Chapter 127
Chapter 127
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 127
Chapter Title: Silla's Internal Strife
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After returning to the estate, I took a short break before holding a busy meeting at the Empty Lotus Pavilion. This time, we focused intensely on the army's organization and weaponry. In the process, we decided to abandon several experiments and concentrate on what had proven effective.
We gave up on mounting Yeon Clan Cannons on ox carts or using Goguryeo Fire like Molotov cocktails. That was because we could shoot Goguryeo Fire like a flamethrower using bellows. We resolved to mass-produce only bows and crossbows—the Yeon Clan Longbows and Yeon Clan Crossbows—and bolts capable of firing child-killer darts. The short swords and curved daggers had also received good feedback, so we decided to continue propagating them.
Meanwhile, the audience we were told to wait just a few days for remained silent even after several months passed. Though I had somewhat anticipated it, my close aides exploded in fury. There was no particular contact from Yi Maeng-jin either. In the meantime, Seon Do-hae returned from Baekje and increased the number of intelligence agents. Naturally, Seon Do-hae took on the role of compiling the agents' information and reporting it to me, while also gathering rumors circulating in the markets. At first, the flood of information was overwhelming, but I gradually learned how to sort it, making things easier.
Go Yeon-mu was a great help in creating a new classification method. Seon Do-hae would share the gathered intelligence with me and the aides at the Empty Lotus Pavilion every few days.
Around the time the first snow fell, I asked Seon Do-hae to compile data predicting Baekje and Silla's movements for the coming year. After several days of preparation, he announced he was ready. We set up braziers to ward off the cold and gathered—me and my subordinates—where Seon Do-hae stood before us. Just as he had done before with the Great King, he created a sort of PPT using paper.
'I gave him a hint, and he's making good use of it.'
Seon Do-hae cleared his throat to draw everyone's attention and opened his mouth.
"First, I'll explain Silla's situation."
The paper he showed depicted a map of Silla with the locations of major fortresses marked. In the center were the names of key officials like the queen and the Ajikdeung.
"Silla's situation is extremely dire right now. This spring, because Goguryeo and Baekje joined forces to attack, they lost Gami Fortress, Chiljung Fortress, Maeso Fortress, and Gajam Fortress. Especially crucial was the loss of Danghangpo Port. On top of that, around ten thousand troops were killed or taken prisoner."
"What's the mood in the Silla court?"
"In January this year, Ajikdeung Eulje died, and Supum took his place. We've received information that they discussed how to recover from the recent damages and their countermeasures."
"Did you figure out how they plan to overcome these difficulties?"
"We don't know the exact details, but there's one interesting development."
"What is it?"
"It seems they're planning to send envoys to Wa."
"Wa?"
Everyone murmured in surprise, having not anticipated it, but I wasn't particularly shocked.
'In actual history, after Kim Chun-chu came to Goguryeo, he went to Wa.'
He had barely escaped death there and returned. As the murmurs died down, Seon Do-hae continued.
"It's to stabilize their rear, but we believe there's another purpose as well."
"What purpose?"
"Wa might include Silla's envoys with their own envoys to Tang— their Gyeondangsa mission."
"With Wa's Gyeondangsa?"
Seon Do-hae nodded and replied.
"After losing Danghangpo, they're known to be pondering alternative routes to Tang. Departing from Silla's coast would take too long."
"True."
Setting out from somewhere like Gyeongju or Busan in modern Gyeongsang Province, crossing the South Sea to the West Sea, then veering across midway—it was far too circuitous. Plus, hugging the coastline made it too dangerous.
'Even Kim Chun-chu was captured by Goguryeo's navy while heading to Tang as an envoy.'
At that time, a subordinate named On Gun-hae had impersonated Kim Chun-chu to get through the crisis.
"They're using their heads, at least."
Go Jeong-ui replied indifferently, arms crossed. I said to him,
"Wouldn't it be serious if Wa and Silla joined hands?"
"Wa and Silla are blood enemies; they'd never join forces. Even hitching a ride on the Gyeondangsa won't be easy. Do you think Baekje will just sit idly by?"
Seon Do-hae chimed in agreement with Go Jeong-ui's words.
"I think so too."
After hearing them out and pondering briefly, I looked at Seon Do-hae.
"Still, just in case—contact Baekje and have them investigate any connections between Wa and Silla."
"Understood. I'll reach out to the Baekje official I taught writing to last time."
"Any other movements?"
"Young generals and officials, including Kim Yu-sin, frequently gather at Kim Seo-hyeon's residence."
"What's the reason for their meetings?"
"We haven't pinned that down yet, but isn't it obvious?"
"They're plotting countermeasures against our alliance with Baekje."
Seon Do-hae nodded at my words.
"Exactly. They'll be discussing the new weapons you created, Master—like Goguryeo Fire and fire oxen. And with fire balloons dropping Goguryeo Fire, they can't cope."
"They'll adapt given time."
Greek Fire, the model for Goguryeo Fire, could be extinguished with old urine, vinegar, or mud mixed with water. That thought led me to look at Ham-a.
"Since we need to supply Goguryeo Fire to Baekje too, we'll have to produce more."
"I know. But I can't just hand out the formula recklessly, so it's troubling."
Hearing Ham-a's response, I organized my thoughts.
"We'll let them use the Yeon Clan Cannons and supply Goguryeo Fire, but no sharing the formulas. So gather reliable artisans and set up a small village for them. If they live there with their families, secrets won't leak, and production will speed up."
"If materials are supplied on time, we can ramp up output."
After discussing with Ham-a, I turned back to Seon Do-hae. In the interim, he'd taken a sip of water and continued.
"On the other hand, newly appointed Ajikdeung Supum has been meeting frequently with established true-bone nobles like Ich'an Bi-dam and Yeom Jong."
"One faction centers on Kim Seo-hyeon with Kim Yu-sin and Kim Chun-chu, while the other gathers around Supum, Bi-dam, and Yeom Jong."
"Yes. There were always conflicts among true-bone nobles, but they've intensified recently. It's all thanks to your exploits, Master."
Yang Man-chun chuckled at Seon Do-hae's flattery that wasn't quite flattery. I gave a slight smile and gestured for him to continue.
"With repeated defeats lately, the Silla court seems gripped by a strong sense of crisis. This is deepening their conflicts over solutions."
"What are the two sides' positions?"
"Ajikdeung Supum and Bi-dam advocate shrinking the defensive lines to the utmost and holding key strongholds at all costs."
"And Kim Chun-chu's side?"
"The opposite—they push for bold counterattacks. They worry that shrinking territory will weaken national power, making proper retaliation impossible. Apparently, when the Hwabaek Council convenes, they argue all night."
'It's flowing similarly to history.'
Records from the Three Kingdoms era are sparse, but the 7th century is relatively better preserved. After Queen Seondeok's ascension, Kim Chun-chu and Kim Yu-sin divided diplomacy and military affairs. But both were clearly limited as descendants of a deposed king and a fallen Gaya king. Meanwhile, the soon-to-die Supum and other true-bone nobles formed the opposition—like modern ruling and opposition parties.
'In modern times, elections would decide it, but that's impossible now.'
In reality, Bi-dam, who opposed Kim Chun-chu and Kim Yu-sin's faction, rebelled with Yeom Jong and was futilely crushed. Kim Chun-chu became King Taejong Muyol, Kim Yu-sin Tae Daegakgan, etched in history. Bi-dam lived on as the rebel traitor. But now was before all that. As I pondered deeply, Seon Do-hae's explanation continued.
"The conflict between the factions hasn't solidified yet. But if the queen's ruling power weakens, it will inevitably become a problem."
"Because of the successor?"
Seon Do-hae flipped to the next page and answered my question.
"Yes. As queen, to produce an heir, she must marry one of the true-bone nobles. But that would alienate all the others except her husband. Plus, the queen's age isn't young anymore..."
Seon Do-hae trailed off ambiguously, but it was the truth. She was already middle-aged at ascension, and now in her 40s or 50s, pregnancy was practically impossible. Of course, there was her cousin Princess Seungman as a potential successor. Queens had succeeded one after another due to the sacred bone tradition for the throne. How aged true-bone nobles like Supum, Bi-dam, and Yeom Jong would accept that was unknown. But tied to Silla's crisis, resentment toward the queen would likely grow.
'That led to Bi-dam and Yeom Jong's rebellion.'
In reality, that's what happened, but now we couldn't let them become the losers. Seon Do-hae's explanation went on.
"With back-to-back defeats last year and this, calls for accountability are likely. Last year at Niha Fortress, Nangdang Daegam Kim Seo-hyeon failed, and this year at Chiljung Fortress, Kim Yong-chun failed. Thus, Kim Chun-chu and Kim Yu-sin's prestige may waver. The problem is..."
Pausing briefly, Seon Do-hae continued in a clear voice.
"That Silla's queen heavily favors those two. Any blow to their prestige strikes at the queen's power directly."
Go Jeong-ui interjected as he listened.
"If the queen's authority falls, those two will feel the crisis too. Without her, they're one step from disaster tomorrow."
Yang Man-chun chuckled delightedly at their explanations.
"Hearing Silla's in a bind makes me all excited for no reason."
As some aides nodded in agreement with Yang Man-chun, I looked at Seon Do-hae.
"What do you think will happen next?"
"It depends on which side achieves results. If Kim Yu-sin and Kim Chun-chu rack up notable merits, Queen Seondeok's authority holds. But continued failures will amplify Supum and the true-bone nobles' voices."
"The latter suits us best."
"Yes. Like Baekje's nobles, they prefer the status quo."
It was the same in actual history. With Kim Chun-chu as king and Kim Yu-sin seizing military power, Goguryeo faced true hardship.
"We need to strike again. On the battlefield."
I concluded firmly, and Seon Do-hae agreed.
"As soon as possible. That way, internal strife will erupt, dealing a blow from which they can't recover."
His conclusion made me realize war was necessary.
'We need a victory to topple Kim Yu-sin and Kim Chun-chu.'
The conclusion was set, but several obstacles remained.