Chapter 133
Chapter 133
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 133
Chapter Title: Great King Namsaeng
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Once everyone had entered, Geom Mojam closed the door. He glanced at each person in turn before opening his mouth.
"The Great King summoned me to the palace today. There's no firm commitment yet, but it looks like the expedition to Adan Fortress we planned two years ago is finally going ahead."
My aides all lit up with joy at the news. I waited for their cheers to die down, then turned to Seon Do-hae.
"Contact Baekje and pass this along. Tell them we'll return Geompo County after capturing it, and we'll leave only a token force at Adan Fortress once Silla is driven south."
"I'll send it in Hangul."
"Ham-a, ramp up production of Goguryeo Fire to prepare for battle."
"Understood."
After hearing Ham-a's booming response, I turned to Ita-in, Go Dol-bal, Adokbang, and Gi Do-ryang—the ones who always gathered to listen in. Among them, Yang Man-chun usually took the lead.
"Go Dol-bal and Ita-in, I want you to lead the cavalry as mounted scouts again this time. Adokbang, take command of the bolt-equipped unit."
All three couldn't hide their delight. Finally, I looked at Gi Do-ryang.
"This time, lead the archer and infantry units into the field. You've been drilling them nonstop, so this is your reward."
Gi Do-ryang, who had always quietly followed orders, broke into a grateful expression. Unlike the others, he'd come over from Yeon Jeong-du's command, so his caution was plain to see. That's why I decided to give him this chance as a reward.
"Will the three generals be joining the expedition too?"
I shook my head at Go Yeon-mu's question.
"They'll stay behind to guard their respective fortresses. The supreme commander for this campaign will be Crown Prince Hwan-gwon."
The announcement caught everyone off guard, leaving them speechless. Gi Do-ryang finally spoke up.
"Then even if we win, Master gets nothing out of it."
Seon Do-hae quickly cut in at Gi Do-ryang's retort.
"No, the prince will just be nominal. Master will actually lead us and decide the battles."
Gi Do-ryang still looked skeptical, so Go Yeon-mu turned to me.
"Was this the Great King's proposal? Or...?"
"I suggested it."
"Wasn't it a bit hasty?"
"It was the only way to strike a deal with the Great King."
I regretted not being able to share everything in my head. Teaming up with Baekje to thrash Silla wasn't out of hatred for them. It was because of the Tang alliance they were cozying up to.
'No time left.'
I needed to wrap up the war with Silla and head north to forge ties with the Khitans and Xueyantuo. But the Great King had dragged his feet for a whole year. With more delays likely ahead, I dangled terms favorable to them. Luckily, the promise of enrolling their kid in the Tang National Academy made him bite. Otherwise, he'd have kept holding me back.
'Worst case, I might've had to beg Silla to invade us.'
Come to think of it, that wouldn't have worked either. Generals So Bu-son, On Sa-mun, and An Go were stationed at Gwanmi Fortress, Chiljung Fortress, and Maeso Fortress from last time. If they lost, I'd take heat as their patron.
'Now that I think about it...'
It was odd. Why hadn't those three generals been sent back to their hometowns? Maybe it was to block a move like this. The thought gave me a headache, so I shoved it aside and focused, turning back to Go Yeon-mu.
"Once Go Jeong-ui returns from the funeral, we'll draw up the operations plan. Targets are the Geompo County area and Adan Fortress. Expedition force between twenty and thirty thousand."
"I'll handle supply logistics."
At Go Yeon-mu's response, I added right away.
"Confirm the fortresses and routes we absolutely need to seize for full control of Geompo County. We'll launch from Chiljung or Gwanmi, so supplies shouldn't be an issue."
"Still, I'll double-check for any snags."
"Word from the palace should come soon. Have the strategy airtight by then, and we'll move at once."
"When do you think the message will arrive?"
"He'll deliberate, but it'll be quick."
"Better get moving, then."
Go Yeon-mu wore a grave look beyond his years. I took a deep breath, sharpening my focus to the edge, issued a few directives, and hashed out the rest through discussion. Just then, a knock echoed at Bin Yeon-gak's door. Geom Mojam, at the entrance, cracked it open, stepped out, and spoke with a subordinate outside. He shut the door and approached me.
"Master."
"What is it?"
"Yi Maeng-jin came in a hurry."
Ita-in reacted faster than I did.
"Father? Now?"
Geom Mojam nodded toward Ita-in.
"First time he's shown up unannounced. It's got us rattled."
I asked after hearing Geom Mojam's reply.
"What's this about?"
"He insists on speaking to you directly."
I didn't want to cut the meeting short. But Yi Maeng-jin's urgent visit piqued my curiosity. Hand on hip, I told Geom Mojam.
"Bring him in."
"Yes."
Moments later, Yi Maeng-jin entered Bin Yeon-gak in his official robes. Trailing him was a guard soldier in armor, head bowed low. While Geom Mojam patted them down, Ita-in approached his father.
"What's the rush without a word?"
"Circumstances demanded it."
Geom Mojam signaled all clear and stepped back, watching from the side. I bowed my head to the approaching Yi Maeng-jin.
"To what do I owe this unannounced visit?"
"Urgent business brought me. Clear the room a bit."
His expression screamed serious trouble. I was about to agree and tell the aides to step out when nausea hit. The gut warning of a bad call. I grimaced, but the men sensed the mood and filed out first. No point stopping them, so I let it go. Door shut, Geom Mojam stood arms crossed, observing. I sat and offered Yi Maeng-jin a seat. He took it, but the guard knelt on one knee, head down. As I eyed him, Yi Maeng-jin spoke cautiously.
"I looked into that strategist you mentioned earlier today."
"Ah, I see."
The crisis sense was obvious. Yi Maeng-jin let out a small sigh and continued.
"As you said, I focused on those who meet the Great King often. But the palace is vast, and plenty of people work there."
"Of course. That's why I asked you."
"Right. Started with the eunuchs. Most have been there ages; newcomers are few and far between."
"Was it one of them?"
Yi Maeng-jin shook his head at my question.
"No sign among them. New ones don't get close to the Great King anyway."
"Couldn't they sneak a secret meeting?"
Yi Maeng-jin waved it off.
"Too many eyes and ears in the palace. Impossible for the Great King to meet anyone covertly during the day."
"At night?"
"Not sure about him, but the other party couldn't move. Everyone except the on-duty leaves the palace. And duty isn't his call—he can't pick who stays."
"How does it work?"
"By rotation mostly, but he shuffles sometimes. Can't let plots form on predictable schedules."
"Makes sense. If not eunuchs, maybe palace maids or guards?"
"No maids versed in strategy. Plus, they'd need Tang knowledge."
"True. It takes knowing about the Tang National Academy to bring it up. Not a maid, then. Leaves...?"
As I spoke, I glanced at the guard kneeling beside Yi Maeng-jin, head bowed. His helmet brim hid his face. Yi Maeng-jin's voice cut in as I stared.
"So I dug into the guards. Found something suspicious."
My voice rose unwittingly.
"You got a lead?"
"Guards patrol the inner palace every night. Not by rotation—they draw lots."
"Draw lots?"
"At sunset, guard captains gather before the dais and draw. No one knows who's patrolling the inner palace that night."
"Eliminates surprises."
"Exactly. Guards shouldn't know when I'll patrol at night."
I leaned in, tense.
"But one did?"
"Stuck there, pounding my head. Then a whisper in my ear."
"What whisper?"
"When a red lantern hangs in the inner palace, one guard always patrols."
"A signal."
"Seems so. Couldn't verify myself in the rush, but the source was solid."
"Not coincidence?"
"Thought so at first, but it's happened more than once or twice."
"Who told you?"
"Eunuch I trust. Met some inner palace patrol guards—they clammed up."
Yi Maeng-jin grimaced and pointed at the kneeling guard.
"Asked who, and he said he'd tell you himself. So I rushed him here."
I'd figured identifying the strategist would take ages. Thanks to Yi Maeng-jin, we had a lead sooner. I asked the bowed guard.
"What you saw—is it certain?"
"Yes. Patrolling the inner palace is grueling, so everyone avoids it. But that one volunteers sometimes."
"When the red lantern's up?"
"Yes. Seemed off, but I couldn't pry further."
"Even on patrol, could he meet the Great King?"
"There's a rest spot during the night watch. Right behind its wall is the audience hall's privy."
"How long could they meet like that?"
"An hour, easily."
Listening to the guard Yi Maeng-jin brought, I pieced it together. Now that we knew who, I'd handle it before deployment.
'Solved quicker than expected.'
Tension easing, the nausea faded. To the still-bowed guard, I said.
"Truly grateful. Name your reward."
"Thank you. A strong, swift horse and fine silk, please."
"Of course. Enough for a lifetime."
"My deepest thanks, Lord Junior Central Administrator."
As he spoke, the guard looked up at me. His eyes were red.
