Reconnaissance is Part of War - 1
It was the first time since reincarnating that I'd seen Grandfather grab the back of his neck. Of course, it was just a fleeting moment, lasting only a few seconds, but this was a Hwagyeong master with ironclad mental fortitude, a man who barely flinched at anything. For him to clutch his neck like that was miraculous in itself.
I'd achieved something wondrous enough to go down in Dasong history.
Not that I felt particularly proud of it.
"Yun."
"Yes, Grandfather."
"Where are you off to now?"
"To Zhangcheng. Probably Guyongguan rather than Shanhaiguan."
At my answer, Grandfather rubbed the back of his neck again. It was suffocating. A good scolding would have been easier to take, but seeing him desperately hold back made it even harder to breathe. He'd already banished Father from the estate. For him to endure back-to-back shocks like this—how absurd must it feel? Restraining a shout in this mad situation must take immense patience.
"Zhangcheng. Guyongguan."
I bowed my head quietly at Grandfather's low mutter. Was it my imagination? If I weren't his grandson, lightning-wreathed hands might have grabbed my collar—or I'd have ended up like a lightning-struck jujube tree, a charred Han Yun.
"Inspecting Zhangcheng itself isn't so bad. And Guyongguan is close to Beiping, a pass the Mongols would target first but also the one Dasong prioritizes defending most."
I bowed even deeper at his continued words. On the surface, it sounded like understanding my decision. But words aren't just what you hear. The patience, anger, and bitterness in his voice couldn't be hidden. This was Grandfather consoling himself: inspecting Zhangcheng is fine, a trip to Guyongguan is safe enough.
"You've been to Jiayu Pass already, haven't you? Crossed the steppes to Beukhaebinggung too, right?"
Cold sweat trickled down my spine. That wasn't "You've been to Jiayu, so Guyongguan should be fine." It was "You've been to Jiayu, and now Guyongguan too?" Even Buong clinging to my sleeve and Samshik could understand that. I was going mad. A proper outburst would have been better—I'd have kowtowed and apologized.
"Yun."
"Yes, speak. I'm listening."
"I know you're not the type to make such decisions on your own. Coming straight from the palace to announce a trip to Guyongguan—it must be His Majesty's command."
His voice softened ever so slightly, so I nodded immediately. Of course. Did I seem insane enough to volunteer for Guyongguan? Circumstances left no choice, and I'd concluded it was beneficial. Plus, I figured it was reasonably safe.
"In a looming war, a border fortress like Guyongguan is actually safer. Alerts tighten against raids, and troops concentrate there. If that's not enough, just ask Dal-i to watch your back."
"That's right."
It matched 100% with my thinking when I accepted the Qilin's request, so I nodded again. People think alike. Even Grandfather thought the same—proof my idea wasn't off-base.
"Grandfather."
"Speak."
"His Majesty has no intention of sending Father north."
That's why I cautiously shared what the Emperor had told me. With Grandfather torn between reason and emotion, this news would let reason prevail. It was military intel, but the Emperor had shared it to help soothe him. Otherwise, why tell me such high-level secrets?
"What do you mean?"
Grandfather, who'd been sighing repeatedly, reacted at once.
"It's not favoritism to Giwangga. Of the fourteen armies in the expeditionary force, three will stay inside the border—one being Father's. With the beasts starting suicide attacks, we must prepare for contingencies, right?"
Grandfather closed his eyes gently, as if sorting his thoughts.
"...Crossing the border isn't the only war. Defending the beautiful, vast mountains and rivers of the Central Plains is part of it too."
He opened his eyes, his face markedly brighter.
"Of course, Grandfather. Even conquering the steppes means nothing if the Central Plains burn. Father staying in Dasong as His Majesty's shield, protecting the realm's people—it's truly glorious."
I seized the chance, cheering him on with all my might. It wasn't wrong. Even in war, leaving troops for internal security and to prevent looting was standard. The beast suicide bombings just meant more than planned, all to ensure victory.
This should silence Father. His goal was serving Grandfather up close, but against Dasong's archenemy the Mongols, he couldn't openly say, "Beating barbarians matters less than guarding Father."
Switching from the Rear Army to another? The Emperor could rearrange garrisons at will. Even as Giwangga's crown prince, Father couldn't win against the Emperor.
'Sorry, Father...' I silently offered him my petty regrets.
I knew this would burst his bubble. He'd endured family strife to stay near Grandfather, crashing at Akwangga. I couldn't forget Father awkwardly sharing drinks with my father-in-law. But life doesn't go as planned. Just as Grandfather got blindsided by Father's surprise enlistment, now Father was blindsided by the Emperor. Both had tasted the pain.
So, let's end the enlistment debate here. I couldn't side with either Father or Grandfather. Better the Emperor's deus ex machina settle it.
"You've received great grace from His Majesty."
Honestly, I'd side with Grandfather over Father. Anyone seeing his expression now would. Plus, understanding both their worries—Grandfather's for his son, Father's for his father—I had to back Grandfather strongly. If my child in Yi Yeon's belly went to war, I'd worry too. I understood him. I'd worried since Father enlisted; I wished he wouldn't go north. Just like Father worried for Grandfather.
Either way, it meant stopping Father. I'd stayed neutral long enough.
"Yun. When you go to Akwangjeo, tell your father to come home. Whatever he does now is pointless—just watch his loser's thrashing."
"Ah, yes. I'll do that."
I answered and rose—
"Thank His Majesty too, Yun."
"Pardon?"
I tilted my head, then chills ran down my spine. The Emperor's consideration in keeping Father in Dasong had rapidly soothed Grandfather, letting him accept my Zhangcheng trip. Without it, what would he have decided? He'd chased away his unwanted son; what about a grandson sneaking off to weird places?
"His Majesty's lofty and beautiful grace is ever in my heart."
"Hm! That's how a subject should be!"
I didn't want to imagine details, but at least I wouldn't have left Giwangjeo. The fresh groom who'd gone to Beukhaebinggung now heading to Guyongguan.
"At least you're not crossing the border this time...?"
This absurd situation even soured gentle, merciful Yi Yeon. What wife would welcome her new husband's back-to-back long trips? Still, as she said, not crossing the border was a relief. Guyongguan was decent.
"Sorry. But it's a chance to resolve the war more smoothly. Even without the Four Evils, it's break-even; if they intervene, the Qilin or Fenghuang might step in. Beast worries drop sharply."
Of course, telling a worried bride "Guyongguan is fine" was insane. Better beg Ak Wang to kill me. Direct plea loses just my life; the blunder gets me killed after seeing her hurt expression. Former's better.
"And safer than Beukhaebinggung—no enemy territory, not far."
"Hubby. Kaepyeong to Guyongguan is plenty far."
I lowered my eyes at her pity-filled gaze. Sorry. Roaming the Central Plains wrecked my distance sense.
"Still, as you say, Guyongguan is safer. And necessary for the war."
Yi Yeon smiled softly, arms open. I hugged her carefully. My generous, kind wife understood her mad husband's trip.
"Oh. Take Kki-ong-i this time. She stared Guyongguan-way, pining and crying alone."
"You okay with that?"
"Fine. A bit sad, but plenty of kids here."
I sighed inwardly in relief at her thoughtfulness. No risk of Kki-ing-i coup-biting my hair.