Chapter 111: Fight! (2 / 2)
The emperor turned to the Grand Historian.
The Grand Historian was a well-read scholar who had spent forty years in the royal archives before becoming a court historian. He was well-versed in many topics and began recounting the events after a moment of thought. “This is indeed true. In the ninth year of Gaozong Yuanheng, due to the Wokou’s disrespect towards Zhou, they took advantage of Zhou’s campaign in Liaodong and, in their diplomatic letter, referred to their ruler as ‘heavenly sovereign,’ attempting to test Zhou’s reaction. Gaozong was furious and, despite the challenges of fighting on two fronts, dispatched 50,000 troops aboard a thousand warships to attack the Wokou.”
During a regime change, much information tends to be buried, particularly details about the previous dynasty. Official records often emerge much later. Even many senior officials present had never heard of this battle—except those who had read the Old Records of Zhou.
The Grand Historian, considering the audience, simplified his explanation.
“In the ninth year of Yuanheng, on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, the Zhou army landed on Tsushima Island. Within hours, the island was completely subdued.”
“By the twenty-fourth, they had conquered Iki Island.”
“On the twenty-ninth, they entered Hakata Bay. On the thirtieth, they set foot on Kyushu.”
“Conquering Kyushu in half a month, and while fighting on two fronts? That doesn’t seem too difficult,” commented a Left Military Governor with a laugh. He patted his chest and added, “Your Majesty, say the word. Give me 50,000 troops, and I’ll crush the Wokou!”
The Vice Minister of Rites shook his head. “If it were so easy, why would the Zhou need to attack three times? The key must lie in that evil wind.”