Chapter 15
Chapter 15
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: Great King Namsaeng
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Having heard my story, the Chief of Central Administration revealed emotion for the first time. He rose from his seat and glared at me.
"Your Yeon Clan has openly challenged the royal authority time and again. Do you even know what war is? Have you ever seen the Sui Dynasty's million-strong army?"
I wanted to say I'd lived a life harsher than war in modern South Korea, but I held my tongue. The Chief of Central Administration, hands clasped behind his back, began pacing around the room.
"The war with the Sui was a great ordeal for us. When they came charging in for the fourth time, everyone thought it would be the last. If Yi Bai hadn't risen in rebellion then, who knows what might have happened."
"Are you trying to avoid war out of fear that a second Eulji Mundeok might emerge?"
What I'd always wondered while studying history was the fate of Eulji Mundeok, the hero of the Battle of Salsu. He had vanished without a trace, leaving no records behind. There was a clue in the New Annals that Lee Mun-jin had given me.
After the war ended, he was forcibly retired and erased from history. Instead, they emphasized only the crown prince Geommu's—Yeongyang Great King's—achievements in defeating Naheo's navy at Chang'an Fortress.
They had an extreme aversion to the rising prestige of a war hero. Hearing my words, the Chief of Central Administration clenched his fist tightly. Sensing I wasn't wrong, I pressed further.
"If that's the reason for avoiding war, it's nothing short of petty and cowardly."
"Insolent."
"Insolent to whom? To the man who discards his pride to protect his power? Or to the fool deluded into thinking submission will avert war?"
"You've gotten smarter. But that tongue will shorten your lifespan."
"Care to bet on it?"
"What bet?"
"If we send the crown prince as an envoy to the Tang, they'll send a return envoy."
"They would."
"What rank do you think they'll send?"
"At least a Minister of the Six Departments, or a Vice Minister below that."
"Best case, it'll be a lowly Langzhong."
"What nonsense is that!"
"You'll see within a few years. Oh, and before that, they'll demand we dismantle the Gyeonggwan Pagoda."
The Chief of Central Administration looked utterly baffled when the door opened.
A official in a green turban entered and whispered something in the Chief's ear. The Chief's eyes widened.
"What?"
"No one's ever memorized it that quickly before."
I could guess it was Go Jeong-ui speaking, so I stood from my chair.
"Then I'll get back to work. Chief of Central Administration—or should I call you Uncle?"
I could see Yeon Jeong-du's face twist in displeasure.
"Mock me all you want, then expect uncle privileges?"
"No matter what others say, I protect what's mine."
I gave a light bow and walked out. Yeon Jeong-du, denied the rights of the eldest son because his mother's status was low, had become the Great King's confidant. And now he clashed with the Yeon Clan at every turn.
Through that, he'd secured his position as the Great King's trusted aide and head of the Central Administration Bureau.
What a complicated family.
As I stepped outside, Go Jeong-ui stood there beaming with pride. The lower-ranking Central Administration officials who'd greeted me earlier lingered nearby, looking dazed.
Go Jeong-ui approached and said,
"Award me, please."
"Isn't that a bit fast?"
"I flattened their noses. They underestimated me for being young and got burned."
"Smart head, but even sharper mouth and greed. Fine, granted."
"Thank you. I want a fine horse."
"You can barely ride—what for?"
"To visit my master at Jeongneung Temple."
His unexpected answer caught me off guard.
"Miss him?"
"He cared for me when I was left at the temple as a child. To me, he's master and parent both."
I'd thought him a rude genius, but he had a surprisingly deep heart.
Even amid this, the Central Administration officials gazed at Go Jeong-ui with respect and awe.
"Let's get to work."
My first day at the Central Administration Bureau passed smoothly. Thanks to Go Jeong-ui's incredible memory, he memorized every document after one glance. He relayed their contents to me.
"The Central Administration Bureau is agonizing over how to handle relations with the Tang too."
"They talked like appeasement's the only way."
"That's the public stance. Internally, they're preparing for every scenario."
"Showing you that means they wanted me to know too, right?"
"No need to spell it out."
I recalled my conversation with Yeon Jeong-du. He'd insisted to me that appeasement was the only path. But internally, they were debating every possibility.
He'd spilled his thoughts to me too hastily, unaware of that.
Sly old fox.
Irritated at getting one-upped, but I'd gained a valuable lesson.
I'm not perfect either.
Then it hit me why Yeon Gaesomun had sent me here.
Don't take the world lightly.
As I mulled this over and left the bureau, Geom Mojam, waiting outside, bowed his head.
"Please board the carriage."
"Bored waiting out here?"
"Not at all. I was busy scouting the defenses."
"See any gaps?"
Geom Mojam pulled back the carriage curtain and replied,
"The Central Administration Bureau is guarded by the palace guard in practice. Not easy."
"Surprising. I figured you'd just charge in."
"My goal is to protect you safely."
"Anyway, I trust only you."
"Thank you."
Geom Mojam closed the curtain as he replied. The casual greetings from my modern life were quite bold in this hierarchical society.
The bumpy carriage ride brought us back to the estate. As I drew back the curtain and dismounted, the steward approached.
"The lord commands your presence."
"Where?"
"To the Lotus Pavilion, by his order."
I thought it sounded like a local Chinese restaurant, but the area buzzed. Go Jeong-ui especially lit up.
"You got the invite—why are you so happy?"
"The Lotus Pavilion. Only the Yeon Clan's lords can go there."
"Our father's the Eastern Division Leader."
I replied indifferently, then realized what it meant.
"He's officially naming me heir."
As Go Jeong-ui nodded, Geom Mojam knelt.
"Congratulations, my lord."
"Don't get ahead of yourself."
I warned Geom Mojam and turned to the steward.
"Lead the way."
"Yes."
The Lotus Pavilion was at the innermost part of the vast Yeon estate. High walls surrounded it, with a watchtower by the gate.
Whoa, it's fortified.
The guard warriors saw the steward and stepped aside, opening the gate.
Inside was a lake encircled by a round pavilion. At its center, an artificial island held a two-story tower.
That's the Lotus Pavilion.
It felt like Gyeongbok Palace's Huwonjeong.
But stronger, more imposing. On the second floor, Father Yeon Gaesomun stood overlooking everything.
I bowed at the bridge's end. He gestured me in and turned away. The steward said to cross and waited at the bridge.
I crossed and ascended to the Lotus Pavilion's second floor. There, at a round table laden with food, sat Yeon Gaesomun.
"Celebrating my first day?"
"Yes. How was the Central Administration Bureau?"
"Seems Uncle's running it well."
Yeon Gaesomun's face hardened at my words.
"He's not your uncle."
"He showed me the arrow scar on his head. Your orders, Father?"
Yeon Gaesomun shook his head at my question.
"Not mine—Grandfather's doing."
"Either way, don't miss next time. What a family: Father sends assassins to kill his son."
"Actually, I told them just to scare you."
"It barely grazed."
"I was the one who told the assassin to actually kill you."
What a well-oiled family, I thought as I sat.
Small cups and well-cooked meats were laid out. Reminded me of maekjeok from textbooks. Yeon Gaesomun poured a cup.
"Heard you met the Chief alone."
"First day."
"What did you discuss?"
"Couldn't eavesdrop?"
Yeon Gaesomun quietly drank the liquor I'd poured him. Better to answer quickly, I thought, and spoke.
"We talked about the Tang issue."
"What'd he say?"
"Appeasement's the only way to survive."
"And you?"
"I didn't say it guarantees peace."
"Foolish."
"If he were truly foolish, he wouldn't be the Great King's confidant or head the bureau. We need to figure out why he pushes appeasement."
"Obvious: War doesn't strengthen royal power."
"He thinks another war would force him to bow to us lords."
"Naturally. Even in the Sui war, we'd have struggled without our lords' aid. Yet even in victory, they didn't keep their promises."
Listening to Yeon Gaesomun, I finally grasped the conflict's root.
The Sui war was fought on Goguryeo soil. Victory brought only Sui prisoners—no land or spoils.
Instead, scorched-earth tactics had burned crops and razed homes, leaving significant damage.
Not in the Samguk Sagi, but postwar settlements must have sparked conflicts. No way to compensate losses.
As I pondered, Yeon Gaesomun refilled my cup. I downed mine hastily and took the bottle. He spoke after receiving it.
"Our clan rose late. Unlike others spouting nonsense about founding Goguryeo with Jumong, we're different in every way."
"Was that the source of the grudges?"
"Power brooks no rivals. Other clans fought among themselves but united against us."
"How'd we survive?"
"By fighting without mercy or tears. We utterly destroyed those who drew blades on us. After repeats, no one challenged us openly."
"But under the surface...?"
"Didn't you feel it today at the bureau?"
"Felt like they need to aim arrows straight next time."
Yeon Gaesomun laughed heartily, cup in hand, at my jest.
I'd seen him as a merciless killer or ruthless power-seeker. Yet he was meticulously calculating—and emotional.
A complex man, I thought, when Yeon Gaesomun suddenly said,
"Go to Baekje for a bit."