Chapter 22: Towards Hill 203

“Damn it. We never should have trusted those Japanese bastards. So, what exactly does the governor of Gando expect us to do?”

“We must avenge the military, but not yet. There won’t be an all-out battle right away anyway, so for now, Commander, please secure us a secret passage.”

“Having already been defeated at the Yalu River, the Russian army focused on defense as planned, while the Japanese forces found themselves stuck. They will probably attack Hill 203, just like in the original history.”

“What are you planning?”

“There is a way. We need to end them quickly.”

“Right now, we are unaware of Japan’s assassination of Emperor Gojong. This is the perfect moment to feign ignorance, engage in battle, and then strike them from behind.”

“We’ll crush Japan’s strategy of swiftly delivering a decisive blow to Russia in Manchuria and negotiating a separate peace agreement.”

“How exactly do you intend to end this?”

“What’s the current war situation?”

“The Japanese army holds the advantage. Russia is on the defensive, but several fortresses have already been taken. After the Battle of Namsan, Nogi’s army moved toward the Liaoyang Heights.”

So, the Battle of Namsan unfolded just as it did in history.

Perhaps there’s a strategic reason for it, but ultimately, this means they plan to settle things at Hill 203.

The naval ambush hasn’t been particularly effective, but it seems they at least want to seize the port for now.

That means the real showdown will take place at Hill 203.

“Are there any Korean troops stationed there?”

“They’re being sent there soon.”

“Of course. Those damned Japanese. The most difficult battlefield is exactly where they plan to send Korean troops to be sacrificed.”

“They intend to use Korean forces in place of Japanese soldiers at Hill 203.”

“That won’t do. If they go there, they’ll all die.”

Hill 203 is probably even more heavily fortified than in the original history.

And what does that mean?

The already poorly equipped Korean Empire’s army will be nothing more than fresh meat for the slaughter.

“Do you have a plan? If you share your strategy with us, we might cooperate.”

“Cooperation isn’t necessary.”

“We already have our own battle plans.”

“The best way to counter an ambush is with an ambush of our own.”

“If you secure the path, we’ll launch a cavalry attack on their rear. Now, while they think we’re unaware, is the perfect time to strike.”

The plan is to ambush the Japanese forces at Hill 203 with cavalry.

Even in history, Japan suffered immense casualties to seize Hill 203, but this time, they won’t be able to claim victory at all.

I’ll make sure their path to victory is blocked by a mountain of corpses.

“How many troops do you have?”

“Thirty thousand. First, we’ll take out the Japanese forces on the hill, so please wait for the right moment to strike.”

‘I don’t know how strong Park Seo Sangmu’s army is, but with at least 30,000 troops, we could feign sending 80,000 men toward Hill 203 while actually diverting them elsewhere.’

It’s a race to see who can strike first—Japan or us.

“Can you win?”

“Asking that is pointless. We have to.”

“This isn’t a question of whether we can win. It’s something that must be done. If we succeed, Japan won’t be able to set foot in Korea for a long time.”

Although the initial Japanese naval ambush failed, that doesn’t mean Russia holds a significant advantage.

The British-made modern rangefinders make a huge difference.

Japan failed in its first surprise attack, but they’ll likely try to end the war before Russia’s Baltic Fleet arrives.

To do that, they’ll need to destroy Port Arthur.

And they’ll probably try to do so by capturing Hill 203.

***

In truth, while the Russian high command back home trusted Ok Jinseo’s words, the commanders in the field did not.

Especially in the Far Eastern Army, hardly anyone knew who Ok Jinseo was.

‘Trusting a mere woman, and a Korean at that, in a war that could decide the fate of Manchuria’

Impossible.

“How can we put our faith in the words of that Korean woman?”

“The Tsar is unaware of the local situation. We must fight these Japanese monkeys using our own judgment.”

A Korean, and not even a Russian?

Risking the entire war on her words was out of the question.

And so, two years later, the Russo-Japanese War unfolded much like it did in history.

The Russian fleet, at least, was successfully preserved, but after suffering multiple defeats, the situation was dire.

Despite their improved military strength compared to the original war, they had lost battles at the Yalu River and Namsan.

Japan had allied with the Korean Empire’s forces, but more importantly, Tsar Nicholas had ordered the army to prioritize defense.

Once the tide turned against them, the Russians began a safe and orderly retreat.

However, not all battles went according to plan.

During the Battle of Namsan, General Alexander Fock refused to support Nikolai Tretyakov, forcing Tretyakov to fight desperately until he ultimately lost—just as in history.

Still, Russia’s overall strategy remained defensive, meaning that even when they lost battles, they focused on successfully withdrawing and regrouping.

As a result, the Japanese army found itself occupying key locations without significant resistance.

And so, just as in history, the battle for Hill 203 erupted.

***

With defenses far stronger than they had been originally, Hill 203 now faced an imminent assault from Japanese forces led by Nogi Maresuke and Kodama Gentarō.

On the Russian side, Lieutenant General Anatoly Stessel and Major General Roman Kondratenko prepared to defend the hill.

General Nogi ordered his 51,000-strong army to charge toward Hill 203.

“Shit, is this really happening?”

“What are you all waiting for?! Show those white Russian bastards the true spirit of the Imperial Army!”

“Uwaaah! Tenno Heika Banzai!”

At their commander’s orders, the Japanese soldiers focused solely on climbing the hill.

And at the top, the Russian machine guns were waiting for them.

The Russian troops, watching the frenzied Japanese soldiers charging up the slope, were stunned.

‘They’re insane.’

But that was all there was to it.

“These damn Nippon bastards aren’t normal.”

“Shoot them down as they come! Remind them that Japan can never defeat us!”

Tududududududu!

Each time the Japanese climbed, the machine guns roared to life, turning them into nothing more than lifeless chunks of flesh.

A one-sided massacre.

The hill was soon drenched in Japanese blood.

Meanwhile, Nogi Maresuke grew increasingly desperate.

Even the navy is failing to produce proper results right now.

“If we can’t seize this high ground, we won’t be able to capture Lüshun. More than anything, with the death of the Emperor of Joseon, the Korean Peninsula is boiling with uprisings. We need to wrap up the Manchurian front as quickly as possible.”

‘Was this even feasible from the beginning?’

The moment the Joseon Emperor died, the plan fell apart.

I don’t know if the Imperial General Headquarters understands the situation here, but from what I’ve heard, Kuroki’s army is tied up in Joseon, unable to move.

We have secured the Crown Prince, but if we don’t suppress these uprisings seeking revenge for the Emperor, this war will be over.

Retreating to Joseon is an option, but at the very least, we need one decisive victory over Russia to save face.

Unfortunately, those Russians withdraw every time, no matter how the Empire attacks.

The battle at the Yalu River, Nanshan—each time we drove the Russians back, but not once was it a truly decisive victory.

‘Would Britain really stand idly by after the Empire killed its ally’s emperor?’ The Imperial General Headquarters is pushing for a significant victory before Britain decides to step in.

But that is easier said than done.

Even under normal circumstances, the Russian army was stronger than the Imperial Army.

And now, after a few losses, the Russians have shifted to pure defense, making this unbearable.

***

“Still haven’t taken it?”

“No, sir.”

“Damn it, if we get stuck here any longer, we’re doomed.”

‘Forget Joseon—our main forces are already in Manchuria. But if we suffer this many casualties just trying to take this high ground, what are we supposed to do?’

Casualties had already exceeded several thousand.

At this rate, the war will end before we even cross that hill.

***

Imperial Japan, Tokyo, Prime Minister’s Residence

The British Ambassador to Japan, MacDonald, could no longer tolerate this.

These damn monkeys had gone and killed the emperor of their ally, and as a result, the prestige of the British Empire, which had allied itself with them, had been buried deep beneath the ocean.

That much, at least, could still be downplayed, buying some time by pretending information traveled slowly.

Protests were lodged against Japan daily, a tactic to stall for time, but despite this, the Japanese military’s performance had been abysmal.

The Baltic Fleet was making its way to the Far East with French support, and the Japanese Navy had yet to secure clear naval superiority.

‘As for the ground war?’

At a glance, Japan seemed unstoppable, yet no single battle had been a definitive victory.

In fact, if casualties were the measure, Japan had suffered more than Russia.

Considering the population and national power disparity between Japan and Russia, Japan couldn’t afford an equal exchange in casualties—let alone losing more men.

It was becoming increasingly clear that Japan was heading for defeat.

Britain had to make a decision soon.

And so, once again, MacDonald stormed into the Prime Minister’s residence, unleashing a verbal barrage upon Katsura Taro.

“I’ll be clear. We’ve already been incredibly patient, but the British Empire will no longer support this war.”

“Is there nothing that can be done? Please—”

“‘Please’? Let’s be honest here. The fact that Britain has waited this long is already more mercy than you deserve.”

“Then at least let us achieve one victory! How much longer must we struggle? And what about the Korean army in Manchuria? If this continues, we will have no choice but to reconsider our stance!”

“‘Reconsider’? What do you mean—”

“We will take direct control of Korea. Wouldn’t it be better if Japan simply stayed on its little island?”

Britain was declaring its intention to take control of Joseon.

‘What did that mean?’

It was obvious.

Japan had assassinated the emperor of its ally in the middle of a war, proving its incompetence in conducting warfare.

Therefore, Britain would step in, manage Korea directly, and mediate peace with Russia.

Fine. That was one way things could go.

All it meant was that instead of Russia, Korea would fall under British rule.

But if that happened, the entire cabinet would either commit seppuku (stabbing oneself in the abdomen with a short sword to ensure a slow and agonizing death) or be forced into it by enraged citizens.

“We will make it happen. Please, grant our empire another chance.”

Prime Minister Katsura Taro bowed deeply before an ordinary ambassador.

After suffering through MacDonald’s scolding, Katsura Taro turned on the Minister of War, Terauchi, hurling a report on the Joseon situation at him and shouting:

“What the hell is the army doing?! If uprisings break out in Joseon now, it will be a disaster! And what do you intend to do about the 80,000 Joseon troops in Manchuria? Why would you make such a reckless move?”

“My apologies, Your Excellency. However, as long as the Joseon Crown Prince remains a hostage, the uprisings will not escalate beyond a certain point. Please trust us and wait.”

“The Emperor is dead! Don’t you see why Britain is pressing us so hard? While we’re wasting time, at the very least, we need to strike a serious blow against Russia!”

“Britain was making it clear: they would not support Japan any further. This was a direct threat to the Anglo-Japanese Alliance and with America already hesitating on purchasing Japanese bonds, what were they supposed to do?”

“We plan to deploy Joseon forces in the siege and inflict maximum damage before launching an all-out battle with the Russians in Lushun.”

“And what of the Joseon forces in Manchuria? That so-called ‘Sapo Army’?”

“They are merely a ragtag force led by a woman. They are too afraid to engage and have remained holed up in Fengtian, so they are of no concern.”

Seeing how they had stayed put in Fengtian all this time, it was obvious they were scared.

‘A woman leading an army? That was nothing more than an exaggerated rumor.’

“In that case, move quickly—immediately! We must produce some kind of result. Even if we have to turn back the clock to before the war, we must secure a resolution so Britain can at least mediate!”

Japan’s reputation had already been shattered by the assassination of the Joseon Emperor.

Every foreign embassy knew what had happened, but no one could act—trapped between inaction and condemnation.

If, by any chance, Russia and Joseon launched a joint offensive against Japan, that would truly be the end.

“I understand.”

“Mark my words—if we fail to at least secure peace, we will all be forced to commit seppuku. So do whatever it takes to protect our own necks!”

“The time was running out. But Japan had not yet lost. The Russians were still on the defensive. If they could just land a single decisive blow, it would be worth the gamble.”