The Ming Attack on Pyongyang Fails, and Brigade Commander Shi Falls in Battle天兵進攻平壤不利史遊擊戰死狀

Yesterday the Ming troops went forward and struck the Japanese, and all day long your servant stood waiting for good news. But suddenly word was heard that Skirmish Commander Shi (史遊擊) of the vanguard had been struck by a lead shot and killed, and the Ming troops came drawing back one after another, so that he was in the midst of great alarm and dread.

In the middle of the night Regional Commander Zu (祖總兵) and Vice Commander Wang (王參將) halted their horses outside the walls and called the interpreter Bak Uigeom (朴義儉) and said: 「Today our troops entered the walls and killed many of the Japanese, but beyond expectation Skirmish Commander Shi was killed and many of our own troops died too. We meant to stay on and strike again, but our arrows were spent and our firearms spent too, and so we had no choice but to withdraw the troops. We shall assuredly levy horse and foot again together with Regional Commander Yang (楊總兵) and come out in great number; therefore pass word to the chief minister to soothe and settle the hearts of the people and keep them from being shaken. Let the boat bridge at the ferry too not be moved in the least, but wait. We shall certainly come again within three or four days at the latest. We had meant from the first to enter the walls and lodge there, but as the provisions here are not ample we shall not go in and lodge. Today we shall reach Jeongju.」 And thereupon they rode off.

Other matters your servant will duly report by a following urgent dispatch. This being most urgent news, he ventures thus to report it in haste first.