Chapter 164
Chapter 164
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 164
Chapter Title: Great King Namsaeng
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As soon as we arrived at Chang'an Fortress, my father Yeon Gaesomun had come out all the way to the outer gate of Dagyungmun.
The moment we crossed the wooden bridge, I dismounted and greeted him.
"Why have you come all the way out here?"
His white hair seemed to have grown even more in the few months since I'd last seen him.
"Why? You've stabilized the north—that's merit enough to warrant it."
"It was nothing much."
"I have eyes and ears of my own. You smashed an organization whose true nature no one even knew, took out its leader in one fell swoop, and even swept up all the spies in Buyeo Fortress."
"I just got lucky. I fell into their trap and lost some good retainers in the process."
"These things happen when you're doing the work. And I hear you crossed the Great Marsh of Eomri, just like King Chumo."
Hearing the excitement in my father's voice, I couldn't help but feel a bit incredulous.
"I just passed through the shallows."
"That doesn't matter. What matters is what people believe. The Great King in the palace must be pacing anxiously right now."
Exchanging words with my father Yeon Gaesomun, we made our way back to the mansion. Standing glum-faced at the entrance to greet us were my two younger brothers, Yeon Nam-geon and Yeon Nam-san, whom I hadn't seen in ages. Seeing them, my father grinned.
"I told them to come out and greet you. Those brats have been making excuses and avoiding showing their faces all this time."
"You knew all along, didn't you?"
"Knowing isn't the point."
My father, who had reined in his horse, added as he dismounted,
"It's about when you bring it up."
"I'll keep that in mind, Father."
"Let's go inside. I know you want to see your wife, but we have much to discuss. Supreme Central Administrator Bu-sang is here too."
"Call Seon Do-hae as well."
"He's already here."
As we climbed the stairs, my two brothers forced awkward smiles and bowed in greeting. I deliberately hugged them tightly, making a big show of my joy to twist the knife a little deeper into their guilt. My wife waited just inside the gate with our sons, Heon-seong and Heon-chung. After promising to see her shortly, I headed straight to Binyeon Pavilion. Supreme Central Administrator Bu-sang, who had been waiting, bowed his head.
"I'm relieved to see you safe, Senior Central Administrator."
Surprised at his formal address, I saw Bu-sang grin.
"I'm your subordinate, so I'll speak respectfully."
"Do as you're comfortable."
My father Yeon Gaesomun took the center seat, and I sat beside him. My eyes met those of Seon Do-hae, who stood quietly in the corner. Seon Do-hae, who had been writing in his orange ledger, straightened the documents tucked at his side. As the tea was prepared, we all fell into a synchronized silence. The moment the maid who poured the tea set down the pot and closed the door behind her, my father Yeon Gaesomun spoke.
"There's unusual movement from Silla."
"I've heard. Supreme Central Administrator even sent men. What's the situation?"
Instead of answering, my father looked to Supreme Central Administrator Bu-sang. It seemed a courtesy, letting him give the official report. Bu-sang took a sip of tea and said,
"We've received word that the Silla queen's condition is critical."
"Already?"
In actual history, Queen Seondeok died in 647. It was 638 now, so she still had years left. Unbelieving, I turned to Seon Do-hae. He looked tense as he spoke.
"Reports from our agents in Seorabeol say much the same. She hasn't appeared at any official events, including the Baekgojwahoe lately. Rumors in the palace say she's ill, and her condition isn't looking good."
"Could Kim Yu-sin or Kim Chun-chu be spreading false rumors?"
"We're verifying, but nothing's confirmed yet."
After hearing Seon Do-hae's reply, I looked to Bu-sang. He gave a similar answer.
"They're keeping mouths shut tight, so it's hard to be sure. But if the queen's illness worsens, who knows what might happen—we need to prepare."
"Of course. It's the perfect opportunity for us."
At my excited tone, my father Yeon Gaesomun asked,
"You mean the queen's death?"
"Yes. If she dies, Kim Yu-sin and Kim Chun-chu's positions will shake for sure."
"True enough. Kim Chun-chu is a descendant of a deposed king, and Kim Yu-sin of a surrendered Gay a king."
"We need to contact Bidam, Yeomjong, and Alcheon. Support them in convening the Hwabaek Council to decide the next king."
"Not sure if their rise would help us. Alcheon, for one, is known as a hardliner."
To Bu-sang's cautious question, I stated firmly,
"Bidam, Yeomjong, and Alcheon are all true bone nobles. They prefer the status quo. The queen, Kim Yu-sin, and Kim Chun-chu all have unstable positions, so they have to keep starting wars to rack up merits and hold onto power."
As my explanation ended, Seon Do-hae added,
"Our agents' reports align. The queen ascended as the last sacred bone, but with no heirs, the next king will be true bone regardless."
My father, veteran of long power struggles, grasped the implications at once.
"If one of those true bones takes the throne, Kim Chun-chu and Kim Yu-sin won't survive."
To my father Yeon Gaesomun's words, Seon Do-hae elaborated,
"Most true bone nobles despise them. They see the pair as having seized power behind the queen's back."
As everyone pondered, I—who knew the future to some extent—spoke up.
"It's common for a king's favorites to earn the resentment and checks of other ministers. And when the king dies and a new one ascends, their purge is just as common."
"For those two, it might not just be a purge—their entire clans could be wiped out."
Supreme Central Administrator Bu-sang's words had me, Seon Do-hae, and even my father Yeon Gaesomun nodding almost in unison. After a moment's thought, Bu-sang spoke.
"Then we should mobilize the full resources of the Central Administration Bureau to back Yeomjong and Alcheon."
"Exactly. Even if it fails, we can sow division and suspicion—not a bad outcome."
In actual history, Bidam rebelled after Queen Seondeok's death. But the Hwabaek Council, the deliberative body of true bone nobles, had the authority to depose a king. Though a minority view, some hold that true bone nobles including Bidam deposed Seondeok, prompting Kim Yu-sin's rebellion. King Jinji had been deposed that way too.
If mishandled, Bidam's faction could lose the power struggle, letting Kim Yu-sin and Kim Chun-chu seize control and ally with Tang. But after two defeats, their influence had shrunk. The queen falling ill sooner than expected seemed tied to that. As I pondered, my father spoke up after hearing Bu-sang.
"Acting rashly could lead to unexpected results. And Bidam's side might readily take the hand we offer."
"We should make light contact first and keep the lines open."
My father nodded at Supreme Central Administrator Bu-sang's words.
"Have Monk Deokchang in Seorabeol meet them naturally. And probe the queen's condition."
"Understood."
Listening to their exchange, I turned to Seon Do-hae.
"Tell our Seorabeol agents to gauge public sentiment closely. If clashes erupt there, it'll sway the people."
"Got it. It used to favor the queen, but losing the Arisui area has split opinion down the middle now."
"One more solid blow, and it'll be fatal for Kim Yu-sin and Kim Chun-chu."
"Likely. Kim Yu-sin was hailed as an invincible general—now that's shattered."
"A decisive strike would be ideal."
Preventing Silla from allying with Tang would let us win without massive losses. Realizing the fruits of those grueling years of near-death struggles were ripening, I couldn't suppress a smile. Noticing, my father spoke.
"Don't get too ahead of yourself. Get complacent, and we'll end up the same."
His words snapped me back.
"What's happened?"
"The Great King is constantly scheming from the shadows."
"That was expected, wasn't it? A caged tiger always wants out of its pen."
"He's been sending people nonstop to the Division Leaders, saying you and I will seize the throne, then slaughter all the others and take power."
"Does that kind of persuasion work?"
"Of course not. But even lies, repeated enough, start to stick. We've caught and interrogated a couple, but the Great King won't quit easily. And we can't strike at him directly."
As my father Yeon Gaesomun grimaced in frustration, Supreme Central Administrator Bu-sang cautiously added,
"The Central Administration Bureau caught wind of moves to sway Elder Yeon Jeong-du's old retainers. We nipped it early, fortunately."
Hearing them, I inwardly shelved my plans for land reform, Hangul dissemination, and abolishing slavery. Even bolstering the central army might send the wrong signal. Sensing my thoughts, my father said,
"This isn't the time for bold moves. It could give the other Division Leaders ammunition."
"Understood. But distributing Goguryeo Fire or Yeon Clan Cannons should be fine?"
"That much is harmless. Replacing garrisons at Yuksal or Cheoryeo Pass needs more thought."
True to his mastery of power games, he spotted the risks instantly.
"I'll consult you on those for sure."
"Good. I'm planning a banquet for the Division Leaders soon. I'll warn them that if we turn on each other, the Great King's blade falls next."
"They'll get it?"
"People decide by self-interest. We've rotated positions generationally—I'll step aside."
"A generous concession."
"Only way they'll buy it. But you keep the Central Administration Bureau."
"Naturally. Also, there's a bandit gang called Lost Wolves north of Buyeo Fortress."
"I've heard."
"Their leader, Nak Sang-gwan, has impressive skills."
"Then we stay wary. Heroes from the north always spell trouble for the south."
"For now, we should use them. If Tang invades, Tujue tribes will lead— they'll cut our fortress links. Risky in open battle too."
"We have the Mohe tribes. They're as fierce and horse-savvy as any Tujue."
"No guarantee they won't turn at a key moment. And in war, more troops I control directly is always better, right?"
"If they're reliable, sure."
"They saved me from an ambush once. Might cause issues later, but useful until Tang falls."
After a brief pause in thought, my father Yeon Gaesomun opened his mouth.