Chapter 117
Chapter 117
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 117
Chapter Title: Great King Namsaeng
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After hearing my explanation, General On Sa-mun let out a gasp of admiration.
"No way, how do you know all this in such detail?"
"I've planted informants in Silla's capital, Seorabul."
"Informants? You mean spies?"
"Something like that. They passed the news of Silla's mobilization from Seorabul to Chang'an Fortress, and it came back here."
"No one sprouted wings and flew, so how did the message get here so fast?"
"I asked the merchants from the Maemul Merchant Guild to carry it. They come and go almost every day, so they can relay news quickly."
"That's a clever trick. In any case, it looks like the Silla army will come charging this way."
On Sa-mun spoke with a hint of worry on his face. But I shook my head.
"Their numbers are too small. They must have gotten word that we're coming with Baekje forces, so they held their troops in readiness and split them to send toward both sides."
"True, ten thousand is an awkward number."
"Exactly. We've got way more than ten thousand here alone, and adding Gwanmi Fortress and Maeso Fortress brings it over twenty thousand. If they knew our army's scale, they wouldn't push with that few."
"They must have set out without knowing our exact strength."
I nodded at On Sa-mun's words.
"That's probably it. They'll likely have more troops waiting in the rear, watching the situation."
"Ten thousand we can handle. But if they don't breach the fortress, it's still a bit unsettling."
"Silla's army probably has a grasp on our and Baekje's attack targets and scale. They won't move fast until that's confirmed. Please send the Malgal tribes as far south as possible to scout the enemy."
"Understood. And hurry the siege. It'll be advantageous in many ways if we take Chiljung Fortress before open battle."
"Of course. Give me four days, and Chiljung Fortress is ours."
"I'll wait. Then I'll head back to command the fight."
General On Sa-mun bowed and turned away. I watched him mount his horse and leave the camp, then turned my gaze to the western ridge where they were building the slope. Progress was decent, but Silla's interference had intensified. They rolled burning logs or hurled stones. Still, the shield carts blocked them well, so there were no major casualties. Meanwhile, inside the camp, the eight-wheeled siege tower was taking shape. It was like Western siege towers: a tower as tall as the walls mounted on eight wheels. Walls' greatest advantage was height, and this neutralized it. That was why siege towers toppling after reaching the walls was such a cliché in ancient and medieval war films. But it was effective, used across East and West. I recalled they were even used in Sui's 612 invasion of Goguryeo. Most fortresses from the Three Kingdoms era sat atop high peaks or upper valleys, making it hard to approach with siege engines.
'I figured Chiljung Fortress would be the same and gave up on it, but surprisingly, we found terrain where we can use them.'
A wooden frame rose at the corners of the wheeled tower now fitted with wheels. Add stairs and a bridge to cross to the walls, and it'd be done. In the adjacent tent, the secret weapon to mount on top was under construction. It was a spur-of-the-moment idea, but it gave hope of taking Chiljung Fortress with minimal sacrifice.
"What's that next to it they're building?"
Go Jeong-ui suddenly asked. He seemed genuinely curious, so I'd kept it from him on purpose.
"It's a secret, I told you."
"Even from me? That's too much."
"War means one side crushes the other completely. And this is for your sake."
"You're not telling me for my own good?"
He tried to mask his expression, but his eyes clearly said don't toy with me.
"Exactly. What if Silla captures you and demands to know what's in there? You can truthfully say you don't know. If you do know and pretend otherwise, you might really die."
I scared him with death, but Go Jeong-ui didn't flinch.
"If I don't know, they'll kill me as useless. Right?"
I shook my head, thinking his sharp tongue could rival any modern person's. Meanwhile, the eight-wheeled tower progressed swiftly.
Three days later, I stood beside the nearly completed tower, lost in thought. The slope on Chiljung Fortress's western ridge was almost done, thanks to lining up shield carts in rows for the work. Early on, Silla troops harassed from all angles, but later they just watched. I built sword carts in case of night raids, but thankfully none came. The Malgal scouts sent south hadn't spotted Kim Yong-chun's Silla relief force yet. On the other hand, word came that General Al-cheon's Silla reinforcements were approaching Gajam Fortress. Prince Uija, directing the siege, had pulled in all Baekje troops from other areas to fight them.
"Baekje's handling Gajam Fortress, so the rest will come our way."
They'd abandoned other fortresses to defend the ones they absolutely couldn't lose.
"Textbook stuff."
Kim Yu-sin might've tried something else, but Kim Yong-chun would stick to predictable moves.
"Well, as the son of the deposed King Jinji, he can't afford rash actions."
Better off than Kim Yu-sin of Kaya royal blood, but Kim Yong-chun and his son Kim Chun-chu had tough positions too. In other countries, deposed kings' descendants faced death, especially males—even children. Yet they survived, and he secured his spot marrying Princess Cheonmyeong, King Jinpyeong's daughter and niece.
'So no risks for him.'
In the Samguk Sagi, he appears as a commander in the 629 Nangbi Fortress battle. But apart from Kim Yu-sin's feats turning defeat to victory, no standout merits. He'd probably spent life cautiously paving the way for his kids. As I pondered, a welcome face appeared.
"Come on in! General Iri."
His angular face was the same, as was the horn bow on his back. Dismounting, Iri looked awkward.
"General? That's uncomfortable."
Iri naturally used honorifics. It felt odd for older folks due to modern habits, but singling him out would've caused issues. I grinned and continued.
"Uncomfortable? You're our army's eyes and ears."
It was true, especially now.
"I came straight from Maeso Fortress after your message."
"How's the situation there?"
"General An-go's sieging it, but it'll take time."
"I told him not to overdo it. Gotta save strength for Silla's relief army."
"He mentioned that. My men are raiding and scouting around Maeso Fortress for now."
"Please keep the supply lines to our Chiljung and Gwanmi Fortresses secure too."
"Of course. You rewarded us generously last time and gave plenty of prisoners, so more came this round."
"Silla's relief force left Seorabul. About ten thousand strong, led by Kim Yong-chun."
Iri gasped at my words.
"How do you know the enemy's strength so precisely?"
"I've got eyes and ears everywhere."
"Impressive, Great General."
After the last letter, I'd ordered direct reports from Seorabul here for faster intel.
"Most crucial: rumors say a follow-up force is ready, possibly led by Kim Yu-sin."
"Follow-up force?"
"Yes."
Two separate informants unaware of each other sent it, so the rumor was real.
'Gotta wrap this before that guy's here.'
I gathered my thoughts and added,
"We need to figure if they'll merge or split attacks. Or they might head to the fierce fighting at Gajam Fortress."
"I've ordered my men south as far as possible. With scouts everywhere, they can't slip our net."
Iri's confident words eased my mind. Despite ample time, Kim Yong-chun's force hadn't appeared—another relief. As we talked, hides dripping blood arrived on Goguryeo ox carts. Ham-a, hammer in hand, urged the craftsmen on, then approached and bowed to me.
"Just need to attach the hides now."
"Good work. Line the inside with planks so it holds even if hides tear or burn."
"Of course."
"Wheels need to be sturdy?"
"Cut logs, bored holes for axles. It'll bear over a hundred men."
"Good. When can it move?"
"Tomorrow. Fresh hides dry out if not used soon."
The Seorabul relief worried me, but this timing worked. I approved.
"Then tomorrow it is. Did you make what I mentioned?"
"It's done. But we should test it."
I reassured hesitant Ham-a.
"It'll be fine."
"And we're short on handlers."
"Ah!"
I'd forgotten: the trained soldiers went back with Hwagwi-seon. Seeing Ham-a's distress, I found a fix.
"I'll do it."
Ham-a's eyes nearly popped.
"N-no, you can't."
"No one else can handle it?"
"Even so, no. How could we—"
"I'll handle it myself. It's necessary."
I'd mulled this over.
'Goal's clear: kill countless with my own hands to achieve it.'
In the past, even sacred killings were by Geom Mojam and his men. But I couldn't rely on that forever. It felt hypocritical too.
'Maybe I'm hesitating to bloody my own hands.'
Body in 7th-century Goguryeo, mind still tied to 21st-century Korea. I ignored status, acted politely, hated killing. Clinging to civilized pride. But no more.
'Since the Celestial Maiden of Gukdong Daehyeol brought me, no way back.'