War Is Making the Enemy Furious - 2
Giwangjeo was starting to feel more like a second imperial palace by the day. Not only were the three Iseongwang turning into resident ghosts, but even Ak Wang, another of the Ilja Wang, was dropping by now and then. Soon, under Yangyang Wang's guidance, the retired founding merit subjects would come swarming in. All we needed was the Emperor, and it would be a full-fledged palace.
Thanks to that, my own home was crawling with people I had to watch out for. Sure, Grandfather was tougher to deal with than any guest, but a grandson doesn't need to tiptoe around his own grandpa, right? The other kings and the soon-to-arrive founding merit holders, though—they were outsiders to me. No choice but to mind my manners.
"Let's stay at Akwangjeo for a while."
"Pardon?"
So we decided to make a tactical retreat. To the one place where my pregnant wife, Yi Yeon, could be most comfortable. The one place where I could claim family ties as her grandson-in-law.
"There'll be a constant stream of guests coming and going for a bit. It's bound to get noisy, so for the baby's sake, Akwangjeo seems best."
I'd already run it by Grandfather, Father, and Mother. They all knew full well how Giwangjeo had turned into a meeting hall and palace proxy—they nodded without hesitation. I hadn't checked with the Ak Wang household yet, but honestly, they'd welcome it with open arms. Who'd turn away a family member—great-grandchild or grandchild in utero—wanting some rest at Akwangjeo? The moment I mentioned it, they'd probably send a carriage right over.
"It's fine. I'm not Ak Wangga's Yeon anymore—I'm Giwangga's crown princess consort, Yi Yeon. If Giwangjeo gets hectic, I should pitch in. I can't keep ducking back to my parents' place every time things get busy."
Yi Yeon smiled softly and shook her head at my suggestion. What a beautiful stance. Declaring herself part of Giwangga, not Ak Wangga. Vowing not to flee to another house as a loyal member. The elders of Giwangga would surely melt with pride and emotion.
"You're not just any crown princess consort—you're the precious one carrying our great-grandchild. Helping Giwangga is great, but the best way to serve it right now is resting for the baby. No one can argue with that."
Even in the 21st century, pregnant women were invincible. In the 14th century, where bloodlines reached to the heavens with longing, how much more so? In an era where failing to produce heirs was a sin, a pregnant woman was sacrosanct. Especially this one—symbolizing the union of Giwangga and Ak Wangga, guaranteed next-next-next crown prince. For now, the top priority for protection in Giwangga wasn't the kingly Grandfather, but Yi Yeon with our great-grandchild on board.
"So pack a few essentials and let's head to Akwangjeo. We see Uncle-in-law now and then here, but it's been ages since you visited Father-in-law. When else would we drop by?"
At that, Yi Yeon's eyes darted side to side. No matter how much she told herself she was Giwangga now, not Ak Wangga's eldest granddaughter but Giwangga's crown princess consort, blood was blood. Over twenty years of family bonds don't vanish. Besides, she and Father-in-law got along great—no awkwardness there. If it was a legit long stay, she'd want to see him too. Laughing and chatting face-to-face, stroking her belly and bragging about the baby. How wonderful.
"And in a few days, important guests arrive for some confidential talks. Fewer ears the better, so we'll slip away quietly."
I gave her hesitating back a gentle nudge. This wasn't just cozying up or family visiting. It was stepping aside for the nation's greater good and secrets. Not entirely wrong, so no guilt.
I was crown prince, sure, but totally unconnected to this war. No way could I sit in on Grandfather's meetings with the retirees. Staying in Giwangjeo meant inevitably overhearing—better bail early.
'Gotta bail for sure.'
Truth be told, I was a bit scared. Stick around and absorb all that intel, and my future was doomed. Grandfather would never let me join the front lines over his dead body, but he'd dump every other duty on me. Fine for legit orders, but forced-feeding info I shouldn't know? Lightning from a clear sky.
"W-well, shall we go for a bit then?"
"Good call. Uncle-in-law and Father-in-law will love it."
I smiled faintly at her white flag, stroking her belly. Not mine, of course—hers. Unlike my utterly ordinary one, hers held our priceless treasure. If time allowed, I'd touch it every minute, every hour, every day. Carry her around forever, the three of us as one.
'If I weren't a bureaucrat.'
Hell, even a full year of honeymoon would do. But what groom gets a year off? What country gives it? Unless you're the crazy wedding man marrying quarterly, impossible.
"Are we the only ones heading to Akwangjeo?"
"Huh?"
Unexpected question—I tilted my head. Besides us... anyone else needing to go? Maybe escort Father and Mother for some in-law bonding?
"The folks at Akwangjeo subtly love having spirit beasts around. They say it brings good energy just having them there."
'Ah.'
Instant understanding. I lived 24/7 with six spirit beasts, so I didn't notice, but to most folks, spirit beasts were lifetime rarities. No need for sa-ryeong or sa-hung—even regular spirit beasts were the ceiling. Six sharing space, not just a glimpse? Akwangjeo staff would cherish it more than any elixir or tonic.
"Was gonna leave them here at Giwangjeo, but sure, they'll come along."
No brainer—I decided casually. Temporary evac, so beasts staying put made sense for them. But if the in-laws wanted them...
'Come to think of it, Father-in-law adores Buong-i.'
Father-in-law fiddling with Buong-i's horn, playing happily. For him alone, they had to tag along.
They say blessings and tragedies come in waves. Spot on.
The retired merit holders rising again for the realm and people—what greater joy for an emperor? So many loyal, spirited retainers. Seasoned, capable generals joining en masse before the Mongol showdown. Pure delight. And gathering at Giwangjeo? Under the elder's lead, they'd move like clockwork. No chaos integrating into command.
Would've been perfect if the report ended there.
"The beast rampages are intensifying. Northern border farmlands have taken heavy damage, and the unrest is spreading into the interiors of Habuk and Shanxi."
I closed my eyes briefly at the Geum-ui-wi Ji-hwi-sa's report. Expected some chaos before the expeditionary force fully formed. Mongols moved first between us, hit-and-run their nomad specialty. Minor losses unavoidable.
But this was unforeseen.
When reports first came of beasts near Shanhaiguan and Guyongguan. Back then, I figured scouts or tribute beasts. Mongol desperation from short manpower.
'Wrong.'
These northern bastards. No desperation—deadly serious strategy. Committing beasts fully, even leading with them over men. Reports from the north: no Mongol troops sighted, just beasts. At this point, anything from the north—man or beast—is Mongol forces.
'What a headache.'
Horse-mounted nomads? End in sight. Ignore their prowess; numbers manageable. Whittle down in skirmishes, we win.
Beasts alone? Trouble. Endless steppe hordes vs. countable Central Plains folk. Breaching the walls into Huang He north, then south? Daesong bleeds bad.
"Furthermore."
I opened my eyes at the Geum-ui-wi Ji-hwi-sa's continuation.
"Unrest suspected to be Mongol work has broken out in Balhaeman too."
"What?"
Blindside. Balhaeman? Land and sky, fine—but sea? Mongols at sea?
"What do you mean? Did they toss oxen or dogs into Balhaeman or something?"
"Forgive my impertinence, Your Majesty, but certain hawks and eagles are releasing water-dwelling beasts into Balhaeman. My personal hunch: likely not local catches."
A sigh nearly escaped. Right—Hanhai. Forgot their "little sea" lake.
"...Geum-ui-wi Ji-hwi-sa."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Contacting Beukhae Binggung. Your thoughts?"
He bowed silently. Ready to dash there on command.