Chapter 108
Chapter 108
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 108
Chapter Title: Naval Advance on Danghangpo
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"It's not like we can ask to replace the navy commander at this point."
His chest ached bitterly at the thought of being toyed with by the Great King. Then Geom Mojam said something odd.
"That's the peculiar part."
"Peculiar how?"
"He's known for taking bribes and being lazy, but no one says he's incompetent."
"Is that so?"
A faint glimmer of hope appeared. But Go Yeonmu, standing nearby, dashed it.
"The Great King wouldn't send us a general who'd actually be of any help."
"Yeah, better to give up on that. We can only hope he doesn't cause trouble or get in the way."
* * *
As spring arrived, preparations for the campaign proceeded smoothly. The thousand or so Malgal tribesmen led by Iri, who had fought in the recent Niha Fortress battle, arrived in early March. Iri dismounted and approached me with a broad grin.
"I came to hunt some Silla bastards."
"Welcome. I'll make sure you get your fill of hunting this time too."
The Malgal tribesmen and other troops conscripted from the north set up camp on the southern plains of Jang'an Fortress, undergoing training and resupply. By mid-March, they marched south. As I saw off the three generals, I said to them,
"I'm counting on you three."
"We'll bring back a victory report."
General On Samun replied in his deep, resonant voice before heading south. After seeing off the expeditionary force, I went straight to the Paekgang River estuary. There, twenty-odd warships under Ga Do-han's command waited, ready to set sail. Spotting Ga Do-han aboard the flagship, I boarded there. Geom Mojam and my close aides followed. The gangplank was pulled in, and the call to depart rang out. As the ship slowly left the dock, I climbed to the deck and met Ga Do-han. The navy men wore light leather armor and hoods instead of helmets. On one side of the deck lay a Yeon Clan Cannon assembled by Ham-a and the craftsmen from Sui Captive Village. Beyond that stood the superstructure, like the mast tower on a panokseon, where Ga Do-han sat.
"Welcome aboard, Commander-in-Chief."
"I'll be in your hands."
"Of course."
He gestured to the empty chair beside him. As I sat, Ga Do-han gazed out over the sea beyond the railing.
"Strange thing is, the sea always puts my mind at ease."
"Even when fighting at sea?"
"That's different. If you get wounded in a sea battle, it's as good as death."
He had a reputation for loving bribes and sloth, but from months of observation, he hadn't caused any real issues. Either he had no idea what I was thinking, or he didn't care—Ga Do-han continued.
"Mind if I ask a few questions?"
"Go ahead."
"One of my men said a few days ago that some strange ships slipped away quietly from Gullchung Island. I know that's Eastern Division territory."
The unexpected question startled me slightly. Ga Do-han grinned and stroked his goatee.
"I've been a seafarer long enough to know people everywhere."
His eyes weren't bloodshot, so I answered honestly.
"They're special warships built to attack Danghangpo."
"Danghangpo? Didn't you tell me it was Gomukgeunhyeon and Gwanmi Fortress?"
"We'll attack those too, of course. But first, Danghangpo. More precisely, the Silla warships stationed there."
"They have anywhere from twenty to as many as forty warships there. With our ships and the two or three that left ahead, we're short. If they see it's not going their way, they'll flee into the harbor, and then we can't touch them."
"Why not chase them right into the harbor?"
Ga Do-han snorted at my words.
"Easier said than done. They'll chain it off, leaving space for just one or two ships. Go in like that, and you're surrounded and wiped out before you can fight. Annihilated."
"I'll handle that problem. General, just encircle them and drive them into the harbor."
"We only have twenty warships. If it's even numbers, they might come out to fight."
"By the time we arrive, twenty more will join us."
"What?"
"The Maemul Merchant Guild agreed to lend us merchant ships. They'll fly red flags from afar to confuse the enemy."
"Forty ships, and they'll give up and head into the harbor."
Looking south over the sea, I spoke to Ga Do-han, whose response was full of conviction.
"General, Goguryeo's fate hangs on this battle."
"Attacking Danghangpo?"
Watching his puzzled expression, I was reminded once again how knowing history in advance was both a huge advantage and a tiresome burden.
"We need to cut off trade with Tang to secure our rear in case of emergency."
Ga Do-han still looked confused. It was giving me a headache, but fortunately, he nodded.
"Anyway, I'll follow the Commander-in-Chief's orders."
"Thank you."
"I was wondering why you didn't go with the main army. Now I get it."
"That's right."
Chiljung Fortress, Gwanmi Fortress, and Maesoseong would be tackled separately by the three generals. Baekje had notified us they would attack Danghang Fortress, Gajam Fortress, Doksan Fortress, and Gahyeon Fortress.
'They've been preparing since last year, so Silla must know something's up. They're probably agonizing over where to send reinforcements.'
Their available troops were limited, so they'd wait as long as possible, assessing the attackers' numbers and strength before dispatching aid. But they wouldn't anticipate Danghangpo.
"They won't expect Goguryeo's navy to show up off Danghangpo."
I nodded at Ga Do-han's words.
"Danghang Fortress falls to Baekje. We just need to smash the Silla navy at Danghangpo."
"Nothing's easy at sea, Commander-in-Chief. You can't bend the wind or currents to your will."
"I know. That's why I'm relying on you, General."
"I heard the men who followed you to Niha Fortress last year got handsome rewards."
"Win this, and I won't let anyone go wanting."
"I'll do my best."
Despite his reputation, he took it in stride surprisingly calmly. The warships crested the waves, spraying water everywhere, but rode them steadily. Choosing to go by sea instead of land—and with Ga Do-han rather than the Hwagwi ships—was largely to keep watch. His eyes hadn't reddened in our few meetings, but I still couldn't read his intentions. Plus, I didn't want to run into the Supreme Central Administrator tagging along as a watchdog.
'I was planning to take the Hwagwi ships originally.'
Various issues lingered right up to departure. They were especially slow, which would have meant prolonged seasickness on top of everything else. In the end, I decided to switch to the Hwagwi ships just before battle and accompany Ga Do-han's flagship for now.
Luckily, the weather held during the voyage south. Ga Do-han ran drills mid-journey, adjusting formations and speeds with notable skill. I recalled the reports: nothing about incompetence. After several days at sea, the warships arrived off Gomukgeunhyeon at dawn. There waited the twenty merchant ships from the Maemul Merchant Guild, red flags fore and aft to pass for warships from a distance. Loaded with troops, they looked the part to anyone. Ga Do-han grinned in admiration.
"They look just like warships. Perfect."
Among them were the three Hwagwi ships that had departed days earlier. Spotting them, Ga Do-han chuckled.
"Those must be the Commander-in-Chief's secret weapons."
"Exactly. They'll burn any enemy that gets in our way."
It was half-jest, half-truth, but Ga Do-han burst out laughing. When he finished, I said,
"Please move as fast as possible."
My dry tone made him tilt his head.
"We still have time before the fifteenth of April."
"We're hitting Danghangpo five days early."
Ga Do-han stared in shock.
"Why tell me now?"
"One wrong move on my part, and the news spreads on the wind straight to the enemy. I've nearly been poisoned over it, had assassins waiting in ambushes."
"You don't trust me?"
"I trust you, General. It's the ears around you I don't. And the guilty ones always shout the loudest."
He fell silent at my steady reply. Then he ordered his adjutant to approach land quickly. The ships picked up speed, slicing through the waves. Ga Do-han's Goguryeo warships reached the island.
'I've been to Ganghwa Island a few times, but never Gyodong Island.'
With no buildings or poles, the island was shrouded in forest. Villagers fishing from coastal rocks fled in alarm. From the superstructure, Ga Do-han shouted down,
"Avoid the left—reefs there! Approach the right coast. Archers to the bow, stay ready for enemies!"
A dry drumbeat sounded as archers took position at the prow, bows trained on the island. The Maemul ships astern accelerated toward shore, then dropped anchor at a safe distance. Ladders unfurled, and troops descended.
'If they get attacked now, it'll be a disaster.'
They were essentially sacrificial pawns, which made me feel bad, but I didn't want to watch people die and get hurt right in front of me. Fortunately, as the soldiers waded ashore through waist-deep water, no response came. When about half had landed, a few Silla troops burst from the woods. But too few. Seeing our troops and ships, the Silla men turned tail. Ga Do-han smiled quietly.
"Silla can't respond? Looks like smooth sailing ahead."
"Good to hear. Now head south. Silla waters from here—stay sharp."
"Don't worry. Anyone who comes at us gets finished."
Ga Do-han, brimming with confidence, glanced at the flag officer. The man raised a blue flag with a star. Drums beat from other ships as they formed a diamond formation. The merchant ships slotted in, completing it. Watching from beside him, I was quietly impressed.
'Not bad.'
Perfect formation with just oars, anchors, flags, and drums—no engines, no radios. Tougher than it looked.
'Better than expected.'
His true intentions were still a mystery, but his skill seemed solid. By midday, the flag officer shouted.