Chapter 143
Chapter 143
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 143
Chapter Title: Festival Oath and Silla Campaign
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"Now we just need to prepare to fight against the Tang."
Compared to actual history, things had changed quite a bit, and time seemed to be accelerating. My head started to ache at the thought that the real challenge was just beginning. I sat in a chair to rest for a bit, forced myself to snap out of it, and called for Geom Mojam.
"Call back all the subordinates who went to the provinces."
"Understood. Congratulations, Master."
"I'm not sure if this is really something to celebrate. But thanks anyway."
"Now, there will be no one in Goguryeo to threaten you, Master."
"Next, we have to protect Goguryeo."
I briefly considered land reforms and promulgating Hangul, then gave up on the idea. They were things I might push after becoming Great King, but the division leaders would oppose them outright. For now, we had to focus everything on repelling the Tang invasion. As my mind grew cluttered, pain throbbed from my wound again. Seeing me grimace, Geom Mojam cautiously spoke up.
"It'll take a few days for everyone to return. Rest until then."
"Yeah, I suppose I should."
Feeling relieved, I headed to where my wife was. I told Geom Mojam, who offered to support me, to get some rest himself.
A few days later, my close retainers arrived one after another. They'd heard the news in advance, and all of them were beaming. Go Jeong-ui, who had piloted the flying chariot and dropped Goguryeo fire on the imperial palace, had a scar on his face but didn't seem to mind.
"A handsome face like mine can handle a little scratch."
Go Jeong-ui's joke lightened the mood even more. The next day after the retainers arrived was the festival. Citizens of Chang'an Castle, dressed in fur clothes and winter hats resembling those from the Joseon era's Namsan Rock, gathered at the Paekgang River. They clustered by the water's edge, lit bonfires, danced, and sang.
Riding in a carriage with my retainers and exiting through the Dagyung Gate, I saw the scene and chuckled.
"The nation of dance and song, indeed."
They broke the ice on the river and floated rafts bearing wooden statues of the Heavenly Ancestor and Buyeo Ancestor. It was similar to the Alliance Festival held in the Gukdong Daehyeol of the capital in October. They must have advanced the season when moving the capital to the Pyongyang area.
The people on the riverbank and ice played by splashing water or throwing stones. I warmed myself by the bonfire Geom Mojam had lit. My retainers and personal guards surrounded us like a screen. A short distance away, the heirs of the Northern, Southern, and Western Division Leaders had set up their own bonfire and taken seats. Since the Crown Prince, not the Great King, was appearing, the heirs had come instead of the division leaders to match the occasion.
In the midst of the lively festival, a palanquin pulled by people emerged from the Dagyung Gate. Seated inside was the Crown Prince, wearing a gold-bronze crown shaped like bird wings, draped in a long robe of multicolored silk, holding a fur fan in hand.
As the Crown Prince appeared, the people by the river cheered in unison. He stepped down from the palanquin and raised one hand in response. The small gold ornaments on his bird-wing crown shook, scattering light.
The festival resumed, and I headed with the division leaders' heirs to the pre-erected tent. Each division's personal guards scanned the surroundings with sharp eyes. The imperial guards were present too, but they seemed somewhat subdued. Inside the tent was a platform for the oath ceremony. This ritual, called a "huimeng" in Chinese style, was where participants swore to uphold their promises to each other.
'Like stamping a contract in modern times.'
The Huimeng of Churi Mountain between Buyeo Yung and King Munmu, who had become Tang's puppets after Baekje's fall, was a famous example. Chairs were arranged in a circle around the platform, with a brazier in the center. I entered first, followed by Go Yeonsu and Go Hyejin, then the injured one. Once we were all inside, the Crown Prince entered as well. His eyes were a vivid red, but with so many eyes around, he wouldn't act rashly. Feeling the tension ready to burst, I spoke.
"Shall we begin?"
Everyone nodded, and the Crown Prince in the northern seat nodded last. An elderly eunuch who had come with him unrolled a tightly wound wooden tablet. With a dry cough, he read its contents. It roughly swore to the Heavenly Ancestor and Buyeo Ancestor not to fight each other and to keep the promised terms. Once the eunuch finished reading, another entered with a bowl of blood. Crown Prince Hwan-gwon took the first sip, and we passed it around to finish. Wiping blood from his lips with the back of his hand, Crown Prince Hwan-gwon looked at me.
"So, what do you plan to do now?"
"We'll join hands with Baekje to push out Silla. And prepare for war with Tang."
"Modest ambitions."
His response carried layers of meaning, but I tuned it out. Instead, I heard the voices of the people singing and dancing by the Paekgang. I turned to look at them.
"It's of utmost importance. To me, and to everyone."
Irritated at not getting the answer he expected, Crown Prince Hwan-gwon laughed sharply.
"Someone sowed discord, saying I betrayed Lady Aba."
"It was necessary for survival. I didn't think the Great King would believe it."
"Suddenly under house arrest, I couldn't even breathe freely for a while."
"But you're still alive, aren't you? Lee Maeng-jin, father of my subordinate I Tain, lost his life."
"Quite a few died, indeed."
"I don't want more deaths. We have important work ahead."
The wheel of assassination had spun, yielding unexpected results. But binding the meddlesome Great King and Crown Prince like this wasn't bad. After a brief stare-down following our short exchange, I turned and left the tent. The other division leaders' heirs followed, leaving the Crown Prince alone. The people were still enjoying the festival by the Paekgang. Watching their joy, I felt a desire to protect their lives.
Now, Goguryeo's division leaders had rejoined hands to rule. That was Father Yeon Gaesomun's doing. As soon as I returned by carriage, enduring the pain in my lower abdomen, I convened a meeting at the Bin Yeon Pavilion. And issued the long-delayed orders.
"Attack Silla's Adan Fortress. Yang Manchun will command, with Go Dol-bal, I Tain, Adokbang, and Gi Do-ryang joining the expedition. Go Yeonmu will go as strategist, and Ham-a will lead the artisans to ensure Goguryeo fire is used effectively."
Yang Manchun grinned broadly at my words. Go Jeong-ui, who wasn't going, frowned.
"Lighten up. You've got work to do here with me."
I turned to Seon Do-hae.
"Contact Baekje's Crown Prince Uija and inform him of our expedition."
"Should we tell him the target too?"
I nodded at Seon Do-hae's question.
"We need to coordinate. Tell him we're attacking Geompo County to completely sever Silla's link to Tang."
"Understood. When do we depart?"
"In spring. Before it gets hot."
"Anything else to relay?"
"That should do for now."
Seon Do-hae repeated my words to himself. Watching him, I addressed the retainers.
"A lot has happened these past few days. The threats are gone, and only our tasks remain. What I ask is that we do our jobs properly. That's why this Silla campaign is so crucial. Give it your all."
Yang Manchun responded first.
"I've always seen you as a friend, but this time I'll follow as your subordinate. I'll smash the Silla bastards and take Adan Fortress."
"I was worried since you couldn't go yourself, but now I feel secure. Get there fast and seize it."
"Take care of yourself."
Seeing Yang Manchun's confidence, I realized we'd passed a major hurdle. I gave a few more orders and ended the meeting. But Seon Do-hae lingered hesitantly. He seemed to have a separate report, so I waited until the others left and asked.
"What is it?"
"It's not fully confirmed yet."
His anxious expression, he added.
"A report came from our agent in Wa."
"What report?"
"The assassination attempt backed by the Shadow Shadow Division wasn't by Prince Go Bok-deok."
The unexpected news made my head ring.
"What?"
"The agent said it's not certain, but I thought I should tell you anyway."
"Tell me more."
"Prince Go Bok-deok and his twin brother Prince Go Bok-seung were staying together in Wa."
"Twins?"
"Yes. Then, about half a year ago, rumors spread that Prince Go Bok-seung had vanished and returned to Goguryeo."
Suddenly, the words of the man I thought was Prince Go Bok-deok before he died made sense.
"He said it wasn't over. Before dying."
"Prince Go Bok-deok is still in Wa, but there are rumors he's returning too."
"For revenge on his brother's death?"
"Not sure. The agent said they were very close and both clever."
"So he devised a scheme to corner me at once. Why were they in Wa in the first place?"
"Though illegitimate, they threatened the Crown Prince's position, so they were exiled."
"They returned to aid their father."
"Seems so. Removing the younger one but leaving the elder bothers me."
"He could be trouble."
"The agent says we can make a move."
"How?"
"Security's gotten lax lately."
I quickly grasped what Seon Do-hae meant. I pondered briefly but didn't dwell.
"If we can handle it, better to do so."
"I'll give the order to proceed."
Seon Do-hae said he'd report the results and withdrew. Alone now, thoughts of Go Bok-seung's death—whom I'd believed was Go Bok-deok—resurfaced. I was reminded anew how bloody and ruthless the struggle for power truly was.
Three months later, Yang Manchun and his men departed with a 20,000-strong expeditionary force. Baekje's 20,000 troops, led by Buyeo Seung under Crown Prince Uija's orders, were also mobilizing. Their target was Geompo County; seizing it would place Goguryeo and Baekje facing each other across the Ari River as the border. Yang Manchun, in light armor with a silver helmet, rode a white horse at the vanguard as they set off. Still not fully recovered, I watched from a folding chair.
Baekje's army, similar in size to Yang Manchun's force, advanced north under Buyeo Seung's command. They would attack Geompo County while Yang Manchun's army took Adan Fortress bordering the Ari River—that was the core objective of this campaign.
'That'll give Silla serious trouble trading with Tang.'
Of course, they could ask Wa to accompany Tang envoys or sail from Seorabul or the southern sea. But Wa, close to Baekje, wouldn't comply, and we were watching closely. Starting from Seorabul or the south meant hugging the coast, where our and Baekje's navies would capture them.
'With war against Tang looming, this essential task is complete.'
Sitting in the carriage, I pondered the next steps. It seemed time to meet that person.