Winning Hearts and Minds
"At the very least, we shouldn't touch them until we've wrapped up the western expedition."
"You mean that much?"
"Goryeo troops are already stationed in the Liaodong fortresses alongside their new weapons. Even judging by defense alone, it's approaching 200,000 men. And now that they've absorbed the Jurchen cavalry, their mounted forces are no longer something to scoff at."
It wasn't entirely certain, but repeated confirmations had verified that Liaodong alone boasted over 50,000 cavalry. So just how many troops were guarding Liaodong?
"What a frustrating situation."
"What do you think of Song's proposed alliance?"
"Those bastards demanding the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan Yun right now? It's utter nonsense. Who do they think they are, trying to get a free meal?"
Come to think of it, they'd done the same before. Song had dared to hand over Goryeo's firecrackers to Jin. The seed of doubt planted in Ögedei's heart began to grow.
Are these guys deliberately trying to wear us down?
Song was starting to look extremely suspicious. Were they brazenly trying to snatch the Sixteen Prefectures for free? Maybe it would be better to keep Jin alive after all. No, even so, leaving Jin intact would still be problematic.
As Ögedei pondered this, Yalu Choeje cautiously spoke up, as if scratching an itch.
"Great Khan."
"What is it?"
"What if we let Jin live?"
Let Jin live? What kind of talk was that?
"What do you mean?"
"Think about it—Song has been truly insolent. Why not use Jin to plunder them instead? Then have Jin offer the spoils as tribute."
No matter how battered Jin was, they were still stronger than Song. Of course—after clashing so fiercely with the Mongols, they'd have to be strong, or something would be wrong.
"Like how the previous Great Khan handled Western Xia?"
"Exactly."
If they refused the offer, then it would be time to finish them off. But could Jin afford to worry about other things right now? If they didn't listen, the full might of the Great Mongol Empire could simply crush Kaifeng without mercy.
"You think they'll accept?"
"Wouldn't facing Song be far easier than facing us? It's a win-win for us."
"Fine. Give it a try."
Liaodong, Yoyang Castle.
The Liaodong Governor-General's office had been abolished, and Yoyang Castle was now officially called Bukdo, the Northern Capital. In other words, I'd shed the title of Liaodong Governor and taken on the far more powerful role of Northern Capital Governor.
A woman as Northern Capital Governor. Until now, I'd lingered in Yoyang for various reasons, but ascending to office as a woman would shake Goryeo society to its core. Of course, "Governor-General" had a nicer ring than "Governor," so people still called me that.
The royalist faction was especially grumbling about it.
"Even if she is Lord Choi U's daughter, this is a bit much, isn't it?"
"She defeated those ferocious Mongols twice and even developed new weapons. Are you saying we should treat her like any ordinary woman?"
"That's not what I—"
"If you lot go lead an army yourselves and crush the Mongols, then maybe we'll talk."
The royalists couldn't spout nonsense. After all, I'd undeniably shone in the wars. Plenty of soldiers and generals had witnessed it in the first campaign, and the second had been my solo effort.
What could the royalists do to someone like me? Even in Gaegyeong, public sentiment favored me greatly. Apparently, Father had prepared countermeasures against their petty complaints—sending war veterans back to their hometowns or stationing them in the capital to spread word of my feats, announcing that I'd led the agricultural reforms, military reforms, and even soap production.
The results were predictable.
"So what if she's a woman? If she's better than the men, she deserves the post."
"Wasn't it Lady Choi who saved the kingdom alongside Lord Choi U? Why are you lofty scholars jealous of her?"
"Those ink-slinging bureaucrats have no shame. The era demands a queen!"
The royalists' timid resistance failed spectacularly. It was just grumbling anyway, but Father wouldn't even let that slide—he spread it far and wide. Naturally, the narrative became: Officials who failed to defend the nation are jealous of a woman.
Literati envious of a woman! What a humiliating disgrace. They all shut up like clams.
Public disdain for the royalists plummeted further. Even among the Jurchens, once poised to revere me as their top minister, my prestige was rock-solid. The people saw me as the one who tamed those ferocious Jurchens—what greater feat?
"This settles the succession."
"Who'd have thought the Uibong Choi clan would produce such a woman."
Everyone had no choice but to align with the Uibong Choi clan. I was stunned hearing all this from Liaodong. Had this happened while I was away from Gaegyeong? The royalists sniping at someone like a daughter to them was pathetic enough.
In this era, pushing for women's rights, it was understandable. More open than Joseon times, sure, but landing an official post as a woman? No easy feat. Still, it wasn't bad. It was a storm I'd face eventually, and Father had prepared in advance.
"Sis, even so, how can you keep Kim Jun—formerly a slave—by your side?"
Manjeon, now formally assigned to the Liaodong Byeolcho Army, chattered beside me. The brat had no filter with the Northern Capital Governor. Kim Jun sighed beside him.
"Even so, you should separate public and private. I'm the Northern Capital Governor, and you're just the Byeolcho Young Lord of Liaodong Byeolcho."
If he acted this cocky from the start, relying on blood ties, even a brother wouldn't get a pass.
"B-but this is a clan matter, isn't it? Please, I beg you!"
"He's just my guard. What's the problem?"
Of course—Kim Jun had reportedly dueled Subutai one-on-one. He'd been pushed back, but he'd set the stage perfectly until Kim Yunhu's arrow struck, then finished the headless Subutai with a dagger thrust. At his age, his martial prowess was impressive. Excluding the early Coup d'état martial artists, how many warriors of this era matched him?
"Still, man and woman?"
Man and woman—what of it? Think we'd hook up? By that logic, I couldn't make bibimbap with Chunsim either. Had something already happened with Kim Jun? As a woman now—longer than my original life, reborn fully as one—such urges weren't absent.
But family? No. Chunsim and Kim Jun were like family. Sure, when he whined about dodging taxes yet craving Choi prestige to escape slavery, I'd itched to punch him. But still, family.
Manjeon's words irked me, though. What, should I live like a nun? Marriage and kids were iffy, but pleasures should be enjoyed.
He'd just whine more if I said it.
"Man and woman, my ass—they're like family. Families don't do that anyway. But suddenly you're interested?"
Tossed out in annoyance, but it hit Manjeon hard. His face stiffened, and he collapsed wailing.
"Absolutely not! Your little brother begs you!"
A joke, but his reaction tempted me to tease more. This was the end for Manjeon. Unlike original history, he'd do anything for his sister. With such reliance, of course.
Living long as a woman, in my prime— wasn't he clamping down too hard? As long as not pinned under some man moaning.
Irked, I lifted his chin with my baton.
"Since when does my little brother talk back?"
"Sorry."
"Shut it. If you don't want to see that, obey me from now on. Got it?"
"Of course, Sis!"
Whip and carrot—mix them right. Train him this way. Why bother? Simple: self-submission meant yielding succession naturally. Other options? Drowning siblings carried political risk. Those Choi usurpers! Exactly.
"In some ways, you're scarier than Lord Choi U."
Kim Jun watched Manjeon leave and said that. What? Scarier than Father?
"Me?"
Impossible. I didn't devour people indiscriminately like Father.
"Yes. You use your womanhood well."
I hadn't, really—this era saw gender as chains. Father had spun it: royalists as pathetic scholars jealous of women. Unexpectedly, it undermined the royals. Born a woman a boon?
"Not really using it."
"Like with Ugaha or educating Manjeon with marriage threats since childhood."
"Didn't expect that."
Ugaha was coincidence—who'd guess Jurchens worshipped me like a goddess? Fine by me. Manjong and Manjeon? Just curbing thuggery, yet it looked like grooming. As if I'd eyed succession from childhood. Better than Kim Yakseon, though.
"Not bad, though. Secures you as heir. They'd die for the Governor now."
Yeah, they'd die for me.
"Them bowing willingly isn't bad."
Dogs panting under me? No need to kill like Grandpa or Father. No dirtying hands. Plus, Manjong married into the royals—now powerless husks. Original history, they couldn't rebel; now, scarecrows. Royalists crushed, Choi popularity soaring daily. Manjong couldn't leverage royals.
"Speaking of, the technicians from the Great Food Kingdom?"
Technicians from Arabia. I'd brought glass artisans.
"Workshops already set up."
Workshops ready—maybe develop glass. This Islamic Golden Age, their glass tech was top-tier.
"Hmm, time to experiment with them."
Before Mongols ravaged Europe and Middle East.
"Examples?"
"Glass windows instead of oiled paper."
Pricey, but symbolic for government buildings. Mark of Liaodong rule.
"Like those glass goblets we imported?"
"Exactly. Smart one."
Why keep him close? Brains among warriors.
"But glass breaks—dangerous."
True, but careful handling sufficed. Oiled paper didn't tear easily either.
"Sure, but."
"Is Great Food tech better than ours? Song trades more with them— no glass windows there."
Glass wasn't superior here. Poor cost-performance. Hard to make/process, while paper/silk cheap, replaceable. Eaves blocked rain/snow/sun, no need for perfect waterproofing/insulation. Unlike stone buildings in Europe/Middle East.
Summary: why splurge when efficient options existed? But potential vs. complacency differed. Experimenting eased future paths. Innovation spirit drove science here.
"Indeed. Sounds good."
Lead in tech. Stabilize population at ten million for defense parity.
"Mongol-Jin war's in stalemate lately."
Stalemate let half-dead Jin linger.
"So. Mongols backing off?"
Mongols wouldn't abandon Jin. My seeds of doubt—Ögedei suspicious now.
"Backing off? After conquering? Doesn't make sense."
Had to. Don't judge Mongols by our logic. They're checking Song. Obvious, right?