Chapter 116
Chapter 116
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 116
Chapter Title: The Birth of Duron
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I made a show of going to smack his head, and Go Jeong-ui swiftly covered it with both hands as he shot back.
"Have you forgotten how much I've helped you?"
"I have. That one."
After a moment's thought, a good name came to mind.
"We'll call it Duron."
"Pardon? What did you say?"
Caught off guard by the unexpected name, Go Jeong-ui asked again.
"Duron. From 'head' (頭) and 'falling stone' (碖). So, dropping a stone on their heads."
"What an oddly whimsical name."
I couldn't bring myself to tell him it was inspired by drones from fifteen hundred years in the future. The name Duron spread quickly after Go Jeong-ui blabbed about it—the workers overheard, and soon the soldiers knew too. I could hear the excited troops shouting.
"Go, Duron! Fly well and smash those Silla bastards' skulls!"
At this rate, our own soldiers wouldn't get any sleep. I turned to General Onsamen.
"We should let the troops rest."
"Indeed. Tomorrow we'll split the camp southward, and there's plenty to do."
"When do you plan to start the siege?"
"Tomorrow afternoon. Probing attacks from south and north."
"I trust you."
General Onsamen ordered everyone to retire and rest. The soldiers grumbled but turned back one by one. The second wave of Durons dropped even more Goguryeo Fire into Chiljung Fortress. Parched shouts demanding they put out the flames echoed from the darkness.
The next morning, the camp buzzed with activity from early on. General Onsamen had assigned about three thousand cavalry to Yi Tain and sent them south of Chiljung Fortress. I stepped out of the tent and sat on a chair, watching them march off. Chiljung Fortress watched the spectacle but showed no reaction. They seemed to be awaiting reinforcements while preparing for the coming siege. Or perhaps the psychological blow from last night's Durons had them frozen in place.
As I pondered various possibilities, my gaze locked on one spot. The western side of Chiljung Fortress, where the ridgeline was relatively flat.
I didn't notice that on the reconnaissance trip before?
Thinking back, the trees had been too dense to see the terrain clearly. Now, with Chiljung Fortress stripped bare of nearby trees for defense, it stood out. As I stared intently, Go Jeong-ui approached with a bundle of wooden slips and asked.
"What are you staring at so hard?"
"Over there, the fortress's west side. It's practically flat ground."
Go Jeong-ui stood on tiptoes and peered over.
"You're right. It juts out just like a tongue."
I half-considered smacking him if he stuck his tongue out, but the quick-witted Go Jeong-ui kept it to words. Regretting the missed chance, I told him.
"Go fetch Ham-a."
"Yes, sir."
Ham-a set the wooden slips down before me and dashed off to the Yeon Clan Cannons. Perhaps because the Grand General was here, messengers came and went frequently. I even spotted the Goguryeo ox-wheel carts I'd designed hauling supplies. Soon, Ham-a returned with Go Jeong-ui, panting. I pointed to the western ridgeline of Chiljung Fortress.
"That way. Could we get an eight-wheeled cart up there?"
"Up there?"
Ham-a tilted his head, standing beside me and looking.
"If the ground's firm, we could make it that far."
"How?"
"Pack dirt and wood into a ramp from the base of the hill. Then push it up from there."
Ham-a explained clearly, then added.
"But the ridgeline's narrow. One siege tower up there won't do much."
"Because they'd concentrate fire on it?"
"Yes. Even if we move fast, it'd give them time to react. And they could look right down on us while we build."
I replied immediately.
"That's exactly the point."
"Luring the enemy to gather there? Even at the same height, we'd be at a disadvantage."
"I'm planning to put a special device up there. The more enemies that mass, the better."
Ham-a looked baffled, so I asked.
"How long to build a ramp to the western ridgeline and get the eight-wheeled cart up?"
"Plenty of timber, so five days. We can pave the ridgeline in the meantime."
Go Jeong-ui, who'd been listening, chimed in.
"The enemy won't just sit idle while we build the ramp."
"True. It's close to the walls."
No fools, the Silla troops in Chiljung Fortress wouldn't let us build a ramp to the western ridgeline unchallenged. They'd rain arrows and stones, inflicting casualties. But an answer lay in the knowledge from writing my historical novel. With a glance from me, Go Jeong-ui replied.
"No brush or paper."
"Then draw on the ground."
I drew the blade from Jumong's Spear and sketched on the dirt: a four-wheeled cart with a fixed shield in front. Ham-a asked.
"What's this?"
I couldn't recall if it was a "siege shield cart" or "advance shield wagon." So, a new name it was.
"Call it a shield cart. Cover the front in leather to block fire arrows."
"Got it. That'll reduce casualties."
"Make a bunch, line 'em up, pack the ground, then advance."
"As expected of Master."
Ham-a's gruff praise differed greatly from Go Jeong-ui's honeyed words. I smiled, pleased, and Go Jeong-ui shot me a displeased look. As we talked, General Onsamen arrived.
"The southern camp is set. Siege begins this afternoon."
"Understood. But minimize casualties."
"That would hamper the attack."
"I've got a good idea."
"The Duron? Fine weapon, but it won't breach the gates."
"Something else. Trust me. And we need a ramp to that western ridgeline of Chiljung Fortress."
"A ramp?"
Before he could ask why, I cut in.
"To get the eight-wheeled carts up there."
General Onsamen glanced over and tilted his head.
"Smart, but without several at once, the effect will be limited."
"I've got that covered too. No worries—proceed."
At my firm tone, General Onsamen agreed. Watching him summon subordinates from the corner of my eye, I told Ham-a.
"Make the eight-wheeled cart taller than Chiljung Fortress. And..."
I leaned in and whispered to Ham-a, making a show for Go Jeong-ui. Ham-a looked surprised.
"Like that?"
"Shrink the size a bit—possible?"
"Possible, but..."
"Then do it. Done right, we take Chiljung with minimal losses."
"Understood. I'll make it happen."
"Good. Hurry."
Ham-a nodded tensely. Go Jeong-ui asked.
"What was that?"
"Secret."
"Even from me?"
"Especially bigmouths like you."
Go Jeong-ui fumed, face twisting. I chuckled at the sight.
Troops under General Onsamen began probing the north side of Chiljung Fortress. Sieges in movies and dramas were brutal bloodbaths. But following my orders, General Onsamen avoided reckless assaults. Shield-bearing soldiers advanced cautiously, retreating when fire intensified. Watching from afar, I breathed a sigh of relief.
"Good."
Geom Mojam, beside me, asked.
"What is?"
"Fewer deaths."
"Dragging it out like that means more deaths later."
His thorny words were pure Geom Mojam.
No wonder he became my novel's protagonist.
Leading the revival army despite unclear origins meant exceptional talent. Suddenly, it felt wasteful keeping him as a bodyguard. When I didn't reply, he thought I'd taken offense and bowed apologetically.
"Forgive me, Master."
"No. But I've got plans for you—wait."
"Of course. I was too hasty."
"It's fine. Speak freely anytime. I need harsh words to stay on track."
The battle around Chiljung Fortress continued as we spoke. General Onsamen's caution kept casualties low.
Silently watching, I spotted troops approaching the western ridgeline. Leading with the shield carts I'd described, they advanced carefully. As Goguryeo forces neared, Silla archers on the walls loosed arrows, mixing in fire arrows now and then. But with leather coverings as I'd said, most bounced off or failed to catch.
Soldiers reaching the ridgeline base dumped dirt and stones from Goguryeo ox-wheel carts. Arrows rained on them too, but with comrades shielding, no notable losses.
"General Onsamen gets it."
Impossible without forgoing glory or trusting me fully. Thanks to the shield carts, the ramp progressed faster than expected. As I watched, a messenger on horseback arrived. Geom Mojam recognized him.
"Weren't you left at the Chang'an estate?"
"Message from Young Master Go Yeonmu. Urgent for Master—I rode hard."
"Show me the dispatch."
The messenger pulled a sealed wooden slip from his bosom. Breaking the seal revealed Hangul. Reading it, I urgently told Geom Mojam.
"Fetch General Onsamen."
"Yes, sir."
Geom Mojam left. I told the messenger to rest and gripped the slip tightly.
"They're finally moving."
Soon, General Onsamen arrived, caked in dust.
"You summoned me, Grand General?"
"Word from Chang'an. Silla's on the march."
Eyes widening, General Onsamen asked.
"Where to?"
I relayed the slip's contents.
"Rumors say Ich'an Alcheon leads ten thousand to Gajam Fortress, and Kim Yongchun ten thousand here."
General Onsamen cautiously probed.
"Just rumors, not confirmed?"
"Yes. Dispatch dated early this month—pre-mobilization, but treat mobilization as fact and prepare."