Chapter 130
Chapter 130
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 130
Chapter Title: Great King Namsaeng
-----------------------------------------------------------------
If my father and I both died, our house would be finished. Our two younger brothers would surely become puppets for Yeon Jeong-du. But I believed the Great King wouldn't make such a reckless move. If he shattered our family like that, the other division leaders wouldn't stand idly by.
Following the lantern light through the darkness, I could dimly make out the Great King seated on the jade throne, wearing a white ra hat. Beside him stood Crown Prince Hwan-gwon, wearing a golden crown and holding his hands neatly clasped together. He looked even thinner than before, making his clothes seem a bit oversized.
My father Yeon Gaesomun and I prostrated ourselves on the floor, bowed, then rose and lowered our heads in greeting. The Great King, lounging obliquely on the throne, looked down at me.
"I heard National Academy Scholar Lee Mun-jin has passed away."
"He closed his eyes today at Jeongneung Temple."
"He was a man renowned as a scholar of the National Academy from his youth. Even the previous king entrusted him with compiling the New Annals."
The Great King, lost in thought for a moment, looked at me again.
"Weren't you surprised to be suddenly summoned today?"
"How could I be surprised when the king calls his subject? I only regret not arriving on time because I was far away."
The Great King chuckled softly and glanced at my father, Yeon Gaesomun, beside him.
"Your eldest son must bring you great joy, being so capable and humble."
"He still needs to gain more experience."
Lately, Father Yeon Gaesomun had given up on anxiously pushing me as his successor. It was because of Lee Mun-jin's advice that it might give the Great King unnecessary leverage and that he wouldn't approve it easily. He'd accepted my point that acting indifferent about the matter would create better opportunities for negotiation. Seeing Father's nonchalant response, the Great King flashed a sharp smile.
"You're trying not to seem eager, Eastern Division Leader."
"It will happen in due course. Besides, Namsaeng is still my son."
Indeed, the experience of leading the Eastern Division and the Yeon clan didn't fade easily. He brushed off the opponent's jab as if it were nothing. The Great King looked at me again.
"Weren't you offended that I didn't summon you all last year?"
"I assumed there was a reason. And I was busy watching my children's antics anyway."
Like Father, I slipped away neatly.
'The urgency is my problem alone.'
It was something I'd experienced too often in modern times. When asking for a little help, most people ignored it or paid no mind. Because it wasn't beneficial to them or it was a hassle. With some time to spare, it was better to cool my head and prepare for what lay ahead. Seeing no particular reaction from me either, the Great King seemed slightly disappointed and glanced at the crown prince.
"I summoned you two because of the crown prince."
"Why call us for something involving Your Highness the Crown Prince?"
"Around next year, I plan to send the crown prince as an envoy to the Tang Dynasty."
I'd half-expected it, but Father Yeon Gaesomun flinched visibly for a moment. He'd anticipated it too, but hearing it confirmed seemed to shock him. I, who already knew Crown Prince Hwan-gwon would enter the Tang court, showed no reaction. The Great King watched my composure with interest.
"You're not surprised."
"It's a decision made by the Great King."
"Haven't you always rebelled against my decisions?"
"Do you wish me to rebel this time as well?"
My flat response made the Great King furrow his brow slightly. Instead, Crown Prince Hwan-gwon exploded in anger, shaking the golden crown on his head.
"Insolent! How dare you mock His Majesty the Great King?"
I ignored the crown prince trying to assert his presence and kept my eyes on the Great King.
"It's a matter decided by the Great King. I'm curious why You've explained it to us, but I won't ask. However, Father and I will express no opinion on this at the Great Council."
"Neither for nor against?"
"How could we commit such a folly? Your Highness the Crown Prince is already so angry."
I still didn't look at the crown prince. Hearing that, Crown Prince Hwan-gwon opened his mouth to speak, but the Great King silenced him with a gesture.
"I don't know what you two think, but I believe the Tang have no reason to invade us. If we show goodwill, they will surely recognize our sincerity."
I held back from saying that constant goodwill becomes a right in their eyes. If the Great King hadn't won his victory over Naheo's army at the Longwall Fortress, he'd deserve to be called a coward.
'PTSD?'
This symptom of post-traumatic stress disorder was common among combat veterans. Some even saw Prince Sa-seol's incomprehensible desertion after barely surviving the Battle of Chilcheollyang as stemming from it.
'He won, but perhaps obsession and fear from that victory make him reflexively crave peace.'
Lost in thought, I heard Father Yeon Gaesomun's voice.
"However, Your Majesty, they came charging in with a million-strong army on absurd pretexts even during the late king's reign. They didn't stop the next year or the year after. Even when the previous Great King humbled himself greatly."
Excited, Father Yeon Gaesomun spoke rapidly, breathing heavily, then added,
"I do not oppose Your Majesty's decision to send His Highness the Crown Prince as an envoy to the Tang. But please abandon the thought that they will grant us peace for it."
Listening beside him, I inwardly admired.
'That's Yeon Gaesomun for you.'
By not opposing the Great King's decision, he withdrew from the issue. Yet he didn't yield his view that it wouldn't end well. The Great King couldn't hide his troubled expression at Father's words. But Crown Prince Hwan-gwon, oblivious to the mood, interjected again.
"How dare you say the Great King's decision won't bear fruit? Insolent!"
I chuckled inwardly. Even the Great King didn't show emotion toward Father, yet this young crown prince was raising his voice. As expected, Father Yeon Gaesomun gave no reply and simply bowed his head. Probably to hide the smirk on his face. When Father evaded, the arrow turned to me, the son.
"The Chief of Central Administration takes after his father—utterly cunning."
"Children take after their fathers, don't they? I've taken after mine too."
My somewhat offbeat reply made Crown Prince Hwan-gwon scowl.
"What are you saying?"
As the conversation continued, I sensed Crown Prince Hwan-gwon at least wouldn't be an obstacle. But the Great King seemed to grasp the intent immediately. I'd mocked how the hot-tempered crown prince took after us father and son. The person involved didn't catch it, but the Great King did. Unable to show it, he opened his mouth with a wry smile.
"A few days after the festival at the Paeksu ends, I'll officially announce it at the Great Council. I called you two to consult with the division leaders beforehand."
Father Yeon Gaesomun bowed his head.
"Thank you for considering this humble subject. As I said earlier, I will say nothing at the Great Council."
"Neither assent nor dissent?"
"How could my will differ from Your Majesty's?"
Of course it could. Declaring silence meant he'd sit back with arms crossed and watch—do your best.
'He probably wanted open opposition.'
That way, he could demonstrate crushing it with his authority before the other leaders. Maybe that's what he desired more. But Father stepped back without falling into the trap. The Great King, deep in thought, tapped the throne's armrest with his fingers. Then he looked at Father Yeon Gaesomun.
"If you take the lead on this matter, I'll grant your wish."
"My wish?"
Father looked up at the Great King with a somewhat flustered expression. The Great King paused before speaking.
"I'll recognize your son as successor. How about it?"
I could see Father Yeon Gaesomun's eyes shake greatly. And my mind grew complicated again.
'What's the Great King's game?'
The matter of sending the crown prince to the Tang was irreversible now that the Great King had decided. Abandoning it due to ministers' opposition would shatter his authority. Yet he'd dangled that issue only to play a completely unexpected card. No wonder Father Yeon Gaesomun was thrown off. The Great King, smiling faintly, added,
"Anyone can see the Eastern successor is the Chief of Central Administration. No need to drag it out, right? Or is there?"
Father glanced at me briefly before replying.
"That's true, but it's too sudden."
"I've thought about it for a long time. Your son is more than qualified as successor. Isn't he?"
Father Yeon Gaesomun fell completely for the Great King's subtle prod.
"I agree."
Seeing Father abandon his earlier nonchalance, the Great King smiled meaningfully.
'Fallen into the trap.'
The Great King, smile fading, spoke.
"When sending the crown prince as envoy to the Tang this time, we'll make one request."
"A request?"
As the suddenly alert Father Yeon Gaesomun asked, the Great King glanced at his son beside him.
"We'll ask the Tang Emperor to allow children of Goguryeo nobles to enter their National Academy."
"Th-the National Academy?"
"Don't you know what a great opportunity it is to study at the Tang National Academy?"
"Y-yes, but it's too abrupt."
Beside the flustered Father Yeon Gaesomun, I was surprised too. Then I recalled a record I'd briefly forgotten. In 640, the crown prince was sent to offer tribute to the Tang, and they requested entry for nobles' sons into the National Academy.
'I remembered the front part but not the latter record.'
He'd approve Father's long-cherished wish for successor designation, but in exchange, send me to the Tang National Academy. Entry in name only—it was practically dragging me off as a hostage. If I went, Father would likely be pulled along by the Great King's commands. He could even use my two younger brothers and Uncle Yeon Jeong-to to shake Father. If emotions led to rash decisions there, it would be over. The coup in actual history had been unexpected. But with cards like this, predicting a coup wasn't hard.
'If we refuse?'
That was problematic too. It would be directly defying the Great King's order. Moreover, it seemed he planned to send other leaders' sons as well. Realizing that far, I couldn't help but smile wryly.
'The Great King has seized a means to control Father and the other leaders at once.'