Chapter 100
Chapter 100
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 100
Chapter Title: Baekje's Desperate Gambit
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"Yes, last year, you held a grand banquet at the pond newly built on the south side of the palace. You summoned Crown Prince Uija there and declared that he would ascend to the throne next."
"Essentially, you proclaimed him as your successor. What was the reaction?"
"It was so unexpected that everyone seemed shocked. Especially the Sataek clan—they were like a house in mourning."
"That's understandable. They've been constantly undermining Crown Prince Uija all this time."
"As a result, Queen Sataek has taken to her bed, and Grand Minister Sataek Jijik hasn't set foot outside his home."
"It's a form of protest."
"Exactly. But now other nobles are joining in sympathy, and the atmosphere has grown quite turbulent."
"The Eight Great Clans have generally supported Prince Kyogi, haven't they?"
"That's why they're subtly rebelling against Arah's decision even more fiercely."
The group known as the Eight Great Clans—or the Great Eight Families—refers to Baekje's prominent noble houses. The term wasn't used at the time; it originated from Chinese historical records noting that Baekje had eight major clans. In the early days at Wirye Fortress, the Hae and Jin clans stood out. After the capital moved to Ungjin, the Mokhyeop, Sataek, and Yeon clans seized control. Particularly, the Sataek clan's power was formidable, led by Grand Minister Sataek Jijik. That's why they were strongly pushing Prince Kyogi, Queen Sataek's son, as the next Arah. In such a situation, King Mu designating Crown Prince Uija as successor was bound to provoke backlash.
"From Crown Prince Uija's perspective, he needed a card—a way—to turn the situation around."
"Yes. And after much deliberation, this is the solution he found."
As Gwisil Boksinsa explained, Seon Do-hae recalled the reports from the agents he'd sent to Sabi Fortress. There had been rumors swirling, including word of a lavish banquet at what would later be known as the Gungnamji pond.
'I didn't pay much attention to it at the time.'
He thought he should assign someone specifically to analyze and categorize the agents' reports.
"How prepared is Baekje?"
"We are always ready."
Gwisil Boksinsa, puffing out his chest confidently, added,
"With a single royal order, we can mobilize ten thousand troops ready to deploy. Plus, we can summon another ten or twenty thousand from the Five Divisions."
After moving the capital to Ungjin Fortress, Baekje had divided the country into five divisions: east, west, south, north, and central, each governed by a provincial lord of the dalsol rank. Each division contained multiple armies. Some modern scholars attribute Baekje's ability to muster around forty thousand troops in its later years to this Five Divisions system, as it streamlined local administration and troop mobilization. However, this mobilization structure had its weaknesses too.
"But issuing a mobilization order would tip off Silla spies in Sabi Fortress or the Five Divisions right away."
"True. That's why whenever we besiege a Silla fortress, their reinforcements arrive swiftly, always giving us trouble."
Listening to Gwisil Boksinsa, Seon Do-hae gained conviction about the next operation.
"In the end, you concluded that attacking Silla is the way to break the impasse."
"Yes. The mood right now is extremely delicate."
"You mean unstable."
Gwisil Boksinsa twitched his thick eyebrows at my pointed remark.
"I hesitate to say it, but after losing Wirye Fortress and relocating to Ungjin, many Arahs have been assassinated or driven out. For the current Arah to hold the throne for decades is quite extraordinary."
"Yet you think he could fall in the next reign."
"After the move to Sabi Fortress, the Sataek and Yeon clans rose to prominence. The Sataek were the strongest, and now that they're openly rebelling, it's weighing heavily on Arah."
"So he's joining hands with us to attack Silla. Success there would silence the opposition."
"Exactly. It was a heavy burden on Minister Jungni Juhwal, but there were no other options."
"Convey that I fully understand. And tell him we're preparing too—we won't dawdle."
"Setting a specific date might be too much to ask?"
I pondered Gwisil Boksinsa's question. Even a close aide wouldn't ask unprompted. Brushing it off with a simple no would surely disappoint Crown Prince Uija.
"It's not impossible. What timing does His Highness have in mind?"
"No later than next May."
"Ten months left. Time isn't the issue—deceiving the enemy is. If traffic between us and Baekje increases, Silla will catch on."
I couldn't bring myself to mention that Taewang or Senior Central Administrator Yeon Jeong-du might betray him to eliminate the threat. Fortunately, Gwisil Boksinsa didn't notice and nodded.
"His Highness said Minister Jungni Juhwal would find a good way."
"Of course."
An idea naturally came to me.
"Our clan has a hereditary cipher script we've used for generations. Communicating via that should be safe."
"But someone still has to carry it, right?"
"Naturally. But it won't be us."
"Then who will transport it?"
I grinned at the bewildered Gwisil Boksinsa.
"The birds will deliver it."
"Pardon?"
"Just kidding. We'll ask the Maemul Merchant Guild."
Gwisil Boksinsa looked impressed at my words.
"Merchants travel constantly, so they won't arouse suspicion."
"Exactly. Sealed tight, even if intercepted, they won't decipher it."
"That will make preparations much smoother. But how will we interpret the cipher on our end?"
"I'll send someone who knows it. He'll handle the decoding."
"Such a method exists."
"This operation's success hinges on secrecy. Only I, Arah, Crown Prince Uija, and you should know the full plan."
"Agreed. Neither Arah nor His Highness has breathed a word to anyone else."
"In Goguryeo, only my inner circle has a vague idea. Even my father doesn't know. But preparing and moving troops will alert many."
"You mean it can't be hidden at that stage."
"Right. So the target must remain secret until the end. Failure to do so would doom both Crown Prince Uija and me."
"That won't happen."
"Many hope it does. Far too many."
Gwisil Boksinsa swallowed dryly at my curt words.
"His Highness worries about that too."
"First, we must seize Danghang Fortress and Danghang Port at all costs. For the rest, Goguryeo and Baekje divide targets to scatter Silla's counterattacks. Lure them into abandoning some for easy victories."
"I understand perfectly."
"Wars don't end in one go. No need to overreach now. We just win exactly what we want."
In truth, the alliance with Baekje stemmed from the need to neutralize Silla before clashing with Tang. Silla played a pivotal role in Goguryeo's fall in 668. Ahead of an unpredictable showdown with Tang, Silla had to be crippled. Things were accelerating faster than planned.
'No telling what this will lead to.'
For now, prioritize essentials.
"Stay here a few days. I'll prepare someone versed in the cipher to go with you."
"Very well."
After wrapping up, I stepped out of the annex. After a moment's thought, I instructed Geom Mojam, guarding the door.
"Have Seon Do-hae come to Bin Yeon Pavilion at once."
From observation, he craved advancement but showed no signs of betrayal. With workloads growing, Go Jeong-ui and Go Yeonmu lacked enough strategists. This would test his abilities and loyalty.
Leaving Geom Mojam, who acknowledged, I headed to Bin Yeon Pavilion. The three, told to rest, had returned to their quarters. Soon, the door opened, and Seon Do-hae appeared, hastily tying his belt and securing his ceremonial hat's strap under his chin.
"You summoned me, Master?"
"You'll need to head to Baekje soon."
"Baekje?"
Offering him a seat as he blinked in surprise, I said,
"Yes. We're allying with Baekje shortly to strike Silla. But we'll need ciphered communications."
"So I'll go to Baekje and decode the messages you send."
Sharp as ever, I thought, praising him.
"Exactly. No one else can do it."
"Thank you for the trust. What about the agents' reports?"
"Pass them to Go Yeonmu for now. He can't fully replace you, though."
Grinning at the irreplaceable compliment, Seon Do-hae replied,
"I'll prepare to leave immediately."
"Tomorrow, teach Go Yeonmu about Hangeul."
"He's quick; one day will suffice."
"Messages go via Maemul merchants. They'll be sealed—check the seals on arrival and reseal securely when sending back."
"No worries."
"I'm counting on you."
The next day, Seon Do-hae drilled a clueless Go Yeonmu in Hangeul. Meanwhile, I dispatched couriers ordering my aides from the Liaodong fortresses to return. Amid the urgency, glad tidings arrived. Ham-a, wearing a soul-transplanted expression, reported,
"Goguryeo Fire is somewhat complete."
"Really? How much?"
"Mixed it with that black, sticky oil from near Ansi Fortress, and now the flames won't go out easily."
"Tried water?"
"Yes. It spread even more."
"Good work. Now figure out how to attach it to Jangsa-no's arrows."
"Understood. I hope we perfect the fire ghost arrows."
"We need them to take Danghang Port. Make it happen."
The weary Ham-a beamed.
"Of course."
"You'll collapse here. Take five days' leave and rest in Sui Captive Village."
"So much to do, Master."
"It won't run away. We need the Liaodong crew back before proceeding. Tell Geom Mojam to pack plenty of food and silk."
"Thank you, Master."
Ham-a bowed repeatedly, grinning. I'd given Go Jeong-ui and Go Yeonmu time off too, and amid that, Seon Do-hae reported Go Yeonmu had mastered Hangeul perfectly.
Three days later, Gwisil Boksinsa and Seon Do-hae departed for Baekje. I granted the rest leave to visit home. For the first time in ages, I spent cozy time with family. My wife was overjoyed; I watched her and our son play. But she quickly sensed my wandering mind. Lying side by side on the bed, gazing at our sleeping son Heonchung between us, she whispered cautiously,
"You're not really resting right now, are you?"