Chapter 124
Chapter 124
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 124
Chapter Title: Great King Namsaeng
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"We congratulate the Grand General on his victory!"
The soldiers on the city walls waved their hands in unison, roaring with cheers. Watching them, a lump rose in my throat.
'I only did what I had to, to avoid being branded a traitor.'
The south gate had been blocked with stones and dirt, so we had to circle around to the west and enter through the north gate. Surprisingly, Deputy Supreme Commander Bu-sang was waiting inside the gate. Though he looked haggard, his expression was resolute. I couldn't help but shout upon seeing him.
"You've accomplished a great feat."
"It's nothing compared to Chilsung Fortress."
"Falling Maeso Fortress is no small thing. What are you talking about?"
"I heard you also took Gwanmi Fortress. Your name will soon be known throughout Goguryeo—no one will be unaware of it."
"What matters is that we won."
It was true. All I could think was that we'd fastened the first button properly. We'd eliminated a major source of unease ahead of the coming war with Tang. On top of that, it solidified my position in Goguryeo even further.
'In the war to come, my role is Eulji Mundeok.'
With the decision to thwart Father Yeon Gaesomun's coup, the Great King and Chief of Central Administration had to stay put regardless. For me to lead the Goguryeo forces in the meantime, two things were necessary.
'I need to show I have no ambitions, lulling the Great King and Chief of Central Administration into complacency. At the same time, I must rack up achievements they can't ignore, becoming Goguryeo's greatest general.'
Only then could I negotiate when Tang's invasion intent became blatant over 640 years from now.
'Just thinking about it gives me a headache.'
And sure enough, my head ached. As I grimaced, Yang Manchun burst into laughter.
"No, even now you're thinking about the future?"
"It's just the beginning. Silla's taken a hit, but they haven't crumbled."
"It must be infuriating for them. You've suddenly burst onto the scene and snatched four fortresses already. On top of that, the Nangdang Governor died at Niha Fortress, and this time their supreme commander dodged a fight with you. And that's not all—he even begged you not to attack since they'd flee. Even the snot-nosed kids will know your name now. The great Grand General Yeon Namsaeng! Repelling Silla time and again!"
Yang Manchun's words drew agreement from Deputy Supreme Commander Bu-sang and Geom Mojam. Moments later, General On Sa-mun appeared with his men. Dismounting, General On Sa-mun bowed his head.
"Congratulations on the victory, Grand General."
I hurriedly dismounted and took his hand.
"How could this victory be mine alone?"
"No, without your decisive judgment and ingenuity, we wouldn't have breached Chilsung Fortress's gates even now. If the enemy had appeared behind us then, we'd have been forced into a choice. I've roamed battlefields for decades, but I've never seen such a brilliant tactic. I have no doubt Goguryeo will reclaim its former glory."
General On Sa-mun's eyes welled with tears of emotion. I embraced him in lieu of a reply. As I did, I gazed up at the sky, reminding myself to stay sharp.
'How ridiculous.'
Looking back, back in the modern world, I was full of complaints about everything, always making excuses. But coming here had changed me a lot. Now I took responsibility, led the way, and grew humble when results came.
'Does the position change the man?'
Lost in such tangled thoughts, I was surrounded by cheering soldiers. Caught up in the uproar, I found myself smiling without realizing it.
The next morning, Malgal cavalry reported that the Silla forces had fully retreated south. Hearing this, I realized the campaign was over. At Chilsung Fortress, they were clearing the stones and dirt from the south gate. I checked on the wounded receiving treatment and reviewed the spoils and tallies. Just from Chilsung Fortress, we had over two thousand prisoners. Six hundred dead, and Yang Manchun's relief cavalry had ambushed and killed four hundred more. Adding Maeso and Gwanmi Fortresses, that made four thousand prisoners and two thousand dead. We'd seized vast amounts of armor, weapons, and provisions. They said the enemy had resisted fiercely until Goguryeo Fire from the Palryun Nucha broke them in an instant.
A few days later, the prisoners to be marched to Jang'an Fortress gathered at Chilsung. There was no real need, but they'd quietly arranged it so I could lead a triumphant return. The evening before departure, as I reviewed battle reports from the south gate tower, a welcome guest arrived from the south. Buyeo Seung climbed the stairs, beaming.
"Working on documents so late into the night?"
"It's what comes after battle. What brings you here?"
"His Highness the Crown Prince heard of the victory and sent congratulations."
"My thanks. How fares the Baekje army?"
"We took Gajam Fortress a few days ago."
"Congratulations. You've finally secured it."
"However."
Buyeo Seung frowned as he added,
"We failed to take Doksan Fortress due to a Silla ambush."
Hearing that, I realized history flowed unchanged without my intervention. With a sigh, I said,
"Alcheon, no doubt."
"How did you know?"
"I heard your relief force was led by Kim Yong-chun, and Baekje's by Alcheon."
"Indeed. The siege dragged on, making them anxious, but we took it just before they arrived. Alcheon heard and rushed his relief force to Doksan Fortress. I ordered our troops withdrawn, but it was too late. General Uso and the vanguard five hundred were captured at Okmun Valley."
"Still, securing Gajam and Danghang Fortresses is a win, isn't it?"
"Of course. The Satak clan and other nobles have nothing to say now."
"Convey my congratulations. And since it's just the beginning, tell him greater glories await."
"His Highness said the same. He praised how you took three fortresses in a single day—truly impressive."
"Just luck. Honestly, his trust in me is the real fortune."
"You're too modest. He also asked about staying in touch going forward—could you teach us Seon Do-hae's script?"
"Hangul, you mean?"
"Is that what it's called?"
I inwardly cursed my slip but covered it.
"I named it Hangul, meaning the script of the Three Hans."
"I see. With so few who know it, it'd be perfect as a cipher. But Seon Do-hae said it requires Chief of Armaments' permission."
"That figures. I taught him myself."
"We can't leave Seon Do-hae in Baekje, so could you train some of ours to read and write it?"
I pondered briefly, but it didn't take long.
"When sending Seon Do-hae back, include a few men. Teach them Hangul, send them down, and we can keep in contact."
"Your generous help is truly appreciated."
"Baekje's victories are ours too. It's only natural."
"Thank you. One more thing to report."
"What is it?"
Buyeo Seung glanced around and stepped closer.
"His Highness hopes for continued cooperation."
Knowing Uija's later years, I grew slightly wary.
"He thinks this isn't enough?"
My voice hardened unwittingly, and Buyeo Seung hastened to reply.
"No, Your Highness. He wants to prove definitively that such strikes can corner Silla."
"Prove it again?"
Buyeo Seung nodded and continued.
"Moreover, with this great win, some claim Goguryeo's aid is unnecessary."
"Outrageous."
But my side was much the same, I suspected. Whether the Great King and Chief of Central Administration would truly celebrate was anyone's guess. Truth be told, I felt similarly. They hadn't acknowledged me before, and nothing suggested they'd change now. Seeing my agreement, Buyeo Seung said,
"That's why he earnestly asked me to convey his will."
"Understood. By the way, sitting in Sabi Fortress, you see the battlefield like the palm of your hand."
"More and more are reporting news than before."
Buyeo Seung smiled meaningfully. Seeing it, I was reminded anew of Uija's prowess, despite his troubled end.
'He stayed quietly at Mireuk Temple to avoid eyes, but got it all done.'
I planned to rest in Jang'an Fortress, then contact them for next steps. But deciding now wasn't bad. My next target was ambiguous, needing negotiation. As I mulled it over, Buyeo Seung added,
"Thus, he said settling the next strategy with this victory report would silence opposition."
"Push hard once more?"
"Yes. We timed it to hit their key points, confirming Silla can't respond. But they'll find countermeasures in time, so strike maximally before then for results."
His words brought back 642—the year after Uija's ascension. Crowned in 641, he'd launched a massive offensive against Silla the next July, defying predictions of internal paralysis. He seized over forty fortresses west of the Nakdong River, including Mihu Fortress—mostly Gaya lands, fulfilling Baekje's long-held dream. The next month, he took Daeya Fortress, where Kim Chun-chu's daughter Gotaso-rang and son-in-law Kim Pum-seok were executed.
'Baekje thought their golden age had begun; Silla saw the end approaching.'
Kim Yushin and Kim Chun-chu's feats, plus Uija's overconfidence, altered it all.
'But in his early reign, Uija was like an eagle crouched low, then snatching prey.'
Lost in thought, I hadn't replied. Buyeo Seung looked anxious.
"His Highness earnestly implored me to get your answer. I can't return alive without one."
"You're a great asset to Baekje and us. I don't wish to lose you over my reply."
I pondered more, but pushing again seemed fine. A strong offensive to break Silla's momentum wasn't bad.
'They truly couldn't counter this method.'
The worry was the timeline accelerating beyond history.
'Who knows what this will bring.'