War is Making the Enemy Mad - 4
Usually, when some high-and-mighty figure says, "I'm fine, so make yourself comfortable," it's no different from saying, "I need to be in a good mood first, so do what makes me comfortable."
Fall for those surface words and act however you please, and you'll face their true wrath. So in cases like that, the right answer is to follow the high-and-mighty one's words to the letter. But fortunately for me, "I have a high-and-mighty one in my own bloodline." I had the sturdy, unyielding shield of Grandfather Giwang.
No matter how much of an emperor he was, even he couldn't treat Grandfather lightly. Considering the Emperor's temperament, Grandfather's expression, and his authority, this matter wasn't an imperial command at all—just a suggestion. Even if I refused, the Emperor would shrug it off and find another official, just as Grandfather said.
"I don't have to go, then."
My heart, which had raced at the words Beukhaebinggung and Hanhae, rapidly settled into calm. If it was just hearing the name rather than going myself, I could listen a hundred times over without issue. Beukhaebinggung or Podalrab Palace, Hanhae or the Himalayas—what did it matter? I wasn't going anyway.
Besides, I was a newlywed living with my pregnant bride. With Grandfather declaring his participation in the war and Father planning to join just before the campaign began, I had to stay in a safe place for the sake of Giwangga.
"Oh, by the way."
Hm?
Just as I opened my mouth to refuse, Grandfather spoke first.
"If you go to Beukhaebinggung, this old man plans to go with you."
"Pardon?"
"What?"
Grandfather's words startled both me and Ak Wang.
"Wandering around inside the Central Plains is one thing, but crossing the border that far north? What grandfather in this world would let his grandson endure such a harsh journey alone?"
Grandfather acted as if he'd said nothing strange, utterly composed.
"War's right around the corner, and you're going all the way to Beukhaebinggung?"
"Because war's right around the corner, that's exactly why I must go. Once the campaign starts, it'll be hard to pull back, and for Beukhaebinggung to grasp His Majesty's true intentions, doesn't a king like me need to go in person?"
"Hm."
Even amid this, Ak Wang was persuaded by Grandfather's logic. It wasn't wrong, which only complicated my feelings further.
Indeed, with Grandfather—a Hwa-gyeong master rivaling the world's best—it would be problematic if he withdrew after the war began. So if he was going to visit anywhere, now was the perfect time. And if the foremost founding merit subject of Daesong, the Iseongwang himself, visited in person, Beukhaebinggung would deeply feel the Emperor's and Daesong's sincerity—how precious they held Beukhaebinggung.
That would raise their favorability before negotiations even started. Even if cooperation fell through, a warm atmosphere could be maintained. Just having a friendly neutral power behind Mongol lines would tilt the war in our favor.
"And personally, this old man hopes you'll go to Beukhaebinggung."
"To Beukhaebinggung, sir?"
"Yes. I called it a harsh journey, but with this old man along, it'll be safe and comfortable. A fine chance to boast to others without the hardship."
I spun my thoughts rapidly at Grandfather's booming laugh.
To check the Daesong's greatest enemy, the Mongols, we head to Beukhaebinggung—traversing thousands of li through enemy Mongol territory, no less. Regardless of whether cooperation succeeded or failed, the act itself would be a merit, a achievement. Like Zhang Qian venturing to the Western Regions in Emperor Wu of Han's time to seek allies against the Xiongnu.
I'm in a better position than Zhang Qian.
And if Grandfather joined this journey to Beukhaebinggung, as he said? The mission's difficulty would plummet. With a Hwa-gyeong master who even Koke Temur couldn't touch as escort, what was there to fear?
Plus, departing from Gansu—not the turbulent Habuk or Shanxi—meant passing through western Mongol grasslands that Yangyang Wang had burned before. Their defenses would be lax there, and the odds of encountering Mongol troops low. Truth be told, if we did meet them, they'd be the ones fleeing. Charging Grandfather would be bravery turned to folly.
"The war with the Mongols is an inevitable fate for Daesong's thousand-year, eternal glory. With this old man the only one from Giwangga contributing to that great cause, the crown prince heir—you—must earn merits."
Ah.
I swallowed involuntarily. It was wrapped in grand terms, but the intent was clear.
In this war, Grandfather was the only one from Giwangga participating. For a flourishing three-generation royal house to send only the grandfather to the frontlines could invite public finger-pointing. No matter how much Grandfather resisted Father and me joining, public perception wouldn't bend.
So Father, the crown prince, stays to guard the house, while I, the crown prince heir, leverage my Central Plains pilgrimage experience to pursue cooperation with Beukhaebinggung—that was roughly the plan. It was decent enough. With representatives from each generation handling war, diplomacy, and defense, it would look good.
What to do.
If Grandfather truly was the only one from the three generations going to war.
But Father plans to join too.
Grandfather's plan assumed Father remained in Kaepyeong. Even in the worst case where I faced danger, it relied on Father the crown prince being safe and sound.
Thanks to this, I realized Grandfather didn't yet know of Father's surprise enlistment, but now what? It put me in the spot of having to dance around words before Grandfather.
Agree readily, and Father's plans crumbled. Refuse, and Grandfather would grow suspicious. Skipping such a well-laid opportunity would seem odd to anyone.
"Yun?"
Seeing me silent, Grandfather spoke with puzzlement.
"How about bringing Kki-ing or Kki-ong along?"
"Good idea. Those Beukhaebinggung folk live in the cold, so they revere white as auspicious. A Baeknok spirit beast arriving with nobility would drive them mad with joy."
I'd hastily tossed out a plausible topic, and Grandfather chuckled again. Even I thought it was decent quick thinking. Pondering whether to bring spirit beasts made for a fitting excuse for silence.
I'll shut up and go.
In the end, with heavy heart, I decided on the Beukhaebinggung trip.
Yes, this was right. Blurting "Actually, Father plans to join too!" would make Grandfather's thunder arts echo over Giwangjeo, wouldn't it? Better to stay mum, pretend ignorance, and let it pass.
Besides, aside from the burden of going all the way to Hanhae, it wasn't hugely dangerous. Traversing the western grasslands Yangyang Wang scorched, with Grandfather. Even if Koke Temur found out, he'd have to let us pass.
For family harmony, I'd make a little sacrifice—
"Leaving I Yeon and heading to Beukhaebinggung. What a lamentable affair."
Ak Wang's displeased tone made my shoulders twitch.
I felt the same. No matter how safe, traversing thousands of li through enemy territory—naturally, I Yeon would worry. If it were her crossing Mongol lands, I'd foam at the mouth in protest. Hell, forget enemies; as newlyweds, heading abroad on a work trip was a horrific, tragic outrage unfit even for the 21st century.
"Ease up, Ak Hyeon. Do you think I want to send Yun that far? But for the realm, the people, and Yun himself, this is right. Giving him this merit means he can stand tall even amid war."
"Tch, if you can't even say it right."
Ak Wang clicked his tongue softly, shook his head, and turned toward the rear garden.
"Finish your grandfather-grandson talk and come along. Drink some while you're at it, or whatever."
"Heh, prepare the good stuff."
Grandfather kept chuckling at Ak Wang's retreating figure, who hadn't even replied.
"Yun."
"Yes, Grandfather."
"I know your heart's uneasy, but think of it as one step back for many steps forward. Endure a brief discomfort, and the path ahead smooths. Even if you're stuck in Kaepyeong the whole war, one word—'I went to Beukhaebinggung'—silences all debate."
He offered small comfort. How could I not understand Grandfather's intentions? The daunting distance to Beukhaebinggung daunted me too, but I grasped the necessity.
If cooperation succeeded, my name would proudly grace the postwar merit list. Of course, necessity aside, I'd skip it if possible. I wanted to be a husband at home more than a merit subject.
"Days as a husband stretch long, but days to shine as Daesong's official are short. How could I hesitate for Daesong's sake?"
Since I'd decided to go, best to appear composed—for both our sakes. If I moped, how uneasy would Grandfather feel? Right now, I should show the joy of an official seizing a chance for merit.
"For someone like that, weren't you about to refuse earlier?"
"Me, sir? I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Keh, alright. If you say so."
Grandfather patted my shoulder and led me to the rear garden.
...
What.
What's this? Why's he coming with me? Crashing a drinking bout between two Hwa-gyeong masters, and I'd be crawling out on all fours for sure? The next day, I'd barely recall if I'd returned on two legs or four, I'd drunk that much.
"I'm going to Beukhaebinggung."
I confessed to I Yeon with the most apologetic, guilty face possible. This worthless husband was about to leave his pregnant wife for a business trip.
There's no such thing as a perfect secret in this world. No confidence in hiding it till death, so best to reveal such things quickly. That way, we both had time to prepare mentally.
"I know."
"Huh?"
The reply caught me off guard.
"When you came home dead drunk last night, you grabbed me and repeated it over and over. 'I'm so sorry, but I have no choice—please understand.' Pretty much an hour straight."
I gave an awkward smile as I Yeon giggled.
Right. I'd spilled everything in my liquor-soaked haze.
"...Telling you not to go wouldn't help, would it?"
"Sorry."
I Yeon shook her head gently at my words.
"No need to apologize. You're my husband, but also Daesong's official. His Majesty means to employ Giwangga heavily—how could I not support you, let alone hold you back?"
That only made me feel worse. Better if she'd resented or raged at me.
"Besides, Great-Grandfather-in-law's going with you, right? Then it's fine. Someone who loves Giwangga like I do—and far stronger—will protect you."
"Well, yes."
"So focus only on the task. Come back safe, and tell me you accomplished it proudly."
"Yeah. I will."
With that, I pulled I Yeon into my arms. Overly forgiving my worthless self, she filled me with joy.
I headed to Jiayu Pass with Grandfather, the Geum-ui-wi, and Kki-ing.
"Deputy Censor-in-chief, sir? No, why are you back here already..."
The Jiayu commandant greeted me with utter confusion. I hadn't expected to return here myself.