Chapter 519
Boom! Boom! Boom! Bwooo~!
A low platform stood before the command tower. A great drum placed on the platform spread deep drumbeats in all directions, followed by the sound of large conch shell horns. As drum and horn sounds raised the soldiers’ fighting spirit, troops on both sides began advancing toward each other.
At the head of these advancing formations on both sides were musketeers.
***
Before musketeers appeared, archers led the formations. And in the period before that, cavalry led the vanguard, with one-on-one duels marking the opening of battles.
It was a highly classical style where renowned warriors from both warring sides would come forward, introduce themselves to their opponents, and test their skills.
Even when the Yuan Empire launched its invasion of Japan together with Goryeo, Japan stubbornly maintained this style.
When a renowned Japanese general rushed forward to introduce himself, the Mongol army answered with a rain of arrows.
Only after such bitter experiences could Japan abandon their combat style called “ikkiuchi” (one-on-one combat).