Chapter 169
Chapter 169
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 169
Chapter Title: The Fall of Daeya Fortress
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“M-My lord, I was a fool. Please, strike off my head and rend my flesh to pieces to vent your anger, but do not abandon Baekje!”
“Weren’t you just insisting that balance was key? As if I were the one egging on Arah and the Crown Prince to start this war.”
Hearing my reply, Seongchung shook his head desperately.
“I was narrow-minded. Baekje and Goguryeo share the same roots. Even if there were old grudges, how could we be lesser than Silla? I misspoke. Please, forgive my angering words.”
“Do I seem like I’m acting out of rage? It’s just a simple calculation. Whether Baekje helps Goguryeo or not. But from what you’ve said, it doesn’t seem like it will.”
“No, that’s not true. Please forgive me.”
Desperately pleading, Seongchung crawled toward me. Seeing this, Geom Mojam shot to his feet and struck the nape of his neck with the scabbard. Seongchung collapsed face-down, unconscious from the blow.
“He’s not dead, is he?”
“Just unconscious.”
“Lay him properly on the bed. Give him some food when he wakes.”
“You’re not sending him away?”
“He won’t leave until he sees me again. Say I’m busy and let him stay.”
Gazing down at Seongchung, Geom Mojam muttered,
“What a fool.”
“True, but his heart for his country burns brighter than anyone’s.”
“Fair enough. He cast aside his pride and clung to you, Master.”
“We’ll meet again after word from Daeya Fortress spreads. Take good care of him.”
“Understood.”
Geom Mojam called his men and dragged the limp Seongchung away.
Two weeks later, couriers brought word that Daeya Fortress had fallen. Just as in actual history, Geom-il—a subordinate who harbored a grudge after Fortress Lord Kim Pumseok stole his wife—set fire to the granary alongside his comrade Mo-cheok. Startled, Kim Pumseok sent out another subordinate, Seo-cheon, to sue for surrender, only for Baekje forces to slaughter him. Witnessing this, Kim Pumseok killed his wife—Gota-so, Kim Chun-chu’s daughter—and then himself. The remaining guards Saji, Gwandung, Jukjuk, and Yongseok rallied the survivors to hold out, but they were overwhelmed and the fortress fell. Aside from happening about two years earlier than in real history, everything unfolded exactly as it should. The ripple effects were the same.
Returning from the Central Administration Bureau and entering Binyeon Pavilion, Seon Do-hae, who had been waiting, spoke up at once.
“As you predicted, Master, Daeya Fortress has fallen.”
“And Silla and Baekje?”
“Baekje’s in a festive mood. Silla’s the opposite—like a house in mourning.”
“Kim Chun-chu must be leaning against a pillar in his home, too shocked to notice anyone passing by.”
“How did you know?”
“I know everything. But it’s not genuine grief.”
“Pardon?”
I wagged my finger at Seon Do-hae’s puzzled look.
“What kind of man is Kim Chun-chu to lose his mind over this? He’s surely pretending to grieve to dodge responsibility.”
“That could be.”
“Now, Kim Chun-chu and Kim Yu-sin will scramble for countermeasures to evade blame. Kim Chun-chu will come to us, and Kim Yu-sin will try to retake Daeya or score a similar victory.”
“The Central Administration Bureau predicts much the same.”
“Warn them that fallout could splash our way. The border no longer touches Gangwon—only Hasla now, right?”
“Yes.”
“They might push there, so stay vigilant.”
“I’ll issue alert orders to the border generals.”
The next step would be Kim Chun-chu’s visit. In real history, he sought talks with Yeon Gaesomun, but this time, he had to come to me.
“I’ll handle negotiations if Kim Chun-chu shows.”
“Got it. The Great King has no say anyway, right?”
I nodded, and Geom Mojam entered.
“Seongchung wishes an audience, Master.”
“I was about to summon him. Bring him in.”
Moments later, Seongchung entered. Gone was his former sharp edge; he looked utterly cautious now. I spoke to him as he sat in the folding chair brought by Geom Mojam’s subordinate.
“I heard Daeya Fortress fell.”
“I heard as well.”
“Your prediction of heavy casualties was off. The fortress lord Pumseok’s brutality drove betrayers from within.”
“I heard that too. I never imagined it would fall so easily.”
“The world turns not on a three-inch tongue, but on swords and wits.”
“I concede.”
“You’ve done some thinking. The envoy meant for me was kidnapped en route, it seems?”
“Sa Taek’s handiwork, I believe.”
“Madness. Kidnapping the Crown Prince’s envoy midway.”
“My ignorance and misjudgment blew this out of proportion.”
Watching Seongchung speak calmly, I thought, As expected. Most would cling to pride even admitting fault, but he cleanly accepted his error.
Not for nothing does history remember him.
I cleared my throat lightly and continued.
“What do you think Silla will do next?”
Seon Do-hae glanced at me as I questioned Seongchung—wondering why ask him—but I ignored it. Seongchung spoke cautiously.
“Three paths present themselves now.”
“Tell me.”
“One: make peace with us. Send envoys to pull back from the border.”
“Baekje’s least desired option.”
“Yet they won’t take it. It would mean the Queen’s policy failed.”
“Next?”
“Peace with Goguryeo. Our string of victories came from allying with you. Drive a wedge between us, and they douse their immediate fire.”
“Your view?”
“More likely than the first. We’re blood enemies with Silla, but not to that degree with Goguryeo.”
“We’ve grudges with Silla too.”
“But in King Seong’s time, we yielded the Okri River area and allied with them. Silla will cling to that memory.”
“Last?”
“Total mobilization to attack us. Likely targeting recaptured Daeya or Gazam Fortress.”
“Kim Yu-sin at the fore.”
“Yes. More likely than the first, less than the second.”
“Why?”
“Retaking a lost fortress is hard, even for Kim Yu-sin. Defeat there would spell disaster.”
“Then the second path. Come to Goguryeo suing for peace.”
“Exactly. Never trust their words. They flip-flop and betray at every meal.”
I smirked inwardly at Seongchung’s urgency. Despite no foreknowledge, his prediction was spot-on. Seon Do-hae wore the same impressed look. Once he finished, I spoke.
“I understand your stance. Prepare to depart—you may go.”
“May I stay until Silla’s envoy arrives?”
“Why? Planning to charge in sword in hand?”
My jest drew a serious reply.
“Kim Chun-chu will come. He’s a master at beguiling with his tongue.”
“Worried I’ll fall for it? Of course, I’ll hear his proposals.”
“You’ll meet him?”
His uneasy tone prompted,
“You met me. No reason to refuse Kim Chun-chu. If he offers his kingdom on a platter, why refuse?”
Half-joking, but he pondered gravely. Sharp and brilliant, yet overly earnest—that was the flaw.
Worlds apart from prankster Go Jeong-ui.
After long thought, Seongchung replied.
“Even if he offers his kingdom, don’t believe him.”
“Why? Think I’ll ally with Silla to squeeze Baekje?”
Caught again, he fell silent. Too upright for schemes.
Perfect for an inspector role.
“Presumptuous, but allow me to watch. Then I’ll return, confess to Arah and the Crown Prince, and end myself under heaven’s gaze.”
“Very well. If I meet Kim Chun-chu, what should I do?”
“Slay him without parley.”
Seon Do-hae looked shocked at the extremism.
“Even deep grudges don’t warrant killing an envoy who comes in peace.”
“Didn’t I say? He’s a viper—don’t keep him near.”
“Viper or worse, killing an envoy stains Master’s reputation. Even a foreign minister—mind your words.”
“My deepest apologies. But I speak for Goguryeo’s sake.”
“You dared deceive Master—how dare you cloak it as counsel!”
I could’ve watched their rare spat longer, but intervened. Raising my hand, Seon Do-hae glared grudgingly as Seongchung bowed.
“I apologize for my harsh words.”
“Not asking for your head, then.”
“If you wish, take it. Just place it beside his.”
Seon Do-hae snorted in disbelief. Turning to him, then Seongchung,
“Stay until Silla’s envoy arrives. But send the Crown Prince a letter detailing your coming.”
“I’ve already written it in blood.”
He drew a wooden tablet from his bosom. Only then did I notice the cloth wrapped around his right fingers. Seon Do-hae paled at “blood letter.” Seongchung’s bamboo-straight demeanor evoked “serious freak.” I nodded, when Geom Mojam’s voice came from outside.
“Master, the Central Crossbow Chief has arrived.”
“Send him in.”
The Binyeon Pavilion door creaked open, revealing Bu-sang in official robes. Though he’d ridden by carriage, he’d hurried from the gate, panting. Seon Do-hae quick-wittedly offered water. Bu-sang, Supreme Central Administrator, gulped it down and looked to me.
“Silla’s envoy has crossed the border.”
“Kim Chun-chu, no doubt.”
Bu-sang’s eyes widened.
“How did you know?”
“He can’t stay in Seorabeol. To shed blame, he had to come here.”
“I thought so too, but never dreamed he’d actually come.”
“Only by saving the alliance can he save face and life. Where is he now?”
“Likely arrived at Sugok Fortress, staying at the guesthouse.”
I glanced at seated Seongchung upon Bu-sang’s answer.
“Escort him strictly once he reaches Jang-an Fortress. Or this fellow might charge in to kill him.”