Sinsolbin
Sinsolbin
The population there continues to grow even now. In particular, weary Han Chinese from plundering gold mines in the Jin territories cross over, or people from Song—victims of Jin raids that have caused immense damage—migrate to Goryeo. I've directed them all to pioneer the Liaodong lands.
"The exploration fleets will keep pushing north. It'll cost a fortune before we even discover the New World."
It's not like we're just passing through once. A single trip to the New World won't cut it. We need to firmly establish a second Goryeo branch there. That means creating solid bases along the way, not just brief stopovers.
"So, with intermediate bases required, that means we can spend big on the budget, right?"
Even so, it won't be an issue. Trade profits are massive. We'll have plenty left over after funding it all.
"That place with the Ainu is just pure exploration—no more than a starting point, not even the first stepping stone to the New World we're aiming for."
Right. For trade with the Ainu and further exploration, there's actually a closer spot as our launch point. Better to pioneer Vladivostok ahead of time and route through there. No need for bases all the way to the Kurils. We can just follow the coast north from the Primorye region.
The Primorye region. It was once Balhae's territory, later Jin's, but after Jin was pushed into the Central Plains and the Dongjin refugees' state fell to Goryeo, it was completely abandoned.
"In the end, doesn't that connect to old Balhae lands too?"
"Exactly. There are still Jin castles standing. Of course, they were lively once upon a time."
"Will you send troops there, Milord?"
Ugh, this is why sharp ones are a pain.
"This area's Jurchen land to begin with. When we absorbed Dongjin, we took in the local Jurchens too. It's within our sphere of influence—we've just neglected it until now."
Time to stake our claim. Who knows how it'll develop later, but for bases, it's unavoidable.
"I'm sending the Yodong Byeolcho. From the Jurchens' perspective, reclaiming old Jin territory gives it extra meaning."
And we'll call the occupied area the Primorye region.
"What advantages does taking it offer?"
Plenty. Departing from southern Primorye lets us ride the Liman Current straight to western Sakhalin or Hokkaido much more easily. The deep waters are perfect for docking and repairing massive keel ships. And that's not all. The inland forests there...
"For starters, it's ideal for keel ship docking. Endless forests mean no need to chop Goryeo mainland trees—we can source timber locally for building and repairs. In short, it can be an expedition-exclusive base."
Plus, open-pit coal mines and iron ore abound, so we can run forges. Coal heating too. We must seize and base here. Jin has no influence left, nor does Dongjin. Any remaining Jurchen refugees can be drawn in as port laborers or citizens. As an exploration hub, it'll get heavy investment.
For now, the Primorye chunk we'll claim—Vladivostok in original history will get our own name.
"You know a lot about this, Milord."
"That's why I'm pulling in the Jurchens."
"But doesn't funding this exploration fleet pose a problem?"
Does it? We're raking in trade cash, selling arquebuses and cannons to Song. Especially Song—Jin cavalry's been raiding deep inland lately, making overland travel hell, so their border forges got smashed trying to make cannons. Vicious cycle; now they're buying weapons from us by sea nonstop.
"Even with separate trade ongoing, we can grab plenty."
"Still, pushing northeast sounds risky. It'll be cold, at least. Old Goguryeo didn't claim that vast northern expanse because of the chill, right?"
"Padded cotton clothes for cold-weather gear will help."
"Padded clothes?"
"Clothes made from cotton."
I've already tested and issued them to troops. Our expansion's limited anyway. With Liaodong secured, next population absorption is Kyushu in Japan—they've traded with us, held nominal posts managing wako pirates. Just enough people we can handle.
The Yodong Byeolcho is half Jurchen. Their prowess shone in the Second Yeo-Mong War, holding even against Subutai's second army in southern Liaodong. Like Jurchens in original history revering Yi Seonggye as elder, they see Choi Yeon as their Abkai Hehe and serve her loyally.
They received orders to pioneer the northeast—for their Abkai Hehe, to fold old Jin lands into Goryeo. They marched.
"What's that flag?"
"Goryeo troops?"
"Goryeo came all this way to catch us?"
Refugees armed reluctantly to fight back. But...
"We're Jurchens like you! As subjects of Goryeo's Military Regent, graced by her, we come with a proposal."
Up close, yep—pure Jurchens. The lead commander even had gear like old Jin ironclad cavalry, slightly different.
"Yeah, fellow Jurchens. What's up?"
"Our nation's true powerholder, the Military Regent, aims to claim this east as Goryeo land. She'll build a castle and city—if you help, you live there."
"Why's Goryeo building a city way out here?"
This far? What's the reason?
"A port as an exploration base. Don't doubt, obey—and no need to be refugees."
Port for exploration? Sounds like a ship-hub city. No options for Jurchens. Thus, hiring refugees as guides, Yodong Byeolcho expanded eastward. With Dongjin-era refugees, even old Jin holdouts hiding as bandits, they scouted and found a spot.
Problem: Not far from Goryeo proper.
"Further inland north, or coast means looping back south."
Terrain's brutal; inevitably back toward Goryeo. Still, outside direct rule—a coastal city spot.
"This works for a base, right?"
Thus, in the Vladivostok site of original history, evoking Balhae's legitimacy, they named it Sinsolbin after Solbin.
Report to the Command reached Gaegyeong; soon engineers arrived, stone for walls shipped, laborers felled nearby trees for building. Old abandoned lands stirred with life again.
Originally, Mongols intermarried conquered populations—not just for numbers, but strategic alliances and control. Bluntly, beyond Goryeo royals, Mongols had many vassal ethnic daughters-in-law from Golden clans. Yuan intermarried heavily with Goryeo, but it was folding Goryeo into Mongol order.
Why mention this? Intermarriage wasn't royals-only. Nomad society kidnapped women between tribes as wives; conquests continued it—soldiers took women as spoils or forced marriages. Victories distributed women and kids by merit to regular troops. They became concubines, slaves, or cohabitants.
Mongol garrisons long-term mixed genetically and culturally—mixed blood. Elites secured legitimacy; troops gained property, labor, sex. Far future, over ten million men in old Mongol lands carry Genghis Khan's Y-chromosome—exploitation scale clear. To them, utterly normal.
But now, things differed.
"Why sell all these spoils to Goryeo?"
"Right? They're our spoils."
"Can't send men, so they send women."
Grumbling started; Batu and western expedition generals had to adapt. Policy demanded selling to Goryeo. Lately, Goryeo supplied horses, steel weapons, warm woolens—win-win.
Goryeo wanted men but took women fine. Strategy shift needed.
Western army commanders decided: Distribute spoils (women) only to top meriteers. Rising soldier gripes? Massacre more for women. Very Mongol—slaughter intensified beyond original history.
They spared minimal technicians, arrow fodder—but massacred harder. Even peaceful areas: drag women, spark resistance, kill men. Ignored marriages to seize women for sale or troops. Sparking fights? Inevitable Mongol losses too.
"Goryeo stuff's useful."
Goryeo padded clothes blocked arrows better; Mongols saw trade's value beyond humiliation. Meant to screw Goryeo with women-only, but they took it well—great for Mongols using men as fodder.
"Absorbs sweat, boil-wash reusable—cuts disease alone."
Fussing over Mongol illness prevention? Kinda touching.
"Hurry! Select women for Goryeo!"
Issue: Local Mongol-speakers spread word of Goryeo to unaware.
"Mongols tribute women to Goryeo!"
"Those butchers fear Goryeo that much?"
Goryeo gained eerie western infamy without fighting. Quite the injustice.
As expected, our Byeolcho did the job right. Nothing special, really. Just dug up old Balhae land and found Vladivostok. Dongjin conquest put it in Goryeo orbit anyway. Now making it direct rule.
Dubbed the area Sinsolbin.
"Build Sinsolbin prioritizing an exploration port first, then expand settlements gradually."
Base here to push to Hokkaido and beyond north.
"Yes, harbor's already under construction."
"We need that New World in ten years."
Before filthy cannibals soil it. And my plan is this.