Here is a concise summary of the provided text:
**The Early Career of Admiral Yi Sun-shin (1572-1588)**
* In 1572, 28-year-old Yi Sun-shin, a man of noble birth, attempts to join the military despite it being a disrespected career choice.
* He fails his initial military exam due to a horse riding accident but passes four years later.
* Yi faces:
+ Corruption and favoritism in the Military Academy
+ Schemes against him by corrupt officials in a naval garrison
+ Demotion and temporary dismissal after being falsely accused of negligence
* Despite obstacles, Yi proves himself through:
+ Successful ambushes against Jurchen Raiders
+ Defense of a small island fortress with limited men
+ Refusal to take blame for a defeat caused by his superior's refusal to send reinforcements
* In 1588, after being stripped of his rank and reinstated as a common soldier, Yi requests retirement, unaware of the impending Japanese invasion of Korea, which will be the focus of the next episode.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text, excluding opinions and keeping each fact as a short sentence with a number:
1. **Year**: The year is initially set at 1572.
2. **Yi Sun-shin's Age**: Yi Sun-shin was 28 years old in 1572.
3. **Military Examination**: Yi Sun-shin took a military examination in 1572 but failed.
4. **Re-examination**: He re-took the examination four years later (1576) and passed.
5. **Korea's Peace Period**: Korea had experienced 200 years of relative peace before this time.
6. **Threats to Peace**: The peace was occasionally threatened by Jurchen tribes on the northern border and pirate crews at sea.
7. **Career Preferences**: For men of noble birth, taking civil service exams was a preferred career path over the military.
8. **Yi's Early Dream**: Yi Sun-shin had dreamed of being a soldier since he was a little boy.
9. **First Appointment**: After passing the military exam, Yi was appointed to a desolate fort along the northern border.
10. **Border Fort Conditions**: Most border forts were corrupt and used as places to send individuals out of favor with the court.
11. **Yi's Fort Improvements**: Yi drilled his men rigorously and refortified his post to readiness.
12. **Inspection Outcome**: A provincial governor inspected Yi's post and praised his work.
13. **Transfer to Seoul**: Yi was moved to Seoul, indicating growing favor.
14. **Role at the Military Academy**: In Seoul, Yi was given a post at the Military Academy, training new recruits.
15. **Conflict at the Academy**: Yi's diligence and incorruptibility caused tension, leading to his reassignment.
16. **Naval Garrison Position**: By July, Yi secured a position running a naval garrison and began rising through the ranks again.
17. **Scheming Against Yi**: Corrupt officials schemed against Yi, attempting to have him removed.
18. **Successful Defense**: Yi successfully defended against a Jurchen raid, smashing the tribe's power.
19. **Lack of Official Recognition**: Despite success, Yi was not awarded a prize due to a jealous superior.
20. **Father's Death**: Yi's father died, leading Yi to retire for three years for mourning, as per Confucian tradition.
21. **Return to Service**: After three years, Yi returned to service, initially in charge of transportation for the court.
22. **Quick Reassignment**: Just 16 days later, Yi was reassigned to the northern frontier due to need.
23. **Fortress Condition**: Yi was tasked with manning a small, undermanned, and crumbling fortress.
24. **Request for Reinforcements**: Yi repeatedly requested reinforcements, which were denied.
25. **Jurchen Attack**: The Jurchen attacked, and Yi defended with a handful of soldiers, managing to save fifty would-be captives.
26. **Blame and Torture**: Yi was blamed for the defeat, tortured, and put on trial to absolve his superior of responsibility.
27. **Yi's Statement**: Under trial, Yi asserted his superior's refusal of reinforcements was the true cause of defeat.
28. **Outcome of Trial**: Yi was stripped of his rank and returned to the army as a common enlisted man.
29. **Repeated Distinction**: Once again, Yi fought with distinction on the northern border.
30. **Request for Retirement**: In 1588, Yi requested retirement.
31. **Gathering Storm**: Storm clouds were gathering over Korea, indicating an impending need for capable military leaders.
32. **Prime Minister's Influence**: A childhood friend, now Prime Minister, had subtly aided Yi throughout his career, influencing his survival of machinations against him.
33. **Impending War**: A war (later revealed to be the Japanese invasion of Korea) was feared to be coming, for which Yi's skills would be crucial.