Chapter 149
Chapter 149
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 149
Chapter Title: Trail to Buyeo Fortress
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After hearing Asilbul's eager response, I grew even more tense. Something was brewing up north, and if the Tang Dynasty was involved, preempting it was crucial.
'It's not time to fight yet.'
I muttered to myself, exchanged farewells with Asilbul, and mounted the horse Geom Mojam had brought. Under heavy escort, we headed to the guesthouse.
For two straight days in Liaodong Fortress, couriers kept arriving. Word came to my father, Yeon Gaesomun, who was set to rotate into the commander's seat, along with separate reports from Bu Sang at the Central Administration Bureau. Seon Do-hae sent along intelligence gathered by his network of informants. I'd rise at dawn, pore over the messages one by one from the guesthouse, drafting replies or issuing orders. That's when Ariyeong showed up.
I dismissed the courier and turned to her. Ariyeong, dressed in pants and a jacket like a man, topped with a fox-fur vest, spoke up.
"I've been inquiring through our merchants nonstop, and word just came in that it appeared near where the Black River meets the Nan River."
"Exactly where?"
At my question, Ariyeong pulled a map from her bosom and spread it out. She jabbed firmly at the middle of the solid line labeled Black River.
"Right here."
A winding line ran alongside it. I roughly gauged the distance from our current spot in Liaodong Fortress.
"That's quite a ways off. By the time we get there, it'll probably be long gone."
Ariyeong nodded at my words.
"That's what I think too."
Lost in thought, I suddenly recalled a detective novel from my modern days. A detective I'd met back then had explained how to track a fugitive who'd gone to ground.
"Stolen goods!"
He'd said fugitives need cash to vanish, so they try unloading their loot. Few dare buy fenced items since it's a crime itself. Watch those fences or squeeze them, and you find your man—that's what stuck with me.
My sudden shout startled Ariyeong, who gave me a puzzled look. I explained to her.
"We track where they're fencing the plundered goods, and we'll know their whereabouts."
Ariyeong's eyes lit up. She scanned the map, her finger darting to another spot.
"If it's a place like that, there's only one possibility."
"Where?"
"Buyeo Fortress. Lots of outsiders pass through, and the huge market deals in everything under the sun."
"Perfect for offloading stolen or seized goods without a trace. People included."
"Likely. I'll contact our Maemul Merchant Guild traders there."
"Too slow waiting for reports. Let's head that way now."
"What if it's a waste of time?"
"Those Lost Wolves kidnapped Chief Haeryeong-a's daughter Gerheng on someone's orders. They'll meet their handlers somewhere to hand her off or collect payment."
"And Buyeo Fortress could be the spot."
"What if they just crossed straight into Tang territory?"
"They mobilized the Lost Wolves to hide their tracks. No direct contact. Even if we're late, we need their identity to strike back."
"Understood. I'll ready the departure."
"Thanks. Call Geom Mojam."
As Ariyeong left, Geom Mojam entered. I ordered immediate preparations. He asked,
"Where to?"
"Buyeo Fortress."
"Got it."
Half a day later, our group—me, Ariyeong, Yang Man-chun and his retainers, about a hundred Haeryeong-a cavalry led by the bandaged Asilbul, and another hundred of Geom Mojam's retainers—departed Liaodong Fortress, heading northeast.
Buyeo Fortress lived up to its name: a stronghold built long ago by Buyeo. Later absorbed into Goguryeo as our power pushed north. At about 2.4 kilometers in circumference, it was a sizable fort, key to guarding our northern frontier. In modern times, it's known as Yongdam Mountain Fortress in China's Jilin Province.
Perched atop a peak overlooking the Songhua River, it was a strategic hub under Yoksal's control, overseeing some forty nearby forts. I recalled a paper noting its role as a trade nexus with northern nomads, right by the Songhua—which was the mighty Eomri Daesu that Jumong crossed using fish and a turtle to flee Buyeo. A place of deep historical weight for Goguryeo.
Though atop a 388-meter peak, the plains by the Eomri Daesu hosted a city, with a grand market to the north. Ariyeong explained it mainly traded horses and hides brought by nomads.
"Our Maemul Merchant Guild folks use it often."
"To buy up their horses?"
"Exactly. Cheaper than breeding our own. Especially those tough ones raised in harsh lands—they're prime for battle."
"So, nomads are essential for securing our borders."
"They read the winds like no one else. Back their pick, and victory's likelier."
"Which way's the wind blowing now?"
Ariyeong glanced west toward Tang without a word. I followed her gaze, then replied.
"Time to shift its direction."
"You can do it, Master."
Like the others, Ariyeong called me Master without a second thought. As we traded words along the road, boisterous singing erupted. Glancing aside, we saw a crowd gathered at a house. Godolbal noted,
"Serok's up, so it's a wedding."
"Serok? Oh!"
Goguryeo weddings differed wildly from modern ones. At the gate stood the groom in a red silk conical hat, yellow silk jacket, and pants—probably come to claim his bride. We naturally halted to watch. Urged by onlookers, the red-hatted man bellowed,
"Father-in-law! I am Pungchi—give me your daughter! Please, grant me your daughter!"
Laughter rippled through the crowd as Pungchi prostrated himself before the gate, pleading repeatedly. After several cries, the door creaked open. A middle-aged woman in gold earrings and pleated skirt approached. She gestured him up and led him to the small serok behind the house. Before the hut-like structure, she cleared her throat. The serok door opened, revealing a young bride with rouge dots on her cheeks and a golden veil prettily draped over her hair. Pungchi grinned ear to ear as the woman shoved him forward, shut the door, wished them well, and left. In modern terms, the newlyweds had just completed their procession.
Onlookers cheered and clapped. Someone beat a drum; soon everyone danced and sang. Seeing in person what I'd only read about moved me beyond words. Yang Man-chun sidled up with a hearty laugh.
"A new family is born."
"Their happiest moment, no doubt."
"Probably."
As villagers danced and sang, the bride's parents piled silk and jewels by the serok—gifts from the groom, just as the records described. Goguryeo's straightforward, clean wedding rites wrapped up with the festivities. We watched, then had Ariyeong deliver a gift before pressing on. The cold deepened northbound, people grew scarcer.
Ten days after leaving Liaodong Fortress, we reached Buyeo. The mighty Eomri Daesu flowed lazily as Buyeo Fortress came into view atop a gentle hill, built of stone and earth.
A city sprawled across the riverfront plains below: grid streets lined with homes and warehouses. Endless fields stretched out, bolstered by the nearby river—impressive farmland for the north. One thatched farmhouse by a field was building a new elevated granary, a bukyeong.
We followed paths between fields to the northern market. Buyeo's north flank had tombs dotting the slopes—shattering my assumption they'd hide from sight. Asilbul and his tribesmen, too conspicuous, split off for the northern mountains. Before parting, Asilbul pleaded earnestly.
"Please find our young lady."
"I will. Wait for word."
We parted from Asilbul and neared Buyeo Fortress. Midway up the northern street overlooking the tombs lay a massive market. A broad avenue teemed with clustered horses. Fur-hatted nomads haggled fiercely with merchants in tall caps, interpreters in between.
On one side, a black-robed official inspected weapons the nomads offered. Nearby, hides they'd brought towered in stacks. Alien tongues poured from everywhere, peppered with curses and shouts, amplifying the din. Horse dung stench sealed the chaos. I wrinkled my nose; Yang Man-chun chuckled.
"Smell odd?"
"Not pleasantly."
"Means the market's thriving."
"I see."
"So, we're here. What's the plan?"
I looked to Ariyeong instead. She scanned the market.
"First, confirm if the Lost Wolves are selling stolen horses."
"How?"
"Horses and hides take long haggling with multiple buyers. But if someone's dumping them cheap and quick..."
"Stolen goods."
"Right. Told our Maemul Guild merchants to flag anyone unloading at fire-sale prices. Also watch for nomads hawking valuables they couldn't normally have."
"We wait, then?"
"Market's full of folk, but armed warriors stand out."
"Got it. We'll hole up at the guesthouse."
"News soon."
After chatting with Ariyeong, we climbed to Buyeo Fortress. At the north gate via winding paths, an official sent by Yoksal awaited.
His guide took us past the gate. Beside the earthen-stone north gate loomed a vast reservoir. We met Yoksal at the guesthouse for formalities. All the while, I pondered leads. The brief-yet-endless meeting done, we entered the guesthouse. In the spacious courtyard, I ordered Geom Mojam,
"Prep now—word could come anytime."
"Understood. No standing down arms."