The Lands of Old Goguryeo
***
Dongjin had fallen anyway, and for the Jurchen generals who had bounced between Jin and Dongjin before finding some support in Goryeo, that was about the extent of it.
"To get Yoyang running, manpower is key. From now on, Yoyang will fall under Goryeo's laws, including the slave system. I'm abolishing slavery and turning them into free citizens."
The Jurchen local officials would soon be drawing salaries from Goryeo, and Yoyang's economy would run on Goryeo coin. Any household slaves could be repurposed as housekeepers, paid wages, and that would be that.
"As for the lands of the captured Dongjin officials like Posonmanno and his subordinates, I'll distribute them evenly to the freed citizens at five gyeol per person."
"Moreover, the Jurchens of Yoyang are now full subjects of Goryeo. To that end, I'm planning to create a new script for the Three Hans peoples and the Jurchens to share. Will you cooperate with me? If not, I can accommodate you as much as possible. I don't want a knife in my back later, so I'd like to work with you local officials right here."
"We obey your command."
I figured they'd push back on the slave abolition, but this is unexpected.
Unexpected, indeed. I was pitching my voice a bit low, but not scary-low. These Jurchen local officials must be the enlightened generation that actually welcomes freeing the slaves.
"We've already submitted to Goryeo. If Goryeo has abolished slavery, how could we not follow? We shall obey."
In truth, they had no real choice. But if they see it that way, all the better for me. Everything I'm doing is for a strong, prosperous nation—and when the nation thrives, individual lives improve too.
"In fact, you Yoyang officials gathered here will benefit as Goryeo bureaucrats yourselves. No slaves? No problem at all."
"We'll also establish Buddhist temples here, along with altars for Abkai Hehhe."
The Jurchens seem to have grown more devout toward Abkai Hehhe lately—maybe because of the Mongols, or perhaps because of me. Whatever. Who cares?
"We humbly obey."
On the way out after issuing orders to the local officials, Injun—Kim Jun—was grinning unpleasantly. I furrowed my brow, wondering what was up, and he cleared his throat.
"Ahem. I never thought you'd be into that sort of thing, Governor-General."
"That sort of thing?"
"These Jurchens following 'Hehhe,' and now building a dedicated altar? It's basically telling the Jurchens to worship you, miss."
"Oh, is that how it comes across? Nah, no way. You think so?"
No matter what, that wouldn't last. They're just propping it up for now.
Monks were already being requested from the Goryeo heartland in droves to head to Yoyang. Since Jin had Buddhism too, it could serve as a tool for religious assimilation. And this Abkai Hehhe worship. People always need something to lean on in tough times. Isn't that what religion is?
"What about the Khitans?"
"Right, the Khitans. For now, leave them be."
Dongyo was little more than a Mongol puppet. Their sitting tight now was proof they were playing both sides. Forcing submission on them right away wouldn't be wise. They knew the Mongols wouldn't stay quiet after one defeat. Having lingered as a puppet state before eventual absorption by the Mongols, there was no need to attack them by force just yet. Nomads set their hierarchies by strength anyway. Better to win another victory in Yoyang first, then deal with them. Stirring them up now might mean a stab in the back when war with the Mongols comes.
And besides.
I met with a Song merchant too.
"Congratulations on the victory, Regent."
"Governor-General here. News travels fast."
"It's already all over Song lands. I never doubted Goryeo's triumph. Northern nomads can't touch Goryeo, can they?"
Just like a merchant—networks everywhere. If even Song knew, what would become of any future Mongol-Song alliance?
"The Mongol threat lingers, though."
"After a thrashing like that, they'll come again?"
No, no—they're definitely coming. Ögedei wouldn't swallow that humiliation. If it were me, I'd foam at the mouth and march personally. Of course, the Khan himself wouldn't come, so he'd send a top general. Who, though? Come to think of it, this was around the time Subutai had been defeated at Daoqu. What if Ögedei gave Subutai a shot at redemption in Goryeo? Nah, probably not. But the possibility of Subutai...
Mongol rout, Goryeo seizes Yoyang—the eastern threat.
"Once they absorb Jin, they'll come for revenge with that strength. Or they might already be preparing. To make matters worse, Father sent a letter to the Mongol Khan calling him a mere chieftain, full of insults."
"The envoy surviving is impressive."
One thing was clear: to stabilize this place quickly, I needed to boost commerce. Goryeo merchants had already pushed into Yoyang in force, especially the big ones backed by the Choi clan, who effectively controlled the economy. If they expanded here, fine.
"Can we trade directly with Taishi merchants first?"
"Hm. Got something in mind?"
Time to start making glass for craft goods. Truth be told, it was for telescopes, but I couldn't spill military secrets. I played it off as luxury items.
"Just want to import some luxuries here. Ideally, produce glass ourselves. Gotta do something to win over Yoyang's Jurchens."
"Khmm, even so."
"I'll build an international trade port on the Yoyang Peninsula too. I see you as the man to activate it."
In other words, priority docking rights. Like Byeokrando, the Yoyang ports would effectively grant monopolies on Goryeo trade.
"I'll give it my all."
"One more thing. Still dealings in Jin territory?"
"They're in chaos over there. Mongols invading again, country's in pieces."
Yeah, that tracks. Jin was beyond recovery now. Economy wrecked by endless war, capital abandoned, politics unstable. With Mongols handling the military side, it was hopeless.
"Merchants are still around, though?"
"Yes. Why?"
"Spread some rumors for them. Say Goryeo welcomes immigration for anyone with Goguryeo, Balhae, or Goryeo ancestry as fellow Goryeans."
Best to seed this early. No need for official announcements—just let Jin folk flee the war and come on their own.
"Securing manpower shortages, eh?"
"Something like that."
Manpower is wealth, after all. Grow the population scale, and no Middle Kingdom state can look down on us. We won't blindly submit like Joseon later. Mongol expansion and Jin's fall were springboards for Goryeo's growth—provided we beat the Mongols. The first Mongol invasion's crushing defeat had stalled them, giving us this chance.
"You're in quite a hurry, though. Victory's won—maybe take it easy?"
"That's how you die—letting your guard down. Haven't you seen Western Xia? Beat like a dog on a hot day until they collapsed."
Western Xia had probably fallen by now. Genghis had ordered every Tangut killed, leaving few descendants. If Goryeo lost the next war, same fate. But win, and the Mongols could never eye us again. Why? Population. Next time, they'd bring their full main force. Given Mongol numbers, smashing that would end their dreams of conquering us. They'd waste away fighting ruined Jin or head west. Or maybe seriously target the Middle Kingdom.
"True enough."
"If their foreign policy stays eastward-focused, we're in trouble. Nations aside, Song and Goryeo folk need to cooperate."
Haven't they seen history? Nine invasions, plus Sambyeolcho resistance—that's a lot. Even with our image rehab, Mongols won't sit idle. Defensive prep is essential. Military threat ongoing.
Make telescopes—not modern ones, but useful here. Scout Mongol movements easily. Manage the army systematically to hold them off. Then maybe crush them with Yoyang-grown forces later. Realistically, even conscripting from occupied lands, 50,000 elite Mongols was their max. If I were Mongol, I wouldn't let this damn Goryeo off easy. Though they struck first, so no complaints there.
"Governor-General. Jurchens joining us daily."
Kim Gyeongson was effectively commanding Yoyang's forces, and apparently many Jurchens were flowing in. Assimilate them all. Current Yoyang population: around a million from annexed Dongjin lands. Add incoming Jurchens and later the rest of Dongjin, and Goryeo hits roughly five million. Still early/mid-Joseon levels. Birth rates exploding now, so more soon. Stabilize, keep Mongols out, then Japan next. Annexing all Japan pushes ten million, but realistically, Kyushu's the limit. Use that as a springboard to expand.
"Good they're coming, but assimilation will take time."
Once Mongols are crushed, Jin's no issue. They're busy fighting Song anyway.
"Script first and foremost."
To truly assimilate Jurchens, roll out the prepared script fast. Nothing more vital. Jurchens tangled with our ancestors in Goguryeo/Balhae days, so cultural bridges exist. Even Jin's Wanyan Agalta was blood/culturally pro-Goryeo. No King Sejong here, so I'll develop the script. Hangul's easy for Jurchens anyway. Unify script, grow army gradually. Secure enough Yoyang troops to hold Mongols.
"General Kim Gyeongson, how many troops can we raise in Yoyang?"
"Up to 30,000 now."
30,000's no small number—especially Jurchen warriors. Combat potential high. Not weaklings, even if pushed by Mongols.
"Once population census and combat manpower are tallied, we can grow it."
If Yoyang alone hits 100,000... Heartland military reforms and household registers could muster over 200,000 at full national mobilization. We sent 100,000 to conquer Dongjin with reserves left. Matching that from Yoyang means no need for post-victory vassalage like after beating Khitans in King Hyeonjong's era. Equal footing across Yoyang border, or repel Mongols without overreach.
"Need to release more grain too. Population boom means more paupers."
"Of course. Release more, import from heartland."
Goryeo agriculture had plenty. Imports from home suffice.
"Yes, Governor-General."
"Now, promulgate the script. Teach soldiers first, then civilians."
Ideally unify all Yoyang/Manchuria, but with Mongols looming, integrate script now.
"You have a script ready?"
"This is it—the one we're rolling out. Hunminjeongeum."
I hadn't formally named it Hunminjeongeum yet. Closer to 21st-century Korean than the original. I'd inform Father ahead, then promulgate under a different name.
