Chapter 153: Much Worse Than the Northern Yuan

The seventh year of Hongwu, April 22nd.

By the shore of Lake Biwa, the Ming army's camps stretched continuously.

Li Wenzhong stood at the lake's edge, watching the rippling blue water, his expression calm.

Zhu Yong squatted nearby, washing the bloodstains from his hands with lake water, remnants of a skirmish that morning.

"Yong Er, after marching this far, what do you think of the Wa people?" Li Wenzhong suddenly asked.

Zhu Yong thought for a moment and said, "Far worse than the Northern Yuan, also worse than the Nüzhen, about the same as Goryeo… but they fear death even less."

Li Wenzhong nodded.

From Kagoshima to Lake Biwa, in two months they shattered six nations.

The Wa army's combat ability was indeed weak, but its fierce, death‑defying vigor surpassed that of the Mongols.

Especially those monk soldiers, chanting sutras as they charged, would not retreat even when swords cut them.

"Cousin, have you gathered clear intelligence on Omi's defenses?" Zhu Yong asked after drying his hands.

Li Wenzhong took a map from his chest, spread it on the ground and said, "Scouts report that Ashikaga Yoshimasa has gathered the Northern Court's last forces, about thirty thousand, and deployed them around Mount Hiei."

He pointed at the map and said, "Mount Hiei is Kyoto's shield; its terrain is treacherous, easy to defend but hard to attack. The Wa army has fortified here, intending to fight us in mountain warfare."

Zhu Yong looked at the map and said naively, "Mountain warfare… I can't swing my hammer."

"Therefore this battle cannot be a head‑on charge; we must use artillery to clear the way, infantry to advance. Your heavy cavalry is useless in the mountains; you must fight on foot," Li Wenzhong said.

"Foot combat works too; my hammer will still smash," Zhu Yong replied.

Li Wenzhong smiled, "I know you can fight, but for this battle we must change tactics."

He folded the map and said, "Send the order: rest for five days, then attack Mount Hiei after five days."

…

At the same time, at Enryaku-ji Temple on Mount Hiei.

Ashikaga Yoshimasa sat in the main hall, with the Northern Court's last generals below.

"The Ming army has reached Lake Biwa, less than Thirty Li from Mount Hiei. Gentlemen, this battle decides the Wa Country's survival; victory means life, defeat means death," Ashikaga Yoshimasa said gravely.

The hall fell into a solemn silence.

These generals all knew there was no retreat in this battle.

"General, the Ming artillery is fierce; if we hold the stronghold, we may also…" an old general worried.

"What are we afraid of? Mount Hiei's terrain is steep and the paths narrow; the Ming artillery can't be brought up. As long as we hold the mountain pass, whatever numbers the Ming bring, they will die!"

A young general rose and said.

"Right! Mountain warfare is our advantage!" another general echoed.

Ashikaga Yoshimasa looked at the silent monk commander, the Tiantai head of the school Zundao, and asked, "Master Zundao, how are the monk soldiers prepared?"

Zundao was a monk in his fifties, gaunt in appearance, but his eyes were sharp as an eagle's.

"Amitabha, three thousand monk soldiers are ready. In this battle we must use our flesh and blood to protect our Buddha's pure land," he said, palms pressed together.

"Good… with monk soldiers, this battle will be a sure win!" Ashikaga Yoshimasa slammed the table and said.

He stood, surveyed everyone and said, "Send orders: each division follows the plan to fortify, set three layers of defense at the mountain pass, and stock ample Rolling Logs and Boulder.

This time, we will make the Ming army know that the Wa Country is not a lamb to be slaughtered at will!"

"Yes!" the generals shouted in unison.

…

April 27th, dawn.

Below Mount Hiei, the Ming army formed its ranks.

Li Wenzhong rode his horse, gazing at the steep terrain ahead, his brows slightly furrowed.

Mount Hiei was indeed treacherous; its main peak rose a thousand zhang, and only three paths led to the summit.

The Wa army erected fences and antler barriers at the mountain pass, and built arrow towers on both sides of the path.

"Cousin, this mountain is hard to fight on," Zhu Yong said.

"It's hard to fight, but we must, send the order: move the artillery battalion forward and bombard the pass," Li Wenzhong said.

One hundred cannons were pushed to the front of the formation, their barrels aimed at the pass.

"Fire!"

"Boom boom boom…"

The artillery roared in unison, and the pass instantly filled with smoke and dust.

But the bombardment's effect was limited.

The path was narrow; most shells struck rock, and the Wa fortifications hidden behind the stones suffered little damage.

After a round of bombardment, shields rose at the pass, and the Wa archers began to return fire.

Arrows fell like rain from the heights.

The Ming front line raised shields for defense, yet some soldiers were still struck by arrows.

"Cease fire, infantry advance!" Li Wenzhong ordered.

Five thousand Ming infantry began advancing toward the pass.

The path was narrow, allowing only ten men abreast.

The Ming troops formed a long column, shields raised, stepping upward one by one.

The Wa army's arrows and Rolling Logs and Boulder continuously fell.

Ming casualties began to rise.

Zhu Yong, anxious, said, "Cousin, let me go up!"

"Wait a bit longer; the Wa army's Rolling Logs and Boulder aren't spent yet. Charging now would cause too many casualties," Li Wenzhong said with a composed face.

He turned his head to the messenger and said, "Deploy three thousand bowmen to suppress the Japanese army's arrow tower."

The three thousand bowmen advanced and fired upward at the arrow tower.

Both sides shot at each other, arrows interlacing in the air.

But the Japanese army held the high ground, enjoying complete advantage.

The Ming army advanced thirty zhang, with casualties already exceeding a hundred.

"Stop the advance, retreat!" Li Wenzhong ordered decisively.

The first attack failed.

……

Ming army camp.

Li Wenzhong stared at the map, silent.

Zhu Yong sat nearby, polishing the Double Hammers.

"Cousin, this afternoon I'll lead a charge," Zhu Yong said.

"No, if you charge like that, the Japanese army's Rolling Logs and Boulders will all be hurled at you; even the best will take a hit," Li Wenzhong shook his head and said.

He pointed at the map and said, "Look, these three mountain passes are heavily guarded by the Japanese army; a forced charge won't work."

"Then what to do…" Zhu Yong asked.

Li Wenzhong thought for a moment and said, "Tonight, a night raid."

"Night raid…"

"Right, the Japanese army won during the day, so they'll be lax at night; we'll send elite troops to creep up the mountain at night, burn their Rolling Logs and Boulders, and attack again tomorrow."

Zhu Yong's eyes lit up as he said, "Good idea, I'll lead men there!"

"Your target is too big; the Japanese army knows you. Let Wang Gui take a hundred elite soldiers; they've fought with you against Northern Yuan, Nüzhen, Goryeo, and are familiar with mountain warfare."

Li Wenzhong shook his head and said.

Zhu Yong nodded and said, "Then I'll provide support from below."

……

Late night, the Zi hour.

Wang Gui led a hundred elite soldiers, dressed in black, and crept toward Mount Hiei.

They did not take the mountain path, but climbed the steep side.

All hundred were top men from Zhu Yong's Personal Guard Unit, each agile and strong.

Half an hour later, they reached mid‑mountain and hid behind a huge boulder.

"Chief, ahead is where the Japanese army piles the Rolling Logs," an Imperial Troop whispered.

Wang Gui peeked ahead and saw the clearing filled with Rolling Logs and Boulders, guarded by a dozen Japanese soldiers.

"Divide into three squads: one to set fire, two to provide cover," Wang Gui ordered.

The Imperial Troops dispersed silently.

A moment later, flames lit up.

"Enemy attack!" the Japanese soldiers shouted.

Wang Gui led his men forward, sword flashing, eliminating the guarding Japanese soldiers.

The fire spread quickly, igniting the Rolling Logs and Boulders.

"Retreat!" Wang Gui ordered.

The hundred men descended the mountain swiftly.

The Japanese troops on the mountain were alarmed, torches flared, and shouts of battle rose.

But by the time they arrived, Wang Gui and his men had already vanished into the night.