Chapter 126
Chapter 126
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 126
Chapter Title: Great King Namsaeng
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After hearing my story, Go Jeong-ui asked with a serious expression.
"Are you already thinking about the next battle?"
"We've crushed Silla's momentum in this war, but we haven't brought them to their knees completely. We need to do it a few more times to finish them off."
"You're relentless."
"War is a horrific thing. That's why we have to end it as decisively and quickly as possible."
These were the words of William Tecumseh Sherman, the Union general during the American Civil War. In fact, during his March to the Sea, he turned the Southern regions into scorched earth.
"Silla must be trembling at the thought of facing you for real, my lord."
"Everyone has their fate. So, where should we strike next?"
Go Jeong-ui paused for a moment in thought at my question.
"We obviously need to finish off Bukhansanju completely. Do we really need to spell it out?"
I asked once more, struck again by how brilliant he was.
"Bukhansanju is vast."
"They've lost Danghangpo, so they'll build a replacement port. Probably around Michuhol. Once we destroy that, Silla won't be able to send even a single letter to Tang."
"Won't Silla be preparing countermeasures?"
"In the battle at Danghangpo, we destroyed twenty warships. They have about ten left, scattered around Gabigocham and Michuhol. Once we smash them and advance north of Geompo County and the Arisu River, seizing Bukhansanju will just be a matter of time."
He had clearly outlined the next strategic objective.
"What about Dalholju?"
"It won't affect the overall war situation at all. Once we take the Bukhansanju area, Silla will have to move their forces south to defend their remaining territory."
"How do you think Silla will respond?"
"They'll know by now that preparing reinforcements and deploying them late won't work."
"Isn't that the best option?"
Go Jeong-ui replied indifferently to my question.
"That only works when Baekje and we are acting separately. When we coordinate like this time, it's tough for them."
"Be specific."
"If they pull troops from the provincial fortresses, Silla can mobilize around thirty to forty thousand at once. They did that this time and sent fifteen thousand to each front, but they couldn't stop Gajeomseong and Chiljungseong from falling. Instead, our forces and Baekje's inflicted ten thousand casualties. They'll predict we'll attack like this again."
"Including our attack on Bukhansanju?"
"Of course. But Hwangsan River will be more urgent for them than Bukhansanju. Silla's true capital, Seorabeol, is right there."
"So, will they ignore our attack and focus everything on blocking Baekje?"
"While using divide-and-conquer tactics."
"What kind of tactics?"
"Spreading rumors that we've allied with Silla. When King Seong of Baekje died at Gwanseongseong, troops from Bukhansanju moved south. Abandoning newly conquered territory like that obviously meant we had a secret pact."
"So they marched south without worry."
I thought I'd seen that in the New Annals given to me by National Academy Scholar Lee Mun-jin. At the time, Goguryeo was too preoccupied with internal strife over the Great King throne and Tujue invasions to focus south. So we made a secret pact with Silla for a truce. In return, Silla abandoned the area north of Biyeolhol and withdrew south.
"Well, Baekje and we weren't exactly on friendly terms."
Just mentioning Adanseong to Buyeo Seung had changed his expression. Go Jeong-ui smirked smugly after hearing me.
"They'll exploit that point."
"But since the Crown Prince Uija and I communicate directly, it won't work."
"They probably don't know that far. Even if they do, they'll try it out of desperation."
"And if that fails?"
"They'll probably propose negotiations."
"With us?"
"Baekje is our blood enemy, so no chance."
Listening to Go Jeong-ui, I recalled from the Samguk Sagi how Kim Chun-chu had come seeking Goguryeo. Even then, he thought Goguryeo was the one to negotiate with out of the two.
"What conditions would they offer?"
"They'd offer to cede the Dalholju area. It's cold, incredibly rugged, hard to defend, and yields nothing."
"And demand we cut ties with Baekje."
"Probably. That's what I'd do."
Go Jeong-ui paused briefly before adding,
"They might even offer everything south of the Arisu River."
"Cede Bukhansanju? Silla?"
"If they can't stop the next attack anyway, they'll just take casualties and lose it. Better to offer it up and negotiate. And that has an unexpected advantage."
"What advantage?"
"Handing over Bukhansanju, including south of the Arisu, would make us and Baekje fight each other."
"Giving Silla a breather in the meantime?"
"Exactly. And if we're lucky and they clash, Silla can ally with one side."
"That would turn the tide dramatically."
"This isn't the time for jokes, my lord."
If Silla moved as Go Jeong-ui said, the situation could shift in an instant.
"Especially if they bypass me and offer Bukhansanju directly to the Great King. That would be trouble."
"That's what worries me too. If you oppose it, they'll call it treason. If you agree, your alliance with Crown Prince Uija crumbles."
"How likely is that?"
"Ceding territory for other gains isn't as easy as it sounds."
"I know. Losing Bukhansanju cuts off a vital route to Tang. It requires massive resolve, and not just anyone can do it. Right now, only one person in Silla could make that call."
Go Jeong-ui looked at me curiously.
"Who?"
"Kim Chun-chu."
"What about others?"
"The queen can't suggest giving up land herself. Old nobles like Alcheon or Su-pum couldn't either. Kim Yu-sin, as a Gaya royal descendant, would be suspected first."
"Then we should kill Kim Chun-chu when the chance arises."
I was startled by Go Jeong-ui's words.
"You say killing someone too lightly."
"If he thwarts your ambitions and inflicts massive damage on Goguryeo, we should use any means to eliminate him."
His blunt words sparked some resistance, but he wasn't wrong.
"True enough."
Without Kim Chun-chu's resolve, Silla wouldn't have allied with Tang to attack Goguryeo. That's where Goguryeo's downfall began. The thought that I'd created that situation myself left me a bit flustered. But spilled water couldn't be undone, so I decided not to dwell on it.
"They can't make national decisions like it's a game."
Besides, Kim Chun-chu was the grandson of the deposed King Jinji, not mainstream. With my thoughts sorted, I felt relieved. And I reevaluated Go Jeong-ui's abilities anew.
"You were trying to remind me."
"You know, just in case."
"Thanks. Go rest."
"Enjoy the banquet."
In the midst of the rowdy but joyless banquet, subordinates returned from Gwanmiseong and Maesoseong. Especially Adokbang, who commanded a sort of foreign legion made up of descendants of surrendered Tang people and paupers like himself. Defying prejudices about their brute strength, he'd earned merit by routing the Maesoseong cavalry in a counterattack. Godeolbal, who went with him, praised him lavishly.
"Ah, they charged out suddenly and it was dangerous, but Adokbang's troops raised shields and swung whips to block the cavalry. Meanwhile, my cavalry flanked and slaughtered the enemy."
As Adokbang looked embarrassed, Yang Man-chun suddenly jumped into the dance, mimicking the comical dance of young boys in loose-sleeved clothes. Everyone laughed as they sipped liquor from horn-shaped cups. The sip eased some tension, though my mind was still complicated. Yang Man-chun slipped while dancing and fell. Hanseong Yoksal cursed first, and everyone burst into laughter. I laughed along. My heart felt much lighter.
The next day, with Hanseong Yoksal seeing us off and telling us to rest a few more days, we headed to Janganseong. Along the way, soldiers returning home or needing treatment stayed behind, and others dispersed to different paths. Many left to garrison captured fortresses, leaving about five thousand recruited from Janganseong.
As we neared Janganseong, more people flooded the streets. "Great victor" was a phrase we heard easily. Amid the cheerful laughter, Yi Maeng-jin approached just before the fortress. He bowed politely, entered the camp, and presented the Great King's edict.
"What's it say?"
Yi Maeng-jin replied to my question.
"The Crown Prince is ill, so don't enter Janganseong. Disband the troops here."
"Understood. We must follow the Great King's orders, of course."
At my ready agreement, Yi Maeng-jin sighed.
"I warned your close aides, but I didn't think it'd really happen."
"Everyone avoids what they don't want to see."
"I heard the Chief of Central Administration forbade a triumph."
"That's just like him. But that doesn't erase my victory, does it?"
"Of course not. The guards will take the prisoners and spoils."
It was humiliating in a way, but I accepted it smoothly. Victory was what mattered. I realized he'd been sent partly for that reason.
"And sending your son, who's under my command, seems meant to discourage complaints."
"You see right through it. Seems I've fallen out of the Great King's favor."
"He won't purge you. You're connected to me."
"No regrets about low-rank life with no promotions anyway. I stuck around to help my son get ahead."
His answer sparked an amusing thought. After a few exchanges, I subtly asked,
"Still, I could have an audience with His Majesty the Great King, right?"
"Of course. He won't deny a triumphant general."
"Then please convey I wish one."
"Something to discuss?"
"Of course."
I smiled and said no more. Yi Maeng-jin agreed and rose. Outside, I Tain waited. Father and son greeted each other warmly.
The next morning, the arriving guards took the prisoners and spoils. The mood turned awkward instantly, but softened when supplies from my father arrived soon after: rice, grains, hemp, silk. I rewarded soldiers who fought bravely and those who saved comrades, and ensured none left empty-handed. Watching the grain piles vanish, Go Jeong-ui sighed.
"All that gone in a flash."
"We can gather wealth again."
"What did you gain instead?"
"Loyalty. That's enough."
I laughed heartily, leaving Go Jeong-ui shaking his head. Then we returned to Janganseong with the men. Straight to the mansion, I met my waiting wife and our fairly grown son, Heonchung. She caressed her slightly bulging belly with our second child.
"He's started kicking since yesterday."
"Oh my, what an unfilial rascal."