have been annihilated if not for the Panokseon gifted by Yi Sun-sin. As time passed, the tide rose, and the Joseon fleet moved closer to the mudflats, rescuing the three Panokseon ships and Jin Lin.

*While the Joseon-Ming allied navy fiercely attacked Suncheon Waeseong, Yu Jeong, leading the army, only pretended to attack and shouted battle cries. Hearing this, Jin Lin and Yi Sun-sin mistakenly thought the army was performing well and attacked vigorously at sea, only to suffer the humiliation of being trapped in the mudflats. Jin Lin was furious. He chased to Yu Jeong's camp and tore down the general's flag. Although Yu Jeong had a slightly higher rank, he blamed only his incompetent subordinate commanders, feeling guilty himself.

*Ultimately, the attack on Suncheon Waeseong failed. However, Yi Sun-sin's navy occupied Jangdo and sank about thirty Japanese ships. They also saved Ming soldiers. Since there were almost no casualties, it is hard to consider it a defeat for Yi Sun-sin. The fleet of about 300 ships anchored at Suncheon Waeseong was too afraid to sortie and meet Yi Sun-sin, so their mere presence fulfilled their role.

*Konishi, having experienced Yu Jeong's army, judged the war situation to be favorable to himself. While negotiating, he planned to unite with nearby Japanese forces and annihilate the Joseon-Ming allied forces. "Peace must be established for withdrawal, and if withdrawal occurs without peace, the enemy will counterattack, and difficulties are expected. Currently, the Japanese side has the advantage, and the enemy shows no signs of new military actions. This is the time to establish peace. Until now, peace negotiations included sending a Joseon prince as a hostage, but if even tribute is acceptable, peace can be easily established. Also, for Japan's honor, several fortresses should be left intact" (Konishi's letter dated October 10, 1598).

*The Japanese forces defending Ulsan Waeseong under Kat? Kiyomasa could return to Japan via Tsushima Island without interference from the Joseon navy. The Japanese forces at Sacheon Waeseong under Shimazu Yoshihiro could also return to Japan via Busan. However, Konishi Yukinaga at Suncheon Waeseong, the farthest from Busan, was blocked at sea by the fleets of Yi Sun-sin and Jin Lin. Konishi was maddened. His lord Toyotomi had already died, and the new lord, Toyotomi Hideyori, was only ten years old. He had to protect the new lord from the ambitious Tokugawa Ieyasu. The political situation in Japan was complicated due to the succession issue, so he needed to return quickly to take a stance. However, the sea route was blocked by Yi Sun-sin and Jin Lin, and the Joseon-Ming allied forces everywhere made escape by land to Busan practically impossible. After much thought, Konishi contacted Ming commander Yu Jeong, who seemed unwilling to fight. He proposed that if Yu Jeong did not block the retreat or attack from behind, he would surrender Suncheon Waeseong, the food supplies, and Japanese weapons intact. Yu Jeong had no reason to refuse and sent forty Ming soldiers as hostages as collateral. Excited, Konishi held a feast and treated his subordinates to drinks. The next day, he planned to move to Changsin Island, right next to Namhae Island, where his son-in-law, the lord of Tsushima, So Yoshitoshi, was stationed. After meeting him on Changsin Island, he planned to join Shimazu, who would come from Sacheon Waeseong, and cross to Busan.

*The next day, as Konishi was about to depart, he was enraged. The Joseon-Ming allied fleet was stationed in front of Suncheon Waeseong's sea. Konishi cut off the hands of the Ming soldiers held hostage and sent them to Yu Jeong. Yu Jeong informed Jin Lin that he could not give orders. Konishi changed his stance, abandoned Yu Jeong, and targeted Jin Lin's greed. Jin Lin, who had received a considerable bribe, lifted the siege of Suncheon Waeseong. Trusting Jin Lin, Konishi boarded all his troops on about 300 ships and left Suncheon Waeseong. As promised, the Ming navy did not appear. The Japanese soldiers rowed excitedly, increasing their ship's speed. However, the Joseon navy did not lift the blockade and was prepared for any possible escape by Konishi's forces. Konishi's vanguard of ten ships was detected by the Joseon fleet and annihilated. Eventually, Konishi had to return to Suncheon Waeseong. He confronted Jin Lin, who replied, "Yi Sun-sin is not someone who listens to me, and I cannot stop what he does."

*Konishi decided on a final battle. He sought help from his son-in-law So Yoshitoshi on Changsin Island and Shimazu at Sacheon Waeseong. They planned to unite, break through the Joseon navy, and return to Japan. The Ming fleet, upon seeing the messenger ship seeking help, pretended not to notice and cleared the way. The Joseon navy discovered this late and chased desperately. However, the messenger ship reached Hansando faster than the Joseon ships, and the Japanese troops abandoned their ships and landed on land. The Joseon navy stopped the pursuit. At that time, Japanese troops waiting to return to their homeland were stationed on Hansando, so there was no choice.

*The letter contained the following: 'Shimazu, if you break through the Noryang Strait and attack here, I will simultaneously attack and surround Yi Sun-sin's fleet for a pincer attack.' To rescue Konishi, Shimazu, So Yoshitoshi, Tachibana Muneshige (responsible for Geoje Island), and Takahashi Munemasu (of Busan) gathered about 500 ships from five divisions at Changsin Island. Konishi's fleet of about 300 ships waiting to leave Suncheon Waeseong was also ready. If things went wrong, Yi Sun-sin and Jin Lin's fleets could be surrounded by about 800 Japanese ships, a dangerous situation. Upon hearing this, Yi Sun-sin knew he had to defeat Shimazu's fleet coming to rescue Konishi first. He asked Jin Lin to join the battle. Jin Lin hesitated. Besides the bribe from Konishi, he did not want to engage in a war in another country that was almost over. Angry, Yi Sun-sin gave up persuading and decided to go on a solo expedition.

*Jin Lin felt sorry seeing Yi Sun-sin preparing for battle alone. He knew well that stopping an enemy trying to end the war and return home was not easy. The desperate struggles of those trying to survive were expected. However, as a soldier, it was a noble belief not to allow the enemy who trampled the country and territory to return alive. It was a great idea of national pride. Jin Lin could not ignore it. If Yi Sun-sin succeeded alone, it would be awkward for him upon returning to Ming. Reluctantly, he decided to join Yi Sun-sin in battle.

*Before the Battle of Noryang, Yi Sun-sin held a ritual to the heavens. "Today, I truly prepare to die. I pray to heaven to surely annihilate this enemy... If I can avenge this enemy, I will have no regrets even if I die."

*Shimazu's troops were famous as the bravest army of the Satsuma domain in Kyushu, Japan. Their strength reached 10,000 soldiers. This army had inflicted a crushing defeat on Won Gyun's Joseon navy at Chilcheonryang. So Yoshitoshi's troops were from Tsushima and were special forces skilled in sea and naval warfare. Jin Lin's Ming navy consisted of about 10,000 southern soldiers from Zhejiang Province, who were better fighters than Liaodong cavalry. However, the Joseon navy under Yi Sun-sin, who boasted the world's best naval combat skills at the time, was undoubtedly the top ace.

*At 2 a.m. on November 19, 1598, Shimazu, So, Tachibana, and Takahashi's combined fleet of about 500 ships entered the Noryang Strait. Nearly 20,000 Japanese soldiers were aboard. The Joseon navy had about 80 Panokseon ships and, including allied ships, about 200 ships with roughly 10,000 soldiers. Jin Lin's Ming navy had about 300 ships and 10,000 soldiers.

*As the Japanese army led by Shimazu quietly tried to cross the Noryang Strait, the Joseon navy silently guarded the sea. The Joseon navy positioned itself to the left of Namhae Island, and the Ming navy ambushed to the north where the enemy would emerge from the strait. Shimazu needed to quickly escape the narrow Noryang Strait, while Yi Sun-sin planned to surround and attack the Japanese fleet exiting Noryang together with the Ming navy. Even if the Japanese fleet escaped the strait, islands blocked the front like a screen, making it a good position to encircle them. Yi Sun-sin did not just wait. To show he was not intimidated, he sent several Panokseon ships into the strait to strike Shimazu's lead warship. Thus began the Battle of Noryang, recorded in world naval history as a fierce battle involving about 1,000 ships from both sides.

*Shimazu was surprised to face Panokseon in the narrow strait. The Panokseon cannons roared, sinking several of Shimazu's ships. Shimazu, who had crushed Won Gyun's Joseon navy at Chilcheonryang without losing a single ship, realized Yi Sun-sin was truly different. Shimazu did not retreat. He ordered his Sekibune ships to close in within cannon range of the Panokseon. The Sekibune quickly approached the Panokseon. Outnumbered, the Panokseon turned to flee. As they chased, about 500 Japanese ships began exiting Noryang. The Ming navy attacked first. Deputy Commander Deng Zilong led Panokseon to charge the Japanese fleet. Shimazu did not retreat and ordered Sekibune to surround Deng Zilong's Panokseon. In the tense situation, Deng Zilong's Panokseon faltered due to a cannon misfire. The Sekibune closed in, and the Japanese boarded using hooks and ladders. Deng Zilong could not withstand the boarding tactics, and the Panokseon was captured. The 67-year-old Deng Zilong and the Ming navy met a tragic end.

*Emboldened, the Sekibune rushed Jin Lin's Panokseon and quickly surrounded it. Yi Sun-sin led his flagship to rescue Jin Lin, firing cannons at the Sekibune attacking Jin Lin. One by one, the Sekibune sank. Jin Lin and the Ming soldiers killed all Japanese soldiers who boarded the Panokseon. During this, Jin Lin's son was seriously injured. Nearly 1,000 ships from the three countries tangled in the narrow Noryang Strait, engaging in close combat.

*The Battle of Noryang was very different from Yi Sun-sin's previous battles. Before the Battle of Myeongnyang, he preferred thorough outboxing, using terrain for long-range cannon fire to gain the upper hand. However, at Myeongnyang, he famously held off dozens of Japanese ships with a single Panokseon all morning while his allies fled in fear. His preparation for Noryang was different. The goal was not victory but to kill as many invading enemies as possible before they returned. There was no plan to minimize their own casualties. The Joseon soldiers' eyes were filled with killing intent.

*The Japanese army was also different from when they used to flee upon seeing Yi Sun-sin's fleet. Their numbers were large, and if they retreated here, Konishi's 15,000 soldiers would be annihilated. They had to win to return home safely, risking life and death.

*The warships of the three countries exchanged close-range fire. The Panokseon fired singijeon (fire arrows) and jorantan (incendiary bombs) and threw big thunderclap bombs. The Japanese fired arquebuses while approaching, trying to board the Panokseon with swords. Joseon archers on the Panokseon fiercely shot arrows and struck with spears and sickles at climbing Japanese soldiers. Many Japanese soldiers fell into the sea without boarding. Those who fell swam to survive but were struck on the head by oars wielded by the rowers.

*The chaotic situation was unprecedented even for the rowers under the Panokseon. Ships collided indiscriminately, breaking oars, and the impact battered their bodies. Despite experiencing the worst fear and intensity imaginable, the rowers held their positions.

*The Japanese used Antak ships, which were taller than Panokseon, to look down and throw burning straw bundles to start fires. Yi Sun-sin had anticipated this. It was winter, and the northwest wind was blowing. The Joseon navy pushed the Japanese navy northwest toward Namhae Island. The fire attack backfired, setting Japanese ships ablaze instead.

*As time passed, Japanese warships sank one by one. The Japanese could kill Joseon soldiers with arquebus fire but struggled to sink the Panokseon. Their goal was not victory but to retreat while opening an escape route for Konishi. The situation increasingly favored the Joseon army, who fought fiercely to kill as many Japanese as possible. Konishi's fleet, expected to cooperate from the west, was nowhere to be seen. The Japanese could only flee around Namhae Island. The battle, which started at 2 a.m., continued past 5 a.m.

*The Japanese warships barely escaping Noryang thought they were heading around Namhae Island at full speed. However, they reached Gwanuampo, deep inside Namhae Island. Although now reclaimed, at the time it was a bay with a deep sea route. The fleeing Japanese mistook it for a sea route. Panicked, they abandoned their ships and climbed onto land. They were trapped on the island and later brutally suppressed by Joseon and Ming forces. Some gave up landing on Namhae and turned back to charge the Joseon navy. For Yi Sun-sin, it was a godsend opportunity. The entire fleet beat drums and fired cannons, heading toward the concentrated Japanese at Gwanuampo. Cornered, the Japanese fiercely resisted. As they escaped Gwanuampo, they fired dozens of arquebus shots at Yi Sun-sin's flagship. Yi Sun-sin's guard Song Hee-rip was hit and fell. Yi Sun-sin was also shot. His son Yi Hoe ran to the command post and embraced his father. His nephew Yi Wan also came running. Yi Sun-sin left them his last words: "The battle is urgent, so please do not tell of my death."

*The battle at Noryang, which started at 2 a.m. on November 19, 1598, continued even after dawn. By afternoon, the sea calmed. The Japanese who could escape fled, and those who could not were all killed. Only Joseon and Ming ships remained at sea. The Japanese combined fleet of about 500 ships sank, were empty, or were docked broken at Gwanuampo.

*The Joseon navy relentlessly attacked Shimazu Yoshihiro at Noryang, burning about 200 enemy ships and capturing about 100. The Japanese suffered enormous losses. Of the 500 Japanese ships that sortie to rescue Konishi, only fifty escaped alive to Busan. It was a great victory for the Joseon army. However, the Battle of Noryang is not called the Great Battle of Noryang because Yi Sun-sin died. Nam Yu, magistrate of Naju; Bang Deok-ryong, governor of Nagan; Yi Young-nam, commander of Garipo; Yi Mong-gu, deputy commander of the naval headquarters; Go Deuk-jang, magistrate of Heungyang; and Lee Eon-ryang, governor of Chogye also lost their lives. Song Hee-rip and Na Dae-yong were seriously injured. Returning from Noryang to Geumdo, no Joseon soldier shouted victory. Officers and soldiers alike were stunned. A sense of lost humanity and numbness to life and death dominated them. Sad news arrived: 'The death of Yi Sun-sin, Commander of the Three Provinces Naval Command.'

References: Hwang Hyun-pil, published by Yeokbayeon, "Yi Sun-sin's Sea (2021)"; Ryu Seong-ryong, translated by Lee Min-su, published by Eulyu Munhwasa, "Jingbirok (2014)"; Yi Sun-sin, translated by Noh Seung-seok, published by Yeohye, "Easy-to-Read War Diary (2022)"; Yi Sun-sin History Research Association, published by Bibong Publishing, "Yi Sun-sin and the Imjin War 4 (2006)"; Ahn Young-bae, photos by Park Young-cheol, published by Dong-A Ilbo, "Forgotten War: Jeongyu War (2018)"; Sato Tetsutaro, Sekiko Sei, Ogasawara Naganari, translated by Kim Hae-gyeong, published by Gagyanal, "Yi Sun-sin Alone Saves Joseon (2019)"; Kim Si-deok, published by Hakgojae, "The Imjin War as Seen by Them (2012)" etc.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.