Chapter 11
Chapter 11
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: Great King Namsaeng
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He immediately turned to Ham-a.
"There aren't many bamboo groves around here, so we'll need to find a substitute."
"Thick willow branches should work fine."
"Make a strap at the end of the bamboo tube so it can hook onto your sleeve. And make the bolt's tip as light and sharp as possible."
"So, something that won't snag on the bamboo tube."
"Exactly."
Ham-a grasped my instructions perfectly, which made Go Jeong-ui look a bit anxious.
"What can I do?"
"Analyze battles."
"Pardon?"
"Look at the battles from the history books and tell me the real reasons for victory or defeat."
"Like what?"
"If it just says they lost because the commander was arrogant or a bad guy, I won't let that slide."
This was one of the most frustrating things about Eastern historical records. They skimped on details about formations, troop deployments, and battle progressions. And they usually chalked up wins and losses to the commander's or ruler's recklessness or carelessness.
War isn't some dice game.
Go Jeong-ui flinched under my cold gaze and hurriedly agreed.
I'd acquired Ham-a, a top-notch engineer brimming with enthusiasm, and Go Jeong-ui, who talked a lot but was sharp-minded. They seemed promising so far, though we'd need more tests.
The Yeon Clan Cannon can be used for defending the castle when the Tang invade. The bolts will work for long-range shots against the nomads they'll bring along. We should develop wall-mounted crossbows too. Pair them with Instant Legolas for mounted use on bows.
More ideas for inventions flooded my mind.
Waterwheels, pulleys, cranes—all need testing. Maybe even try a flying chariot. The key will be Goguryeo Fire—or Greek Fire.
I had no recipe, so it'd be tough, but it could change my fate and Goguryeo's. Luckily, Go Jeong-ui was quick on the uptake and neatly organized the ideas I'd blurted out in my excitement. I sketched diagrams and explained principles, and Ham-a got it right away.
Weapons development and improvements were essential, but something else mattered more.
"Productivity. We need to boost agricultural output."
In pre-modern times, population equaled national power. To grow that, we needed more production. Goguryeo had vast lands, but most were frigid northern territories.
"We'll solve it with waterwheels and irrigation for paddy fields."
Go Jeong-ui sighed as I veered into unrelated topics while he took notes. But the room felt off. Everyone seemed distracted, not fully focused on me.
Are they slacking already?
I pondered how to rein them in when I noticed the maid from earlier still standing by the door. Curious, I glanced over—and froze.
"W-Wife?"
It wasn't the maid who'd entered. It was my wife, who'd briefly visited when I first possessed Yeon Namsaeng. She'd been so stunning, far prettier than modern actresses, that I'd been speechless. Clutching a teacup, she strode right up to me.
"This is too much."
"Wh-what do you mean?"
"You said you'd call for me soon, but it's been over ten days with no word."
Her voice brimmed with resentment, leaving me flustered.
"W-well, if you missed me, you could've just come."
"You know the family rules and still say that?"
Only then did it hit me again—this wasn't 21st-century Korea.
"Ah! S-sorry. I've been so busy with work."
Being a lifelong dirt-poor bachelor, I always got flustered around women. Quick-witted Go Jeong-ui gathered his papers and brush.
"Wh-what are you doing?"
"Enjoy your time. I'll come back tomorrow."
Before I could stammer more, even Geom Mojam had slipped out. The moment the door shut, my wife burst into tears.
No, Wife, don't cry.
With zero dating experience, I had no clue what to do. I sat her in a chair and dabbed her tears with my sleeve. She suddenly grabbed my wrist tight. Startled, I met her eyes. Thankfully, they weren't red with hatred—just hurt feelings.
"As you know, there've been so many matters inside and out."
"Rumors say you've changed completely."
I wanted to say my looks were the same but my insides were different, but I held back.
"While bedridden, I did a lot of thinking. About our Eastern Division family, and the kingdom."
"So you gathered people and checked the people's sentiments?"
Admiration filled my beautiful wife's eyes.
"If the world falls into chaos, we can't thrive either."
She nodded in agreement, then snuggled into my arms with a touch of coquetry.
"Still, spend time with me too."
"O-of course."
I nearly grinned—I was thrilled. Good thing she couldn't see my face as she nestled close.
Some things never change, past or present.
History recorded deeds dryly, but real life brimmed with emotions like these. I held her lightly and patted her back.
So this is marriage and family.
I recalled friends who'd married first warning me against it.
Those jerks.
But I couldn't just hold her forever. My eyes drifted to the bed nearby.
We're married, after all...
Lewd thoughts crept in—then the door opened again.
What, is my room a playground?
I wanted to yell to scram for my wife's sake, but couldn't.
"F-Father."
My wife startled more than I did. She jumped up, bowed hastily, and fled outside. Yeon Gaesomun glanced at her retreating figure and stepped in. I was annoyed at his timing, but held it in.
"You've come."
"Sorry to interrupt your good time."
He wasn't that shameless.
"No, it's fine."
"I hear you've been gathering people."
I wondered if he had spies around.
"Just handling some tasks."
"Even meeting National Academy Scholar Lee Mun-jin."
"I'm very interested in history."
"Don't forget you're the Eastern Division Leader's eldest son."
"That's why I'm working to live up to it. So, what brings you?"
He always dumped unwelcome missions on me, so I preempted. Stroking his curled mustache, Yeon Gaesomun spoke.
"Starting next month, work at the Central Administration Bureau."
"Pardon? You're telling me to get a job?"
History's Yeon Namsaeng had risen through Junior Central Administrator, Senior Central Administrator, and Supreme Central Administrator before succeeding his father as High Minister. I'd wondered about this Central Administration Bureau—maybe like Korea's Ministry of the Interior or National Intelligence Service.
"What do I do there?"
His expression turned odd at my question.
"You don't need to work."
"But I'll be drawing a government salary—I should do something."
"Your job is surveillance."
"Surveilling what—or who?"
"Yeon Jeong-du, who runs the bureau, and his cronies."
I instantly grasped his intent.
"You're throwing me into the tiger's den."
"Not tigers—snakes."
Even the ever-calm Yeon Gaesomun bristled at mention of his half-brother Yeon Jeong-du.
Some trauma there.
Curious, but I didn't pry. No position to refuse anyway, so I accepted.
"Understood."
I needed to learn how the kingdom operated. Working in a government office wasn't bad for that. He seemed slightly surprised at my quick agreement.
"You've always refused before. Changed your mind?"
"The man's changed, Father."
I couldn't lose a staring contest with Yeon Gaesomun. Maybe he pushed heirs hard on purpose, probing my thoughts relentlessly. But I'd survived modern life's grind as a dirt-poor guy. Satisfied, he stood.
"And you can be close with your wife now."
"Why do I need your permission?"
He paused at the door, puzzled.
"You wanted to live apart from her."
Damn. Possession hadn't given perfect memories.
Silence would breed suspicion.
"Was that entirely my wish?"
A prickly question. He sighed deeply.
"Of course not. But if you'd kept defending her, I'd have sent her away."
"Why?"
"You really don't know?"
"Just confirming."
"Because I destroyed her family."
"What?"
"Your wife's clan is gone. I killed them all."
She'd married in, only to have her father-in-law raze her house. My jaw dropped.
Classic Yeon Gaesomun.
As I inwardly called him cold-blooded, he looked faintly apologetic.
"I had no choice. You understood back then, didn't you?"
"True, but I never planned to seek your permission for wife matters."
"I overstepped, then. You're permitted to move her quarters next to yours starting tomorrow."
"Thanks anyway."
After he left, I sighed involuntarily.
"Total King Taejong Yi Bang-won."
Taejong had wrecked his in-laws for son Sejong's sake—after already gutting his wife's family. Amid it all, one amazing fact struck me.
"Her eyes didn't turn red."
If her family had smashed mine, I'd hate them. At minimum. But she harbored no such grudge.
"A total angel. Angel."
And that angel was on my side. If I could distinguish friends from foes, she'd be a huge asset.
"Act as kind and generous as possible to build a support base."
In this world, promise to spare families and they'd die loyally. Apologize with regret, and they'd pledge undying loyalty. It was getting intriguing—I chuckled unwittingly. Urgency hit too.
"So much to do."
I needed to record knowledge before it faded. Opening the door, Geom Mojam bowed outside.
"What is it?"
"I need to jot things down. Get paper and brush."
"Right away."
As I turned to go back in, I paused. Him standing there bothered me.
"Legs don't hurt?"
"I'm fine."
"It hurts my heart. Fetch a chair and sit."
"I'm fine, Master."
"Oh? Defying your master?"
"N-no."
I smirked at his fluster.
"Next time I see you not sitting, you're in trouble."
I clenched a fist and scowled playfully. He beamed.
"I'll sit for sure. Thank you."
Loyalty and respect dripped from his eyes like honey.