The story goes that Huangfu Jing got on the watchtower[1] with General Wei to observe the battle, leaving Yin Yaoxian to guard the city. Let us talk about how Wei Huan led five hundred young soldiers, commanding a hundred warships, and heading straight to Shamen Island to initiate the battle. What a remarkable feat!
The sound of the nomadic reed pipe sailed the warships
Breaking through the turbulent waves with iron locks released
Battle banners wildly whirl, shaking the celestial river
Warhorses thunderously charge, quaking the vault of heaven
Taking up the lance, Wei Huan rode his steed into battle
In full view his dauntless might commanded the land
Sailing quickly to Shamen Island
He summoned the foreigners to the forefront
The soldiers responded promptly, “Roger that!”
Sailing a swift boat—light as a leaf, they glided away like mist
In an instant, they approached the border of Chosŏn
A broadsword in hand, he shouted in command:
“Hmph! Listen up, foreign soldiers: Our Great Yuan Emperor has specially dispatched the Chief Commander Huangfu Jing to suppress the Chosŏn army. Today, we have come for battle, so send out your commander to meet his demise.”
A resounding shout shook the heavens
The foreign soldiers guarding the post already caught sight
Seeing the arrival of the troops from the Yuan Dynasty
They swiftly raised their command flags and rushed to report
The central army reported to Marshal Wu
And received orders to engage in battle
A Chosŏn general stepped forward
Loudly volunteering to win victory
Adorned in an iron corselet and dragon-scale armor
His golden helmet’s plume, flaming red, waved high
Wei Huan pushed himself away from his steed
Lunged with his steel lance to strike at the heart
The foreign commander, enraged, hastily defended himself
Wielding his large broadswords with both hands
On the sea, they clashed swords and staked their lives
Thrust and parry, each striving to win supremacy
The foreigners cried out, “Show us mercy!”
The Yuan generals shouted, “I will not forgive!”
Blade after blade flashed like lightning
Lance after lance danced like serpents
No sooner left the heads than passed close to the backs
They aimed not at the enemy’s chest but thrust straight at their waists
Their steeds pranced, jangling bridle bells in unison
Soldiers shook their clashing scales, fiercely and full of valor
Flags fluttered, obscuring the sky with their brilliance
Weapons clashed, resonating over the tumultuous sea
The battle raged for thirty rounds
The only sound heard—flourishing drums pounding like thunder
The regional commander remained vigilant on his horse
Assessing the situation as the fight unfolded
He saw the chief commander himself inspect the battle array
Pounding war drums inspire the heroes throughout the army
From atop the city walls, Yuan generals gazed at their enemy
Each and every one cried out, fearless and proud:
“Here and now, we must display our prowess
Strike the barbarian general soon, lest mockery take hold!”
The regional commander made up his mind
And a flurry of lances descended like snowflakes
“Ah, you barbarian, die quickly!”
With this shout of checkmate he stabbed the general’s throat
The foreign general cried out in despair, “My life is over!”
Before his words were finished, his head had already fallen
His body had long since been swept into the flowing waves
At the sight, the regional commander urged his horse forward
Leaping over the vanguard onto an enemy boat
Wildly he slaughtered ChosǑn soldiers and steeds alike
Whirling his long lance without cease
Scattered, armor filled the warships to brim
Corpse lay everywhere, floating in the water
Swiftly seizing thirty warships from the Chosǒn army
Holding his lance aloft, he challenged the enemy without delay
Defeated soldiers hastened to report to Marshal Wu
Wei Huan again saw the foreign officers sailing off their ships
Rolling banners merged with clouds, low and dark
Countless warships drifted on the somber flow
Leading the charge were two valiant generals
Charged into the wind side by side from the warship’s hold
Their steed huge and their figure tall, true tigers in battle
After announcing their names, they went into battle without hesitation
Lances swinging, axes welding, they clash in battle
Roaring loud, he shouts, “Your end has come!”
Wei Huan glimpsed the scene, joy rising in his heart:
“Let me kill a few more to claim a higher battle score!”
Gripping his lance, spurring his horse, brows knitting tight
Alone against the foreign officer, his might unyielding still
The story goes that General Wei Zhenzong fought valiantly against two enemy officers, his strength unabated. He suddenly heard the drums atop the city walls sounding like thunder and a soldier holding a flag shouting, “General Wei, quickly take the head of the enemy commander! Marshal Wu himself is here to assist!”
Wei Zhenzong turned his head to look at the city wall
Only to see the chief commander’s drums beating frantically
The commander’s rallying cry was no small thing
At once, the general’s strength and resolve grew strong
Urging his warhorse forward—wielded his long lance¬—
Straight for the foreign officer with blood boiling with determination
He glanced left at the corpses sinking to the bottom of the sea
On the right side, enemy warriors were going to the netherworld
His steed flew through the ranks, cutting down all in its path
The sea ran red for ten thousand miles, dyed crimson by the aftermath
Just as he was about to regroup and resume the fight
He already heard—the sound of the trumpet loudly ringing three times
General Wei wheeled his wind-chasing horse around
Straightway returned to ship, content and proud
Let us pause the tale of the general reporting for duty
For now, the chief commander’s joy runs exceedingly high
The story goes that Huangfu Jing, upon seeing Wei Zhenzong achieve a complete victory, could not help but feel overjoyed. Immediately, he ascended to the hall. Just then, the soldiers at the gate came rushing in with news, “Report to chief commander: General Wei has slain three barbarian generals and captured dozens of warships. He was now waiting at the camp gates, requesting your orders for further action.”
Chief Commander Huangfu was delighted in his heart
And swiftly issued the orders without delay
The regional commander marched straight to the vermilion steps
Bowed deeply, announcing, “I have won the victory and come back!”
The chief commander gladly called, “Rise, no need for formality
General, you are truly a great and worthy hero!
With your first achievement standing out among the troops
Campaign against Chosŏn—we will surely won a complete triumph and return with glory”
Wei Huan humbly bowed deeply, “I dare not claim such praise
It is by your, the chief commander’s, blessing that I returned safe and sound”
After these words, they saw a banquet was quickly prepared
Celebrating their military achievements with incomparable joy
Turning away from what has been happening in Dengzhou city
Let us talk about the foreign marshal in their main troops
Suffering from failure in all battles
Marshal Wu was outraged and grudging to accept the reality:
“Oh my, how infuriating! What a Regional Commander Wei, daring to kill three of my generals!
Tomorrow I myself will personally lead the charge
Let us see who is strong and who is weak, who will lose and who will win
If I fail to capture the Yuan’s general alive
How can I take charge of our army with dignity?
Delay not—tarry not—
March forward at once in order for me to achieve merit”
Spiritual Master of Military Miracles chuckled coldly:
“Dear marshal, there was no need to be furious
If the two forces engage in battle tomorrow
I will simply—toss the magic flying bricks from my sleeves to the sky
It shall ensure every foe meets their end
I guarantee their lifeblood will flow red without cease”
General Wu happily said, “Indeed, that is so
Especially with your, our strategist’s magic abilities”
The invisibility talisman, hidden within the fish-tailed golden cap
No matter the bronze walls or iron barriers, it shall not drown
The enemy generals and officials all cheered enthusiastically
One by one—flexing their muscles and showing off their strength
The night’s scenes need not be told in detail
At the hour of Yin,[2] dawn’s red light begins to prevail
The enemy generals were just donning their armor
Suddenly they heard—drums beat on the flagship of the central army
Hastily plying the oars—franticly setting the sails—
Together they enter the central cabin to pay respects to the marshal
The story goes that in the early hours of the morning,[3] Marshal Wu immediately took his seat at the head of the central army. He ordered generals of all ranks to mount their horses quickly and follow him to engage the enemy.
With a single command, they did not hesitate
All the generals, in unison, tucked up their battle robes
The marshal quickly finished putting on his armor
Three cannon shots signaled the start of the warship’s journey
A thousand flying boats were all set in motion
The surging sea water rose in ten thousand waves
Swords and lances, dense upon dense, glinted like snow
Banners and flags, flap upon flap, spread like clouds
As the wind filled the sails with a resounding roar
They headed straight for the city wall of Dengzhou
The foreign soldiers cursed and shouted first to provoke battle
The troops in the city panicked and fell into disarray
They rode the horse and went straight onto the city walls
Reported the news to the chief commander at his mansion:
“Reporting to the chief commander: Something serious is happening! General Wu Bikai of Chosŏn, commanding all his generals, is provoking for battles at the city gates and asking for your response. Our troop await your military order.”
Upon hearing this, the chief commander’s expression turned fierce
He immediately rose from his seat, revealing his heroic demeanor
With a commanding shout, he hastily put on his armor
Declaring, “Today, I shall achieve a great feat
As a chief commander, I will lay down my life to repay the country
So I joined forces to conquer the east without hesitation
After three years of bloody battles, we have faced formidable enemies
Why should we fear a mere kingdom of Chosŏn?
Generals, all of you must make thorough preparations without delay
Hasten to gather your troops and follow me to meet the enemy in battle”
The band of warriors responded in unison
In bustling haste, they waited for the chief commander
Chief Commander Huangfu hurriedly donned his armor
Instantly, he mounted his horse and rode out of the city
[1] The original text is Qiaolou 谯楼 [lit. lookout tower], a different way to call dilou 敵樓 [lit. tower facing the enemy]. [2] The original text is yin pai 寅牌 [the hour of Yin], which is roughly 3:00-5:00 am. See Chinese Zodiac Time. [3] Ibid.
